Happy Groundhog Day!
It’s February 2nd again and we are half way through winter. Today is the day when groundhogs like Punxsutawney Phil and Wiarton Willie come out to tell us if there is going to be 6 more weeks of winter this year (looking at the weather news, my money is with a longer winter).
Staute commenorating Wiarton Wille, the famous pronosticator from Wiarton, Ontario, Canada
Here in Mexico, they celebrate El Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas) today, which in Catholic tradition is a day to bring candles to church to be blessed, and also a day for the feast of the purification, or the presentation of Christ at the Temple. Ancient Jewish law required that babies and their mothers wait 40 days after birth before going to the temple, since February 2nd falls 40 days after Christmas, it is the date Jesus would have first been presented at the temple.
In Mexico this celebration has fused with pre Columbian traditions and the meal typically served here in Mexico is Tamales and Atole, two native American foods dating back to before the conquest. As I mentioned yesterday, this day also marks the end of the holiday season for many Mexicans, and is the day when I will) finally take down my Christmas tree (and my New Years decorations from my Puerto Vallarta real estate website).
I’m interested in what you have to say! Please leave a comment!
Holidays in Puerto Vallarta
If you look at my website today, you’ll still see the Happy New Year banner at the top of each page. Someone asked me the other day why I still had that up. It’s not because I am too busy or lazy to take it down.
Here in Mexico, the Christmas holidays last all the way to the 2nd of February, when we have one final celebration called Dia de la Candelaria or Candlemas.
Rosca de Reyes - Photo Courtesy Tamorlan
This celebration actually starts on the 6th of January with El Dia de los Reyes Magos (3 kings day) for which there is a similar amount of myth and illusion as there is for Santa Claus at Christmas. In some areas of Mexico, the Reyes Magos are more celebrated than Christmas itself… gifts are exchanged, and children are warned to be good, or they may be overlooked by the Reyes Magos. The festivities on this day culminate in the cutting of the Rosca de Reyes. The Rosca de Reyes is a ring shaped sweet bread made with butter and topped with a sugar coating and candied fruits… even candied orange peels (which are better than they sound!). Baked inside the Rosca are several tiny statuettes made to represent the baby Jesus. When it is time, everyone will gather around and cut out a section of the bread, and those that are fortunate (or unfortunate!) enough to get one of the statuettes in their slice are tasked with hosting a party on the 2nd of February where tamales and atole are typically served. Atole is a traditional drink which is heavy like hot chocolate, and even tastes a little chocolaty, but is actually made from hops (one of the grains used to make beer… but there is no alcohol here!). It is sweetened and served hot and goes down perfectly with the tamales on a cool winter night… Even in Puerto Vallarta, where the winter nights are not necessarily so cool.
For many Mexicans, February 2nd marks the real end of the Holiday season and for that reason (and because my wife asked me to) I have left the holiday decorations up a little longer.
I am interested in what you have to say; please feel free to leave a comment!
Happy Holidays from Pacific Coast, Puerto Vallarta Real Estate!
Just 5 more days ’til Christmas! I just finished the office Christmas card for 2009 and decided to share it with my blog readers.
Selling real estate is a very time consuming occupation and it’s easy to forget what Christmas is all about… Especially real estate in Puerto Vallarta where the Christmas and New Years holiday is one of the busiest times of the year. And while we are thankful for the the business (especially after the last year!), it’s necessary to stop and take a breath once in while and remember what it’s all about. For me, making the Christmas card we send to our clients and friends every year is an opportunity to slow down and get into the spirit of the season. I am probably not the great designer of the 21st century, but I enjoy making the cards and I hope you enjoy them in the spirit of the holiday for which they were made – regardless of your religious or cultural beliefs… we wish you peace and prosperity now and in the coming year!
Please enjoy the card and let me know what you think about it… Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays from Pacific Coast - Puerto Vallarta Real Estate
