Sunday, December 16, 2012

Feliz Navidad

Our year end adventures have included some wonderful daily routines of cooking, eating, working on projects and visiting with family and friends.  The big events in history are of course Christmas (Navidad) and, here in the Yucatan, an excess of interest in the "end" of the Mayan calendar, said to occur sometime between 12/12/12 and 12/22/12 in our calendar.  Here in Mexico, year end festivities usually include the "old man" and impressive (sometimes frightening) fireworks.  So far the fireworks have been pleasant and from a distance.

Interestingly, we left for our trip on 12/12/12.  Dad finished his meetings and picked up the kids and Mom.  Then we headed out to pick up at school.  After collecting the girls, we were ready to get on the road.  Checking the time casually, Dad observed it was 12:12.  We then collectively realized our departure of 12:12 on 12/12/12.

The actual trip, thankfully, was delightfully uneventful, although a wonderful visit with some wonderful friends in Houston and their miracle baby was a real blessing.


 The flight was fun, with some technology but also some nice views out the windows!
 After a pleasant overnight visit we headed to the airport and again were blessed with an on time (early actually!) flight.  In fact, after coming through immigration in record time (despite a long writing project to get the forms filled out) we got a green light at the customs and came out looking for our ride.  We actually beat Oma and Opa to the airport but only waited a few minutes before they arrived to take us home.
 Events since we arrived have included a visit to the seminary (one of a series of Christmas parties it seems - the fiestas de Navidad are ubiquitous).  J enjoyed the fish (above) in the seminary pond and back at home our "party" festivities included harvesting of local bananas and enjoyment of various local foods.  Below Dad harvests one hand of bananas while a "pico de gallo" flower (right) shows off.  this is a separate plant, although it appears to bear some relation to the banana.  The bananas have, according to Oma, responded well to the compost she added.  Wow, who knew you could eat compost!?
Feliz Navidad!

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