by Diego, age 9 from Mexico City, Mexico, asks Santa about Christmas cookies, Lake Texcoco, and the Las Posadas tradition.
Diego from Mexico City, Mexico
Dear Santa,
My name is Diego, and I am nine years old. I live in Mexico City, where my abuela says the whole city is very slowly sinking because it was built on top of an old lake.
Dear Diego, your abuela is entirely correct, and I do adjust my landing calculations for it every single year, Mexico City’s ground has a mind of its own.
I hope you and the reindeer are ready, because my mother says the workshop must be sorting an enormous pile of letters from all over Mexico this year.
The pile grows every year, Diego, and the elves have gotten remarkably fast at sorting by state.
Santa, I have some important questions.
First, do you like Christmas cookies? My abuela makes bunuelos instead, crispy and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
I love bunuelos, Diego, crispy and cinnamon sugared might be my favorite kind of cookie substitute on the entire route. Your abuela clearly knows exactly what a tired sleigh driver needs.
Second, my teacher says Mexico City was built on top of a lake called Texcoco. Is that true?
It is true, Diego. The ancient city of Tenochtitlan was built right on an island in Lake Texcoco centuries ago, and modern Mexico City grew up on that same drained lakebed, which is exactly why parts of the city sink a little more every year. I always fly a bit higher just to be safe.
Third, my abuela says we celebrate Las Posadas for nine nights before Christmas, walking around the neighborhood with candles. Is that a real tradition?
It is a beautiful and very real tradition, Diego. Las Posadas reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter before Jesus was born, with neighbors going door to door for nine nights, welcomed in with food, songs, and warm company. That spirit of opening your door to someone in need is exactly the kind of thing I hope every child remembers, in Mexico and everywhere else.
Fourth, do you like tamales too?
Deeply, Diego, a proper Christmas tamale might be one of the most satisfying things I eat all December.
Fifth, is Nochebuena as big a celebration as Christmas Day?
Bigger, honestly, Diego, most of the real celebrating in Mexico happens on Nochebuena night itself, with the big family meal and midnight festivities.
I also have some follow-up questions.
Do the reindeer mind the altitude in Mexico City?
They notice it, mostly by needing an extra breather before the final descent.
Do you visit the pyramids near Mexico City?
I fly past Teotihuacan every year, Diego, ancient pyramids glowing under a full December moon never gets old.
Do you like Christmas piñatas too?
From a safe distance, Diego, elves and sticks do not mix particularly well.
Is the poinsettia flower originally from Mexico?
It is, Diego, poinsettias grow wild in parts of Mexico and have become one of the most famous Christmas flowers in the world because of it.
Thank you for reading my letter, Santa. My mother checked my spelling but the questions came from me.
Your questions were thoughtful, Diego, especially the one about Las Posadas. Keep that spirit of welcome close, it is one of the best parts of the whole season. Merry Christmas to your whole family.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Diego Ramirez
Mexico City, Mexico
P.S. Can you leave extra bunuelos for my abuela this year?
Already noted, Diego, your abuela’s kitchen has earned a very special stop on my route.
