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Wayside_Wisdom Heard Along the Way
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Spending the Christmas holidays in the Rio Grande River Valley is almost like taking a trip around the world! The river is the border between two great nations. But its valley is a mixing – not melting! – pot for many cultures, colors, languages, and traditions. The rich and varied history of Texas is reflected in the crowds on any street. Brown, black, bronze, yellow, white and sun-burned faces create a multi-colored garden of humanity in this southern tip of the U.S. Each hue is a reminder of an important era of the state’s development. Native-American Indians were the area’s first inhabitants. Mexico ruled the area for centuries and Hispanic influence is everywhere. Slaves and freed blacks found both refuge and responsibility in the Texas-territory. All are a continuing influences in the culture of the Valley. White pioneers who moved west to settle this "untamed land" included frontier families from Appalachia; German immigrants who settled in the "hill country"; Mennonites and European Jews fleeing religious persecution; and immigrants from Scandinavia, Italy, and various other western European nations. In recent years, people from various countries in Asia have found south Texas to be a rich location for business. Winter Texans, most of them white-skinned, gray haired, retired and suntanned, swell the population during the winter months. At Christmas, perhaps more than at other times of the year, all of these cultural threads are woven into a varied and beautiful holiday fabric. At a seasonal concert, held in a local Catholic basilica, the orchestra and chorale were directed by the Polish-born conductor. They sang music in Latin, traditional carols in English and French, and played several pieces by Leroy Anderson. Earlier in the season, we were spell-bound by a production of "Jesus Christ, Superstar" presented in the local area by a traveling stage troupe. We have also seen "Nutcracker" presented by a local ballet school and "Amahl and the Night Visitors" presented by the two-year old Procantus Lyric Opera of South Texas. What a musical feast the season offers here! The music events are only part of what make the holidays here so delightful. Colored lights blink out from various places, arranged in many creative ways. Santas share space with Nativity scenes; reindeer compete with angels as lawn decorations; music in the shopping malls includes both Christmas carols in English and traditional Mexican mariachi music. Here in our RV park, holiday decorations include a snow-frosted artificial Christmas tree. (It has snowed once here in the past 60 years!). Shining across the park is a cross outlined in white lights. A lighted reindeer with a red nose and a Santa-express train in bright holiday lights brightens one site. A set of electric luminaries light the pathway to the RV of a Canadian neighbor, apparently immigrants from Germany. Down the road, a bright-red Canadian maple-leaf twinkles from the rig of a French-Canadian neighbor. Delicacies of the season include pan de polvo and tamales, as well as fruitcakes, French chocolates, butter cookies (German?), rich cookies and candy, and my usual Rice Krispy creations. We hear the familiar holiday greeting of "Merry Christmas." But we also learn to say "Feliz Navidad" to our Hispanic neighbors, "Joyeaux Noël" to greet the French Canadians living across the street in our RV park and "Fröehliche Weihnachtszeit" to their German Canadian neighbors! This holiday season in the Rio Grande River Valley of south Texas may be the most exciting trip "around the world" we’ll ever be able to take! What a privilege and joy! May your holidays be special, too. 6 Dec 2006 - mshr |