Saturday night, Corazón del Pastor celebrated Adriana’s “transition into womanhood” with the traditional quince fiesta. What an exquisite — and uniquely Bolivian — experience! The girls worked all day cleaning and decorating the Home and preparing finger foods for the guests. Adriana spent the afternoon with her older sister Sofia going to the beauty salon to get her hair, makeup, and nails done.

As friends and other invitees gathered downstairs, the girls helped Adriana dress and calm her nerves. They took turns walking in her at-least-4-inch high heals, and watching the guests arrive from the balcony above. When everything was ready, “the damas” processed down stairs in pairs, paving a corridor for Adriana to enter with Tío Tyson. The girls took their job seriously, carefully executing the choreography. All eyes and smiles on Adriana, she kept her composure and gracefully received roses from each of her “damas.” We were so proud! After the traditional waltz and toasts, the party began. After their fair share of dancing the younger girls headed upstairs to watch movies and eat popcorn, while the older girls danced the night away!

Our “quinceañera”

Getting ready upstairs

A little nervous, but ready to dance!

The “damas!”

Adriana enters with Tío Tyson for the traditional waltz.