¡Feliz Navidad!

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!

I have been looking toward this day since the beginning of our travels, wondering what it would be like, away from home during this special time. I freely admit that I yearn for snow, Christmas trees, the sweet voice of Bing Crosby, and all the wonderful traditions that are special to our family. ¡Que Lastima! How would I cope without pinochle, Tom&Jerry, and the carols of the cousins. And of course, Jansa has his own holiday cravings (his family, gloppin, and A Christmas Story amongst many others). In the name of all things sacred, we did not suffer Navidad without a present. For comfort´s sake (literally), we bought ourselves a gift, alpaca sweaters. A modest consolation prize to my first choice, an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! Oooh fuuudge!

Does anyone feel sorry for us yet?

No really, the holiday has been so wonderfully different here in Cuzco, Peru. As you can see from the photos, we enjoyed a delicious home cooked Christmas Eve dinner (which was quite the process for Chef Cory and Chef Michael) along with the local festivities and massive markets of the city. The beautiful truth is, I experienced the Christmas spirit in full force in a way that sent chills down my spine. The clock struck midnight, streaks of fireworks filled the sky for what seemed to be an eternity, and the air thickened with joy and love for all. Although I could not be home this holiday, Navidad still arrived and the reason for the season rang loud and true.

Travelling HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And I puzzled three hours, `till my puzzler was sore. Then I thought of something I hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," I thought, "doesn't come from a store." Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

I am speaking for both Jansa and myself when I say that we miss you all, friends and family. Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, and Happy Holidays with all the love in our beating hearts!