Last night we participated in Las Posadas, a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's trip to Bethlehem. This particular version combines elements of Las Pastorelas, plays that re-enact their search for an inn on the night of Jesus's birth. Starting at the front of the Palace of Governors on the Plaza, the crowd held candles and (for the few people who knew the words), sang the traditional Las Posadas song requesting shelter. But a devil on the roof (see blurry photo), taunted the crowd and drove us away. This was repeated at five different spots along the plaza with different devils calling the crowd puercos, perros and turistas. The crowd was a little quiet, maybe because not enough people understood the Spanish or maybe because it was cold out. The route was lined with farolitos (the northern NM word for luminarios). Finally, at the side entrance to the Palace of Governor's, the couple was granted admission and we all streamed into the courtyard. There volunteers handed out hot cider (none too soon!) and cookies. A band played under a big tent where we gathered to sing carols, mostly in Spanish. They handed out the words for most of the songs. The mostly non-Hispanic crowd really got together on "Feliz Navidad - I want to wish you a merry Christmas".
Today snow continues to fall and when Jake went out to run an errand this morning he turned around and came back because the roads were slick and unplowed.
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