What in the world does an expat do for the holidays in Mexico?

When I first left my home country it was December. As I started on my new adventure, I made sure that I had one final Christmas at home. I mean who knows what Christmas would be like in Mexico? Would I have friends, dinners, traditions? Would this be the best thing or the worst thing that I had ever done?

As a co-owner of Mayan Living Real Estate SA de CV I realized that others may have the same concerns. Therefore I am going to try to recap my holiday season with you, let you get a glimpse of what living here on the beach of the Yucatan is like.

As a December baby, my season really started with my birthday, but I won't bore you with all of that.....

On December 23rd was the culmination of the Chelem Christmas Toy Drive. This is an annual event started a while back with Rick and Star. The two of them along with many other generous expats make sure that every child in our town, Chelem, have at least one gift for Christmas. This takes place in our town square:

Santa and Star

The children and their parents thronged Centro


After a few hours of gift giving, it's time for a beer!
The next day, Christmas Eve, Doug and I headed into Merida for a special night at a great hotel called Casa San Angel, that our friends, Rhonda and Sophia had recommended. It was absolutely gorgeous!

Check out the beautiful painted walls:






Aren't these sinks just sooooo cool?
Next a little shopping downtown:

I love the beautiful churches in Merida

Look at this great Colonial!
Christmas decorations by our hotel


Next day, back to the beach to have an early Christmas with our Mexican family. Yomara loved her new teddy bear, it's bigger than she is!
Now, off to our traditional Christmas Dinner with Sean and Susan!

Susan aka Martha, always sets such a beautiful table!

Steve, Ruth and Doug
Chef Sean
The gangs all here!
A few days of rest and then on the 30th, Steve and Ruth have us all over for a BBQ, unfortunately I forgot my camera, you will just have to picture it in your mind, beautiful backyard, pool, great food and of course wonderful people!

Sunrise morning of the 31st from my bedroom window:

Now, another party is getting ready to start!


Sean and Rhonette
What a great family picture! Our new partners Chad, Rhonette and Andrew.

Jack, Doug and Chad, starting the evening off!

Mary, Andrew, Susan and Chad. Look how nice and warm it is here! New Years Eve and we are all in short sleeves gathered around the pool and palm trees.

Jeff, Barbara and Mary
Time for the Christmas decorations to come down. The house always looks so plain afterwards!

And today, just another day in paradise!

So, if you think that holidays might be difficult for you here, it is all in what you make it! Of course I still miss my boys and wish they were here. However with the state of the economy in the US, they weren't able to take off. Thank goodness I have a great support system and family here in Yucatan, Mexico! For those of you that are hesitant, don't miss out on this great adventure, we only live once!

Happy Holidays to all!

Chillin' in Chelem!