Mis navidades en Bolivia

by Cecilia Zbinden
(Santa Cruz Bolivia)

(In Spanish, then in English under each paragraph).

Cuando era pequeña, yo creia en Papa Noel. Escribia una carta dos semanas antes de Noche Buena,a Santa, pidiendole regalos. Eran las dos semanas que me comportaba muy bien, dos semanas que mis papas no tenian ningun problema conmigo porque yo era la mas educada y docil hija, hasta que pasaba la navidad.

When I was little I believed in Santa Clause. I wrote a letter two weeks prior to Christmas Eve, to Santa, asking for gifts. These were the two weeks when I behaved really well and my parents had no problems with me because i was the best behaved child, until Christmas had passed.

Ese entonces vivia en La Paz, era frio, lluvioso, y realmente se sentia que la Noche Buena ya llegaba. Me acuerdo que habian muchos niños que tocaban villansicos, y entraban a tu casa a tocar un par de canciones, luego mis papas les repartian a todos los niños juguetes y galletas.

At the time I lived in La Paz. It was cold and rainy and you could really feel that Christmas Eve was coming. I remember there were many children who would sing Christams carols and they'd come into your house and play a few songs and then my parents would give them toys and cookies.

Luego, venia la cena, un delicioso Pavo, preparado por mi mama y papa, con diversos tipos de ensaladas, una de ellas la que mas me gustaba y la que mas me acuerdo era la ensalada de granos de choclo con salsa bechamel, muy suave con un aroma a nuez moscada, que hasta el dia de hoy cuando lo huelo me da un recuerdo tan tierno y caluroso de las Noches de Navidad con mis papas y hermanos.

After this we had dinner, a delicious turkey, prepared by my mom and dad with various types of salads. One of the salads I liked the most was a corn salad with bechamel sauce, with a very soft scent of nutmeg. Even today when I smell it, it reminds me of such tender and warm memories of Christmas evenings with my parents and siblings.

Despues de la cena, despues de compartir todos en familia, esperabamos las doce de la noche del 25, y luego con mucho amor nos abrazabamos, deseando la bendicion del Niño Jesus, y deseabamos muchas felicidades entre todos nosotros. Luego nos poniamos alrededor del arbolito. Rezabamos un Padre Nuestro, y despues mi mama con ayuda de mi papa, entregaban los regalos a todos en la familia.

After dinner, after sharing with the entire family, we would wait until midnight and then with a lot of love we would all hug each other, wishing each other blessings from Baby Jesus and much happiness for all. Then we'd all gather around the tree. We'd pray the Lord's prayer and after that my mom, with my dad's help, would give each member of the family their gifts.

Hoy en dia ya madre de familia, con hijos grandes, viviendo ya en Santa Cruz, hacemos lo mismo por supuesto con algunos cambios. Este año ya no estara con nosotros mi papa, pero se que el estara en mejor compañia, al lado del Señor.

Today I'm a mom with grown-up children and I live in Santa Cruz. We carry on this tradition, with some changes. This year my dad won't be with us anymore but I know he'll be in better company with the Lord.

Feliz Navidad a todos y que el proximo año sea lleno de bendiciones.

Merry Christmas to all and may next year be full of blessings.

Cecilia Zbinden
Naturalia