Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) in Mexico City

The next morning, Christmas Eve, Phil, Fer, Amy, Marie and I wandered about the city, driving past the Estadio Azteca, the official home stadium of the Mexico national football team, on our way to one of the many parks, churches and markets in Coyoacan.

Marie and I tried a glass of mezcal at a small bar close by. In Mexico mezcal is generally not mixed with anything else but often accompanied with sliced oranges sprinkled with 'sal de gusano' - worm salt! - a mixture of ground fried larvae, ground chili peppers and salt. Wow was it good!

That evening we all went to the home of Roberto and Carmalita to celebrate Las Posadas, the wonderful Mexican Christmas tradition we enjoyed during our last visit here three years ago. Las Posadas, meaning the 'lodgings', symbolizes the Biblical journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. The celebration lasts nine days, from December 16 to Christmas Eve (Noche Buena or Holy Night) and includes a candle lit procession of kids and adults reenacting Mary and Joseph's journey. The ritual includes a pageant where people costumed as Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds and the Three Wise Men arrive at the designated house where Las Posadas will be celebrated. Upon arrival the hosts meet everyone at their door with singing an exchange of lyrics from the traditional Pidiento Posada. Soon we all began celebrating with traditional songs and prayers, and then the breaking of the piñata! 

Supper followed, with toasts and music, and as Christmas Eve turned into Christmas Day we said our goodbyes and headed home for a few hours rest before starting the celebrations all over again! gws

 

Montreal to Mexico City

  Early on the morning of the 23rd December Marie and I made our way to Pierre Elliot airport to board our flight to Mexico City. It was a cold day with snow and freezing rain so de-icing the plane was essential before taking off. We had an uneventful flight, served a very tasty lunch, and arrived a few hours late at Benito Juarez airport, Terminal 2, where we were met by César and Rosalia. The warm air of Mexico City was welcomed as we negotiated the usual heavy traffic to one of their favourite restaurants for dinner and wine. And, in the grand Mexican style, food, drink and family celebrations would be our companions for the next two weeks! gws

Our Aeromexico 737 shivering at Pierre Trudeau Airport, Montreal

De-icing = De-lays

After a few hours the first sight of the Gulf of Mexico, somewhere over Texas

Approaching Mexico City, late afternoon

taxiing into Benito Juarez airport, Mexico City

Rosalia and Marie, toasting our arrival

Visits with the Kids

Before leaving for Mexico Marie and I dropped of Phil, Fernanda and Amy at the airport as they had an earlier flight than us then headed out to Ontario to spend a day with Christina and Patrick. They put on a wonderful pot roast for us and we spent a snowy day exchanging gifts. We gave each of them a pair of snowshoes to enjoy in their back yard and along the many trails around their place. 

Sarah, Isabelle and Patrick on their new snowshoes

 The next day we drove over to Nun's Island in Montreal to wish Lara, Jesse and Joshua a happy Christmas. The flu bug unfortunately was making its rounds and had paid an unwelcome visit to Lara. Hopefully it wouldn't stay long and she would be back on her feet when we returned. They were very glad though to be out of their old and cold damp place on Prud'homme and in their new warm condo with spa, hot tub and swimming pool. Joshua is growing fast and will be a year old in February. We wish we could see him more often but are content to know he is well and loved. gws

Mexico!

Marie and I will be joining Phil, Fernanda, and Amy in Mexico for Christmas this year. They leave on the 20th and we fly down to meet them in Mexico City on the 23rd. I will be updating whenever possible with pictures and stories of our adventures as we enjoy two weeks away from the cold white north. While we are gone friends will keep an eye on our place so we need not worry - keeping the road cleared of snow, checking our solar panels, etc. Hopefully we all have a safe, happy and memorable holiday - my wish to all of you as well! gws

JOSHUA

Our Retirement Home Party Twenty-Nine (Master Bathroom Part 1)

One of the most challenging jobs so far in the finishing of the interior of the house has been the construction of the shower enclosure in the master bathroom. Before beginning we first had to change the location of the drain hole - here my trusty reciprocating saw was a great help - and then plumb it into the main drain line. We had to be careful here as the PEX piping for the radiant flooring surrounds this wood insert. After that we strengthened the walls where the Durock cement board would go, then built a 2x4 curb 5 inches high around the two sides where the glass and door will eventually sit. At the same time we finished connecting the hot and cold water pipes through the wall to the main water supply at the right height for the taps. Next within the framed enclosure we used a combination of products from Mark E Industries of Florida that they claim to be 'goof proof'! These tools - their pre-pitch, kirb-perfect, quick-pitch and string-a-level systems - we bought to help us simplify some of the most difficult and time consuming tasks in building a shower. And simplification we needed! From the following photos it looked easy but believe me it wasn't! Two weeks later after much frustration, bad language and stomping off outside to cool off we are now ready for tiling. Happy December to all!  gws

new hole for drain in 2x6 

36 x 60 inch curb

laying out pre-pitch sticks

mixing cement for pre-pitch

vinyl liner over new sloped cement and curb

Marie installing pex for water lines

putting up Durock cement boards and niches for bottles

quick pitch ready for cement

quick pitch and curb cemented


and this is where I am at the moment....