Every year Bertha helps out the Anglo Latin American Foundation to raise money for the children of Latin America at the Latin American Fiesta. This year she invited us along, so Mirela and I thought that instead of attending as visitors we’d volunteer to help out. The Fiesta brings together the regional foods, drinks, arts and craft and music of the Latin America countries including Honduras (which was our table), Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominican Repulic, Mexico, etc.

The day started fairly early for us as we had to transport all the masses of food from Bertha’s flat to Kensington Town Hall. Since we had so much to bring with us we took a black cab. I love traveling around in black cabs though I think it has been about two years since I’ve been in one! Interestingly ours even had a little tv screen to entertain passengers.

Setting up our stall was a little disorganized and Mirela and I were running around the table constantly trying to work out what was happening. Eventually we got set up and not moment too soon as even before the fiesta opened at noon we already had customers from the other countries around us! It didn’t actually take too long for a steady flow of the public to come by. In fact right up until about six, when Mirela and I left because we were so tired, the people flow didn’t actually stop. I think we managed only because the Honduran ambassador kept buying us shots of caipirinha! Bertha was a star all day – I don’t know where she got the energy but she was able to spell us a few breaks so we could go check out the other food stalls and the dancing and arts and craft in other areas of the town hall.

It was great fun and I absolutely loved hearing all the Spanish around me. Interestingly a couple of people randomly asked me where I was from in Latin America – and this wasn’t even when I was at the stall. Very funny. Here are some photos from the day: