December 24

Started the day with a new bird, the Yellow Crowned Night Heron, down in the swamp by the park.  Then the usual Thursday market where I purchased a whole fish to barbecue.  Then it was time to divide and deliver the holopchi we made to the happy recipients.

Dressed in our finest babushkas for delivery

The fish turned out fine but I think we will go with fillets in the future, less work.  It is an incredible night with the full moon.  One of our neighbours has a laser lights and lit up the palms and fig trees with them.  Quite pretty in green.  Then someone let off one of those candle parachutes and it sailed past us and out over the ocean.  Tonight the families of park staff came to break the piñatas and sing.  They alternated with the park residents singing a Christmas song in English then the Mexican families and campers sang one in Spanish.  Back and forth.  Then it was time to smash piñatas!

It is a very important evening in Mexico just as it is at home.  It is another reminder of just how thin the line of separation is between cultures.  Feliz Navidad y prospero año nuevo!