The walk I made for the 3rd edition of IYC's contest is similar to the first one because, more than showing how we celebrate Christmas in Cumaná, what the images show is the absence (with a few exceptions) of all the colors, lights, sounds, smells, and textures that used to make Christmas such a special occasion for us.

All images my own, taken in the last seven days

Christmas lights in every Venezuelan street and house was the first indication that December had arrived. The colorful freshly painted houses were another sign.

Very litle of that is present now.
This part of the city, called La calle del hambre (hunger street), used to be one of most crowded places in town. People came here from all over to eat the best fast food. In December, it was colorfully decorated. Now, only a couple of kiosks open and very few people gather around. I saw zero decoration.

Av Gran Mariscal

This Avenue used to be one of the most colorful ones. Every light post was decorated with Christmas-related themes and all kinds of lights competed for people's attention.

Now, except for half a block that is always taken care of by the owner of a hair salon, the whole avenue looks stripped from any seasonal jolly.

Lorena

I passed by at night, hoping to see the lights, but they were off.

La Copita

This office building gives the impression that there the whole building is abandoned, even though there are still some doctor's office providing different health services. Christmas did not come here this year.

Redoma

No lights or decoration around the rotary either.

Edif. CANTV

This is the main building of the government-run phone company. No signs of Christmas

Escuela Santa Teresa

One of the most emblematic elementary schools in town. Their decoration has dwindled over the years. One has the zoom in to see it.

Puente

The recently renovated Guzman Blanco Bridge shows no sign of Christmas either. These are the bridges that connect the historic district with the more "modern" commercial area of Cumaná. This is the heart of the town, the so-called touristic center, and yet, there is no much for tourists to see.

Plaza Bolívar

Right in front of the governor's "palace", the Bolivar Square looks are bare as a stone. A few years ago, they had filled it with all kinds of decorations. I am guessing this year they do not want to contradict their ideological stand by promoting an imperialist/capitalist celebration full of cultural artifacts that make the revolution look as boring as watching paint dry.

Calle Bolívar via Catedral

Nothing to the right, although if you enter the bakery store on the corner, you'll see some Christmassy decorations.

Panadería (bakery)

Panadería

Escuela Las Carmelitas

Another emblematic Catholic school in the area. I was told they still do the Nativity Scene, but they have not decorated the facade for a while.

Calle Comercio

This is the street of gold buyers. It looks like they don't care much about Christmas.

Iglesia Santa Inés

Most of the decoration this year was concentrated in this area. We had the chance to visit this iconic part of the city at night to accompany @manujune perform with the symphonic choir the traditional Christmas musical (A Christmas Tale for Non-Believers).

Callejón

The magical transformation of one of the most famous alleys of Cumaná.

Casco Histórico

The Historic District. Only the lights and decoration around the church. Most other houses show no decoration or lights at all.

Iglesia

Plaza

Iglesia

Casco Histórico

Selfie

There are still a few private businesses and stores that decorate and play Gaitas (our traditional Christmas music) to remind people of the season.

La Quinta Oriental

Supermercado Prica

Zapatería

Centro (downtown)

Unfortunatelly, in the last decades, the downtown area has been heavily "decorated" with street vendors whose tents invade the pedestrians' space.

Puesto de buhonero

Teatro

The Luis Mariano Rivera Theater traditionally hosts a series of Christmas shows. Christmas Magic (last show today)

The Nutcracker tomorrow and Tuesday.

Luis Mariano Rivera Theater

Parque Ayacucho

Unfortunately, I was unable to take a picture of this park at night. The light are not the most aesthetically pleasing, but it is probably the only place in town with plenty of Christmas lights.

Fountain

If I can get a night picture, I'll add it to the post in the next days.

PA

PA

To end our walk, I'll leave you with a short video of one of the songs performed at the Santa Inés' stairs by the symphonic choir.
@manujune will be posting her performance later.
Do not miss it

Play video and enjoy traditional Venezuelan Christmas music.

Christmas is definitely not the same for Venezuelan any more. Few traditions survive; others have been cancelled by different circumstances. We did not paint our house or decorated; neither did we put out our tree. We will have our dinner with some of the traditional dishes. We will buy them from relatives who prepare them around this time of the year and sell them as their main income.

I am not a fan of Christmas, but I admire those who are. I admire the spirit of fraternity and reconciliation that is created. There are still people in this town (like the young men and women of the choir) willing to lend their talents and time to provide the city with some of what Christmas still stand for: Hope and faith in a miracle that will transform our lives.