Marina Domeneghini's 15th Birthday Party

Last night was Marina Domeneghini's 15th birthday party. Here in Brazil when a girl turns 15 it's her coming of age and her family puts together a huge party for her. It's like a girls "sweet 16" in the US only here it's a much bigger deal. The party started at 8:30 at the town club called Soal which was the same place where the Cidadão Quem concert was. Almost everyone wore suits including me and Bernardo. When we got there we met up with Rafinha, Tib, Felipe (Rafinha's brother), Julio and Bruno. There was a huge security guard with a list of the people who were invited and we had to check in with him before we could go in. The walk up the stairs was amazingly decorated with flowers and lights and banners and many many more beautiful decorations all over the place. Then at the entrance to the main dance hall we were greeted with a kiss on the cheek and hug from Marina's mom and sister, and and handshake and hug from her dad. The whole greeting process was filmed by 3 or 4 different camera men. Then a woman with another list told us where our table was. The dance hall was so amazingly decorated I could never fully explain it here on my blog. It felt like I was at a royal ball at Buckingham Palace. There were candles everywhere with banners all over the walls and ceiling. There were plants set up everywhere and amazing lighting that set the mood like you were a billionaire at a billionaire gathering. There were tables set up on both sides of the dance hall with beautiful flowers, plates, glasses, chairs and table cloth. There was also a dance floor in between with lights, lazers, speakers and a disco ball. At the front there was a huge screen showing a slideshow of pictures of Marina with her friends and family. There was music playing from the huge speakers. The tables on one side were for friends of Marina and the ones on the other side were for adults close to Marina. We sat at our table and waiters in white tuxedos walked around offering us food and drinks. Then after a long wait Marina emerged onto the dance hall, or should I say the Royal Ballroom, in a beautiful white dress that looked like a wedding dress, everyone stood up and clapped as she walked over to her family and gave them all hugs and kisses. Then the huge screen started showing video testimonials about her given by Marina's close friends, and family members. They were very sweet and emotional and after each one Marina would go and hug the person who had been in the video that just finished. Two days earlier was Marina's dad's birthday so there were a few videos dedicated to him as well. After the videos they brought out two huge cakes, one for him and one for Marina. Then everyone ate, there were many little Brazilian things to eat, as well as small dessert treats. After that it was dance time. The lights went down, there were lazers, tons of artificial smoke, the disco ball was doing its thing and it was amazing. The music was blasting and the whole atmosphere was incredible. Everyone was in their fancy clothes and dancing amazingly like all Brazilians do. I was the only foreigner and I must have looked ridiculous trying to dance like a Brazilian but I had a great time. There were also these weird guys called "Barmen" who came out with these flame thrower things and started dancing, spraying their fire and serving drinks. They were like borderline strippers, it was funny. After a while it was getting late and me and Bernardo walked home in our suits at around 3:30 am. The party was amazing though. I've never been to anything like that in my life. I can't thank Marina enough for inviting me it was incredible. I will never forget it. Plus everything was free so I just want to say MUITO MUITO OBRIGADO MARINA, E FELIZ ANIVERSÁRIO!!