Holiday wrap-up

We spent the Christmas holidays with some local friends, who invited us to their home a couple hours north of the capital city. With clearance from the security office for our trip, we headed out of town. The beautiful country-side, with green rolling hills, was a sight for sore eyes.

One of the big things in this country appears to be Christmas parades through the town squares on Christmas eve. We arrived just in time to watch this one with our host family. Christmas here is similar to America, but a little less commercialized, with a few interesting quirks, such as the following:

The wise man led the way through town, followed by Santa's 14-year-old helpers.

The shepherds from the fields were played by young men with tricked-out motorcycles.

And there was a drag section, with wearing impossibly tight outfits and dangerously high heels. This particular participant reminds me of somebody I know.

There was a Joseph and Mary, riding a donkey, with a doll in her arms...

...followed by pre-pubescent teens dancing to reggaeton, dressed in national plumage.

After the parade, we enjoyed the lights of the town square.

Laura and our host family were really kind, and we felt at home around the table on Christmas morning.

Later in the morning, we took a driving tour of the vicinity, and drove to the top of the nearby hill to survey the beautiful valley below.

A typical street scene in the small towns on Christmas day. Barbecues and drinking beer are a popular past time with the men, and the kids play with their new toys. Mosst women were out of site, minding the roasting veal.

Small town feel, with traditional architecture.

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