Getting Ready for the Holidays

The past few weeks have been a flurry of activities as we who live in sunny Mexico get ready for the holidays. It is different having Christmas in another country and not being with all of our loved ones. What I have found is that people here have the Christmas spirit year round. The locals are always kind and giving and so many of the expats want to make a positive contribution to our new home.

The Chelem/Chuburna area has many expats living here full-time year round, it also has others that live here from October thru April and then head north to spend time back home when the weather is good there. Here at the beach there are many wonderful things going on in the community; programs to help the school children, monthly fundraisers for the Childrens Christmas fund, plans are under way for a new shelter for the local dogs and cats. The expats here are eager to give back to the wonderful people who so graciously allow us to live in their town.

A few gals have put together a wonderful monthly dinner with all contributions going to the Chuburna Christmas Children Fund. Bev, Nanci, Marta and many others have worked hard all year so that every child in Chuburna will have a Christmas gift. They met their goal by donation only, and this year over 800 children will be the recipients of their kindness.



The December dinner at Bev's place
How much fun we all had, isn't this the real reason for the season?
Next came the grand opening of La Playa Chelems beach bar. La Playa has been open for a year but just got permission to have barstools and is now the only bar/restaurant on the beach. Here are Nancy and Robert visiting us from Cleves

My honey, Doug at the new bar


Robert and Lyle


Mary and Jeff, these guys just recently joined our community. They bought a house here in March and just got here a few weeks ago to spend the winter. They drove down and filled their PT Cruiser with goodies for the kids.

They had us all over for a get together before the Christmas get together........Look at their beautiful tree


They also brought down this sleigh and all the gifts in it for the children of Chelem. Two days ago they went with Gaby and passed out these toys to the under privileged children here in town. I think we have gotten a couple of angels with these two!


The gangs all here at Jeff and Marys having food and bevvies!
Happy Jack!

Barbara Bell

And then their was girls day on the beach, Julie, Susan, Marlene, myself and Nan relaxed with good food and a bottle of wine. We are across the street from my house at a little hotel called Sian Kaan. Gotta love it here, I asked if they had any white wine and they said no, I said can I bring a bottle from my house? Of course you can!


The beach at Sian Kaan
And another end to a perfect day! Why do I love it here? Let me count the reasons!


Until the next time, Chillin' in Chelem!