“VIVA MEXICO, VIVA LA DIA
de LAS MADRES”
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 |