Advertisement
Published: December 25th 2008
It's my first Christmas in a country that is supposedly 98% Muslim. I guess all that that means is that officially it's just another day here. My morning class was cancelled today, which was a nice surprise. My exam yesterday went well. Tomorrow I have my final class of the year.
The snow-covered pine trees on campus look like a holiday painting, but anyone who knows me knows that I become miserably Grinch-like in this miserable type of miserable weather. But, I'm trying to change that - trying to enjoy winter, to love it for what it is.
I'm trying, but it's not quite working yet...
While eating lunch on campus this afternoon, I wished one of the restaurant employees a "Merry Christmas." He replied that he thought it wasn't Christmas until January 1st. I explained that no, actually it's today. I guess that is about as good of a summary of this time of year here as anything.
Even though many people here might not know much about the details of Christmas, they seem to be enjoying the spirit of the season. I think a lot of people think it's a New Year's celebration. Christmas trees,
lights, and Santas are all over the place, just like in America. I guess that doesn't really have very much to do with Christmas either. The spirit of shopping, gift-giving, and gathering together with friends and loved ones seems to be in full effect here. Those who are so inclined to embrace winter are doing so. In fact, apart from the absence of my family, this doesn't really feel that different from a Christmas in New York.
That's about all I have time for today. I hope you are all doing well!
Merry Christmas!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.134s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 13; qc: 27; dbt: 0.1076s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Masha!
non-member comment
Of course you can embrace the weather, my dear Jima! I have faith in you!