Christmas

It is the eve of one of the most anticipated days of the year, Christmas. People ask me all the time, "aren't you going to miss celebrating Christmas?". I think if I were in England or another part of the world that "gets into the Christmas spirit" in the way that I have grown up with I think it would be really hard since it will be familiar.

Before my travel restrictions were lifted I asked my host family what they were doing for the holidays. She said that maybe they'll get together and have dinner but that's it. While still in that area there was barely any indication that Christmas was approaching. Nobody at school was asking me if there were holiday plans, the classrooms weren't decorated, none of the houses in my village had an army of ridiculous lawn ornaments. The only place that seemed to recognize it was the Christmas season was ShopRite, a U.S. grocery store chain; in the true American spirit, they started playing Christmas music right after Halloween.

I've been traveling since mid-December and despite the occasional Christmas song in the supermarket I haven't even notice that Christmas has been approaching. Another major factor in the not realizing it's Christmas is where I've been traveling. So far I've attended a Swazi celebration of the beginning of the harvest, been adventure caving, relaxed by my tent watching monkeys swing from tree to tree, and faced off with a Rhino in a Toyota Yaris; not your typical Christmasy activities; the 90+ degree weather in the day, the nasty sunburn, and rainy nights don't help either.

Don't get me wrong, I will miss spending time with my family, all the food, and all other parts of the season but I won't be bored. I'll be spending this year hanging out with other volunteers at BIB's, a backpacker in St. Lucia so at least I'll be in good company.

Merry Christmas to all!