FELIZ NAVIDAD! Happy Christmas everyone! In this week’s ‘Memories of Casa de Campo’ post, Carol Burke brings us memories and photos of Christmas time joy and festivities from the years gone by….
“Have yourself a merry little Christmas, make the Yuletide gay.”
— Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane“At Christmas play, and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year.”
— Thomas Tusser, (1524-1580) English poet and farmer
There was always a buoyant feeling in the air of Casa de Campo during Christmas time. The ambience of Casa was brilliant and people were exhilarated by the season.
The Christmas lights of Casa de Campo offered bright Bienvenidos!
Welcome to Christmas at Casa
Christmas trees inspired the night with their cheerful splendor,
Colorful Christmas Tree at Home in Casa de Campo
and Poinsettias, the Christmas flower, animated the days.
Christmas Flowers
I remember the Christmas ballet, Nutcracker, presented in the Altos de Chavon amphitheater by the Zeller Ballet Academy in 1991
Soldiers in the Cascanueces Ballet
The costumes were beautiful. It is a great Christmas at Casa memory.
Children of the Elizabeth Zeller Academy in the Nutcracker
for more Christmas and Nutcracker Ballet photos – copy this link into your browser:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandelion-tree/sets/72157625635516106/
On Christmas Eve there was always an outdoor dinner on the plaza in Altos de Chavon,
Menu for Cena de Gala de Nochebuena in Chavon
and Café El Patio offered a Christmas day dinner.
Christmas menu – El Patio
Santa Claus came especially for the residents of Casa de Campo.
Santa Rides into Casa
Children and parents sat on Santa’s lap to tell him their Christmas wishes.
The Knowles family – Karen, Chris, Rusty, and Read look happy talking to Santa Claus
Knowles family with Santa
Chris Knowles has an additional conversation with Santa, while Dr. Claudio Silvestri adds encouragement for a Feliz Navidad.
Having Fun with Santa Claus