Expat’s Experience of First Posada, Ajijic, Mexico

chillibreeze writer — Sylvia Perkins

It was the first posada of the season and it was coming my way--on our street, Calle Juarez. Leading the small group were a boy and girl carrying before them little figures of Mary and Joseph. The children following behind were dressed in satin costumes of many bright colors and holding tall staffs decorated with tinsel and bells. They stopped at a nearby house singing a song asking for room for the night. "Please let us in, we are tired from our long journey." "No" was the reply also in song from behind the closed door. They continued to walk.

Several more houses were visited where they asked for shelter and received the same response. Curiously, I followed and enjoyed the excitement of what was to come. The street corner was ready for them--beautifully decorated with balloons, streamers, pinatas and a little wrapped gift for each child. Next came time for hitting those pinatas with a decorated stick starting with the smallest child. This activity also called for singing. "Dali, dali, dali..."

There were four of them. The first pinata was my favorite, a traditional shape with four points around a ball. The second and third were clown figures. As each one was burst open by a fatal blow, the children scrambled around on the cobblestones to find wrapped candies, gum, peanuts in their shells and lots of oranges. The last was a decorated Christmas tree shape.

Later I took it out of the trash to carry home with me hoping it would fit in my luggage. Could I repair it and fill it again with goodies for the children at my Christmas party when I arrive in Louisiana? Oh, but the atmosphere, the colors, the excitement and the anticipation would be lacking.

There were four of them. The first pinata was my favorite, a traditional shape with four points around a ball. The second and third were clown figures. As each one was burst open by a fatal blow, the children scrambled around on the cobblestones to find wrapped candies, gum, peanuts in their shells and lots of oranges. The last was a decorated Christmas tree shape.

Later I took it out of the trash to carry home with me hoping it would fit in my luggage. Could I repair it and fill it again with goodies for the children at my Christmas party when I arrive in Louisiana? Oh, but the atmosphere, the colors, the excitement and the anticipation would be lacking.

The pretty pinata was discarded... but not the memory.

• Read more from this expat in Mexico:
• San Andres Festival
• Ajijic Expat

 

—About our writer:

Sylvia is an American expat who loves life in Mexico. She and her architect husband live half the year in their quaint village house in Ajijic, Mexico.