Christmas Carols and (No) Snow

I’ve just returned from my first vacation to the US. The plane ride was excruciatingly long, but Qantas makes up for it by treating you really well. The Silly Season kicks off in America with Thanksgiving, with the silly part being the sheer amount of food you consume from the end of November through January First. For a holiday such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, you can literally eat a week’s worth of calories in one day. Put another way: my luggage wasn’t the only thing that was heavier on the return trip. This is why dieting is a mandatory New Year’s resolution.

I spent a busy vacation enjoying the wonderful company of friends and family, and also enjoying the signs of Christmas. Because it is winter in the Far North, Christmas lights are visible from about 4:30 onward, when dusk falls. The temperature varied between 0 and 15 degrees (Celsius) during my stay, and there was even a light dusting of snow – although this happened on the one morning I actually slept in, and so I missed it.

They certainly get festive here in Australia as well. Trees and decorations go up, parties abound, and they shut down for a whole week at the end of December. What a great country! Even Andrew got into the spirit early. To welcome me home at the airport he wore a red Santa hat and a red shirt. Interestingly, many small children suddenly started behaving as this bearded persona walked past them.

There are lots of Christmas events around Melbourne, and tonight we attended our local Carols by Candlelight. The air was filled with lovely music, and the audience in red hats contrasted nicely with the green grass of the sports oval. I am coming to terms with summer in December, although this evening the wind kicked in, requiring everyone to rug up well. With a hot-chocolate type chill in the air and “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” floating over the sound system, one could almost imagine it was winter. At least until the Frisbees and soccer balls flew past...although it could have been very tiny reindeer.