Xmas in Panamá

A shorter version than the Dutch entry, but that is because Xmas has already passed... sorry for the delay! We put a new one up too!


During Christmas some Panamanian customs are even more clearly displayed than normally. One custom is to organize a parade at the smallest provocation. And a parade in Panama is not a parade unless at least five drum bands, each with its group of cheer leaders, are involved. Drumming seems to be a national passion and the louder the better. They do try to keep the beat, but volume appears to be their first priority.

The parade is always graced with the presence of at least one saint. In fact, Panamanians appear to walk their saints in much the same way other people walk their dogs. The Christmas parade was, of course, graced with the presence of numerous tableau vivants with people dressed up as Josef, Maria and even a few unsuspecting babies dressed up as Jezus. Furthermore, there were quite a few Fathers Christmas (and a few mothers Christmas as well) as well as reindeer and snowmen. Oddest participants of the parade were probably a Nemo, a Peter Pan, a Cinderella and Bear Pooh. Whether they were thoroughly lost or just happened to pass by and decided to join the party was not altogether clear to us, but they definitely were a pleasant change after fifteen Jezusses.

Supermarkets provide a wide choice of statues of Jezus, Maria, Joseph, the three wise men, angels, Santa Claus, stars, snowmen, candles etc. You can buy them in sizes ranging from 4 inches to over 6 feet. The bigger ones come with lights inside that you can switch on at night so that everybody can admire your Christmas show 24 hours a day. Most houses are also decorated with long strings of lights flashing in all colours of the rainbow or just modest white.


And... yes we have photo´s for the new blog on:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/loesroos/album?.dir=/e818re2&.src=ph&.tok=phrfxAGBsKRC8D2O

We wish everybody a happy holiday season.