Monday, January 30, 2006

December- January Blog

December-January Blog

OK, all you faithful readers, I have gotten back on the stick and will update you. People here call the holiday season the “Guadalupe – Reyes Marathon.” That is because the holiday season starts with the Virgin of Guadalupe festivities (early December) and continues right on through King’s Day, January 6th.
We attended the Guadalupe festivities several days. Then there were a number of people in town visiting so we “had” to go out to dinner with them, go sight-seeing, etc.  Since I know I will forget to mention someone, I’ll not list who has been to visit!

We have met a couple of young girls through Patricia and Joann. Michelle is 11 and Tania is 14. They live with their family in Bucerias. Patricia has helped them get a chance to attend a sailing school and a day camp in Vallarta. They needed people willing to drive the girls to and from day camp over the Christmas vacation so we helped. A couple times each week we either took them or picked them up from camp.

On Christmas Eve, their mother Estella invited us over for dinner. We arrived at the house about 10:30 p.m. First the kids were outside with sparklers and firecrackers. The adults sat out and visited, then began drinking tequila and beer. Estella cooked carne asada and the trimmings and we ate about 11:30. After midnight, the presents were opened. We were there until 2 a.m.!

Earlier on Christmas Eve, we helped a local couple, Arlene and Ron Tackett, with their annual Santa efforts. They collect money and toys and prepare gifts for kids of all ages. The toys were purchased and wrapped ahead of time. A couple days ahead, Arlene hosted a wrappng party where about 25 volunteers helped her get everything ready.
On the big day, a caravan of cars went to the church yard in the poorest part of Bucerias. Kids lined up, boys inone line, girls in the other. Pretty soon Santa Ron arrived and the toys were given out. Each child could visit with Santa and got a bag of candy to take home. Altogether, about 700 kids got toys!

Well, in order to get this posted, I will sign off now. More soon, I promise.