How can I/We even begin to tell the story of the Christmas 1999/ New Millenium celebrations. Marisol had been after Montse, her Dad Angel, and all the rest of the family for almost the whole of 1999 trying to arrange a family reunion for the New Year/Millenium eve. Jasvinder invited us to the US, but when we proposed the Laredo celebrations, she insisted on joining us.

We owe a debt to Valentin, for having arranged the reservations at the Laredo Club Nautico, where he somehow managed to keep adding numbers to our table, until we were 30 strong, and according to him, in danger of being removed because of the huge demand as the date approached, which was in no small way, the responsibility of 'The Gordo'.

El Gordo (The fat one) is the $3 Billion (yes Billion) Spanish state lottery that can cheer up a town just before the festive season. This year due to unpredictable forces the third prize in this lottery (some $30 Million) fell on Laredo, such that half the town was richer by the $3000 that you would have won if you held one of the 10000 participations in the 'Choral Salve of Laredo's number. In this euphoric mood we assembled (although I must add that Marisol & I did not win anything) in Laredo with great expectations. By 'We' I mean Marisol, Manjeet, Anil and I from England, Jasvinder, Birinder, Jessica from USA.

It would be true to say that we did everything.

We Bought - on one fateful day between us we aquired nine pairs of shoes from the Solana Shoe shop.

We Saw - A seven seater Citreon kept us all together and saw several hundred Kms, however getting 7/8 people out ofthe house was sheer hell.

We did Presents - The usual Xmas binge.

We met up with old friends - Octavio & Dora, Puri & Pedro, Luis and Jose-Luis from Madrid, while Kiko, Alfonso and Rosa from Laredo, and Pablo from Bilbao were notable.

We Ate (& How!) Everyone (except Jessie) put on weight.

& We Partied - Yes the Millenium party lived up to all the fuss. If I say that I have never(& Imean never ever) had a meal such as the one dished out to us, I would not be exaggerating. OK I lie a little, maybe it was'nt as good as Mom's Red Beans & Rice! But seriously most of you know that I havelived & travelled in exotic places far and wide & we have had great meals, but nothing like this one. The best of everything in large quantities (even a whole lobster) and the entire bar was free for all revellers from 10PM to 8AM, when I believe breakfast was served! However us oldtimers had departed before. We had an Orquestra and a disco, but the food alone would have cost the entrance charge, on a normal night in a good restaurant.

The only notable Y2K effect was Jasvinder's camera, which went crazy soon after midnight. Yes, I can honestly say that Marisol & I will remember these festivities for a long time.

Finally on a sad note I must tell you that on the 31st December Nelly's Mother 'Beba' a grand old lady, passed away in her sleep. She was 90+. Who knows if it was our priviledge to be present or is it that she was somehow waiting for us to assemble to say fairwell. I will forever remember her teasing me with 'malo' (which is what she would often say to me meaning 'bad boy' while kissing me and holding me close)

BEBA 1993

Beba, We loved you and always will.