Feliz Navidad!

It’s Christmas time in Loja, but it hardly feels like Christmastime to us because we are accustomed to cold temperatures in December. In Loja, there are two seasons—the “dry” season and the “wet” season. The wet season has arrived. It is similar to Seattle in June or July. Temperatures average 75, the skies are generally overcast and occasional light rain occurs each day. Actually on our evening walks now, sometimes a light fleece is needed. Everyone here says, “It’s cold.” Hmm! In front of a cathedral in the center of the city, there actually is a winter scene with Santa in his sled riding on snow (yellowing spray foam insulation). Christmas trees, flashing Christmas lights, Santa Claus figurines and nativity scenes decorate the city, and the Christmas decorations were in store windows even earlier than in the states since they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here (of course). As we have been told, we share some of the same Christmas traditions such as gathering with family on Christmas day, eating turkey, and giving presents. During this month, it is common to see women walking around town with live turkeys braced under their arm.

As for holiday events...we recently attended the school children’s choir concert. As instructed, we arrived in our formal school suits/uniforms to the theater on Saturday morning. The school had impressive formal uniforms made for all the staff (oh, but except we paid for them). Sara looks like she should be serving coca colas aboard a 747. As usual, we knew little of what exactly was to happen at the event. Turns out, it was a competition involving multiple school choirs. All children were between the ages of 4 to 6 years old. It was hosted in the oldest theater in Loja (kind of reminded of us of the Moore Theater in Seattle on a much smaller scale). Unlike in the United States where a single pianist might accompany the children’s choir, many of these choirs had full accompaniment with violins, guitars, drummers and pianists. Keep in mind...all the children were between the ages of 4 to 6 years old. Our cheering section included a parent with a snare drum, a parent with cymbals and a parent distributing whistles. So, in addition to the choir competition, there was basically a parent cheer competition as well. Needless to say, it was loud! Our school received 2nd place, and we were surprised that our entire cheering section departed (as if the theater was on fire) as soon as our award was presented.

Tonight we take an overnight bus to meet Roberta in Quito. She will arrive Saturday afternoon and we will begin our holiday travels. Christmas on the beach and then New Years in the Andes Mountains.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!