Another reminder of the old Mexico - one that hopefully still exists, if only in smaller, out-of-the-way towns. Hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season. Love your old Christmas card photo :) Happy New Year!
Great story, Jeanine. And yes, that double-edged sword of NAFTA (sigh). I too am always a bit disheartened to see all the north-of-the-border Christmas "traditions" seeping into Mexico's culture. There are some cultural norms that would have been better left un-shared. Oh well, commerce is much larger than our meager wishes...
In any event, Happy Holidays and a bright and prosperous New Year!
I love this story! It’s funny how we really don’t need to know many words in a different language to understand each other. Laughter and hand signals go really far. The food sounded tasty. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year, Jeanine!
You should know, Daniel! Itinerant traveler such as you! I always kind of enjoy the attempt. I get silly and motion and pantomime if necessary. In Mexico bc the locals are so fun loving, it usually ends up well.
Loved this! Everyone becomes your friend...true at Christmas and true in Latin American cultures especially. Welcoming friends and family to your table to share is the soul of the culture. Even though more commercialism has come to Mexico and to my Costa Rica, the welcoming spirit stays true. Pura vida Jeanine, and cheers to 2025!
I love this post, Jeanine! Especially the following:
What could have been an unmemorable Christmas became one we’ll never forget, with a reminder on how the world works. At holiday time, everyone becomes your friend and someone to share a drink with, no matter where you are or where you’re from.
It's been really fun for me, too, Jeanine. I love Mexico (I taught English in Mexico City when I was young and almost ended up marrying a lovely Mexican man), so I am living in the culture vicariously through you!
Wow, Clarice! That's great re DF! And your history w/ Mexico. It must have been exciting being there then. Love it. Anyway, here's to a great New Year!
The palatable cocktail reminded me of a similar friend we made in Mexico. I was walking Charlie on the beach and passed a palapa bar and started chatting in my terrible Spanish. I said we were on our honeymoon and he said I needed to bring Russel in to have a Vuelve La Vida (back to life) seafood cocktail (i guess because of the supposed power of seafood as an aphrodisiac? ). I did so (though he'd been having no trouble), and we had a memorably great meal and evening!
What a lovely story! And a beautiful reminder to be generous to strangers. When I visited last year, I saw how enthusiastic Mexico is about Christmas. It's interesting to read what this celebration used to be like before it was commercialised 🎄🎅
Yes. In non-touristy spots, it’s still quiet nights w. family, which is really a beautiful thing, so everyone can partake. People in Mexico work really hard and it’s so rare to have time off, so Navidad and Feast of Guadalupe are excellent excuses!!
Another great travel perspective, Jeanine! Thanks for sharing. Living in Mexico since 2007, I've become accustomed to no commercialized Christmas and restaurants being closed.
We've made that same mistake! A Christmas in La Paz was not one we went unfed, but we thought more than the hotel restaurant would be open. Here in Mexico City it's quieter, but there are still places open. Everyone goes for Tacos on Christmas day it seems! No one wants to cook I expect ;)
It’s so weird. And as we did Not learn our lesson, several years later we went to Merida with friends for New Year’s. You can guess how disappointing That was! There was no one out (this was around 2003) and it was a dud of a night. C’est la vie.
Silly but true! Einstein said it best, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Ha! That's me! (and isn't that a great quote)?
Love the holidays in Mexico!
Just the best!
Another reminder of the old Mexico - one that hopefully still exists, if only in smaller, out-of-the-way towns. Hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season. Love your old Christmas card photo :) Happy New Year!
Thanks Emese. And happy belated birthday! Yes, it still exists!!! That photo- so silly! It became a theme for a long time!!
Great story, Jeanine. And yes, that double-edged sword of NAFTA (sigh). I too am always a bit disheartened to see all the north-of-the-border Christmas "traditions" seeping into Mexico's culture. There are some cultural norms that would have been better left un-shared. Oh well, commerce is much larger than our meager wishes...
In any event, Happy Holidays and a bright and prosperous New Year!
Thanks Mike, and Happy New year to you too!
