Vacation

Maribel Castro

English 1A

September 25, 2012

Professor Rogers

                     

My Vacations

  Many years ago, when I was about to turn eighteen years old, my family and I decided to make a trip to the beautiful city of Guanajuato in Mexico. The plan was to spend a good summer vacation while we visited our relatives. At that time, my two little sisters Carina and Teresa were about to turn fifteen years old. In our Mexican culture turning fifteen is a big deal therefore, we have a tradition were we celebrate what is believed to be the transition or step that a girl takes to become a woman. For example, it is similar to when a girl here in America turns sixteen years old and has what we call a “sweet sixteen" but instead we celebrate it a year earlier and instead we call it a "Quinceanera". Knowing that my sister's birthdays were approaching, my parents decided to celebrate their fifteenth birthday party together. We wanted to take advantage of the trip and do as much as we could to have a good time, so we decided to have the big party there. When we planned our trip to Mexico we had in mind celebrating Christmas and New Year there as well as to have the party in between those holidays. We were all excited about our plans, especially because our tradition and the celebration we have when a girl turns fifteen and that as Latinos we share. My parents said that this tradition is unique and very special in a young lady's life. It only happens once in our life and we have to enjoy it to the fullest. Time went by and the date was only getting closer. Finally, the day arrived; it was in December of two thousand and eight when we flew to Mexico. The date for the fifteen birthday party celebration was finally here and we were working hard to make sure that everything came out perfect. However, nobody expected what would have happened and how everything would end up in the party.

On December of two-thousand and eight, my two younger sisters were ready for one of the most important days of their lives. It was the day when my family and I decided to have a really big fifteenth birthday party for my sisters in the beautiful town called San Juan de la Puerta in the city of Guanajuato, Mexico. We worked hard to make this celebration possible. We were expecting the best from this memorable day for my sisters and family. Having in mind that a fifteen celebration is like I mentioned earlier, an old Latino ritual that represents the change of a girl into becoming a lady. It was something that made my parents proud of their daughters. Furthermore, this celebration, in the Latino culture expresses the maturity and the beginning of a new stage of the girl‘s lives. On the other hand, I was sad to see that my sisters were not those little girls that I used to play with anymore. They were about to become two beautiful ladies and once again the proud of my family. My sisters and I are the only children therefore, my dad very protective of us. During this celebration not only my sisters took a step but I felt like I did as well. I felt that I was becoming like my dad in the way that I cared about my sisters’ futures and the relationships that they will be engaged in later in their lives. A couple of days before the celebration, I was supervising, helping and making sure that everything was ready for the "big day". We celebrated Christmas and two days later we were ready for the big day. The date was already here, and we couldn’t have been more ready and excited.

I remember that day I woke up early in the morning; I was feeling great and I was in a very good mood. I was aware that it was going to be an unforgettable day not only for my sisters but for all my family and friends as well. I remember going to the reservation hall to check if they needed any last minute help with the decoration. At that moment, I was really surprised to see all the people that were there helping out with the celebration arrangements. I was busy all morning blowing up balloons, setting up tables and chairs. Similarly, my dad was setting up the mariachi, which is the band/music that cannot be missed in a "Quinceanera" celebration. The mariachi is a very traditional Mexican folk music, made up by a small group of musicians, dressed in elegant and peculiar costumes, which shows the essence of Mexico and its people. It is something cultural, spiritual and traditional for every Latino, and also an experience not to be missed for special moments like a "Quinceanera" All the arrangements were done and ready when I left home to get ready for the mass. At that moment I remember seeing my sisters crying because their hair stylist was running late. They were nervous and exciting at the same time. I tried to help them out while the stylist came. An hour later the stylist finally arrived and my sisters were running late already. We were obviously really short on time and my mother and I were not ready for the ceremony. Time passed, and everybody was ready, when I saw my sisters with their beautiful dresses and make-up on, I felt very special to have such a beautiful family. They looked like princesses, the most beautiful princesses out there in the world. I was surprised to finally see how they were not those little girls that I used to play with when we were kids. They were now two beautiful and intelligent ladies that were about to start a new stage of their lives. In addition, I felt very happy because the most important part was finally done. We all were dress up and ready for the ceremony. I still can remember the mariachi playing, my family and friends singing behind us when we were walking towards the church's altar. During the ceremony my sisters received the blessing of God and I was very proud of that. At the end of the ceremony, we were doing the typical in a party, taking pictures with relatives, friends and family.

 After the ceremony, everyone was starving and ready to eat from delicious banquet that was waiting for our guests at the reception were the party was going to be held on. It was fascinating to see the entire group of people talking, laughing and enjoying the party, especially to see my sisters being part of it. After the banquet, the dance started and the first show was the Quinceanera Val with their chamberlains. Chamberlains are the Quinceanera’s male friends who escort my sisters to dance during the Vals. They have to be formally dressed up and be with the Quinceanera all day. The chamberlains also looked fantastic and they made the Vals a success and the best of the party. During the Vals my sisters received the crown and I was the chosen one to do it. When I was walking in the middle of the track, I felt very proud to be the oldest sister and wanted it to cry of happiness, but I resisted and I kept walking until I put the crown on their heads. They looked very pretty and we all continued with the party.  However, at the end of the party nobody imagined what would end up happening. When the Vals ended, my sisters and everyone started dancing with the band. I was dancing and playing around with my cousins. Suddenly, I saw my dad and people running and screaming. At that moment, a lot of things went through my head; my legs started shaking and my blood froze. I started running behind my dad to find out what was happening. It was my uncle Jaime, my mom’s little brother. Someone had shot him with a gun; he was bathed in blood and totally unconscious. My other uncle Carlos immediately took him to the hospital. My grandmother was almost about to faint, and no one could believe what was happening. I was not sure of what exactly was going on. Everything seemed as if i was in a nightmare. I felt horrible when I saw my sisters crying and they couldn't believe what was happening either. The music stoped and the party was cancelled, it was over. Some people left while others ignored and were unaware of what had just happened. I couldn't believe how a very special moment like my sister’s "Quinceaneras" could have ended just like that.  No one in my family was involved in any problems and I was sure that most of the people that were in the celebration were close family meaning that they weren't involved either.

 That night turn into one of the worst days of my life.  The whole family got reunited in my grandparent’s house; no one could sleep that night because we were waiting for news of my uncles Jaime's health. We all were praying and hoping for everything to be okay. My sisters were confused and at the same time they felt sad, I told them that the best part was that we all were okay and that no one else got hurt. The next day we finally got the good news, my uncle was no longer in danger and he was going to be okay. We all went to the hospital. I remember he apologized to the family because he had ruined the party. Everybody laugh about it, and my sisters told him that the most important thing was that he was alive. They understood that the party was not the most important event in their lives. We all understood that my uncle’s health was way more important than a birthday party. I was totally confused, trying to fool myself into imagening that everything that happened was just a bad dream, but everything was real with a not so happy ending. It was understood that my parents and I were sad because the "Quinceanera" party was not what we had expected. However, we all were pleased with the outcome of the party. Knowing that my family was healthy was a much better and happier celebration.