Advent Calendar of Memories - Christmas Travel

Did you travel anywhere for Christmas? How did you travel and who traveled with you? Do you remember any special trips?


Most years our family would stay close to home for Christmas. Occasionally, we would travel to see friends but it would only be a day trip.

During my teen years, our family travelled several times to Florida - Naples, Fort Myers and Sannibel Island. We flew. It was fun to get away from the cold and snow. I didn't mind not having a white Christmas.

When I was little my paternal grandparents lived across the street. At some point on Christmas Day, we would walk across the street to visit. Quite often, some of my aunts, uncles and cousins would be there.

As an adult, I have gone twice to my sister's for Christmas. Back in 1978, she was expecting child #2 any day, so we packed up everything and headed there for Christmas (via car). Now, I often go to my sister's during the days following Christmas. 


Christmas 2002 was very special as my brother, sister and I would be together for Christmas Day. My sister and her son accompanied me to Guatemala. I had gone over to Barrie on the 21st travelling by coach. Early on Monday the 23rd, we left Barrie on an air-bus with door to door service to the Toronto airport. That began our adventure. It was a long day as we had also stops in the Detroit and Houston airports.

When we left the arrival lounge at Guatemala City, straight ahead in the mass of people were Ted, Doris and Sarah. I am not sure what we would have done if we hadn't seen them right away. By this time it was quite late. It was hard to believe we were there. A brightly lit Canadian Christmas tree awaited us at their home. 

Christmas Eve day is a big day in Guatemala . In the morning we saw some places in Guatemala City. In the afternoon, the extended family started to gather. They all made us feel so welcome. It was such a beautiful warm day and it was great to sit outside and visit. We were able to eat our Christmas turkey dinner outdoors. Some of the family departed for their own homes.


Because of our big dinner was served in the late afternoon, we only had a light supper of the traditional Christmas Eve meal of tamales. During the evening, we could hear firecrackers being set off.


 We were all waiting until midnight.  Ear plugs in place and with my hands over my ears, I went outside the gates of the home into the streets with the other members of the family to watch the lighting of the firecrackers which are in rounds and to see some of the fireworks shooting high above the city. I didn’t last very long outside. 

Now it was time to open our gifts.  Never have I ever opened Christmas gifts that early in the morning. 

After 1 a.m. we posed for family pictures and despite the late hour and the long day, we still looked pretty good. Finally we headed to bed. During the night, the vibration of the firecrackers being set off, set off the sensitive car alarm.


In the morning, the crowing of the roosters announced that it was Christmas morning.  What a great feeling to wake up where you didn’t look out of the window to fields and streets of snow - no thought of snow boots and heavy winter clothing and travelling on slippery, snowy roads with the fear of poor visibility.

That was a wonderful trip with the opportunity to see family and to experience Christmas in another culture. 

© 2009 Janet Iles

Wordless Wednesday - Guatemalan orchid

Dreaming of better weather

After yesterday's stormy weather, I thought I'd post a photo of me in Guatemala a month ago. Here I am relaxing in the backyard, enjoying the sunshine, reading and tickling Woody. Oh to be back there!

Yesterday was a miserable early spring day in Southern Ontario. Usually when the wind is blowing and the snow is coming down, I stay at home, but yesterday I had a church meeting out of town. Fortunately, it was not far but still the drive home was not great. My car performed well and I was able to make it through the snow. My side of the road was in need of plowing. The plows could not keep up with the snow that was coming down and the drifts that were forming. The transport trucks were running into difficulty on the hills.

Thankfully, I made it home safely. I can't wait until the snow is gone for good.

Guatemalan Trip

A week Saturday, I returned from eight days in Guatemala. Why travel to Guatemala? -- mainly because my brother lives there. This was my second visit. For both trips, I travelled with my sister. We had a great time seeing everyone again. While there, I celebrated another birthday. As far as I can recall, this was the first time to celebrate my birthday outside the country. When you have a winter birthday, you don't usually get to enjoy a meal prepared on the barbecue. On the Sunday before my birthday, my brother barbecued hamburgers for some of the extended family. On my actual birthday, I enjoyed breakfast and lunch outside under the thatched roof rancho watching the waves of the Pacific Ocean, a walk along the beach and a dip in the pool.
A visit to Guatemala would be remiss without some time spent in Antigua, Guatemala. We spent part of a day visiting the shops. The lunch at the restaurant at Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo was delicious and the setting was beautiful. We all chose a typical Guatemalan meal.
After our enjoyable visit, we agreed we would not wait another five years to return. Thanks Doris and Ted for the hospitality. Here are a couple of photos from the trip.

Do you recognize the various foods on the plate? I did not eat everything, I must admit.

Flickr - First attempt

This is my photo from Flickr that I uploaded using the loader provided. I had no trouble creating the account. I only uploaded two photographs as it is challenging to find photographs on my computer that I had taken myself. I do not have a digital camera yet.

I had to do some searching to find the instructions to add the photo to the Blog. I was getting two copies of the photo. I am not sure why two were created when I copied the code. In the end, I just deleted the extra one.

This photograph was taken in Antigua, Guatemala when we visited in 2002. This spot was so tranquil. We had a traditional Guatemalan meal at the restaurant in this complex. I used the mapping tool and added this photo to the map. I went back and tried to re-adjust the exact location. It doesn't say Antiqua, but it is close. This tool will be great for scenery.

I started a set called travel. I will need to post more photos to Flickr before I can create a badge to put on the blog.