Are you breathing a huge sigh of relief now the “silly season” is over?
You know this crazy time of year, when not only do you have to deal with the daily routine but also cope with all those raised expectations for Christmas!!! Got to get the perfect gift for everyone on your list, send Cards to all those people that you only ever think about once a year, usually when dashing off those cards.
Then of course there is the food, mounds of baking, homemade cookies, stuffing, turkey and piles of veggies!!! Followed of course by a even bigger mound of dirty dishes to deal with.
This year Christmas was a breeze!!!
The only presents we bought where for our nieces and nephews which were delivered before we left for Belize. Instead of piles of Christmas cards we compiled and sent via email a Christmas Newsletter.
No last minute shopping for us on Christmas Eve……. We started off the day with a leisurely cup of coffee on the dock, shared with some of our fellow guests here in Placencia. We then wandered over to the beach for our morning stroll; this was followed by a quick dip in the blue calm sea.
Despite the fact that we are only visitors to the area, we did have some people that we wanted to connect with…….fellow travellers who like us have chosen a alternative Christmas. A quick hello with some boating friends turned into a invitation for breakfast with maybe a trip out to one of the Cayes later in the week.
We ran into Bill at his favourite haunt “The Pickled Parrot” which turned out to be a fortuitous meeting. As The Pickled Parrot was laying on an all you can eat Turkey Dinner on Christmas Day!
We did have some chores to do…. picking up a few essentials for the holidays. Wandering around town I could not help compare what I saw here and what would have been happening back home! There were Santa Hats a plenty, however these were accompanied with shorts and t shirts not bulky overcoats and sweaters. I even spotted some last minute gift purchases; all made at a leisurely pace after all what’s the hurry?
The locals here love sparkly lights and shiny things, this was much more evident in San Ignacio where the trimmings were in place weeks ago, here in Placencia most of the trimmings were just going up! No trimmings for us, no tree, fairy lights, baubles or pressies……. Did we miss them? Not in the least.
Christmas Eve was surprisingly low key, we had decided to visit some of the other bars in town and see what was going on! Not much! We did see the Santa Claus parade go bye….. this consisted off one golf Cart manned by Santa look alikes, a float looking suspiciously like a boat with fake sails and followed triumphantly by the local fire engine, which had been washed especially for the occasion. The parade was accompanied by walking presents who were dispensing lollipops to the somewhat sparse crowd.
The highlight of the Santa Parade took place just around the corner in the more residential part of town, where small gifts were handed out to the very well behaved line of little ones, all of them grinning from ear to ear!
Parade over we headed back home via the local bar, a live band was in full swing and the rum was flowing! It was surprising to realise just how many people we knew after only a short time here. Needless to say we had a blast!
Christmas morning rolled around, no need to get up early, no monster turkey to go in the oven, no kids vibrating with anticipation. Instead we had coffee on the deck with humming birds zipping overhead. We did not even exchange gifts; it was something we did not even think about as since we de-cluttered and divested we have consciously avoided picking up stuff! Although I have to admit I have been tempted by the beautiful hand carved and polished bowls the local artists make.
We did of course get on Skype to connect with the families…….. yes we do miss being with our families. We don’t miss having to deal with the long drive over what can be a gnarly mountain pass to get there though. I think it is tougher for our families than it is for us, after all we are away from the routine, and they are not, which of course makes it tougher when any one element is missing.
One of our friends is following his bliss and currently exploring Vietnam and Thailand, his experience of Christmas must be radically different from his norm. Michael spent one Christmas in Turkey, which he described as a “non-event” no Christmas trees, no lights just another day!
Luckily for us we do not have to forego all the Christmas trimmings!!!! We did indeed have a full Christmas dinner, complete with cranberry sauce and stuffing, all for the princely price of $15 each.
Like people the world over this feast was followed by a small siesta! The day wrapped up with a stunning sunset while sharing a drink with some of our new found friends.
Here’s to a stress free Christmas! No shopping, no cooking and no huge credit card bills!
Christmas can be whatever you wish it to be, wherever you are, how will you spend next year?
Pura Vida! The Good Life!
