Thursday 21st December 2017.....Two for One!!!!

Two days reporting.......

Yesterday morning I had to go to the Deaf school in town and pick up some gifts..I arrived in the middle of their last day of school and a  party....

 I was totally amazed and thrilled to stay for a little while and watch what fun you can have with 12 plastic cups!!!!!
The kids and grown ups had a lot of fun and the smiles prove it!!!!

Yesterday another great win at poker 150 pesos keeps me from eating tacos and beans!!!!

Last night was another Posada and Gracie's street....

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Posadas are an important part of Mexican Christmas traditions. These community celebrations take place on each of the nine nights leading up to Christmas, from December 16 to 24th. The word posada means "inn" or "shelter" in Spanish, and in this tradition, the Bible story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay is re-enacted.

Posadas are held in neighborhoods across Mexico and are also becoming popular in the United States.

The celebration begins with a procession in which the participants hold candles and sing Christmas carols. Sometimes there will be individuals who play the parts of Mary and Joseph who lead the way, or occasionally images representing them are carried. The procession will make its way to a particular home (a different one each night), where a special song (La Cancion Para Pedir Posada) is sung.

Asking For Shelter

There are two parts to the traditional posada song. Those outside the house sing the part of Joseph asking for shelter and the family inside responds singing the part of the innkeeper saying that there is no room. The song switches back and forth a few times until finally the innkeeper decides to let them in. The hosts open the door and everyone goes inside.

Celebration

Once inside the house there is a celebration which can vary from a very big fancy party to a small get-together among friends.

Often the festivities begin with a short Bible reading and prayer. Then the hosts give the guests food, usually tamales and a hot drink such as ponche or atole. Then the guests break piñatas and the children are given candy.

The nine nights of posadas leading up to Christmas are said to represent the nine months that Jesus spent in Mary's womb, or alternatively, to represent nine days journey to Bethlehem.

History of the Posadas

Now widely-celebrated tradition throughout Latin America, posadas originated in colonial Mexico. The Augustinian friars of San Agustin de Acolman, near Mexico City are believed to have celebrated the first posadas. In 1586, Friar Diego de Soria, the Augustinian prior, obtained a papal bull from Pope Sixtus V to celebrate what were called misas de aguinaldo "Christmas gift masses" between December 16 and 24. 

The Aztecs had a tradition of honoring their god Huitzilopochtli at the same time of year (coinciding with the winter solstice), and they would have special meals in which the guests were given small figures of idols made from a paste that consisted of ground toasted corn and agave syrup. The friars took advantage of the coincidence and the two celebrations were combined. 

The celebrations were originally held in the church, but the custom spread and later was celebrated in haciendas, and then in family homes, gradually taking the form of the celebration as it is now practiced by the 19th century..

This is exactly what happened last night across the street and we attended and also bought a Pinata which the kids just loved.....the people were so friendly and welcoming...sorry my photos are not very clear as I was on Gracie's roof with a rope dangling the Pinata!!!!

I am on this end of the rope!!!

It was really nice to be able to join in this special event!!

Today had a great 2 hours of tennis and then I went on a pick up run of presents and cash donations for the 3 Kings toy drive...the gifts are coming in and yesterday I was able to get a deal at a market stall....I bought 60 soccer balls for 5000 pesos...a great deal..the first fun will come next week when we have to wrap them and then all the boys will get a soccer ball they will love that.

Tonight at English class was the last night and no classes just a nice Christmas Party!!!

 As you can see the turn out was not very good from a school of over 200 students...unfortunately none of my students showed up I really think it is too close to Christmas and many activities taking place over town!!!

Giving myself the day off tomorrow and going into the mountains about 80 minutes away to explore and hike!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!!!!