Mothers Day is considered one of the most recognized holidays in Mexico. This day is celebrated with gifts, dancing, dinners. It's a time when family feuds, both within and without the family, are laid aside to honor the Mother.

This year (20004) the San Felipe PRI Party honored the towns' mothers by inviting all mothers to a ‘free, bring your own booze’ party at the Corona Restaurant, amen no men permitted. Each year an admission had been charged, so being a free event I would say over 75 percent of the mothers attended.

A PRI Member invited me to this sortie and at first I replied no thank you. But my best friend found it necessary to assist with this year's Dia de Las Madres Social Event, so I decided at the last moment to celebrate this great day in Mexico and volunteer my services too.

I am very aware that the climate in Mexico has absolutely no influence on the way women dress for an occasion. It was in the high ninties and I was not surprised to see many women in stiletto heels, layered dresses and of course classy accessories.

Let the Games commence, I thought as I entered the Corona Restaurant through the rear entrance. I was astounded at the turn-out of San Felipe Madres. There was not a single table or chair available. Some ignorant person, smart enough to keep well away from the restaurant that day, had given the order not to turn on the Air Conditioner, probably because of the high commercial electrical rates during the summer. You think July, August and September are hot here? That afternoon the Corona Restaurant was within earshot of Hells Bells! Without hesitation I escaped to the street and was provided with a chair to sit outside.

People-watching can be a very cultural experience. I saw numerous mothers entering the restaurant with king-sized coolers of sodas, beer and firewater. Some of these coolers had to be carried in by three women.

As with many gala events, this fiesta started on track with good cheer and dancing but then of course the snake that poisons people minds, second hand gossip, began to show itself. As the firewater disappeared the Mothers began to dance to the upbeat music of a local popular band. They humped, thumped, swiveled and coyote-howled and one would think they were giving birth to their first born.

Midway through the event, the PRI candidate for Mayor of Mexicali, Mr. Samuel Ramos, and his committee braved it through a speech. You had to applaud the man for his fortitude.

As the clock struck midnight, the Cinderellas of this grand ball turned into Third Encounters of The Close Kind. A San Felipe mamacita of over 250 pounds decided to test her Hip-Hop dance skill on top of a table. The table grinned until it couldn't bear it anymore and then glassware, drinks and woman came crashing down. This was followed by her husband bursting through the doors, grabbed his sprawling wife by the hair and dragged her out of the bar. Everyone applauded and muttered about the mama's bravery.

Now old stories were gossiped among the Madres --who slept with whose husband and what child was born out of these love trysts. Drinks were handed to each other, eyes became glossy, tongues turbid with dragon breath and memories of long forgotten hurts rekindled. It was barbed wire and foxhole conditions if you happened to be sitting next to someone who slept with your husband

All this led to the grand finale --the Hair-Pulling and Wrestling Matches. By now the waiters, organizers and security guard were all outside, peering through the windows and wondering what they could do to stop the debacle.

As the clock struck 3:30 AM, the Madres departed. The Corona Restaurant became silent. There was an eerie post-Woodstock atmosphere to the place. I wondered what happen to the security guard and the rest of the staff. And would they be back next year? I knew I wouldn't.

Anonymous Resident