Page 27 - Unforgettable Memories in Life_Neat

Lakeside Junior High School 25

My First Festival By Angie Carpio Flores

On a sunny day in El Salvador with bright green grass

under my feet, I saw my first festival. I was eight years old in

1995, and the festival’s parade passed right through my

neighborhood. I was at my cousin's birthday party. I remember

smelling pupusas, carne asada, tamales, everything. It was a

wonderful combination of aromas. Although my family was

poor, we managed to always throw huge parties with tons of

food. I have a big family so back when we used to throw

parties, we would go all out, especially if a girl was turning

fourteen. She had one year to work out how she wanted her quince to be.

During the celebration of my cousin Gabriella’s birthday party, a parade made its way to

our neighborhood. I was always told how these parades would happen every July 19th through

the 26th. I had seen drawings of this parade and I was immediately in love with the tradition.

This particular day was very special to me. I heard music, louder than the music we were

playing, and I was running so fast that my legs felt like noodles. My heart felt like it was going

to explode. As soon as I heard the loud music, I just knew it had to be the La Santa Ana parade.

After running for what felt like forever, I saw the most beautiful, stunningly gorgeous

women dancing with our traditional clothing. Knowing that I was able to see all of this was

wonderful, and it took all the air that was inside of me. My face lit up as I saw the brightest

woman of all of the ladies there. This one woman made my eyes feel as if they were going to pop

out of my eye socket, but in a good way.