The Universe is Indifferent

Wow, this brought back memories of high school! I remember when I was in ninth grade and we were asked to write a report on a celebration or a festival. Most people chose the classics, Christmas, Halloween et al. However, I was the ambitious one, I chose Cinco de Mayo. So no research for me today!

Cinco de Mayo or the fifth of May is basically celebrated to mark the victory of the Mexicans in the Battle of Puebla over the French sometime in the 19th century(OK, my memory isn’t that good, I remember no more details). I had so much fun researching that I actually begged, pleaded and finally convinced my family to celebrate Cinco de Mayo that year. Whenever I think of Mexico, I think of colors, music, dance and food. We bought Mexican clothes, I loved my sombrero (I still have it!). My brother, who was seven at that time, also got a little guitar to complete the Mexican pop star look! He looked the cutest he ever has that day, now it is difficult to find him among the freckles (Sorry bro!).

We went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. A mariachi band was playing to mark the special day. My hesitant dad was literally dragged to the floor my mum for a dance. He looked quite sheepish I must say! As I was having a laugh, a cute girl approached me for a dance. I, almost as sheepishly as dad (damn you genes!), accepted. We danced for some time and then went back to our tables. We never spoke to each other again.

Then came my favorite part of Cinco de Mayo, FOOD. I hadn’t eaten Mexican food before so I just ordered whatever sounded nice. A piece of advice, Jalapeno Poppers, not the best appetizer if you aren’t used to spicy food. I then understood the expression ‘Smoke out of my ears’! The rest of the meal though, was a delight. We had tortilla soup, fajitas, chicken in mole (mo-ley not mohl, I taught the bemused looking server) sauce and a dessert that I don’t remember. One of my most memorable meals!

At the end of the meal, the owner of the restaurant, a former native Mexican, gave a speech, reminding us of the brave deeds of soldiers who had fought, some came out alive, some had not been fortunate. Cinco de Mayo was a dedication, he said, to their spirit. We never did celebrate Cinco de Mayo again, but it will be a special day for me.

On the subject of a wacky holiday tradition, there is none better than this. We always spend Christmas at my uncle’s farm. Like any other family, after a hearty Christmas dinner, we used to watch a Christmas movie on TV or listen to carols. But a few years ago, the kids (teenagers mostly) decided to forgo this routine. Till date, every Christmas, we gather in my cousin Marty’s room and watch a movie, the same one every year. The Exorcist.
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This prompt inspired me to look up Mexican recipes. Here's a link YUM!