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| Christmas 2011 |
I look at the calender and say "Ah, yes, it's December," and then turn to look out the window and say "No, it's not." I see the commercials and Christmas trees and remember that it's Christmas time and then take a cold shower 'cause it's so hot!
Welcome to December in the Southern Hemisphere. A confusing, strange experience for Northern hemisphere-ers that leaves one realizing how much temperature and climate affects our understanding of a year and the calender. And while BBQ's and swimming in the pool could be a fun new Christmas tradition, I still must say that there is nothing like Christmas in the winter. Listening to Christmas carols sing of "winter wonderlands" and not being able to go outside because "baby, it's cold outside," just seem so out of place! More appropriate Christmas carols would include lyrics such as "sunbathing in the hot sand" and "oo baby it's hot outside!" But ah, well.
It does have it's benefits: That new bike you got or other outside toy can now be played with right away! Can't think of anything to do on Christmas day? Go swimming! Have a barbeque in the yard with friends that would normally not fit in your small dining room. Fireworks anyone? It's no longer too cold to go outside and see them! Want to spend time with loved ones? Now you can for longer! The day is young and the sun won't set 'till late. Just don't forget your sunscreen, fan, ice cream, barbeque and ice. You'll need it.
Despite the confusion and the heat, it still has been a merry Christmas.
Antonio had his last final last Thursday so we were finally free Friday to do some last minute shopping and enjoy the park at Cerro Santa Lucia (Santa Lucia Hill). Saturday morning we made a last-minute run to the grocery store (it wasn't as crowded as we thought it would be/had heard from other grocery store-goers!), and had lunch at the house. I finally got to meet Antonio's third sister Rosa who lives about an hour from Santiago.
After lunch I spent the afternoon with the Chilean family (Silvia, her son Victor, and his son Fransisco) I stayed with while studying abroad here almost three years ago. They loved the presents I gave them and it was great to see them again. Here in Chile, the tradition seems to be to have your "Christmas Dinner" (which also includes turkey) on Christmas Eve, open presents at midnight and then play with your gifts outside until you're too sleepy or parents say "bedtime." We were invited to share dinner with Silvia and her family but we didn't want to leave Antonio's dad, Prudencio, home alone. Antonio and I made for ourselves spaghetti and tomato sauce with corn (Prudencio and Segundo had already had "tea" separately earlier, like usual), and then opened presents just the four of us (five if you count Lukas): me, Antonio, Prudencio (Antoio's dad), and Segundo (the guy who's worked for Antonio's family for years and lives here, too).
Today has mostly been treated as a normal day in that Antonio had to go work at the kiosk in the morning and we had lunch with Antonio's sister Ines, her husband Pedro and their youngest son, Andres. But lunch was BBQ'd meat (both beef and pork) and dessert was the pineapple cake that I had bought. I was finally able to thank Ines for the beautiful earrings and little coin purse she gave me and she was able to receive and thank me (and Mom) profusely for the two crochet hooks we gave her. After lunch, Antonio, Pedro, and Andres enjoyed playing with the helicopter (the ALMOST hit Prudencio in the head), and Ines was happy to be able to talk to Mom via skyping Mom's cell phone.
Conclusion: Christmas was a success and fun! I do miss playing games with everyone and just hanging out together (TV's take up the chatting space here). And also really wish I had access to the movie "White Christmas," but now I think I shall start my attempt at Latkes. Hopefully they'll turn out well. I made apple sauce the other day in preparation (a bit sweet but not too bad).
Love and hugs to you all! Happy Holidays!
Much love (but not too many hugs as it's too hot),
Kaia (^_^)
Welcome to December in the Southern Hemisphere. A confusing, strange experience for Northern hemisphere-ers that leaves one realizing how much temperature and climate affects our understanding of a year and the calender. And while BBQ's and swimming in the pool could be a fun new Christmas tradition, I still must say that there is nothing like Christmas in the winter. Listening to Christmas carols sing of "winter wonderlands" and not being able to go outside because "baby, it's cold outside," just seem so out of place! More appropriate Christmas carols would include lyrics such as "sunbathing in the hot sand" and "oo baby it's hot outside!" But ah, well.
It does have it's benefits: That new bike you got or other outside toy can now be played with right away! Can't think of anything to do on Christmas day? Go swimming! Have a barbeque in the yard with friends that would normally not fit in your small dining room. Fireworks anyone? It's no longer too cold to go outside and see them! Want to spend time with loved ones? Now you can for longer! The day is young and the sun won't set 'till late. Just don't forget your sunscreen, fan, ice cream, barbeque and ice. You'll need it.
Despite the confusion and the heat, it still has been a merry Christmas.
Antonio had his last final last Thursday so we were finally free Friday to do some last minute shopping and enjoy the park at Cerro Santa Lucia (Santa Lucia Hill). Saturday morning we made a last-minute run to the grocery store (it wasn't as crowded as we thought it would be/had heard from other grocery store-goers!), and had lunch at the house. I finally got to meet Antonio's third sister Rosa who lives about an hour from Santiago.
After lunch I spent the afternoon with the Chilean family (Silvia, her son Victor, and his son Fransisco) I stayed with while studying abroad here almost three years ago. They loved the presents I gave them and it was great to see them again. Here in Chile, the tradition seems to be to have your "Christmas Dinner" (which also includes turkey) on Christmas Eve, open presents at midnight and then play with your gifts outside until you're too sleepy or parents say "bedtime." We were invited to share dinner with Silvia and her family but we didn't want to leave Antonio's dad, Prudencio, home alone. Antonio and I made for ourselves spaghetti and tomato sauce with corn (Prudencio and Segundo had already had "tea" separately earlier, like usual), and then opened presents just the four of us (five if you count Lukas): me, Antonio, Prudencio (Antoio's dad), and Segundo (the guy who's worked for Antonio's family for years and lives here, too).
Today has mostly been treated as a normal day in that Antonio had to go work at the kiosk in the morning and we had lunch with Antonio's sister Ines, her husband Pedro and their youngest son, Andres. But lunch was BBQ'd meat (both beef and pork) and dessert was the pineapple cake that I had bought. I was finally able to thank Ines for the beautiful earrings and little coin purse she gave me and she was able to receive and thank me (and Mom) profusely for the two crochet hooks we gave her. After lunch, Antonio, Pedro, and Andres enjoyed playing with the helicopter (the ALMOST hit Prudencio in the head), and Ines was happy to be able to talk to Mom via skyping Mom's cell phone.
Conclusion: Christmas was a success and fun! I do miss playing games with everyone and just hanging out together (TV's take up the chatting space here). And also really wish I had access to the movie "White Christmas," but now I think I shall start my attempt at Latkes. Hopefully they'll turn out well. I made apple sauce the other day in preparation (a bit sweet but not too bad).
Love and hugs to you all! Happy Holidays!
Much love (but not too many hugs as it's too hot),
Kaia (^_^)
