Christmas at the Cinta Costera, The End of 2009

Yesterday all the styrofoam martians, candy canes, mermaids, and large squirrels were removed from the Cinta Costera, marking the end of this year's Christmas season.



At first, the martians and scantily dressed mermaids, seemed really unbelievable. Trust me it provided great material for cinta costera stories. The stories even seemed better when muffled by the Christmas carols in Spanish blaring from makeshift speakers. Our husbands were grateful for the reprieve from being the blame of our battered souls.



But after a while, the hidden beauty of the $50,000 styrofoam wonder world, financed by our brave warrior, Bosco Vallarino, emerged. And really it became, the 'time for the people'. Added to the BBQ stands selling chorizo, yuca and 'agua fria' were flowing trays of candy apples and our all time favorite, the portable 'Panafoto'. Nope, can't sell water but TV's, oh yeah...



But let not the point be lost...the people for whom it was created had the time of their lives, dancing, singing, kissing their honeys and walking their babies proudly for all to see. For the people, the beauty of the celebration did not fall on blind eyes. It was a happy place, day in, day out....something to look forward to, wow, do we all need that.



The lesson learned from this CCS? When we judge, we fail to see the beauty that exists in so many things. Shouldn't it make us feel better to see beauty and instead of fault? My husband has always told me that he is amazed how I think everyone is beautiful. They are, in each of the crazy little features and ways....



I am proud to admit that I will miss the 'plopplops' and the gingerman with a severed and then reattached head, that brought smiles and giggles and laughter for Christine and me. For Christine, this Christmas will be remembered as such a good one, miles and weeks away from last Christmas. For me, the last lights taken from the martian display will be good too, they mark the beginning of a new year, closing the story on 2009. I am here. That time passed and I am stronger for it and am grateful to the dear friends that held my hand during it all. You are amazing and I am so lucky to have you all. And to you Christine, I can't wait for the stories of 2010 to unfold on the Cinta Costera and if you know one more thing that I don't, you will left holding onto some ceramic chicken, not on the Cinta Costera, but on the Interamericana, hee...hee....