Since I’ve Been Gone
Iiiiiii’mmmmmm baaaccckkk. I had a blast in Venezuela. My sister’s wedding was a lot of fun. The only thing that was missing was my man, since I had to leave him back in the States. Here is some pictures from the wedding.
And from the reception.
As things heated up at the party, it began to look like Marti Gras, this is a Venezuelan tradition called la hora loca. Before the wedding, the bride and groom put together costumes for everyone. They put them in bags with the person’s name on it, and the bags come out when the party is in its zenith and things get really crazy, hence the name. I guess my host sister thought that I needed pink hair, but I must admit that I think it looked pretty good.
I also spent Christmas with my host family. The extended family and some friends gathered at the house. Fireworks are used to distract the kids. While they were admiring the fireworks, Baby Jesus brought the presents and put them under the tree. There is no Santa Claus in Venezuela, but kids like presents no matter who gives them!
Some other traditions are releasing un globo de deseos, balloon of wishes, which is a paper hot air balloon. People make wishes, and if the balloon disappears before it burns the wishes are supposed to come true. Here is my plate of the typical foods. On the top left is an una hallaca. It is similar to a large tamale. When I lived in Venezuela some of the other exchange students and I did not like hallacas. We used to call them “Ay-yuckas”, but I have developed a taste for them. On the top right is ensalada de pollo, chicken salad. Middle left is pan de jamón, bread rolled up with ham, cheese and olives. Next to that is pernil, or roasted pork. We were up until about 3 am that night.
I was also able to spend time with my nephew, Juan Vicente, and meet my niece, Valeria Arantxa, for the first time. Aren’t they cute?!
So, that is what I was doing while I was away. I hope you forgive me my absence. Next week I will resume my regular posts.
Happy Homemaking!
I am a teacher, traveler, artist, writer, homemaker and a whole lot more. In January 2009, I bought the Cape of Dreams. It was the second house that I had ever owned, but it was the first that I bought by myself. I now live in the house with my husband Douglas, our dog Kahlua, and Crème de Menthe, the cat. Because, what life is complete without a little Kahlua and Cream? I love arts and crafts of all kinds, and I refinish furniture as well. We are slowly redoing our entire house. You can read about my projects on my blog www.CapeofDreams.com
Looks like a great time! It’s so fun to be with family. Love the pictures!
It was wonderful. I hope you had a good Christmas as well. Happy New Year!
Wow! That did bring back some memories . The thought of hallacas makes me gag.. yuk! Glad you were able to enjoy them! Did you get any arepas and guanabana? (Not together of course!) Good to see some photos… I woudl love to get back there but the time is not now!
I would love for us to go back there together someday. It would be fun to revisit the old haunts with you!
Are they ever still there.. the cafe, Birosca, Tio Nicotes, Alfredos.. Why are all the spots I remember all about food? Hum. Could be why I returned a size 16? Sylvia found a box I had packed up form Venezuela.. Old cassette tapes purchased on various street corners… .. We have been listening to various vallenatos, mereguez, Franco DeVito… and alittle Zapato Tres… Suave Suave Suave Piel, Suave donde tu sabes! Of course, I am not translating that for her… Do you have photos of Merida proper? Any of the old haunts? DId you get some Torta Negra? YUM.. That is something I miss.. I have to be careful.. I am happy to be back to my size 8 pants.. I do not want to regress but all this food is making me hungry!
I did not spend much time in Merida since everyone was in Tovar for the holidays. I did drive around some. There have been some improvements since we lived there. There are also four new malls. It is a little crazy how much people like to shop. I am not sure about the cafe, Birosca, Tio Nicotes and Alfredos, but I did pass by Coromotos (the ice cream place) and that is still there!