Christmas Posada

The girls in the belly dancing class asked if they could have a posada. If you don’t know what this is, I’ll explain as we go along. They struck a bargain.  They’d provide the pinata if I’d provide the prizes, the bolas and the refreshments.  Seemed fair to me, so the planning began.

Although the pinata they brought was very pretty, Unfortunately, it didn’t have an opening, so we had to perform a bit of surgery with the cake knife to get the candy in.

Then they provided a bit of entertainment.

Little sisters asked if they could join in, too and they paid close attention to try to follow along.

After the dance came tamales, horchata, cookies and Christmas cake.  When Audrey offered chips and guacamole, girl after girl turned them down.  Then we tried dipping a chip and offering it.  After that, the girls lined up for their own portions.  It turns out that none of them knew what they were supposed to do!!!  Looks like guacamole and corn chips is a purely American or gringo custom.  They polished off the chips and guac!

I am obviously enjoying my tamale.  Believe it or not, this is the best of the pictures of me that Audrey took!

Then came the pinata.  I suffered a bit of trepidation over the likelihood that someone would be hit over the head with the stick as they dove in for the candy while the girl yielding the stick was still swinging it, but there were no injuries. I wish I knew how to add the video Audrey took.  They had so much fun and were so gleeful.  This picture doesn’t quite capture the amount of fun they had.

This is the sad remains of the pinata.

Afterwards was the posada. Usually this consists of Mary on a donkey, Joseph by her side, children trailing after.  They go from house to house asking for a place to stay for the night.  Travellers sing their roles.  People in the houses sing theirs.  Finally, someone lets them in and they go in to have a pinata and to each be given bags of candy (bolos.) In this case, half went into a room and the rest of us stood outside.  We would sing the words asking for shelter.  They would sing back that there was no room.  We went back and forth a number of times before they finally let us in.  The girls were absolutely delighted with this ceremony and all knew the words by heart, although they didn’t do too well with the tune.

Afterwards, we distributed  bolos (bags of candy) to each girl to insure each had a good share of the goodies..

One little girl who had brought these beautiful little origami Christmas trees for her special friends presented one to me, Cynthy and Audrey as well.  Very touching.  Each was so carefully made with tiny balls glued on.  They were formed on top of a baby food jar full of Japanese peanuts and little Mexican candy bars that tasted just like Snickers bars–both my favorites.  I was so touched by this gesture, as I was by the hand painted box presented to me by Cynthy, who had made it herself.

I surprised her with a fringed suede cloth vest she had tried on in Guadalajara when we went to buy the bangle scarves for the girls to tie around their waists.  I had bought it saying it was for Audrey and saved it for Christmas.

All in all it was a lovely night, in spite of the fact that I forgot to bring my camera.  Luckily, Audrey brought hers.  Thanks, Audrey, for the photos..  The girls, who each brought a friend, were squealy and excited. As I left the Cafetto Saga where we held the Posada, a little boy and a little girl who lived across the street watched me enter my car with great interest.  I asked them if they wanted my bag of candy, telling them it was to share. They quickly accepted and ducked into their house to examine the contents.  I went down the block to make a U turn and by the time I drove back by their house, there were six children gathered around the bag, excitedly sharing the candy.  I loved this generosity on their part.  The Christmas Season is alive and well in Mexico.

Feliz Navidad!!!

Earlier I showed my Xmas tree from a few years ago on Silver Lining’s blog.  Now I want to show you my this year’s tree.  I had thought not to have one since I’m going to my sister’s house in Phoenix for Xmas, but thanks to the generosity of one little girl, I have my very own very special tree as well.