christmas complete

a bit different from my kitchen back home where my mom is busy making sure everything is just so... here my adopted Argentina mom sat back and watched as food was being prepared- her main job: table decoration and making sure we had good music to keep us cooking. James job: tasting everything before it went on the table. Mine: documenting the event.

ready... set... Merry Christmas!!!!!!
Negro, James and I did the cooking. Being the chef that he is, we had some pretty amazing food. Now I will list the food for those interested :) A warm creamy orange sauce over chicken patè wrapped with bacon; some sort of cold, mushy, fish flavored dish over sliced animal organs with not chicken eggs, and tomatoes (not my most favorite, but exciting nonetheless); guacamole- they eat guac as salad here, just scooping it in bite after tasty bite; spinach salad with a homeade orange vinaigrette dressing; creamy mashed potatoes (of course); potato kieshe; the most fabulous fresh, warm bread from the local bakery; and whole chicken degutted, deboned and deskinned, only to be wrapped up in its own skin with red and yellow peppers, dates, crushed almonds, ricotta cheese, pineapple and more magic, secret ingredients that I just can`t reveal. Atop this masterpiece we glazed a fresh cherry and onion sauce. Sounds magnificent, doesn`t it?
Me with my favorite Argentino of all time enjoying a glass of champagne to ring in the start of Christmas Day!

I never thought it could be that good without all of my family. I never thought that a hot Christmas would be anything too spectacular. Then I met Kitty.
Kitty arrived early Christmas Eve morning. She is alot like my mom... singing and humming all throughout the day, dancing around to music she doesn`t quite know, but would like to. A very happy woman with the nothing but the best intentions and warmest of hearts. It sent chills up my spine to see her and her son reunite for the holidays.
After a somewhat relaxing day... I was eager to know what Christmas Eve had in store for me here in Buenos Aires. It turns out, just like everything else in this country, that Christmas was in fact very different, yet very much the same as Christmas`s past. The big celebration is on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is very relaxed.
When we put Argentino wine on the table, the feast began-- approximately at 930pm.
Back home we`d have eaten ourselves silly with appetizers and cookies before our big feast sometime in the afternoon. Everyone would be so stuffed that all they could do is lay on the couch, floor, bed, or anywhere they could find room. Here the meal lasted a few hours, with our Argentina music keeping it real every bite of the way. Sometimes the beat got the best of Kitty and she would have to get up and dance around a bit before coming back to the table.
And even though I live in a Jewish neighborhood, we knew when Christmas had arrived by the crashing of fireworks all at once. For hours it didn`t stop, and every now and again looking out the open balcony doors we could see fire balls in the sky. Yes, fire balls. I guess these huge balls are made out of a similar material which is used for hot air balloons, but these bad boys are lit and flying up into the sky looking like... I don`t know- giant fire balls!
After the feast, wines, and champanges we, the two north americans, made a decision for the group that we should take a walk to A) let some of the food digest and B) to see what the heck was the deal with the constant fire works and fire balls. It took me by surprise to see a couple of 10 year olds in the street lighting them off... and then a littler guy with his mother and brother in a stroller on the corner at 2am lighting off more and more.... just for a good bang.
Christmas morning came and Santa had found me!!!!! I was quite surprised that he, with his reindeer could accomplish so much territory in just one night. But he didn`t let me down, even all the way in Argentina. He`s magic. However, after the delightful realization that he found me, I got a little bit sad. It was Christmas morning and I couldn`t hug my family. Church was 12 blocks away. Negro asked me if I wanted him to come with... I said no...why did I say no? On my extremely hot walk there I had about a bazillion emotions flowing out of me, then I entered. No poinsettias, no tree with lights ( I don`t think evergreens exist here), no choir, not a whole lot of people either. I sat one row from the back. No one behind me, no one in the next 2 rows in front of me. I was sad, alone, and just wanted some Christmas music. 2 years in a row sobbing in church on Christmas- only this time I didn`t have my moms tissue or my dads squeezing hand- just a bunch of fans blowing. Shortly after, thank goodness, 2 backpackers came and sat by me, and another lady... I had people, just not the right ones.
Feeling sorry for myself I turned my thoughts to Jamie Michalsky`s grandmother, sitting alone in pew on Christmas, missing the life she once had, her grand-daughter, who has been gone for over a year now because of a suicide bomber in Kabul. I thought of the lonely old lady brushing the dirt off of her cardboard box outside the church, straightening up her living quarters. She had no one in the world on that day ...or any day. I thought of the nicely dressed man I saw in the restaurant later that day reading the paper and eating dessert by himself. He was lonely. It was Christmas.
and here I am, the spoiled brat that Santa remembered. I had a feast with the 3 lovliest people in the Southern Hemisphere. I was able to talk to everyone in my immediate family with the exception of 2 nephews and a niece... 16, 16 people who love me more than any other Argentina they know. I guess sometimes it takes a bit of reflection to realize what you really have-I feel lucky, I had the greatest Christmas I could`ve ever possibly had in 2005. I never thought it could be that spectacular without all of my family. I think next year, wherever I am, I will need Negro, Kitty, and James to make my holiday complete.