I pull up with Lona decked out in her dama dress and too small size shoes and drop her off in front of the church. She's been practicing all summer for this and the palest girl in the group. We were introduce to a culture that I didn't really know anything about. I found a parking spot, and went into the church. I had no idea where to sit. I looked around and after asking found a place, in the middle, not too close to the front, not too far back. The wooden pew empty except for me. The church filled. My pew remained empty except for me. There were people standing along the sides and I wondered, would anyone sit next to me? Was I invading this right of passage? Finally some slid in at the other end of the pew and then another family sat down, yet there was a space between me and them. I smiled and tried to look inviting, friendly but no one knew me. I was alone here. The music started, a mariachi band, at the front and the alter kids came in, followed by the priest. The ceremony started, the party filed in, the damas and their escorts, the parents, the god-parents, the Quincenera. The whole ceremony was in Spanish, the readings, the songs, the message. I sat thinking, trying to pick out words that I might recognize, watching the people. It was an amazing experience. The party walked out of the church and it was over. I was excused and the next phase of the day was about to start, the reception.  I drove home and picked up my husband. We drove to the reception hall to wait for the party to arrive. We walked into this vast space that was decorated as for a wedding. There were lights and fabric draped from the ceiling, the chairs were cover in white fabric tied with pink bows, the entry way was strung with lights, sheer fabric and flowers. The mariachi band was setting up. We made our way over to a table and asked if we might sit down only to be told that that table was strictly for the father's coworkers. Again I wondered was I invading this right of passage, yet I had been invited, the whole family was invited. We found a spot near the dance floor so that we could see the party as they arrived. People started to fill the reception hall and the food was served buffet style. It was delicious, authentic, festive. The keg was tapped and John was invited to have a glass. The party arrived in a "party" bus as they disembarked they made their entrance into the building as people clapped. There was a set program that it seemed everyone expected and knew. They all sang the songs, knew all the lyrics. We watched. There was a last dance with a doll, I think to say good bye to her childhood. The parents removed her flat shoes and place high heels on her feet. There was another entrance, a dance with the father. A choreographed dance in the dresses, a waltz. There were candles to be lit, and thank yous to be said. I was amazed. More choreographed dancing and then the party began. The members of the party danced and then they went to the spectators pulling them onto the floor to signal the time for everyone to dance. I danced and laughed. John was pulled to the floor by Lona. More beer was drunk, the keg or kegs were long gone and people brought out their own stash. The mariachi band had left and the DJ came on. The songs seemed to run from one to the next without the fading in or out. We danced, we watched. I marveled. The ladies in their stilettos, the men in their jeans and boots, the grace that was on the dance floor and how everyone danced.  They would glide out and back when they were done, or wanted a break or a drink. At one point the current teenage songs were played and there were only five or six kids on the dance floor. As soon as the spanish music started again, there were at least a hundred people of all ages on the dance floor. Glow sticks were handed out until there were none left. A kid came by asking were to get one and I slipped mine off my wrist handing it to him. Others came up and John handed his over. They laughed and giggled and we continued dancing.  At midnight the party was still going strong and I pulled my daughter aside saying it was time to go. She could have stayed and danced until the wee hours of the morning but it was time. Saying our goodbyes we drove home, amazed and tired. An experience that was incredible.