I love this story! It’s funny how we really don’t need to know many words in a different language to understand each other. Laughter and hand signals go really far. The food sounded tasty. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year, Jeanine!
You should know, Daniel! Itinerant traveler such as you! I always kind of enjoy the attempt. I get silly and motion and pantomime if necessary. In Mexico bc the locals are so fun loving, it usually ends up well.
Sharing unexpected conversations with locals is always entertaining!
Loved this! Everyone becomes your friend...true at Christmas and true in Latin American cultures especially. Welcoming friends and family to your table to share is the soul of the culture. Even though more commercialism has come to Mexico and to my Costa Rica, the welcoming spirit stays true. Pura vida Jeanine, and cheers to 2025!
Thank you, Marlo! I love the camaraderie and love in MX and Central America.
Love this, Jeanine! Best wishes for 2025 from us both
Thanks Marco & Sabrina! And best to you in the new year too.
I love this post, Jeanine! Especially the following:
What could have been an unmemorable Christmas became one we’ll never forget, with a reminder on how the world works. At holiday time, everyone becomes your friend and someone to share a drink with, no matter where you are or where you’re from.
I hope you and Paul have a very happy New Year.
Thank you, Clarice! So glad you liked it. It’s been a pleasure to get to know you this past year.
It's been really fun for me, too, Jeanine. I love Mexico (I taught English in Mexico City when I was young and almost ended up marrying a lovely Mexican man), so I am living in the culture vicariously through you!
Wow, Clarice! That's great re DF! And your history w/ Mexico. It must have been exciting being there then. Love it. Anyway, here's to a great New Year!
What a lovely share, Jeanine. Thanks for the photos. I hope you enjoyed a lovely Christmas, and a happy new year to you and yours.
Thank you Paulette! And happy new year to you and yours too!! Thanks for reading.
The palatable cocktail reminded me of a similar friend we made in Mexico. I was walking Charlie on the beach and passed a palapa bar and started chatting in my terrible Spanish. I said we were on our honeymoon and he said I needed to bring Russel in to have a Vuelve La Vida (back to life) seafood cocktail (i guess because of the supposed power of seafood as an aphrodisiac? ). I did so (though he'd been having no trouble), and we had a memorably great meal and evening!
Those chance meetings are just the best. And remain unforgettable.
They absolutely define life in Mexico for me.
And you may be having some more very soon!!! Adelante!!
What a lovely story! And a beautiful reminder to be generous to strangers. When I visited last year, I saw how enthusiastic Mexico is about Christmas. It's interesting to read what this celebration used to be like before it was commercialised 🎄🎅
Yes. In non-touristy spots, it’s still quiet nights w. family, which is really a beautiful thing, so everyone can partake. People in Mexico work really hard and it’s so rare to have time off, so Navidad and Feast of Guadalupe are excellent excuses!!
Few Christmases in Mexico and I love intimate family gatherings. No Santa clauses and no gifts needed. Thank you Jeanine!
Exactly. You spent some time there, Charlotte.Love that. And thank you for reading!
Another great travel perspective, Jeanine! Thanks for sharing. Living in Mexico since 2007, I've become accustomed to no commercialized Christmas and restaurants being closed.
As a tourist it was a shock, but it worked out well! I think it's great--people w. their families.
Love this so much!
Thanks, Camille! It was perfect.
We've made that same mistake! A Christmas in La Paz was not one we went unfed, but we thought more than the hotel restaurant would be open. Here in Mexico City it's quieter, but there are still places open. Everyone goes for Tacos on Christmas day it seems! No one wants to cook I expect ;)
It’s so weird. And as we did Not learn our lesson, several years later we went to Merida with friends for New Year’s. You can guess how disappointing That was! There was no one out (this was around 2003) and it was a dud of a night. C’est la vie.
We keep making the same mistakes hoping it'll be different!
Silly but true! Einstein said it best, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Ha! That's me! (and isn't that a great quote)?
It's the best, and I can use it almost every day when I'm complaining about something that's totally within my control 😆
So true!!
Thanks for the restack Joyce!
Thanks fir the restack Phil&Maude!