#14 THE HOUSEWARMING FIESTA
SALVADORANS KNOW HOW TO PARTY
Since President Bukele came into power, life here has undergone a remarkable transformation. The shadow of fear that once stifled everyone has lifted and was replaced by an infectious enthusiasm for life. Locals are seizing every opportunity to celebrate, making up for lost time with an unrivaled passion for fun. No matter the occasion—a birthday, a holiday, or just a random Tuesday—people show up, and they turn it into an unforgettable party!
The night before our housewarming, we were invited to Mainor’s dad’s birthday bash. What began as a laid-back evening with a sizzling barbecue quickly escalated into a full-blown, spontaneous fiesta. Mainor’s brother, who plays in a fantastic cover band, pulled off the ultimate surprise by setting up on the garden terrace for an impromptu live performance. The drinks flowed generously, and it didn’t take long before the entire crowd was singing along to the band’s hits, dancing with wild abandon. The highlight? A hilarious 20-person conga line snaking through the garden, weaving between chairs with gleeful chaos.
But the real showstopper came after the band wrapped up. Mainor’s mom and Fatima, both a few drinks deep and feeling unstoppable, grabbed the microphone for an impromptu karaoke session. Let’s be honest—singing isn’t their strongest suit, but they didn’t care one bit! With zero inhibitions and no trace of embarrassment, they belted out tunes with pure, unfiltered joy. I couldn’t help but admire their carefree spirit, though I felt a pang of envy at their ability to let loose so effortlessly. When Mainor turned to me with a grin and asked, “Nancy, wanna sing?” my inner reserved Westerner kicked in, and I froze. With a polite smile, I declined, kicking myself a little for not joining the fun.
The next day was our housewarming, and we were determined to make it a day to remember. We pulled out all the stops: renting extra patio furniture from a shop in Acajutla, stocking a fridge to the brim with ice-cold drinks, and hiring an incredible caterer to serve up mouthwatering tapas. Our guest list of 44 included our wonderful neighbors, friends, business contacts who’ve been instrumental in helping us settle into this vibrant community, and, of course, Mainor’s family. Even Mainor’s 90-year-old grandmother, affectionately known as La Argie and hands-down my favorite grandma in the world, graced us with her presence and radiating warmth.
Mainor’s mom, still recovering from the previous night’s festivities, wasn’t about to miss out. She spent the first hour sprawled dramatically on the lawn, nursing her hangover, but once she rallied, she was back in the heart of the action. Tequila flowed freely at the family table, and she led the charge on the “dance floor” (aka our patio), twirling and laughing with the infectious energy of the true party star she is. And Fatima? She doesn’t need a microphone or a karaoke machine to break into song—just a tequila bottle as her makeshift mic does the trick! She’s hands-down the most vibrant, fun-loving, and free-spirited young woman I’ve ever met!
With many of our guests speaking only Spanish and Jim and Dirk’s vocabulary limited to “cerveza” and “pupusa,” I took on the role of handling the social chatter with those who didn’t speak English. As a licentiate in translation, I relished every moment of it! It was the perfect opportunity to put my Spanish skills to work, forge deeper connections with our guests, and soak up their stories. From catching up with neighbors about their daily lives to trading jokes with Mainor’s cousins, I felt myself weaving into the fabric of this warm, welcoming community.
We’d planned to wind down around 7 p.m., but then our friends Luis and Cristina—true to form—rolled in fashionably late at 6 p.m. Instead of calling it a night, we decided to keep the party going with a second round. The tapas had long vanished, so we fired up the barbecue, grilling up a fresh batch of savory goodness. Honestly, their tardiness was a blessing in disguise—it gave the evening an extra spark, and the laughter and music stretched well into the night.
When the last guests finally headed home, Jim, Dirk, and I tackled the cleanup, sharing a quiet moment to toast on a truly perfect day. Every single person we care about in this community showed up, filled our home with joy, and reminded us how lucky we are to be surrounded by such incredible people. Hosting this housewarming felt like our way of giving back, a small thank-you for the warmth and support we’ve received since arriving here.
And the fun doesn’t stop—tomorrow, it’s Fatima’s birthday bash! Knowing her, it’s bound to be another wild, joy-filled celebration. Bring it on!