The ties that bind.

I am less than a spectacular uncle at the moment.

Through the simple and easily made oversight of not actually being in the same country as my nephews I have failed to at any time be in the same room as the most recent addition to our family, little Leo.

I have missed... well, those things that babies do in the first few months of life, you know, cry, eat, sleep. Now that might not sound like a lot to those of you who are decidedly un-clucky - but it is the way that they do it! It is so cute!!!! It takes a particular kind of infantile talent to fart in an adorable fashion.

But I have not been entirely lax in my familiar duties. Not I, no sir! I have just being directing them to a different family. Yup, this weekend I went to my very first Peruvian baptism. Oh and the associated extended party-food fest-general chaos. Oh, yes, little Majori has been introduced into the family of God with style.

The ceromony itself was over in the a flash. Despite the fact that they like to do things in large groups here, the 10 or so kiddies that were getting dunked headfirst into a bucket were processed quicker than you could say ´Ave Maria´. The rather querilous old Spanish Priest was a maestro with the holy water, I tell you! Little Majori looked very pretty in her special white communion dress and quite enjoyed been the centre of attention, even more so than usual.

But it was the party that brought the real fun. Dancing till 6 am with eldery Peruvians is an experience like no other. These women have more stamina than drafthorses. Fuah! Not that I am wanting to compare any woman to a horse. It is a metaphor people!

They also have a rather disconcerting custom here with regards to the consumption of alcohol. Rather than each person having their own glass from which to partake one glass is considered to be sufficient. You but a dash of beer in your own glass and then pass the bottle to the next person in line. This other person is then required to salute you, obviously for the precious gift of alcohol that you have bestowed upon him. You then scull your drink and pass the glass on for the process to begin anew.

Now aside from the fact that my immediate thought at been taught this custom was ´Arrgh girl germs!´, it does create a strong sense of comradery and also aids in accelarating the onset of tipsiness- as you clearly have no way of effectively monitoring how much you are drinking.

This can be a good thing. Especially when you have to share your room with 8 other people of all ages united by the fact that they all snore like troopers.

Say it with me now...

Rock and Roll.

Paddy