Saturday 19 December 2015

December 19 - Cam's Birthday and English language students

Happy Birthday Cam!   We are going out to dinner with friends tomorrow night to celebrate several birthdays.  Today was interesting as we spent time together as a class and individually with the Mexican students who were learning English from our teacher.  I was matched with a young woman called Ani who is in University in Tepic to become a Civil Engineer.  Cam had a young fellow from La Penita.  They ranged in age from the 30 yr old lady who owns a big restaurant in Rincon to a 9 yr old.   We spent time talking about our families, pets, careers, how we spend Christmas eve and day, etc.  It took a while to explain to the class what gravy was and apparently they have whatever is on hand for supper on Christmas eve so the meal isn't a focus.  They stay up past midnight then say Feliz Navidad and hug and go in the street and hug everyone, our teacher said even the dog.   Christmas day they have leftovers and a traditional drink called ponche made with unrefined dark cane sugar, oranges, guavas, nuts, cinnamon, and other fruit.  Some of the students were having tamales for Christmas eve others were having tacos or a stuffed chicken (nobody had heard of gravy).    We then showed them the park and inside the motorhomes.   Ani held our friends big black cat, with trepidation, she had never held one before.  She has a a pampered poodle cross dog.   We all had a great time and then 11 of them got in the back of a half ton truck and drove to La Penita. I  hope it wasn't any further.


There is a steady stream of Mexican campers coming into the park for Christmas so things are beginning to get lively.  We look forward to a new cultural experience this Christmas.  We have been told by our fellow campers that Mariachi bands come in and it is generally a good time.

Money raised at Hamburger nights every Sunday in the park is used to buy Christmas presents for school kids in La Penita.   This afternoon at 4 p.m. about 15 quads and razors, all decorated with reindeer mounted on the hoods, Christmas lights, a papermache burro out front, etc and of course Santa, delivered the gifts to the schools (along with anyone who wanted to drive along via car).Then paraded through the park when they got back.


We ended our evening with dinner at Wanda"s restaurant and it was very good (Thanks Stan). 

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