Getting Close

Colombia has some beautiful traditions.  With Christmas drawing near, the streets light up.  Literally.

With rows and rows of candles in the streets, for two nights.  They symbolize the return of Christ’s light to the world.

The tradition has pagan origins, like a lot of the traditions we celebrate today.  Candle symbolism has been important and timeless for many a people.  Plus it looks pretty.

A lot of the candleholders are home made.  Cute and pretty…

So, walking through the streets, through the quiet night the candles inspire,

and you get to the plaza, for a different kind of light show.

Nativity scenes are everywhere throughout the country.  The people get inventive with them; one of these days, I tell myself, I’ll take a crack at it.  Until then…

And then things got loud!

Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks!  They are homemade, loud, and right in your face.

Proof positive below.  It’s sideways, sorry.  Don’t have the editing program on my computer to rotate it.  But you get the idea.  Watch the red light travel up and up…