Quinceanera

Karina Gonzalez and escort pose for our camera before the "big night".

   While wandering through Steele Indian School Park (located in Phoenix on the corner of Indian School and Third) we spotted a lovely young lady all dressed in white.  At first we thought she was getting married or something.  However, Karina Gonzalez assured us that wasn't the reason for her stunning appearance --  She was celebrating her Quinceanera!
   A Quinceanera is a celebration of a girls fifteenth birthday. It is a special occasion because it is when a girl becomes a woman. Hispanic girls all over the world celebrate this occasion. I teased Karina saying "Gee, you don't look 15, you look like a woman of 20 something! Are you sure you don't want to marry that handsome fellow with you???".  (She let me take her picture anyway!)
   The difference between a Quinceanera and any other birthday party is that it is fancier and apparently lots more people are invited to the affair. This party is really special and from what I understand, young ladies invite their closest relatives like aunts, uncles, parents, godparents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousin, and close friends to share in this special rite of passage. At the beginning of the Quinceanera, a priest may talk to the honored birthday girl about becoming a woman. Once the spiritual ceremony is over, the social part of the begins and everyone celebrates the evening away with food, music, dancing, and great memories.

Karina with her attendants 

In preparation for the big celebration, Ms. Gonzalez and her friends had gathered  at the park for photographs.  Thanks, Karina, for letting us take a couple of snaps on your special day.  We hope you had a wonderful Quinceanera!