HOLIDAYS 2013
Mrs. T gets a bit homesick for the north around Christmas time even though we have been down here for the holidays for several years. I miss the family get together as well. We do manage a nice call and talk to everyone, but it is not quite the same as face-to-face time. Perhaps they will have a webcam setup next time. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve turkey dinner at Encore, a restaurant around the corner that does jazz music lead by singer/owner Armi Grano. Armi has an absolutely wonderful voice and often sings at church.
R mentions Las Posadas which she has written about in previous newsletters. (http://www.casa-de-terri0ble.blogspot.mx/2010/12/happy-holidays.html And yes, the editor missed the misspelling of posada. –dt) The big annual one is down a couple of blocks sponsored by our supermini, Mary Paz. It is mainly for the neighborhood children and always has a big turnout. There is a lot of food and drink and everyone has a good time. We usually just come for the opening festivities as the party goes on for quite a while with the children trying their best to break open the piñatas.
This year Karen, daughter of our neighbor Luis, decided to organize a small posada in front of our Condos Jacarandas. Here if you decide to close the street for a party you just do it. It was more of a block party and everyone had a good time. We had food, drink, singing, and general camaraderie – in other words, fun.
So here is Mrs.T's very short recap of Christmas:
We had a very nice Christmas in Mexico. I decorated our tiny Christmas tree and our Nacimiento. I wanted to get another animal but could not find what I wanted. A sympathetic vendor gave me a little piggy and I bought a turtle. The tin angel looked pretty rusty and dusty so I cleaned it as best I could and gave her another coat of paint and a new candle. When I walk along the beach and see the palm trees I think of Bethlehem. Of course I have never been there but I imagine that Bethlehem has palm trees. It was a quiet Christmas. We have no family here and I do miss our children. But we did attend two Las Posadas which included music food and children pummeling piñatas and I compensated a little by giving pieces of candy to passing children. Dan called up some classic songs on our computer. I like some of the old songs best: Adeste Fidelis; Lo, how a Rose e're blooming; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, and many, many more. (Don't ask me about that last one; R especially likes Frontier Christmas - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIYiTW1uWzA – dt) We walked on the beach on Christmas day; there were fairly good waves and I boogie boarded a bit. I collected a small audience who stopped to observe this local Christmas miracle. Dan admitted the beach was pretty nice, except for all that sand!
The big story in town is urban renewal or however one wishes to describe it. Our little amphitheater has been removed to be replaced by -??? We are certain someone knows. But unless you read the newspapers, websites, blog postings (many of which are just speculation), or, best of all, go to all the governmental meetings, all with masterful fluency in Spanish, it is hard to nail down exactly what is happening. We do know that several million pesos were earmarked for the project provided it was started before year's end. The guys are working almost around the clock and maybe it will be sufficiently completed for only minor disruption to the annual festival. We definitely are curious.
The other major story remains the weather. After one of the wettest Novembers on record we are having one of the wettest Decembers. We have had two nights in a row of rain and last night we had a humdinger of a thunderstorm. Folks who have been here much longer than we have say it is all very weird.
And a big thank you to Sandra R. for the painting that now graces the entry to our bedroom; we see it every time we are at the computer. Too bad you and Jack are back in real winter north of the border.
Finally, the puzzle ladies did a couple more of them; the palapa is a great place for that.
Some pictures to explain a lot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9151458@N07/sets/72157639083329516/
Hope you have had great holidays and that the new year brings you health and good fortune.
Keep warm.
Dan and Rebecca
www.casa-de-terrible.blogspot.com
