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An hour rolled by. The Palacio Municipal (City Hall) exploded in fireworks. Dazzling,
whirling, rocketing fireworks engulfed the block-long facade. The night was lit up; smoke
descended like fog.
I thought Bernardo missed the show. But I was wrong. He called to say he had arrived. I
walked over to his hotel and brought him back to the plaza. This is Mexico. Parties start
at my bedtime. Los Castro (three Castro brothers) took the indoor stage at 11 p.m. The
program shifted from song to comedy and back again. It was a brotherly rat pack. I was
frustrated. Out of 600 people, I was the guy who didn't get the joke. The humor was quick
story telling and one-liners. My Spanish was deficient for the spicy fun.
At 3:45 a.m. the lead singer indicated that it was the last number. The audience chanted,
"Otra, otra, otra, otra." The two most enthusiastic chanters were seated at the head table,
Mary Carmen and Bernardo. They were clapping and repeating, "Otra, otra, otra." I was
the only weary soul in the hall.
Los Castro entertained for another hour. It was wonderful to be back in Las Vegas, back in
the '60s. However, I'm in my 60s, too. But so was a good portion of the crowd. Where
was my energy? Los Castro continued. Then the comedian brother wound it up, but not
before more "Otras."
I was ready to leave, twitchy in my chair. Mary Carmen said, "Now the dance." My weary
face caved. She asked incredulously, "Do you want to leave?" I told her that I came to stay
to the end, even if I would be carried to the cemetery.
At 5 a.m. it was a salsa band. Mary Carmen and Bernardo danced, moving and shaking.
Hardly anyone had left, and most seemed to be on the dance floor. I wouldn't consider
getting out of my chair. I thought, “I may be here to the end, but I will be seated.” I hadn't
been up this late at a dance since my high school prom.
We were one of the first to leave just before 6 a.m. Mary Carmen announced, "Breakfast,
10 a.m., Campestre La Barranca."
I walked back to the hotel, wondering about the cost of this fabulous evening. I started this
day at 6:30 a.m., headed for the plaza and the Green Bus. I had set a personal endurance
record that will never be broken.
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