Celebremos la Vida. (Celebrate Life)
Every day there is a fiesta in Mexico! It is a very rich culture with colourful traditions, rituals and ceremonies that never fail to amaze. On December 12 the festival day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated. It is a national holiday. Unfortunately like us the mighty dollar is taking over and all the stores were open taking over the importance of the day. This date celebrates the apparition of the Virgin Mary, with brunette skin, to a native Mexican boy name Juan Diego. The faithful gather at the churches to sing a traditional song dressed in native wear. There is much dancing, singing and fireworks. This is the beginning of the posadas. (Parties)
The practice of posadas began as an effort of the Spaniards to eliminate the customs of native Mexicans to worship their pagan gods and to substitute their traditions with catholic celebrations. At the winter solstice, with the mass, there were representations of the nativity of Jesus on earth. These celebrations grew outside the church substituting popular songs for the religious ones.
Nowadays, between Dec. 12 and Dec 24, families and friends gather to honour this tradition. The people sing carols, break a piñata in the shape of a star with seven points (one for each original sin) and celebrate with much music. The music begins around midnight and goes until sunrise. There are fireworks going all night long.
We decided to get a little bit of quiet and headed over to La Paz’s Islands. Isla Espiritu Santos and Isla Partida. These scenic islands are close to La Paz and contain a variety of popular and picturesque anchorages. They provide excellent diving and snorkeling. The islands are volcanic in origin. They are a designated park site so the wildlife has been maintained here. We made the decision to go to Ensenada de la Partida (Partida Cove). This cove is a volcanic crater between the two islands.
Red lava boulders dotted with cordon cactus circle the white beaches and turquoise shoals. Very beautiful. There were several panga shacks along the beach. Caves are seen throughout the rocks.
We were taking in the sights when Ken noticed a splash. As we observed, it was a sea turtle about 2 feet in diameter. I am now starting to question going into the water. I have seen flying Manta Rays, sharks, sea turtles, and urchins. The cruisers net the morning we left informed all us newbie’s to watch out for baby sting rays when in shallow water. We are to shuffle our feet not just step down on the ground. This scares them away and prevents the sting! Should you get stung you are to put the body part in the hottest water you can tolerate. If a sea urchin gets you find a guy and pee on it! Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyways.
We took the sea kayak down and I spent time checking out the shore. During high tide you can go though a reef and get over to the other side of the island. The swells on the other side seem to be more of a challenge than I wanted so I turned back. Julie and I enjoyed our kayak trip together without the guys just talking. It is nice to have a couple with similar tastes. They dive and it would be nice to be able to do that as they see so much down in the water.
We have now come back to La Paz getting the boat decorated for Christmas, doing last minute shopping and anticipating Alanna’s arrival. We have ordered a chocolate cake for her birthday. No piñata however.
Our plans are to attend a Christmas Eve pot luck with other cruisers then attend a church service. We won’t understand what is going on but we don’t in Canada either so what difference does a language make? We really want to experience their traditions. Christmas day will find us opening our gifts then having several other boaters here for a Christmas pot luck dinner.
The next post on the blog will be after Christmas so we wish everyone a wonderful Christmas with your families and friends.