Sus Barrios están en Navidad

Every year, Santiago's cultural center, in league with the municipality, a local bank chain, and the ubiquitous beer label, sponsors a neighborhood decorating contest called Mi Barrio está en Navidad. It's serious business. Neighbors begin collecting recycled materials​ as soon as the previous year's display comes down and constructing the current year's masterpiece was early as August. Following Wednesday's Advent III service, Josh, Ashley, and I meandered through the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers. 

We stumbled across 2nd place (RD$150,000, or nearly $2,500 USD if you can't read the sign) first. A life sized Adam and Eve diorama adorned the entrance. 

I loved these garlands made from plastic bottles.

Baseball AND dominoes: 2 of the Dominican's favorite pastimes. 

Someone took the time to separate the circular flip tops (c.f. the donkey's head) from a LOT of cylindrical shampoo bottle lids, which cover the body. 

José, one of the proud neighbors behind the display, trailed behind us the whole time (slow night), flipping switches to activate numerous water and or animatronic features. 

Third place was about three blocks down, on the other side of the street. An equally proud neighbor lady handed us each a piece of chocolate to enjoy as we oohed and aahed our way through.

He doesn't know it, but he's probably going to be a lechón soon...

First place was in a sector of the city I'd never been to before; we had to walk through an astoundingly elaborate street basketball game complete with electronic scoring and sofas for spectators to get there. The handout here - not something I remember from past years - was the far more traditional ginger tea. 

Santa's...boat?!

"JESUS WAS BORN HERE" (in case you couldn't tell!) 

¡Feliz Navidad 2025!

Froyo and a spontaneous nighttime ride on Santiago's cable car rounded out our evening. This Christmas, may the light of a God who knows all too well how to make the rejected into something lovely to behold shine brighter than the brightest, tackiest, blinkiest, rainbow-hued twinkle lights!

Until next time, blessings in Christ!