Christmas doesn’t come to hot places!

That sounds bitter and scroogie – but its not! I swear! There is a feeling, a belief or a proven fact (up until this point in my life) that Christmas comes but once a year – and its only when its cold and snowy. Last year I defied reality just a little and took a vacation to Montevideo and Buenos Aires to spend the holidays. But this year there is no escaping to a colder climate – and its certainly not going to snow in PY anytime soon. However, Din din don (Jingle Bells in Spanish) has been blaring from every tienda all over town for the last few weeks. Palm trees are covered in pica-pica (Christmas lights), and I have a sneaky suspicion that the Na Rubias (my neighbor ladies) are trying to decide if I am on the Naughty or Nice list.

But it doesn’t matter how many times I hear jingle bells or try to imagine a White Christmas on the top of the world – I am still not convinced that we are just six short days away from Santa’s Arrival! And to top it off, Paraguayans love firecrackers – even for Christmas. What does that mean? I feel even more like we should be celebrating the 4th of July, because its over 100 degrees out!

Despite my denial, I am looking forward to spending Christmas in Horqueta, Paraguay. I have received a few invitations from my neighbors to pass by their houses for a traditional glass of Clerico (Paraguay fruit salad, with grapes and red wine!) Many PCVs decide that their once-in-a-peace-corps-service-trip-home will fall over Christmas. Which has, in addition to practically leaving me friendless – has given me EXTRA points as a Peace Corps volunteer in the eyes of my neighbors. I don’t mean to brag (cause really it probably just comes down to the fact that I am broke!), but I am a pretty guapa volunteer! (Just teasing!)

Santa isn’t a big Paraguayan Christmas. Like many (I think) Spanish speaking countries (Spain, at least), Christmas is just all about Jesus. No presents. No reindeer. No stockings. No gingerbread houses. All Jesus, all day. The presents and the party come on Three Kings Day – pretty smart, huh? Why, you ask? Well…the Kings brought the presents to Jesus…not a fat man in a red suit!
So its not looking like St. Nick will be stopping by – but to hold on strong to my Sac City, IA traditions – I might nail my sock to the top of my well and hope that somebody drops by to leave me a sweet or two!

My denial has been eased a bit thanks to some great decorations that were sent to me last year by the generous Laura Walker. (but thanks to the unreliable mail…got here at the end of Jan…not really Xmas tree time!) I have been saving them for just the right season. And it has definitely spiced up my kitchen!


While you are sitting around carving the Roast Beast on the 25th, please know that I am raising my Clerico glass to you, wishing you well and being thankful for all that I have, know and have been lucky enough to experience. Probably never again will I be able to eat Chipa Guazu out of a Tatakua made by Na Rubia on Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas to All – enjoy the moment!