Christmas celebrations in Mexico just seem to keep going on. In Canada the kids are back at school now but here in Mazatlan it's another special day. January 6th marks Epiphany on the Christian Calendar, the 12th day of Christmas, when the wise men visited the baby Jesus. There is great excitement on the night of the 5th of January when children leave their oldest pair of shoes under their bed and often some hay and water for the camels. They have already written letters asking for a special gift and then they wake up early on the 6th to see what was left for them.
We were reminded of this special day this morning when we were offered a piece of special cake at our Spanish class. The Rosca de Reyes is a wreath shaped bread decorated with candied fruit. Baked inside this treat is a tiny plastic baby (meant to symbolize the infant being hidden from Herod). If you are the one to find the figurine, you have the honour of hosting another party on February 2nd. You see what I mean? The celebrations just keep on coming.
When we were having lunch today at a little fonda, a young woman came in with a few of these special cakes, still warm from the oven. So of course I had to buy one. Just now we tried it and it's very good. It's actually more like a hot cross bun and I think we'll enjoy it toasted for breakfast. Harry found the little doll in his very first piece (pictured above) so I guess he'll be hosting a party on February 2nd.
I like the idea of a continuing party each month. What's the Feb 2 occasion?
ReplyDeleteLucky Harry to be able to host real fiesta while you're there. Can't turn down an opportunity like that!
Hi Stephanie, February 2 is called Candlemas, 40 days after Jesus's birth and half way between the solstice and the equinox. It's also Groundhog day. Probably this is more information than you were hoping for.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it should be a good party.
My brain is madly trying to build a party kind of connection between Candlemas and Groundhog Day. What potential!
ReplyDeleteawesome - i love the idea of a celebration that leads into another celebration. our next celebration ats chool is hogarama - a week-long celebration of the groundhog that lives on the schoolyard - leading right up to groundhog day!!! steven
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