Christmas Parade

Saturday evening we attended the San Pedro, Belize Christmas Boat Parade. 

The San Pedro Park is in the center of town right on the beach.  It is not a park like you normally envision with grass and trees.  It has sand and is right on the beach.   There were Belizean children all over playing on the swing sets and slides.

And, of course, they all got to have their pictures taken with Santa.  The proceeds from the pictures went to help the animal shelter.
(Click on this picture to enlarge it and check ut Santa's shoes.)

The local people were cooking all kinds of delicacies.  We had a bacon wrapped hot dog with shredded cheese, hot sauce (of course), grilled onions, mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard in a huge bun that was the freshest and softest I have ever had.

There were chicken and beef burritos and tacos.   There were so many choices it was impossible to sample everything.  And, the most we paid for anything was $2US.

We arrived early to make sure we got to eat all of the food we wanted but it was still dark since the sun goes down around six o’clock.  The parade started right on time (Belizean time).

The boats came by and everyone ran out on the various docks to see.  They all sailed by and then returned to the park where they came close to the shore so you could take pictures.  It was hard to catch the full essence of their decorations with the camera I have but you can tell that the best part was the fun everyone was having.

There were a total of twelve of from our condo complex that had gone to the parade. 

We doubled up in a variety of golf carts.  When we parked we could see that some of the businesses in town had begun to decorate already.

After the parade we all gathered at a place called Fidos on the beach.

There were lots of people downtown and all were having a great time.

One of the most notable things about the evening was the atmosphere and the attitude of the people.  There were no shootings, no fights, not even harsh words.   It could have been Auburn, Indiana, Coshocton, Ohio, or Bella Vista, Arkansas (of course these places would have to have seventy five degree weather and a breeze coming off the Caribbean Ocean).    

Over all it was a great evening with friends celebrating the beginning of the Christmas season.  It is amazing when you realize that the birth of Jesus is something that  touches the hearts of children and adults all over the world.