Broadening horizons...travelling to places so old but so new. How to get my Xmas on Mexican style.

Last weekend, Gene and I with our neighbour and friend Evelyn travelled inland.  Only 4 hours drive, but worlds away in terms of climate, culture and experiences is one of our favorite travel destinations; Patzcuaro.   This time, thanks to the kindness of Kathy, Evelyn's friend, we left Cori behind and headed back to our favorite little hotel La Casa Encantada .   This little hotel in fact is extremely pet friendly but for once, we wanted to shop, dine and sightsee without the limitations of a small extremely attached dog. 

We had been told that this weekend was the fiesta of the Basilica's namesake...Virgen de Salud.  But what we had no idea about was the extent to which Mexico's religious and indigenous persons participate in a fiesta of such importance.  

The sensory impact was just what we needed to overcome the effects of being in steamy hot Zihua and feeling slightly unwell for the past month.   The sights, sounds in the cool crisp air of Patzcuaro were magical.

Christmas is a semi-artificial construct here in the tropics.

 Palm trees festooned with lights and piñatas; skinny brown skinned Santa Claus's standing on the street corner in 90 degree heat...really?
So it was with extreme delight we were exposed to the cooler climates and elaborate decorations of the main Zocalo in Patzcuaro.  Christmas carols streamed on sophisticated sound systems to the delight of the many people strolling in the cool air and stopping to photograph their families in front of the beautiful light displays...a Xmas letter or family photo taken in a "winter wonderland".  

So what's Xmas without shopping, but I've become less likely to purchase nowadays preferring my trips to focus on the photos and the experiences.  It was wonderful that Evelyn had some items on her 'wish list" that we could shop for at our leisure in the bustling towns of Quiroga and Cuanajo; and the quiet empty streets of the pottery town Capula.  

But the most satisfying aspect of a Xmas shopping trip like we enjoyed was buying a handmade item directly from the artisans.  We bought more for what it would mean to the artisans than what the item meant to us.   The smiles on the faces of a family waiting for a days sale, the kiss on the money and the blessing of it with a "sign of the cross", before it is tucked away safely in clothing means everything to me.   Can I shop in Canada when I return? 

Is everything old what I yearn for?  I like to think I'm at pace with the world, but the appeal of simple life in the villages nearby and the knowledge that my purchase has made a difference makes me wonder if I'm stuck in the history, the cultural antiquity of Mexico....  Have I found the only kind of travel I really like...place steeped in history, where little has changed in the past century?  Maybe.....

Meanwhile, today we said "vaya con dios" to Doraliz, our young Ninos Adelante student who is leaving on her first solo trip to visit her brother and grandmother in Chilpancingo for the holidays.   She's had a little bit of a rough ride lately.   Her first real "love", a fellow student in her preparatory college had to flee town when his father was killed recently.  He and his uncle went to the US border and tried, with false papers to enter "the land of opportunity".   He was arrested and has spent the last 2 weeks in a Tijuana jail, now awaiting return to Zihuatanejo.   This experience has brought a new level of maturity to Doraliz, she is now interested in what's beyond Zihuatanejo, what would it take to travel to Canada?  How will she fare on a 6 hour bus trip and 2 weeks without family....it will broaden her horizons...and I hope in all the best of ways.   She needs this experience in a town where so many know only the familiar...will never know what the rest of the world is like except via television.  The gift of travel was the best present her parents could offer, and we are helping to support her on her first journey of discovery. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 So we are now into the final week of preparations before 2 of our 3 adult children, their partners and our friends arrive for the holidays.  Just like all my Christmases, it is a mixed blessing, so much to do, so little time, so many people I want to see, be with, so little space to do all I want. 

However, this year, like last, we've arranged to have Juanito Zihua perform a house concert before dinner here on Xmas day...but unlike last year, his focus is the collection of toys for his charity; which delivers toys to the poorest of children on the Feast of the Kings, January 6th.    This is Christmas in Mexico, the realization that we who have so much can be here and share our wealth with those who have so little... let the celebrations continue! 

Oh, and by the way, we did celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary.  No gifts, no elaborate dinners but the plans are underway for a Mexico City/Guatemala get away early in the New Year!  Felicidades.