Miercoles Semana 9

San Cristobal begins to prepare for Christmas, with tinsel appearing across the Zocalo, and Coca Cola erecting a tree and crib scene next to it. However, I pass the scene while it is still being set up, and it appears to feature a large polar bear with the Baby Jesus resting on its paws. I guess they will change it in due course.


It is easy, here, to believe that Coca-Cola really did invent Christmas, as well as the colour of Santa Claus. As well as the polar bear nativity, there will be a Coca Cola Christmas procession with a lighted van (just like in the adverts) giving out bottles of Coke to children. Sadly we are going to miss it because we’ll be away on our big trip.

The local paper is full of news about how San Cristobal is going to be lighted up more than ever before for Christmas, with thousands of bulbs all across the city giving a festive appearance. And who is sponsoring this extravaganza? For once it is not Coca-Cola, or even the electricity board. Instead, it is the chairman of the Green Party, which somewhat beggars belief.