Holidays Island Style

When it comes to holidays the Puerto Ricans know how to celebrate. The Christmas season officially begins Thanksgiving day and lasts until Jan. 15 with the Festival of San Sebastion in San Juan. It begins with Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, Three Kings Day, New Years Eve, then the 8 days of Octavistas ending with a three day street festival in Viejo San Juan on the 15th. These celebrations include lots of food and drink: lechon (pork), arroz con gandules (rice), pasteles (kind of like tamales made with yuca or plantain), pitorro (an illegal alcohol made in the mountains kind of like moonshine, it comes in a variety of flavors, my favorites being coconut and passion fruit), and coquito (like an egg nog). They also have a very interesting tradition of Christmas Caroling but more entertaining, called Parranda. They get a group of people together and instruments, then go to someone's house in the late hours of the night or early morning. They sing and play the instruments outside the lucky person's house until they wake up. Then that person invites everyone in for food, drinks, and more singing. Then they move on to more houses throughout the night. They are very proud of this tradition and with reason. I was impressed of how willing the people got out of bed and started serving food and drinks and even moved on to the next house. I almost forgot to mention that on Thanksgiving the city ordenance of a bar closing time is lifted so they stay open as late as they want or the people want! Shhhh.... I may have seen the sun come up on a few occasions, once on the beach!




So how did I fit into all of the festivities. First, we began by decorating our Christmas tree in November in anticipation of a festive holiday season. We strung blue lights on our dollar store tree and hung sand dollar ornaments (that were really found in the ocean). We thought we would go with an ocean theme for our first Puerto Rican Christmas. For Thanksgiving we had the week off of school. Andrea's mom and sister came to visit so we had some adventures showing them around. The highlight of the week was Culebra. It is a small island off the island. We packed up to camp there for the night and took the ferry to the island. We hung out at Flamenco beach, which was once voted the second best beach in the world for it's white sand and clear, warm waters. The snorkeling there was unbelievable. Laying on the beach watching the stars was unforgetable. Falling alseep listening to the waves crash on the beach and waking up steps from the water was extrodinary. Camping in Culebra is an experience of a lifetime.


On Thanksgiving we got together at the Mudd's for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie so I didn't feel so far from home.

Then Christmas vaction began with our work Christmas party. The school rented out a place and had a band and an open bar. The teachers brought lots of good food. We ate, drank, gave away secret santa presents, and danced the night away. The director of the school even tried teaching me some salsa moves.


On Christmas morning I woke up to presents under my tree and my childhood stocking filled with goodies thanks to my amazing family, who had sent me way too many thoughtful presents, but talking to them was the best gift I could get. Then we were invited to the owner of the school's house. They cooked some turkey, rice, stuffing and flan for dessert. Then we actually spent Christmas night at a reggae concert, Cultura Profetica. It wasn't a white Christmas but a wet, rainy one. Talk about a typical Christma celebration.


December 30: Niki, Stephie, and Dana ARRIVE!!

I picked the girls up in San Juan and we went to San Juan for the next two days. On the 31 I showed them around Viejo San Juan. We walked the streets and visited the forts. Then that night we kissed 2008 goodbye and welcomed 2009 on the Rumba party cruise, with typically Puerto Rican food, drinks, music, and dancing. The next day we relaxed on the beach in Isla Verde.






One of the highlights of their visit was Icacos. We took a watertaxi to another little island. The taxi dropped us off on a deserted island and we unloaded our coolers and bags hoping we would have a ride home (or maybe not!). We turned on Bob Marley, poured ourselves some sangria, and waded in the crystal clear waters. We spent the day catching up and taking in the rays, excpet for Niki who we had to send to the shade!










We also went on a guided rainforest adventure. We hiked up a riverbed through the forest. We climbed a mini waterfall. Then repelled down an 80 foot waterfall. Stephie may or may not have cried, Niki was like a pro, and it was probably the crazy thing I have ever done, which I think I may have been screaming on my way down. What an adrenaline rush!










It was great seeing my girls! I appreciate the time and money they took to come visit me. I hope they think it was worth it and will be back for more! Love you girls. Miss you already.

I also experienced my first "Chinchorreo". They have these little road side stands called chinchorros that are along the coast that sell typical Puerto Rican fried food like pastelillos, alcapurrias, empanadias, and drinks. Many Puerto Ricans go "chinchorreando" which is stopping along a various chinchorros to eat and drink. So some of my friends from here took me Chinchorreando. It was a pretty entertaining evening. We supposedly even meet a famous Reggaton singer (Julio Voltio-he's the one with the kids).

That last week of Christmas break I actually took some time to relax and work on my tan (I've moved down to SPF 15!) and rest up for school.


Then on the 15 we ended the holidays with a bang in viejo San Juan at the Calle San Sebastion street festival. Our friend Juan, guided Andrea and I around the festival. There were lots of people, food, drinks, music, dancing,and (seeing a pattern here). It was a pretty typical street festival and a great way to end the holiday season.



Although I missed celebrating the holidays with my friends and family, I am glad that I was able to experience a Puerto Rican Christmas. Before I left for PR, I had heard many times how amazing and beautiful Christmas is here, but I thought it can't be much different from home. Christmas is great everywhere. But it was different. It may seem like all I did was party but I learned something. I think that Americans have something to learn from the Puerto Ricans and I think that everyone could use a little island life philospohy. Not once did I hear anyone complain about anything that has to do with the holidays. No one complained about cooking, lines, money, or buying presents. No one is stressed out. They simply enjoy the time that they get to spend with their friends and family. Their families actually get together for each of these holidays and not only does Santa Claus come but so do the Three Kings. They even enjoy getting woken up from a deep sleep to host a party. All I saw were smiles, and heard many laughs. It truely is an "enchanted island".


I hope everyone at home also enjoyed the holiday season. I did really miss you all and missed the White Christmas for about a minute! I wish you all the best in the year 2009. May you all be blessed with health, happiness, and love! I don't know about you but I think 2009 will be a great one. Probably, one that I will never forget.