Los tres Reyes Magos

I am guessing that most of you are getting back to your "normal" post holiday routines, not so for things at the Asylum. Here on my little island the party continues and will continue until January 6th. (a little longer for those with more traditional catholic fervor than yours truly). January 6th is "el dia de los Reyes" (3 kings day). We will continue to celebrate (in the most outrageous of holiday spirits) until the 3 kings deliver fabulous presents ( Santa was just a teaser) and we eat, drink and party "'till the cows come home" or the roosters crow letting us know that it's almost sun up and time to sleep.

Trying to get anything done in this country is never an easy task, but from thanksgiving until after 3 kings day, it's just a complete waste of time. Don't even try to conduct some sort of business, it will only make you want to "go postal" (which is usually frowned upon, more so during the holiday season). Nothing gets done during the holidays, most of the island is busy cooking special foods, having parties and staying somewhat inebriated.

30 years ago a child growing up in Puerto Rico didn't know about or care about Santa Claus. January 6th was the most special day, the day when the 3 Kings would arrive to deliver gifts to the baby Jesus and on their way would stop to drop off a gift for each child. Children would find boxes and fill them with hay for the camels, place them by/under their beds on the 5th and wake up to gifts left by "los Reyes".

The tradition of "los Reyes" is taken very seriously here on my island. The catholic church declared the Magi saints and gave each his own feast day. On the days following 3 kings day the octavas and the octavitas are celebrated to honor the magi. "Los Reyes mago" from the Persian magu meaning magician, also the name applied to the 3 wise men in the bible who followed the star of Bethlehem. The bible story does not name them nor give their number but Christian tradition from about the 7th century names the 3 kings Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar.

Since Christmas day, every day, every where I go I am surround by the Magi. I even saw them live and in person at the mall Sunday, they replaced Santa by the Christmas tree and of course in the holiday tradition for about $7 you can have your picture taken with them. Their beards fit just as poorly as Santa's did but their colorful robes were much more rockin' then Santa's red and white suit.

If I don't post too often between now and el dia de los 3 Reyes Mago, please know that it's not you, it's all about me ... me and my quest for the perfect box. The box I will lovingly fill with fresh hay, the box big enough to fit a few precious jewels, a couple pair of blahniks, a little white chocolate, a plane ticket and a $50 iTunes gift card. And anything else the magi think I am worthy of, after all, I have been a very good girl.