Christmas Eve

After many years of enjoying the holiday season in either Mexico or Hawaii, I still have a difficult time “appropriately recognizing” those special days of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when they suddenly appear on my vacation calendar. It takes some effort to “change gears”, as every day in a resort area looks much the same as another. You tend to fall into a routine of exercise, activities, food, and drink.

Yesterday, we had a slow start. I walked down to the internet café to post the blog and send out an email Christmas greeting to friends and family. I returned to the suite. Angel was up and about, so we toasted bagels for breakfast and enjoyed the morning sun from the patio. We eventually migrated to the pool. Angel went for a swim. I read for awhile, and then joined her in the water. After the swim we dried off and relaxed on the lounges, talking, and just “enjoying” each other.

We both remarked that we couldn’t believe it was “already Christmas Eve”. Angel and I didn’t grow up in Alaska. We experienced the first half of our” lives to date”, in a place of four seasons, and severe winters, Montana. So, we tend to associate the Christmas season with snow and cold. But more importantly, this time of year, we have a distant, but powerful, “sensory” connection to our family and a “higher power”.

At about mid-day, after Angel had been absent in the pool on her second swim, and I had ordered two Pacificos, from Chris our server, I was given a “reminder” of Christmas. Our beer had just arrived on ice, and in a bucket. Angel appeared out of the pool and was drying off. The “activities hombre” was announcing a dart tournament at the activities center, over the loudspeaker. I asked Angel what our “plans” were for the afternoon. She thought for a second, and then remarked “Well, I thought we would play a round of Blackjack at the activities table, but they’re not offering it today … and anyway, it’s Christmas Eve.” My interpretation … Okay, Senor Matt, let’s make sure we “respect the day”.

Now, I’d like to say that we dumped out the beer, turned in the towels, and slithered off into a corner somewhere, to reflect and pray, but that didn’t happen. Angel is “capable” of that, but I’m not that “good”. I am Angel’s “life work”, and for that, I’m sure she will be rewarded handsomely in the end.

We did spend a quiet, alcohol free, afternoon at the pool. We ran into Donna, Susan, and Jerri. Susan and Jerri were painting pottery. Donna had been to the gym, working out. They were planning on heading downtown to the market and plaza. On Tuesday evening they had gone to Pancho’s for dinner and drinks. They had a wonderful time and great food. They were also “in recovery” from the magnum Mexican margaritas they had consumed that evening. Angel and I confirmed Christmas dinner plans with Donna before the ladies left for downtown. We will meet them at the Villa tonight, and then Marco will take us to Angelo’s, where we will enjoy the evening.

Angel and I split a Baja Chicken Roll from the grill for a late lunch, and then left for the room about 4:00. We caught the 5:00 shuttle into town, so we could attend the 6:00 Mass, in English, at a local cathedral. The service was well attended, with mostly “Gringos”, and a few Mexican families. It was “very warm” in the church, so we sat in the rear to get a little bit of the evening breeze. About the time the service began, a “couple” seated themselves directly behind us. Almost immediately, I could smell the reek of alcohol and tanning lotion wafting over us. Angel didn’t seem to notice. She is blessed with an insensitive nose. I was gagging, and wanted to move. These folks were “stinking” drunk, but we stayed put. Needless to say, I didn’t “enjoy” the service, but I “gutted it out”, and managed to control my tongue through the experience. That’s what “being good” is all about … I guess.

After church we walked to Juanita’s for Tortilla Soup and Tamales. There, we met a man and his daughter, who were sharing our table. Through our conversation we found out that he was an Air Force pilot … B-2 Stealth … a nice guy. He had just made “Light Colonel”. Angel later commented that he looked like he was 20 years old, but he had told us that he had just four years to finish his “twenty”, so he had to be 35. We didn’t get his name, but “the Colonel” had completed two tours in Iraq. For this we thanked him, and for this we are thankful.

The food at Juanita’s was authentic Mexicana, and fantastic, as usual. The total bill, with tip, 100 pesos! Merry Christmas everyone! We love you all!