Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Feliz Navidad, Yellow Underwear, 12 Grapes

I successfully made it through my first set of holidays away from home.  It was different, and in many ways felt nothing like the Christmas I'm used to.  Part of that is because a day so deeply rooted with family traditions is just not the same when you aren't with that family. Secondly the weather, warm and rainy, combined with new traditions brings about a completely new feeling for the day. 

My Christmas in site was interesting, and better than I expected.  Christmas here is mostly celebrated on the 24th. Nativity scenes are a big tradition here, and on the 24th, around midnight, families get together and put baby Jesus in the nativity scene.  In my house we went around and said what we were thankful for and gave everyone hugs.  This was followed by a midnight dinner, panetone (fruit cake), and hot chocolate.  After we ate, we went to the neighbors and had another dinner there.  Then we watched while the kids opened their presents, and I can tell you that this is probably about the same in every country, pure enthusiasm without any restraint.  After all of this we hugged everyone goodbye and went back around 3.

Christmas Day was pretty relaxed, not much really goes on.  I read a lot and then in the evening got to talk on the phone to my family.  It was great to hear from them, but drove home that I was away from my family for the first time on Christmas.  To keep some semblance of tradition, I watched Its a Wonderful Life, while I enjoyed some Early Times.  You might be asking yourself if its appropriate to indulge alone on Christmas.  But who are you to judge a man for partaking in some of the finer gifts from his beloved country?  Overall it was a good Christmas, new and interesting, but I'm thankful to have had the family here and at home to really enjoy it with.

Next up was New Year's.  I didn't really know what to expect for this and for much the the 31st I thought it would be a relaxed day of sitting around.  However, this would not be the case.  Around 11 my host Mom asked me if I was ready, and to my surprise we went out with some of her friends and began the good cheer.  At midnight we came home and at 12 grapes for luck. After we were off again to the town party.  I wish I had a picture of the scene, me walking into a party with 200 Peruvians, all pointing and staring at the dashingly handsome (not just my opinion... ok maybe it is, I dont need your judgement) gringo, who stands about a foot taller than everyone else.  So after the stares, I danced a bit and enjoyed the band.  At this point my party, including my host mom and her friends, went to a smaller bar playing music.  Here we enjoyed the early morning drinking in a Peruvian circle and dancing to the large variety (by large variety I mean 5 or 6 songs) that have dominated the music scene since my arrival here.  We got home at a respectable 4 in the morning.

All in all my holidays here were better than I had hoped.  There is no replacing being home with my family and friends, and enjoying these times together.  But if I cant be home, then I cant think of a much better place and way to have spent my holidays.  I got closer to my family, got to know the town better, and intercambiared a few new aspects of Peruvian culture.  Hope I didn't bore all of you, and I hope you all had a great Christmas and a happy New Year.