Our first Christmas in Puerto Rico was a lot of fun and much different from Colorado. We didn’t have all the cues of the holidays like cold weather, fresh pine trees from the mountains, and time off work. And while we don’t have the beauty of glistening white snow falling on puffing houses, the weather this time of year in the tropics is just gorgeous in a different way.
The skies are clear blue with visibility at least 20 miles across the ocean. The palms are waving in the slight breeze and the humidity is low. People who have lived here for a long time might even wear a jacket (not us yet because it feels just perfect)!
Santa in Puerto Rico!
The differences weren’t only the weather however. While Santa Claus has been incorporated in the culture in such places as malls and displays, the 3 Kings (the 3 Wisemen in English) are still most definitely more important culturally. Here everyone seems to have their own recipe for coquito -an egg nog style drink made with coconut cream and pasteles (sort of like tamales). All of the downtown plazas have some sort of light display but not many houses. A lot of cars drive around with loud music, people shoot off fireworks or guns in celebrations, there are a lot more horses being ridden and everyone says “felicidades” (loosely translates as “happiness” or “Happy Holidays”) to you wherever you go. Many people head to a midnight mass on Christmas Eve after a huge family gathering.
A North American classic symbol of the season, the poinsettia plant, grows here in the ground, so we planted one!
That’s not glitter on the poinsettia; it’s rain drops!
As for us, in Colorado we would normally celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas with family, but since we don’t have any here, we were so happy to spend it with our new friends. At a fun Christmas Eve gathering we saw a magnificent sunset from the patio and enjoyed getting to know more people.
On Christmas we went over to some other friends’ house for a super delicious dinner and then went with them to the Mayaguez plaza where there was a huge light display.
Mayaguez Plaza at Christmas
Overall it was one of the most unusual Christmases we have ever had, but also ranked up there as one of the best. If our family could have been here it would have been even better. But my mom and her boyfriend will be visiting soon and we can catch up then.
¡Les deseamos una Feliz Navidad a todos desde Puerto Rico! (Merry Christmas wishes from Puerto Rico!)