La Buena Noche

In Guatemala, Christmas Eve is known as "La Buena Noche" which translated literally means the good night. We started the day by heading to the market to get me a haircut. On the way, we crossed paths with a tourist van with pinatas on top being driven by Santa. When it passed, he threw us a ball. Luis hasn't stopped talking about it since. At the barberia, I paid 20Q (about $2.50), including a big tip, and got the best hair cut of my life. The barber uses a straight razor for the sideburns, around the ear and the back of the neck. He also took care of trimming my wild eyebrows. If I were a rock star and had my own personal barber, he would have the job.

While I was getting my haircut, Jenny and the boys (Care stayed with me) braved La Bodagona to get a couple of things. Then we all went to the Bagel Barn to get some bagels for lunch today and breakfast tomorrow. After Bagel Barn, it was back to the apartment where we ate lunch and then played some games. Luis liked learning to play Old Maid and Crazy Eights. We had an early dinner of home made hamburgers and french fries (breaking the Guatemalan tradition of tamales on La Buena Noche) and got ready for Christmas Eve service. Here is a picture of us before leaving for church.




When we arrived for the 6pm service at 5:50, we were about the third family to arrive. It was pretty full by the time the service actually started around 6:20. Instead of the typical Christmas Eve sermon, the church had three members get up and share their testimony. The theme of the service was the difference the gift of Christ has made in people's lives. Then we had communion and sang O Holy Night by candlelight. Here is a shot of Caroline holding her candle.



After the service, we walked to the Central Park to check out the lights. It was hopping. There were people and vendors everywhere and fireworks were going off. I tripped cutting across the street and now my knee that was bothering me is really killing me. We had to hobble me over to a cab to get a ride back to the apartment. Here is a photo of the Cathedral in the Central Park tonight.



When we got back to the apartment, Christopher was insisting he was ging to stay up all night and take some pictures of Santa. When Jenny told him he needed to get some sleep or Santa might skip our apartment, Luis jumped right in and told Christopher in no uncertain terms that he better go to sleep. Now they are all asleep and Jenny has prepped everything for tomorrow so I could write the blog and avoid the stairs until tomorrow. Merry Christmas!!