doc241 - Schoenherr Home Page in Sunny Chula Vista

sic, and towards the end of the evening, from repeated applications of aguardiente
[brandy], they become quite boisterous and discordant.
"The waltz was now introduced, and ten or a dozen couple whirled gaily around
the room, and heightened the charms of
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[Bandini House, Old Town (Present Appearance)]
the dance by the introduction of numerous and interesting figures. Between the dances
refreshments were handed to the ladies, whilst in an adjoining apartment, a table was
prepared for the males, who partook without ceremony. The most interesting of all their
dances is the contra danza, and this, also, may be considered the most graceful. Its figures
are intricate, and in connection with the waltz, form a charming combination. These
fandangos usually hold out till daylight, and at intervals the people at the door are permitted
to introduce their jarabes and jotas."
The bamba was a favorite dance, in which the lady would often dance with a
glass of water poised on her head, or with her feet muffled in a handkerchief. The jota
and the zorrita were danced by couples and accompanied by singing. The contra-danza
was indulged in by the better classes and young persons seldom participated.
Before 1800, few houses had other than an earth floor, and the dancing was
done upon the ground, which from constant use became very hard. A wooden platform
was constructed, upon which the women and more skillful males might dance. After the
ball was over, the men in groups accompanied the women to their homes, playing music
as they went. After this, they would sometimes ride about the streets and sing or indulge
in rougher sports.
"How often," exclaims Doña Refugia de Bandini, "did we spend half the night at a
tertulia till 2 o'clock in the morning, in the most agreeable and distinguished society. Our
house would be full of company--thirty or forty persons at the table; it would have to be
set twice. A single fiesta might cost $1,000, but in those days the receipts at my husband's
store were
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$18,000 a month. The prettiest women were to be found at San Diego."
"Ah, what times we used to have," exclaims another, "every week to La Playa,
aboard the ships--silks! officers! rebozos! music! dancing! frolic!
"These "good times" continued until long after the American occupation and
formed the pleasantest part of the recollections of old settlers now living. "We used to
have great times here, " says one, "real jolly good times. The people didn't think of anything
else, then, but pleasure and amusement. We used to have fandangos, or little parties,
at night. We could get up one of these balls in a couple of hours. There was horseracing,
too." Mrs. Whaley relates that on the day of her arrival, the 8th of December,
1853, there was a festival and ball at the Gila House and she was prevailed upon to go.
"We had splendid dances there," she says. "The musicians were Californians and
played only Spanish airs. They looked as if they were asleep while they played. I remember
particularly the cascarones--eggs filled with tinsel and cologne water, which