Feliz Navidad con Familia

Christmas this year was a decidedly family affair.  Our daughters Wendy (left) and Cassie traveled to Ajijic with their partners Troy and Alana.  We had a splendid visit and a simple Christmas this year.  We went to see a traditional posada in the neighboring town of San Antonio.  On Christmas eve, we viewed the live naciementos (nativity scenes), we cooked a community vegan feast for Christmas Day, we climbed the mountain up to the small chapel, we hosted two pot-luck parties, one for our Mexican friends, Daniel and Dora, and one for our gringo friends, and we had lots of time to relax, catch up, and eat some good Mexican food.  Wendy and Troy flew back to Maine yesterday and Cassie and Alana are en-route today.  We are all a bit tired but happy with many pleasant memories of a lovely 12 days!  Here are some photos: 

Wendy and Troy with Georgina, one of the owners of our favorite vegetarian restaurant

Wendy and Pixie browsing for jewelry at the weekly Ajijic tianguis

Before the posada with our friends Mike and Christie

Mexican children reenacting the nativity at the posada

Jose (Dora's brother-in-law) Troy, Daniel, Dora, and Elias (Dora's eldest son) at our pot-luck holiday party

One of the live nativity families in the church courtyard on Christmas Eve

Cassie preparing her gluten-free Christmas cookies for our Christmas feast

A literal overview of our vegan Christmas feast.  Troy made beans and potatoes; Alana prepared a cabbage slaw; Wendy made some mango rice, Pixie made the squash-ginger soup, I made baba ghanoush, and Cassie the cookies.  

Our friends, Luis, Jean, Jeanne, and Jan admiring some of Cassie's illustrations at our pot-luck for our gringo friends. 

Our friends Ron and Paul enjoying a moment of conversation at the pot-luck

Fred and Mardele left Rudy with us while they went to Erie, PA to be with their family.  Here Rudy and Chuy enjoy a game of tug-of-war!

Pixie takes a futile swing at our adult piñata during the pot-luck

Alana, Troy, Cassie and Wendy from atop the mountain after our climb to the chapel

Yesterday, we visited our friends' Jan and Luis' new adobe studio and home under construction.  Pixie talks here with Jan on the stoop of the new house.

Last night, Alana and Cassie share a private moment before their departure from Mexico, this morning. 

So, we enjoyed a wonderful time with family and friends.  We were sad to see them leave, but we all have special memories.  

Now we are back to our normal life here as we prepare to head back to Maine at the beginning of March.  We have lots to do as we, once again, simplify our lives, shed unnecessary belongings, and prepare to start over, this time in Portland, Maine.  We know we will look forward to returning here each winter, but it will be sad when we leave.  

One update from the last post.  The week after the murder of an American citizen here in November, over 1500 people attended a meeting with government officials here to indicate their concern that something be done to prevent additional crimes in the area.  Some good discussion took place, and a smaller group worked on implementing some new efforts to provide better police presence and security. Those who attended the meeting were happy and hopeful.  The police apprehended two individuals who perpetrated the robbery which resulted in the shooting.  The man who committed the murder is apparently in custody. 

I'll end this post with a photo of one of the beautiful tropical birds, a large parrot, who lives in the animal shelter pet-food store in Riberas.