This evening we had a real Puerto Rican Christmas Eve celebration with some friends and guests at the Lemontree. Though in the winter season we typically have a weekly wine and cheese gathering, what made this evening special was the playing of typical Puerto Rican instruments by Bella Jane on the Tiple, Charlie on the Cuatro, and Kathryn on the recorder. The rest of us chipped in with percussion... the guiro, the rhythm sticks, the tambourine, bells and the maraca. The musicians led us in some carols and later we belted out several rounds of jingle bells. We had our own parranda right here at the Lemontree.
Puerto Ricans are known for their unforgettable "parrandas or trullas navideñas." A parranda is when a small group of friends gathers together to "asaltar" or surprise another friend. It's the Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling. Most parranderos play some sort of instrument, either guitarras, cuatros, tiples, tamboriles, güiro, maracas, or palitos. And they all sing. Puerto Ricans play traditional aguinaldos or Puerto Rican Christmas songs and have a very enthusiastic holiday spirit. Next year, Lemontreers will play some aguinaldos!
Towards the end of the performance as the sun was setting Captain Ted fired up the grill and we enjoyed hamburgers, wine, and salad. With the sun setting and much talk and fellowship, all had a good time, relaxed and with spirit as we moved into the tropical dusk and evening.
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