Happy Holidays

               After nearly six months of having nothing more than a runny nose, my system was finally hit hard. To put in bluntly, I spent the two days leading up to Christmas within a 40 foot radius of our toilet.  Out of our group, I believe up to this point I had the best health track record here. I now have soooooo much more empathy for what others went through.

                I woke up Christmas morning and felt the best I had in days (read: able to leave my 40 foot radius) and headed to meet the other Fulbrighters, along with all of Krista’s family and Rachel’s dad, to teach our ACCESS Class about Christmas. We spent the morning making paper stocking, drawing a 8 foot tall paper Christmas tree, and of course you can’t have a tree without making ornaments. We taught and sang songs such as ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Jingle Bells’ and ended with our own Christmas feast Nepali style with rice pudding and curry along with Candy Canes provided by Krista’s family and cups of hot chocolate. The rest of the day was spent hanging out with each other and our host families wandering around town and appreciating the views.

                This was my first Christmas away from home and I really don’t think I could have imagined it to be much better. I think being in a country where Christianity is not a dominant religion helps with the homesickness. I remember, after studying abroad in Beijing in the Fall and seeing very little if any Christmas decorations where I was living. Then, arriving to Hong Kong a few days before Christmas and being bombarded by the holiday from every direction. It was difficult to escape the glow of the multiple 30 plus story tall neon Christmas trees. Upon seeing these, I was immediately overcome with homesickness more severe than I had experienced throughout the rest of my time in China.

But here, I am not reminded of Christmas all the time, the only time I think about it is when I am with the other Americans here or talking to you guys back home (which I have greatly enjoyed).  Although a few nights back I did stumble on Tim Allen’s the Santa Claus 3 on television which was then followed by Tim Allen’s Santa Claus 2 which was supposed to be followed by Total Recall…

                For me, Christmas is about being with the people you love, sharing good times together and of course eating good food.  And for this Christmas, although I wasn’t with you, I was able to share it with people I care about here (although I have yet to give my family their presents, preferring to wait to share them with them when I am fully healthy and can enjoy the American candy with then) And, even if I had had the amazing food choices that you had (which you all have been so gracious to relentlessly remind me) I couldn’t have enjoyed it anyway. Namaste.