The area where we live is in the jungle and it is rich and green and lush right now. From the hills one can see vast expanses of gently rolling hills covered in dense growth. The parrot trees are just beginning to blossom for the season and I noted that the bougainvillea vines are now beginning to bloom in the tree above our rear patio. It is gorgeous. The weather is hot and humid and my skin is grateful for the moisture. We don't expect rain for the next few months but the clouds turn beautiful colors in the late afternoon.
Currently it is the Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe which means that there is something going on all of the time. The typical day during this festival starts early, at five in the morning, with fireworks on the beach. These are followed by church bells ringing at six to call the faithful to Mass (needless to say we are still in bed). On one morning there was an unfortunate incident at the beach when a Gringo tourist threatened to hit the padre with a stick the following morning if he tried to light the fireworks again. Poor Gringo didn't know that his actions would start fireworks of their own. He made two mistakes. The first is that you never, ever, ever, ever, ever, threaten the town priest. Ever. The second mistake he made was to complain about fireworks as part of a religious festival. The incident of Poor Gringo was relayed to the people by the priest at Mass that evening. He stated that he was not going to do the fireworks the next morning in deference to Poor Gringo's desires. The congregation protested vehemently that the fireworks should continue. Mexicans love fireworks almost as much as the love the Virgin de Guadalupe. The next morning's firework lighting ceremony took place as planned with many more people in attendance for the protection of the priest. Poor Gringo should have asked what the fireworks were being lighted at that time of the morning, shrugged and gone back to bed. I don't think he will be back. He won't be missed.
Below is a photo taken by a local photographer, Derrick Lundy, which is just too beautiful to not pass along. It is a photo of the Virgin Mary as she rides on the back of a flatbed truck on her way to Mass. Each neighborhood in town is in charge of one nights procession and this was one of several Virgins Mary during the festival.
On our way home from dinner the other night I saw the below in a living room window. It appears that this angel has her work cut out for her this Christmas. The note just below her reads "Dear Santa, I have not been feeling well. Will you bring me a bici (bicycle) for Christmas?" Something tells me there will be one happy child this season. (Gifts are not generally distributed on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning but are generally given several days later on what is called Three Kings Day, or the day that the three kings arrived at the manger site and presented the Christ Child with gifts. Makes sense, doesn't it?)
We have been busy making new friends in town which means a lot of nights out with dinners and drinks. It is what we do here mostly. Our local friends like to introduce us to their out of town friends and it is always fun to meet them. The last couple was from the Vancouver area, named Derrick and Mary-Ellen. We liked the a lot and something tells me we will be seeing them when we return north.
I'd best get this posted as the internet has been dicey for the last few weeks. It comes and goes and right now we are being blessed by the inter net gods. My schedule for the day? Catch up on correspondence, get this blog posted, and meet Victoria in town for lunch. JD is shopping in Puerto Vallarta at Costco with Joann. The two of them alone together in the big city is likely to be trouble.
Love to you all
Jan
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