Final Reflections on the Holidays in Puerto Peñasco

Tessoro at Las Conchas

The Christmas season has come and gone in Las Conchas and we are now into a new year. Hopefully 2010 will bring good health and prosperity to all of us. The week between Christmas and New Year’s Rocky Point saw a lot of people back in town, which certainly did stimulate the economy.

The Christmas season in Mexico is filled with so much tradition, including the annual series of “Posadas” (Christmas shelters where celebrations are held). Around the 15th of December, my neighbors here in Puerto Peñasco all start with the Posadas every night. They go from house to house asking for permission to come in. Finally at the last home they are granted permission and the party begins. After having food, the tequila is broken out and the children begin the quest to break the piñata. I look forward to this every year.

The city hall in Puerto Peñasco went all out with decorating. They had a stable with baby goats, donkeys etc. The large ficus trees had been topped with white cotton and decorated with many lights. They even formed a cone shaped dome one for the top of one of the trees. I looked forward to going home every evening after work just to see all the lights and the children gathering.

Many of our owners were here for the holidays as well as several guests and renters – the beachfront condos were full! The community of people got together every afternoon for drinks by the pool and a chance to socialize. One evening the Johnson family had Carlos the “Cantinero” (bartender), his daughter, Karla (Tessoro’s Front Desk Concierge), and his friends play music in their condo. They were kind enough to invite my husband Bill and I for the party. Lanae made fabulous chicken enchiladas and her mom offered home made fudge. Wine and tequila flowed. Karla is our HOA liaison and has a voice like a song bird. We have known Carlos for many, many years here in Puerto Peñasco and it was nice to have him entertain at Tessoro.

It was great to see everyone come out to watch the sunsets every night despite the winter evening chill. The emergence of this community on the Las Conchas Peninsula is what I will remember best as I reflect back on this holiday season.

By Beverly Arrowood

Lanae Johnson’s parents Harry and Kay Elletson and Bill and Beverly Arrowood celebrate the holidays at Tessoro.