December in Pana

This is from some notes from December. I'll re-file it after a bit with a December timestamp: 

In the US, December is filled with blaring Christmas music nonstop and decorations everywhere, from October to December. In malls and stores and restaurants, it is pervasive. Here in Guatemala, it's a little different. A bit more subtle in some ways, but it makes its mark.

We live next to a gas station. In the mornings (often about 6AM), they begin to play music. Anything from pop to rap. During December, we hear a variety of music including some in English or some in Spanish. We are waiting for a translation into Spanish of "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer". Not yet.

During December, the cramped Panajachel streets were further crowded by little streetside kiosk stores (tiendas) popping up, selling fireworks or snacks or shoes or toys or whatever. The tiendas get the streets so crowded that some streets are even closed.

There are also parades (desfiles) almost daily... with loud speakers blasting music or a message, children dressed up marching with sparkly costumes, children playing instruments.

The decorations for Christmas are quite minimal. Occasionally you'll see some pine needles spread out on the portal of a store, or some green and red (pinkish) streamers over a small street (callejon).

Then January comes and life goes back to normal.