Los Isleños Christmas

While looking for something to do in the Upcoming Events section of
last weekend, I was excited to come across the article about the Los Islenos Christmas in St. Bernard. I love historical and cultural events and since it was an early event, for 5 pm, I was excited to participate in something both unique to South Louisiana and Christmassy. From our house, it was a short drive to the Islenos Village, several buildings from around the parish that had been moved and refurbished, especially post Katrina. My favorite was the house build in 1790 with a glass encasing showing the original fossilized and disintegrating logs. The tiny buildings were decorated in dollar tree ribbons and ornaments and plastic candy canes. A true wonderland.
The program began at 5 pm and we were there in time to see most of the Christmas program. Chalmette high school students performed music and read about the history of the Islenos, Spanish settlers who came from the Canary Islands in the early 18^th century and founded San Bernardo, or St. Bernard as we know it today. There were cute children in Santa hats singing and cookies for all! I actually found the long sleeves and fuzzy hats to be hilarious since, in true New Orleans fashion, the temperature was in the high 70s. There were mosquitos everywhere. I counted 15 bites later that evening up and down my legs and arms.
A huge bonfire was constructed and lit in the back. Mosquitos buzzed, the scent of lighter fluid wafted, and Papa Noël came out on a hayride wagon, pulled by a tractor.
And I thought, goddamn, I love living here.