Nicaragua: May your heart be light
I wasn't exactly sure what to expect this holiday season, being it my first one outside of the United States. My expectations were not high either, as is my approach to most situations these days. In the days leading up to December 24th, people began to set up their Christmas trees, hang lights on the outsides of their houses, and launch a ridiculous amount of firecrackers in the streets at every hour of every day. Whereas in the states the pressure rises to find the perfect gifts for loved ones during these times, I felt close to no commercialization of the holiday season here. Gift-giving is not a part of the Nica Christmas tradition, nor is Santa Claus.
What are the traditions, then? December 24th is a night to spend in family, share food, go to church, and wait until midnight when everybody goes to the street to launch firecrackers, fireworks, and make loud noises of all kinds. The party continues into the wee hours for those who choose to stay awake and go dancing. Everybody else goes home, goes to bed, and sleeps in extra long on the 25th.
Christmas Day saw very little activity in the community, as most places were closed for business. Instead of opening up gifts from Santa on Christmas morning, I took my time waking up and prepared a yummy apple crisp. Once finished, I walked 20 minutes to my friend Angelica's house where I was invited to share lunch with her family. Her two daughters informed me that Santa Claus doesn't come to their house, but I told them that this year he left me a coloring book which I was supposed to share with two young girls about their age. Here they are pictured on Christmas morning with their gift:
The five of us then shared a meal of spaghetti, rice, vegetables, and apple crisp, which was followed by sitting in rocking chairs.
And that is how I spent my Christmas.
What are the traditions, then? December 24th is a night to spend in family, share food, go to church, and wait until midnight when everybody goes to the street to launch firecrackers, fireworks, and make loud noises of all kinds. The party continues into the wee hours for those who choose to stay awake and go dancing. Everybody else goes home, goes to bed, and sleeps in extra long on the 25th.
Christmas Day saw very little activity in the community, as most places were closed for business. Instead of opening up gifts from Santa on Christmas morning, I took my time waking up and prepared a yummy apple crisp. Once finished, I walked 20 minutes to my friend Angelica's house where I was invited to share lunch with her family. Her two daughters informed me that Santa Claus doesn't come to their house, but I told them that this year he left me a coloring book which I was supposed to share with two young girls about their age. Here they are pictured on Christmas morning with their gift:
The five of us then shared a meal of spaghetti, rice, vegetables, and apple crisp, which was followed by sitting in rocking chairs.
And that is how I spent my Christmas.
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