Re: [ranchos] Retonos de Espana En Nueva Galicia

[dccongdon@...]

Hola Ranchos-
Feliz navidad a todos and  prospero ano nuevo. My name is Ms. Clinton Nash and I live in Davis, California and I am grateful to be on this list.  I am begining research on my children's father's side,  Jose Luis GARNICA de Ajijic. His father, Jose Luis GARNICA was born in Arandas and had green eyes.  I will be posting the little I have soon.

Celebration of La Navidad:
  I once lived in Ajijic, a small puebla on the shores of Lago Chapala.  In the days before Christmas, panoramas appeared in doorways. I was overawed at the complexity and beauty of the elaborately constructed panoramas of miniature people, animalitos, trees, houses la gente walking toward the Baby Jesus in the manger. These displays, often as large as a sheet of plywood, 4' x 8' , were such an exquisite reflection of true faith and belief. The effort and devotion was immense. I will never forget them. 

The fireworks during those twelve days before Christmas were wonderful. Attached to poles in the plaza, they spun and whistled and were painstakingly made of cardboard tubes and string fuse.  Ajijic is in the area sur de Guadalajara that has the larmost English speaking population, made of retired Canadians and Americans. 

On the doors of the iglesia would be tacked pieces of paper with lists of names de  muchachos viviendo en el norte, who sent money for la Navidad to the church.  Hometown pride. 

It is a beautiful time en Mexico.  So much respectand spirit. 

Pues, feliz ano nuevo y 
happy new year.