Her New Year Ritual
She runs errands, frantically. From store to store she buys each ingredient for her magic ceremony. As the year dies, she is timely in her ordering another 365 good days. The salt, the grapes, the coins the champagne. The sugar, the broom, the old suitcase and, of course, the yellow undies. The candles were already in place the day after Christmas: out went the four red advent candles, in came the multicolor combination for diverse augurial ends. I can only remember the blue candles are hoped to bring good harmony and good vibrations.
At twelve midnight we’ll all eat the grapes, collecting the seeds to find out our lucky number; good for raffles and lottery throughout the whole year. Prior to dinner She’ll make double sure we are all properly dressed -you should not underdress for such an event; coats, not ties, but don’t forget the yellow undies, for good fortune. All this, and more, while cooking the codfish in the original Viscaina style (out of grandma’s recipe book, which she has carefully dusted).
Once the food has been eaten and the twelveth bell has sounded and all the fireworks have been consumed, she rounds up the neighbors, each with their own luggage, and directs the tour around the block. This will insure good travel. Ooops! Don’t forget the coins: place three coins by the front door and pick them up when you return. Sweeping the house from the inside out and sprinkling the sugar will come next.
Whew! once it is all over we all recall none of this to be necessary. So we pull out the old Bible and read a few verses. Preferably ones that refer to having faith in God only and not in any pagan practices. Thus ends the new year’s celebration at our home. It is a lot of work, but she makes it so much fun!
Should you have a wish for the new year, wish for a good wife... or rather pray for one.
Email to a friend.
Happy New Year to you.
Federico León de La Vega
E-mail: federico@estudiocafe.net
Website: estudiocafe.net
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Author Note: This is a chapter of a book I am writing about my adventures as a painter artist.
The Federico León de la Vega Estudo – Café is open to the public and is located in Paseo de la Marina 31, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
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