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Published: March 16th 2007
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So, it´s about 3 months late, but oh well. After La Megan left, Christmas came. Here there is more emphasis on the 24th than the 25th. So on December 24th Kriss came by to get me around 6 in the evening and her and I went to church. It was interesting to say the least. It was like something on TV, I couldn´t believe what I was watching. A huge theatrical production, well put together with a storyline (no preaching) which told the story of Christmas which was augmented by song and dance. A band of about 20 people played the music and a cast of maybe 10-13 people acted out the scenes. Kriss´s aunt (only a few years older than her) played the main role of Mary (o Maria) which was interesting cause I had met her before.
After this incredible church service, we went back to Kriss´s house for Christmas dinner. She had told me that normally they don´t eat until about 11 or 12 at night, but because I was their guest they decided to have it earlier, 10pm. I was starving. However, it was really nice cause various members of her family talked with me throughout
the evening (this is only her immediate family, because this year her extended family didn´t eat all together). But, man, when dinner was served, I was in Heaven! We had some banging mashed potatoes, salad and an incredible pork dish. Starting about a week earlier, her mother injected various herbs, spices, and other finely cut meat into the pork roast. IT WAS DELICIOUS. After dinner we relaxed for a while and then at 12 everything started!
If one didn´t know that this was the norm, they would have thought that there was a full out war going on. Outside at 12 midnight, people set off fireworks. Latin Americans love fireworks, normally. But for something so big and special, they do not hold back. Everything BOOM BANG ZOOM BZZZZZZZZZZZ. It was lots of fun. We went to one of the locals stores and bought 2 huge bags full of all kinds of explosives. The best part was when her mom would would run out, throw a firework on the ground, light it, and run back with anticipation and laughter; really hilarious!! The sky was brilliant and absolutely a wonder. Something I have never seen in my life.
Around 2
or 3 in the morning things started to settle down and I was taken back to my apartment, though I didn´t leave empty handed, they gave me plenty of leftovers, which I was very grateful to accept.
I slept til about 11 or 12 the following day and it was a very easy-going, relaxing day. Kriss came over and we decided to get some food. Well, its X-mas day. Nothing is open but the lovely McDonalds, I treat my girl good! Then we came back to my place for some much anticipated Indiana Jones in Español.
***
Now for New Year´s. Kriss and I went to Lago Atitlán, the most beautiful place on earth. On Saturday night (December 30) we stayed in Hotel Jinava (mom, dad, remember this place?). However, we didn´t not eat breakfast here (skipping the "best F&%$ing breakfast on the lake - which is what was told to us when I went with the folks) for somewhere else in town. After breakfast, we to the rocks for some sun and swimming. It was a beautiful day, the sun out, the air frisk, and the water cold.
Later on in the day on Sunday,
we went to our hotel for that night at the Casa del Mundo (House of the World) which is gorgeous and really nicely put together. There we just enjoyed our room for a while and then took a nice hike/walk for an incredible view of the lake, away from everything. That evening the hotel had a big festive dinner, which is set up communanely, everybody sitting in the same area. Very good.
That night, I couldn´t stop my tradition of having a few drinks for the New Year´s Eve celebration, though they were far less than the normal New Year´s set of drinks. Only 4 double cuba libres, but enough to feel good and give me a slight headache the following day. After dinner, Kriss and I took our drinks (she drank coffee) down to the patio area by the water (this reminds me of something in Italy or of that nature). We just talked, enjoyed each other´s company and looked at the water and the sporatic fireworks exploding over the lake. At 12 midnight (just like on X-mas) there were even more pyrotechnic displays.
The following day we slowly got the day going. I woke up very
early, took the foto of the 2007 dawn, then went back to sleep. We later ate a good breakfast and then went to the patio area for a swim and relaxation. Then we just caught a boat to Panajachel.
One thing we didn´t really take into consideration was the fact that most people don´t want to work on New Year´s Day, even the transportation folks. We waited for about an hour for a boat, when they normally come every 20-30 minutes. We ate some lunch in Pana and then caught a bus to Los Encuentros, up the mountain. Usually at Los Encuentros, it takes 1 minute maximum for the next bus back to Xela. At 6:30 pm we waited an hour and a half (this place can be dangerous after dark) without ANY luck. It was unreal, we couldn´t believe it. We finally decided to go with this shuttle driver with about 3 other people. He charged 50 quetzales per person only to Cuarto Caminos (this normally costs 10 quetzales). Finally we got there and took another bus to Xela. A very long and wearisome ride back. I actually really started to get worried about not only our safety,
and I could tell Kriss was feeling more and more uncomfortable. However, we made it back to my apartment with no real problems.
See you next time on "Matt´s Life".
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