Getting into Z Christmas Spirit

For (too?) many of us who live and work here, there is very little about Christmas that has to do with shopping and all that commercialization crap. We simply don't have the money and it really isn't part of the local culture except perhaps for folks who've moved here from cities and del Otro Lado. El Día de los Reyes Magos on Jan. 6 is the day we traditionally give gifts, mostly to the children.

Nevertheless, Christmas isn't about buying and giving presents, it's about remembering Jesus with a bit of paganistic ritual thrown in. It's about being with family. And it's really just another excuse to celebrate life, something we practice a lot here in Mexico.

Someone was complaining about the lack of Christmas decorations the other day. Well, la Dirección de Servicios Generales del Ayuntamiento has been busy and since Día de Guadalupe the decorations have been going up. The zócalo now has a Christmas "tree" and other adornments. (I hope it doesn't get set on fire as trees have in Mexico City and Chilpancingo in the past few days, seems to be the fad this year.) The splash of color along the waterfront looks nice and adds a bit of Christmas cheer to the area. ¡Jo jo jo!

Also, the piñatas and poinsettias along La Boquita further add to the colorful holiday season sights associated with Christmas time in our tropical Pacific port. The piñatas are for all the Posadas Navideñas that take place at this time of year. If you've never experienced a Posada Navideña I highly recommend trying to find one to attend. Many are like block parties, though families, friends, businesses and churches all have them. Shake a hand, make a friend and get invited!

A few photos from the past few days:

This is part of the scene along La Boquita.

The zócalo all spiffied up for Navidad!

A night heron fishing from the panga "Aquiles Boy" (aquí les voy).

Mother nature's Christmas lights: Jupiter (in Gemini) and a full moon.

That Xmas "tianguis" at La Boquita is a really good place to acquire your piñatas.

I've always enjoy buying "nochebuenas" (poinsettias), it wasn't till this year that i've seen those flowers in the wild near Mexico City. Beautiful.

Well said Rob, And thanks for the pictures

Thanks Rob, well said.
And it's a great interfaith gesture to adorn the Christmas tree with a Star of David…although I like more the large tree (parota?) across the plaza.

THANK YOU so much for the preview! This is exactly the reason I'm getting up at 3AM on Thursday to fly south. We are skipping the holiday
insanity here for the gift of spending time with friends our adopted Mexican family. Will be singing Christmas Carols on the beach Thursday night. Hope the piñata will fit on my lap on the flight home.

All the colors are gorgeous! Thanks for a peak into Zihua at this time of year.

Thanks Rob, well said.
And it's a great interfaith gesture to adorn the Christmas tree with a Star of David…although I like more the large tree (parota?) across the plaza.

Ha! I suspect any Star of David was accidental, though Mexico was one place where Jewish folks immigrated to when they were driven out of Spain.

The tree you refer to is a ceiba. One of my favorites, too. It's amazing this tree has survived for so long with the neglect and abuse it's received.

Thanks Rob,
I love that ceiba, too -I always walk right over to it on our first visit to la cancha.

We LOVE the piñata / poinsettia market on La Boquita! Have taken dozens of photos to share with family and friends in Canada and the US. Ended up buying one for our casa at a home up in the hills near Vivan Pizzas. Figured they could use the business more than the busy vendors on La Boquita.