Sleepless in Melaque

Dec 12, Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

For the last 12 days, we have welcomed the day any time after 4:30 am with the sound of cannons, in preparation for today, a very big celebration in all of Mexico, check it out on google. The lady appeared in 1531 to Juan Diego......

We learned yesterday that the biggest attendance ever at the Basilica of Guadalupe just outside Mexico City, was over the three day  period in 2009., Dec10-12. The grand total of 6 million visited the basilica during that time.

Last night there were four competing dances at the restaurants on the beach beside us... four different bands, four different songs and the more people who arrived had the volume increase. As one place got louder, the others followed suite. Needless to say, our casa was vibrating!!! Ear plugs didn't seem to help as the night wore on and folks danced on to prep for today, the parades and the big meals.

Thank goodness the cannons are finished but now the 12 days of Christmas begin!!  Lots of prep for Christmas Eve which goes on all night and Christmas Day seems to be the quietest day of the year!! as everyone is sleeping after a long night.

Gift giving does not happen, it's all about food, family and friends.

On Jan 6, small gifts are given.

This is what we experienced in 2000 but had forgotten some of the traditions. Poinsettas are everywhere and Advent songs are being sung in church, the snowbirds have Christmas lights outside their bungalows and most of the motorhomes have some festive decorations.
The big treat for us was our friends arriving from their big cranberry farm in Minnesota with three cases of cranberries which were given out as gifts yesterday. Not sure if I will find a turkey but at least we have the cranberries!!

Our Qualicum friends arrived safely back on Van Island yesterday after a week of Mexican life, hope it wasn't too much of a shock for them.

This is our last week of Spanish classes before the break and hopefully we don't forget what we learned over the three weeks away from it.