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Iney Frank Quote

A bell is not a bell
until you ring it.
A song is not a song
until you sing it.

The love in your heart
was not put there to stay.
Love is not love
until you give it away.


- Unknown

Monday, January 23, 2012

What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?

This year there were fire crackers instead of fireworks.  This year there was a burning doll instead of a dropping ball.  This year there was samba and salsa instead o two-step and swing.  This year there was a meal at 1 am instead of at 10 pm.  This year there was bingo instead of football.  This year there were flats instead of heels.  This year I spent it in the streets instead of inside.  But this year, like all the rest I spent it with many, many friends.

Like Christmas’ Eve, New Year’s Eve our neighbors spend in the street, running around greeting everyone.  There is more activity and are more people running around on New Year’s Eve.  All the kids are up, no matter how young.  The big event isn’t a countdown to a ball dropping, but a sudden explosion of firecrackers.  The boys, and men, spend countless hours making life-size effigies to signify all the bad that has happened in the past year.  These dolls are FULL of firecrackers.   After a little singing, high-fiving and jumping around, the more courageous guys light the dolls on fire and everyone runs for cover – close enough to watch and shutter at the sound but hopefully far enough away to not be hit by flying debris.  Once the show is over dancing and dining commence. 

We used this time after the dolls to visit friend in their homes … and eat and dance too.  Then we turned in early, at 3 am!

The next day we joined friends for lunch and a game of picture Bingo.  A family of eight, many with children of their own, invited us into their house.  It felt like home … a different home, but a home where I belong.

Caminando por Tegucigalpa en la noche de la Navidad …

Walking through Tegucigalpa on Christmas Night ...
The group walking home one afternoon afte Las Posadas



This title is the opening line of a song which is now dear to my heart.  It is one of the Christmas carols we sang almost every Posada in the nine days leading up to Christmas Eve.  Las Posadas are a Mexican Christmas tradition which has been fully embraced in Central America.  It my neighborhood it has been modified from its original form.
Joseph knocking on the door

Each of the 8 days we celebrated Las Posadas the children arrive at our house around 4 pm.  Two girls dress up like Mary, the mother of Jesus, and two boys like Joseph, her husband.  Then we set out singing in two groups, each with guitar and chorus, to visit houses in the neighborhood.  As we walk through the cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways of our neighborhood, past pigs and puppies, children, young and old, join us as pilgrims in search of a place for Mary to have her baby.  Once we arrive at our first destination, half the group goes inside with the hosts, shutting the door behind them.  The pint-sized Joseph remains outside with his tiny wife and the rest of the pilgrims.  He knocks on the door and as the guitar begins a song.  Those inside sing the part of the Inn Keeper who at first refuses the couple and complains that they are a nuisance but finally gives admittance.  Outside the other group responds singing the part of Joseph, begging for a place of rest for his wife.  At the end of the song the tempo picks up and everyone joyfully enter the house. 
Singing carols ... as loud as possible!

Once inside someone reads a part of the Christmas story and shares a little devotional.  We pray.  We sing another Christmas carol or two.  Then usually the family gives the pilgrims something to eat and drink.  Finally, we move on to our next house with the family of the first house joining the journey.
Las Posadas have become a very important part of the Christmas celebration in our neighborhood.  Our friends clean their houses, put on their Sunday best and decorate to receive Las Posadas.  Some cook all day, others spend a few precious Limpiras to buy a soft drink and some cookies.  None of this is necessary, but it is done as a sign of love and out of joy.  And each year it grows as more friends want to participate.  This year over 90 families opened their doors.

One of my little friends, Mario, is five years old.  It is hard to imagine a five year old on the fast track to no-where-good, but he sadly is.  The very first day he wanted to be Joseph.  He joined us almost every day.  Sometimes he misbehaved.  Other times he was an angle.  When Las Posadas ended, he was sad.   He wants us to continue them all year long.  If only we could!!!
Getting ready to leave for posadas ... the second set that night