Navidad-christmas.

Colombia is ready for Christmas. They have been ready since i arrived in early november... what i wonder is ... is Christmas reacy for Colombia?
The celebration is two-fold here. They have a holiday called NOVENA. it is the celebration of the conception... interestingly the conception happened, according to the way it is told here on december 8 ... and for 9 nights families celebrate together... moving from house to house... with wine, food music singing and prayer. And Novena is just the warm-up for Christmas... which is celebrated on dec 24... not the 25. and the family gathers in the evening. for more food. and celebrating... gifts are exchanged and at midnight fireworks etc.
Towns are despolate and everyone is with family.
interstingly enough this is a great night for robberies... so everyone is on super alert and on gaurd when leaving their homes.so much for holiday cheer.

and the next day the world is quiet. it is near impossible to catch a taxi, but somethings seems to run normally. i managed to get a bus from popayan to pasto (two towns in the south of Colombia. working my way ecuador.
this year is a holiday with out the presents and festivities for me... yet the gifts i recieve are intangible... visual, edible and expereintial... i witness the joy of others. the familial closeness... etc... and appreciate it. For me it is not a special day... only a day with limited access to food, transportation etc. for me holidays are only valid when celebrated with family and friends... so I will wait until i am with those that I love again soon(4-5 months). So Christmas is over... and the country loved it... celebrated is, bought it, wrapped it and gave it away... Feliz Navidad!