bingo, san felipe style

I will never play BINGO the same again. I went with the family to BINGO night, sponsored by the church. It was held in the soccer stadium; we went thirty minutes early to get good seats. Cards cost about $2/person. The festivities opened with men in black suits walking around the stadium and throwing candy and little toys to the crowds. Once Santa Claus came out, the game began. When someone won, they flagged down a man in a black suit who then carried a blue flag to the caller. The caller read aloud the numbers, if the person won, the crowd boo'd, if they were incorrect, the crowd cheered. The winner has an "option" to donate part of his winnings to the church. How much is donated is announced! There was one winner who opted out of the donation. Poor decision because then as he walked back across the soccer field, popcorn, chuchitos, balls and trash were hurled at him amidst shouts of angry church-goers. I didn´t win. I didn´t even come close, especially since I kept getting the 'O' 60s and 70s confused (sesenta and setenta), so a lot of false hope. I sat next to a really nice 8-year old who helped me when she could. The highlight was this dark drink reserved for Christmas that has fruit in it (plums, grapes?).


The men in black suits, Santa doing toe touches.

So many people.