Anoche, last night, my family in Heredia celebrated the birthday (yes, another birthday) of mi papa (not to be confused with the real thing) in Heredia. It was a grand ole time! We had carne asada (grilled steak) that was perfectly tender and seasoned with tortillas and a traditional Costa Rican dish. Mi mama tried to teach me cumbia and I practiced my salsa dancing with another student from the school. The family was delighted to see gringos dance!

The party was fairly small (just 5 or 6 people) until members of the family of mi mama showed up and were added to the party: her father, two of her sisters, one niece and one nephew and a friend of the family all were there.

The other student from the school plays the guitar and we sang a few songs for everyone. It was mainly the blues, Mary had a little lamb blue style. We both made up songs for him in spanish and sang for him. Everyone really liked the songs. I sang in mine that the whole neighborhood is celebrating his birthday, and the other students sang odes to gallo pinto, a traditional tico dish with rice and, you guess it, beans, and papaya (both foods he doesn´t like!) It was very nice. We all got together, held hands and the sister of mi mama prayed, asking God to have his angles watch over Guierrmo. Some of the other people were praying under their breath and saying Si senor over and over again. It was interesting.
After, we sang happy birthday to him and had cake. We sat around the table and talked and I tried very hard to understand what every one was saying, but it was very hard. The party was very much fun and I am so glad that I got to be here for this special event.