My little neighbor lady Elsa has her house decorated with twinkling lights and the ever present light up Virgin de Guadalupe complete with music. I stand at my window at night peering across the street and listen to the sound of a familiar carol as her lights twinkle.
The Malls and department stores are decorated American style with sparkling trees, Santa and elves. While shopping, if the signage was not in Spanish and the carols over the sound system not in Spanish, I would think I was in any mall or department store in the States.
Beautiful poinsettias are everywhere, lining the edge of the cities fountains, only here the locals call them ‘’Noche Buena’’. Christmas tree lots sprang up overnight with fragrant beautiful noble firs.
Calle 60, Mérida’s main northbound artery through centro has been reduced to one lane of traffic, as people spill over from the sidewalk, their arms laden with shopping bags. One man walking with multiple bags slung over his arms and a handmade twig manger precariously balancing atop his head weaves his way through the many pedestrians.
The Gringo Christmas parties have been in full swing, complete with a blend of Norte Americano Christmas treats and traditional local fare.
Yesterday morning I was treated to a walking three-man band, stopping to play at your door for a small propina.
Mérida is an enchanting city on any day but, add the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas and it is storybook perfect.
As for me, I am having a White Christmas in Mérida, as the polvo from our interior restyling covers every surface, and floats through the air creating an ethereal white wonderland. Instead of a fragrant pine Christmas tree, I have been selecting palm trees, bird of paradise, and blue agave for our hacienda style landscape project. Adie and I are here without Ty and even though we are a little sad to not be surrounded with our family this Christmas, it is my first Christmas in Mexico and it is truly a magical time!
Ty, Adie and I wish all of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS………..
