I was a little apprehensive when we booked this winter away, thinking it would come to tears and heartache at Christmas. And on Christmas eve it did, albeit briefly. The fact that Shelagh has had Christmas with our lads for 35 years, and I for 25 of them, sets a precedent that's hard to break. However, after seeing our boys on "FaceTime" having a wonderful Christmas dinner at Liam's new home gave us peace of mind in the knowledge that they can and will have a great time without us. Both Shelagh and I were young when we left our home comforts and migrated and immigrated to new places, so the feeling of celebrating something like Christmas without our parents and siblings is nothing new to us. But suddenly celebrating Christmas without our kids has never happened to us before...
Christmas day started with the usual coffee and tea while checking e-mails etc. This year we decided to have gift giving on January 6th, in the Mexican style. So nothing under the tree, no tree either actually. Later in the morning we had Mimosas on the roof deck in the warm sunshine followed by a nice brunch of delicious bacon and scrambled eggs. Then we went into town to the Jardin to watch people enjoy Christmas day. It's an interesting mix of children, some happily playing with a balloon ball on a strong string, and others with tablets playing video games. Like any country there is a noticeable devision in wealth here... We were also quite surprised to see many shops open for business, including the market at plaza Civica.
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| This couple toured the streets handing out candy canes |
Strolling through the plaza we checked out the bandstand which has been changed into a Nativity scene, complete with sheep and lambs. Then we found a bench at the opposite side of the plaza and people watched some more. A couple had just bought lunch from a street vendor, then they spent 15 minutes flicking bits of their lunch into a garbage can! I zoomed in with the camera to take a picture, people are funny.
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| Gringos locos |
The time had come to climb up the hill to our home and have a glass of wine on the roof followed by dinner prep. We bought a plump chicken at the "Carneceria" (butcher) two days ago, it has been thawing all day. It just fit in the toaster oven, an inch of space to spare all around. We made a stuffing with bacon from scratch, haven't done that in years, some cranberry jelly for Shelagh and an assortment of vegetables. No dessert, we are already sweet enough.
Dinner cooked up wonderfully, the toaster oven has a convection option and with that running the bird got evenly roasted. Bird out, potatoes in. Shelagh at the stove top making gravy from the chicken drippings. Not much later "A la mesa" at the table for a great meal. Then, of course, comes the reality of doing dishes and cleaning up, but with a combined effort that was done in a snap. Evening wine on the roof top. Followed by a wonderful sleep.
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| Tight fit |
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| Making stuffing |
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| Dinner served |
We hope your Christmas was wonderful too...
Posted with Blogsy
Looks like you still had a wonderful Christmas. Dinner looks great!
ReplyDeleteIt is everything as usual for most of Mexico on Christmas Day because for mosta Mexicans, the big event is Christmas Eve not Christmas Day. If children get gifts t Christmas at least according to our Mexican friends it is generally clothing and the toys are given out on January 6th. Make sure you check out the churches a few days before January 6th, they are usually really decorated up at least in the rural areas they have been.
Thanks for the heads up Ruth! We will definitely check the churches.
DeleteWe looked at the big one here and there were all sorts of decorations than were not there last week. Any chance as you are near us and can you stop by before your caravan pick up? That would be fun. We have no wheels......
ReplyDeleteWe won't be going through San Miguel on our way to Guanajuato but you could come and visit us at the RV park outside of Guanajato by taking the bus. The caravan tour will also be doing a one day bus trip to San Miguel so maybe we could go along with it and see you then. We will know more details closer to the date of February 5th or so. Would definitely love to meet you both, and there is also another couple that we want to see if we go, they are staying at the RV park in town unless they are gone by then, not sure how long they were going to be staying there.
DeleteWe have not checked out the rv park yet, we have plans to go see it and we must get out act together for the buses to many a town we want to visit. So much to do so little time! Do these people have a blog, might we know of them, might be fun to meet them.
DeleteThanks again for sharing your stories and pictures. You are having a great time!
ReplyDeletePeter, great to discover your blog. I'm glad you told me about it. I had no idea. It's fun to see the photos of your Christmas Day extravaganza........
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ReplyDeleteSorry, I didn't like the way my first comment turned out!! It won't allow me just to edit it so I removed it.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you both. You look to be really enjoying yourselves (even though it can be a little lonely when you do things different at this time of year). We are all enjoying the pictures and commentary!
See you when we are all back in the Lower Mainland. I don't think we will get that far east this trip.
Merry Christmas to you. A lovely first Christmas in Mexico. May the days and weeks ahead be filled with many wonderful experiences and a lifetime of memories.
ReplyDeleteThank you Contessa! May the new year bring you both good health and happiness.
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