Feliz Navidad!

A very belated FELIZ NAVIDAD, everyone!

I hope everyone had a Christmas as fantastic as mine. Much like my birthday, I'd been warned that Christmas season was going to be the hardest part of the year abroad. Being away from family and friends, celebrating instead with a family of relative strangers, the complete lack of a "White Christmas'- I was a bit worried. For some of us who are on exchange in a country where Christmas is not even celebrated, it must be the hardest of all. However, I can honestly say that apart from a few twinges (God I miss snow and skiing), and getting a bit of a weird feeling not being there for the annual family Christmas dinner, I felt nothing but joy being here for the holidays. It didn't actually feel like Christmas, which may be the reason. Instead of comparing Christmas in two different countries, I almost consider it as a completely unique Mexican holiday. Because yes, they decorate Christmas trees and a few people put up lights, but apart from that it's completely different. It's like a fantastic combination of religious, Central American and North American traditions. True to Mexican form, instead of being a few days of festivities, the parties began halfway through December and continued up till the 6th of January! I explained about posadas in my last post. While not fulfilling the traditional 9 attendances, I managed to get to 4, all of which were unique and very entertaining! These were spaced throughout the middle of December.

Tamales and Atole at Posada #2

Tacos at Posada #4

There was a huge amount of food at each one, with everyone giving you some new sort of dish or drink to try out. Tamales, tacos, atole and Mexican sweets were usually present for each meal. You couldn't politely refuse, and everything was delicious anyways, so you ended up eating way too much. You'd leave feeling like a stuffed goose. And then, basically the next day you'd attend another event and it would go down the same way!

This is how I felt during the Christmas season... So much food.

And at the end of every holiday event. Well, perhaps I looked a
little less Grinch-like. 

Along with posadas, there were various celebratory dinners with friends and family in the name of Christmas. So in conclusion, the Christmas season was a great time for discovering delicious new food, not so great for the fitness plan!

Going along with the Grinch theme, this is basically what I look like now. A belly full of taco and love !

Then of course, there was the official Christmas dinner which is celebrated on the 24th. The 25th is basically like any other day, which felt a bit odd considering that in Canada it is the formal "Big Day". Throughout the day I helped Maribel prepare ponche, and pork stuffed with various seasoning items. As it got dark out (so you couldn't see the summer conditions outside), all you could see around the room were the adorable Christmas decorations and the festive table setup. In that moment it actually did feel like wintertime! Cindy and Sergio, as they "Gringos" (as they lived in the States for a while) brought the untraditional turkey, a marshmallow fruit salad and meatloaf.

One lovely, festive dinner

Mmm look at that classy arrangement

While not at all similar to a Canadian Christmas dinner, it was just as fantastic. I had an awesome time with my family. Although we are very different, that night I truly felt like a real member of the family. Which considering I've been with them for under two months is pretty amazing! After dinner Maribel took the baby Jesus from the Nativity scene, wrapped him in a blanket and put chocolates in with him. Each member of the family picked him up, kissed the tiny doll's head, and then took a chocolate. This is a tradition celebrating his birth, if I understood correctly. Defninitely never experienced any tradition like it before!  And last but not least, we sat down and opened the presents from each other. I gave my family homemade biscotti (which they loved, even if they couldn't say the name), maple cookies and various Canadian souvenir items. I wasn't expecting anything from them, but I was pleasantly surprised! From Cindy I received a gorgeous wallet, and from Maribel and Alex I got a cute keychain to put on my blazer, headphones and a lovely sweater.  And from my parents back home, I received in the gigantic care package of November some goodies from Victoria's Secret, and copious amounts of tea. Nothing helps fabricate holiday cheer better than curling up with some Gingerbread tea from DavidsTea!

Shameless selfie showing off the gorgeous earrings sent to me by my grandparents

Baby Jesus and Milky Way chocolates...interesting combination

Pecan and cinnamon biscotti. It was very popular, especially with my coffee-loving mother!

Huzzah for DIY Christmas cards made with wrapping paper! I am a broke, but resourceful exchange student.

It's even personalized! Awesome souvenir.

Adorable ornament sent down by my grandparents, beside my younger sister's wish list for Nino Dios (that's who brings presents here, not Santa)

Adorable sisters

Vanessa overjoyed with her new Dentist Play-Doh kit

Huzzah, new pants for Alex!

Christmas day we basically did nothing but eat. We had a very informal but still scrumptious dinner at Pizza Hut. I skyped with all of my family during their Christmas dinner, and they told me about the elaborate, traditional meal they were eating their way through. I told them about my meal, and they were amused and maybe a bit shocked! It felt a bit odd seeing them all there like every year, while I was in a completely different country. It was great to see them all though, and as odd as it sounds I'm excited for the dinner next year where I can make up for missing out this year on various traditional yumminess like my uncle's chocolate raspberry cheesecake!

Very traditional!

Not to mention a festive setting

I had an absolutely fabulous holiday break, and I'm so glad I now know about how they celebrate in a different culture. I was amazed to learn new traditions, and some things back home I took for granted I will now appreciate all the more. All I know is I'm going to go Christmas Cheer crazy next year, baking and taking advantage of the snow like an overeager child. I now absolutely appreciate the holiday season in Canada more- for me it just isn't Christmas and you can't fully get into the spirit without snow and cold! That being said, I had a blast getting the chance to experience the authentic Mexican festivities. Like they say, you have countless years celebrating in your country, but only one year celebrating as an exchange student!

A Belated Merry Christmas!

Wendy