Noche Buena!

Luis and Pepito

Noche Buena is a Spanish term for Christmas Eve meaning "good night" and it is celebrated in Spain, Cuba, the Philippines and Latin America.  In Cuba, it is celebrated with a traditional dinner with family, centering around a roasted pig, lechon.  A lechon is a young suckling pig, often cooked whole.  The one we had, being carved here by Luis and being observed by the chef, Pepita, was a ham smoked over guava wood from Hawaii.  It was tender, juicy and absolutely some the best pork I've ever had, anywhere, anytime!  It would melt in your mouth! 

Luis' famous shrimp cocktail platter

Along with the pork, there was yucca (referred to as a Cuban potato), black beans and rice, an avocado and pineapple salad, plantains, bread and more desserts than I could count.  Before all of this were numerous appetizers, like this platter of boiled shrimp prepared by Luis.  As you see, there are lime wedges, olives and cherry tomatoes to complement the shrimp.  The man is truly a master chef!

Barbara and me

We were at the home of Jack and Carrie, Luis's cousins, in Safety Harbor, about an hour north of here.  Carrie is an artist and her touch was evident in their beautiful home.  It was spacious, airy and light, and rooms easily flowed from one to another.  None of my pictures do it justice.  This one, however, captures the mood pretty well.  Very relaxed in a lovely setting with lots of very fine people!

Niece Jennifer and her son, Jason

We arrived early, so the house was pretty quiet with last minute preparations going on.  People kept warning me that would change "when the Cubans arrive".  And did it ever!  It seemed like 20 plus folks arrived at once and it was instant chaos!  The noise level rivaled a rock concert, but instead of music it was "hellos, how are yas and good to see you's!"  At one point a couple of men broke out in a fun loving song in Spanish. It was great!  However, I did have to turn my hearing aids off a time or two, as I feared I would blow one out.  There were also many lively and spirited conversations throughout the evening.  The age of attendees ranged from teens to 94.  It was a great celebration and I'll remember it for a long time.

It's the possibility of  nights like this that attracts me to this lifestyle.  What a great adventure!  Thank you, Sierra family!  I'm grateful! 

Merry Christmas to all!  Thanks for stopping by!