Christmas has come and gone but with some cultural twists here. For example, neighbours wander the streets and knock on the doors of strangers, who promptly tell them they can't come in. It's to symbolize "no room at the inn" for Mary and Joseph of biblical fame. And kids don't get presents until January, symbolizing the gifts brought by the Three Wise Men looking for the newborn.
We did get what looked like the Star In The East but it turned out to be a full moon. Retail decorations still stand but the food displays have changed to alcohol displays for the 31st. The tiny original town church was standing room only and at last a reminder of the real meaning of the day. Pero no cell phones, por favor!
Many pinata parties to be seen too. Blindfolded stick-wielders try to break open the paper-mache orb while the crowd yells "Dale, Dale, Dale". No, not THAT Dale -- it's pronounced dah-lay and they're yelling "Hit It" and it represents the fight between good and evil. Good wins out and candy/nuts/toys spill out to be grabbed. Newer traditions include Michael Jackson and Storm Troopers posing for pesos!
The beaches are jam-packed and 90% are the prosperous Mexican middle class on holiday. Not much modesty in swimwear, not much pretense or attitude among families. It's a good time to go off-beach and notice all the murals. Or get caught in the rain delivering carrots. Or be impressed that there's still ruins from the original Mayan inhabitants. Among those ruins sharp-eyed Pat spotted this mammal called "agouti". Hard to believe any wildlife could survive here, but we're told they're about as common as our porcupines.
The weather is hot and muggy, so much humidity that mold is growing on my leather watchband. Winter storms have caused a lot of erosion on the shores. Mounds of sea weeds are raked everyday. Still, we're glad there's lots new and different to discover. Let's all look forward to a Feliz Ano 2016!
We did get what looked like the Star In The East but it turned out to be a full moon. Retail decorations still stand but the food displays have changed to alcohol displays for the 31st. The tiny original town church was standing room only and at last a reminder of the real meaning of the day. Pero no cell phones, por favor!
The beaches are jam-packed and 90% are the prosperous Mexican middle class on holiday. Not much modesty in swimwear, not much pretense or attitude among families. It's a good time to go off-beach and notice all the murals. Or get caught in the rain delivering carrots. Or be impressed that there's still ruins from the original Mayan inhabitants. Among those ruins sharp-eyed Pat spotted this mammal called "agouti". Hard to believe any wildlife could survive here, but we're told they're about as common as our porcupines.
The weather is hot and muggy, so much humidity that mold is growing on my leather watchband. Winter storms have caused a lot of erosion on the shores. Mounds of sea weeds are raked everyday. Still, we're glad there's lots new and different to discover. Let's all look forward to a Feliz Ano 2016!
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