Countdown to Christmas

Being three days before Christmas, today was a pretty easy going day.  I'm feeling a little under the weather, so not up to too much trouble.  Most of my life, I expected to have a cold each Christmas.  If it was the morning of Christmas Eve and I was very healthy, you can be sure I had a sore throat at the end of the day.  The curse still looms and follows me!! 

We walked into town mid-morning to get the boys some very needed haircuts.  A few touch-ups by Papa were needed to straighten the crooked and uneven, but it was good enough!  We paid about $13 for both, which was pretty expensive, given that Jay got a haircut somewhere else a couple weeks ago for about $3.50.  We were expecting a "star" haircut as this was at a spa.  Either way, no complaints, still cheaper than Beaners!

 Our walk to downtown.  Notice the lady with basket on her head ahead of us.

Handsome before

 So cute before

Clean cut boys, ready for Santa!!!

After the hair cuts, we decided to try a pizza place called Picadilly for lunch.  It was very good.  It cost $25 for 2 personal-size pizzas for the kids, one loaded medium pizza, 12 chicken wings, 2 orange juice, 2 beer and 2 ice creams.  Not bad comparing to what we're used to!  And the service there was just awesome.  Something we have grown accustomed to since being here, is not to expect quick service.  (We waited over 45 minutes before getting our drinks last time we went out for lunch!!)  There is a very laid back way of being here.  So this fast service surprised us and we would definitely recommend this restaurant if you're in Antigua!

After the lunch, the guys hopped on a Tuk-Tuk (mini cab type of vehicle) to get home and I stuck around.  I had to stop at my favourite Dulces Tipicos shop to buy my new favourite sweet.  I know there's a name for it which I've forgotten.  I also call it naranja con miel or naranja dulce and they know what I'm talking about.  It's basically an orange which is sliced in half and somehow soaked and probably cooked in this syrup.  The syrup is absorbed into the orange turning into a candy-like yet soft and tender delight.  You eat the rind and everything.  Here are some pictures.  One half of an orange costs 24Q's, which is about $3.  Definitely not cheap, but I feel like royalty when I eat one of these.  I've tried a few dulces tipicos shops in Antigua, no other naranja dulce come close to this!!!

 My favourite dulces tipicos shop in Antigua

 Inside the shop

Mi me gusta la naranja dulce mucho!!!

The rest of the day was pretty chilled, the boys' friends came over, they played soccer, and "played some music".  The instruments were a mini guitar, a harmonica, a panflute, a shaker, and spoons.  It was a good thing that Jennie and I had taken out the wine!! Actually we probably could've used something a little stronger to enjoy that music!! :-D

To anyone reading this, enjoy getting ready for Christmas, sing the songs and drink the drinks!!!  It only comes once a year !!!

Monique

xo