BumpaStuff: Birth of Baha'u'llah Celebration

Yesterday's celebration, planned very carefully by our local Baha'i Community, was a roaring success! An international lunch was prepared by many people, some from far away Baha'i Communities. We had decided to have everything informal, with no speeches or anything that might be unpleasant for our guests--the main purpose of the event to be held in honor of Baha'u'llah--but for their delight. Many of our neighbors arrived and some brought their families.

Since the event began at mid-day, we had all afternoon to get to know everybody.

The Baha'i friends below are Alma and Payam Motlagh, originally from Uraguay and Iran, repectively, and the Eshraghi's, also from Iran, but living here for many years. The Motlagh's (left) live in Santa Ana and the Esraghis in Heredia.

Here's Mike Robles (who sang up a storm during the event, with backup from David and Dennis), next to Xiomara (his sister-in-law who's also a great singer, and who lived for many years in Spain).
In the background is Gina Brown (she's Kelly's mom) and her mom's friend Richard, who just arrived to live in Costa Rica.

Below is Estella's whole family, including her elusive husband (to our great delight--this is his first Baha'i event!).
On the far end of the table is little Victor, and across from him Sandrita and Juan who came with their mom, Sandra (she's the wife of Juan Luis Rojas, our Baha'i brother who had to be at work).

Here's Sandra (the mom) with Estela's oldest daughter, Alejandra, serving some of the guests.

The lineup for the delicious meal! The Esraghi's daugher, Roya is on the left and Vanessa next to her. Vanessa will soon be marrying Stephan (the fellow who bought and is remodelling Alan Pringle's A-Frame next door) Julie's on the right, and Doña Blanca (Nicaraguan Baha'i who lives in Moravia) being served at the end. Note the youth behind Blanca...that's Ronny Matamoros who used to be that tiny little kid at children's classes! (And a bunch of other youth behind him.)

Roya's boyfriend, André, below, serving dishes, and Gianni on the right also serving!

Here's a better shot of Vanessa serving meals. Our bearded artist buddy, Ruben Dario, is in line for the goodies. (He and Jenny are our neighbors who have the fabulous house up the hill from ours, mentioned in previous posts.)

More visitors who came: Jenny and husband Carlos Coto, with their two children. (Their little girl was really shy and didn't let me get her picture.)

Here's Melisa, our violinista, her dad, Don Jorge, and her little brother, Sebastian, with Doña Lourdes in front and Jose Angel standing behind. (Jenn's friend is arriving in background.)