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A Caribbean Christmas


I didn't think I could get in the Christmas spirit in shorts and 80 degree weather. It just isn't Christmas without cold, clouds, and ice mimicking the North Pole. However, despite the palm trees, Cartagena definitely is in the Christmas spirit. Everyone is painting their cement homes and decking them with blinking lights, glowing Santa Clauses, bright candy canes, white snow flakes, and plastic trees. The City has decorated all the parks and tourist areas. The carols have a rhythm unlike anything you've heard in church or on the radio.  Last night, fireworks filled the sky above my house. Children woke up at dawn to light candles in honor of the Virgin Mary (Dec. 8th: Dia de la Concepcion "Velitas") to officially start the holiday season.  I will be spending Christmas in Boston this year, but I'll be turning up the heat and music so everyone can celebrate Caribbean style.

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  1. UnknownJanuary 10, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Carolyn--I just saw you are a PCV in Cartagena--welcome, from an ex PCV from Colombia 1968-70! I have been married to a Colombian from B/Quilla for 38 years; we have a place in C/Gena and would love to say hello to you when we visit in late Jan. I think you know Helene Dudley, who was a PCV in my time and we have worked together on The Colombia Project for the last few years.

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