December 2010
22 posts
7 tags
rose land (new year special: 2011)
She rose from the ashes holding a secret. She hides in the bushes because she knows no one can keep it. She was concealed at birth, sweet-smelling. She was queen of this earth, breathing, alive and living. Beautiful as the moon, the river butterfly would tell you that, “She rose too soon.” Autumn leaves up far into the sky, falling alongside her withering away. Violet flower. She...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (the...
(Read Part 17 HERE)
The North Pole, Northernmost Point on Earth Silence was all I heard, until I remembered the letter. A letter from Santa. He didn’t have time to explain, he said he was late. He knew about my journals, he knew that they would be read by someone one day. I didn’t visit The North Pole, but I feel like I did. He lives in the Northernmost point on Earth, he lives...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 16 HERE)
Brazil and Colombia, South America
In Brazil, ‘judges’ invade the privacy of many civilians in order to decide which house is the most endearingly decorated, both inside and out. Sometimes, the judges didn’t look at the decorations and were often searching for something else. Colombia place candles at night, the streets, and driveways are decorated with an endless sea of...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 15 HERE)
Australia and New Zealand, Oceania (continued)
If I was not mistaken, I saw Santa’s sleigh being pulled around by Kangaroos. Sending Christmas cards is a popular activity many write to family and friends. I witnessed the joys and not so joyful outcomes of receiving and waiting for a Christmas card. I stumbled upon a mailing box where I encountered a rather downhearted...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 14 HERE)
Australia and New Zealand, Oceania
Christmas in Australia falls during the summer season, which means barbecue. Although, barbecues remain one of the most popular ways to cook food outside on a grill during this time, the roast isn’t forgotten in the hearts of Australians either. New apartments and homes are being built without the traditional chimney; this means Santa...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 13 HERE)
Mexico, North America
Piñatas attack Mexico today; you would find people arming themselves with anything they can swing with and seeking vulnerable piñatas to break down. Rumour has it; they hold gifts inside for those lucky enough to make the final blow.
United States and Canada, North America
The United States and Canada have made it easy for Santa Claus to put...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 12 HERE)
France, Western Europe
In France, another interesting character named ‘Olentzero’ brings gifts to the good people on Christmas Eve. Olentzero is a pagan coal worker who visited Jesus in Bethlehem. Legend has it that Olentzero is part of a race of giants. Some tales have indicated that the giants died when they tripped and fell from a cliff somewhere in the Pyrenees,...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 11 HERE)
Malta and Italy, Southern Europe
I have never heard of Honey Rings before until I landed in Malta. They’re Christmas sweets. Italy has the feast of ‘the seven fishes’ that consists of seven different seafood dishes, but no one really keeps to a precise number or fishes. Sometimes it’s not even fish, but tradition still leads the way of the name. In the...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 10 HERE)
Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia, Southeastern Europe
If it’s not an almond hidden in the rice pudding, it’s a coin inside a round loaf (pita bread) in Bulgaria. If you find it, more luck for you sir. St. Nicholas brings children presents in Croatia, however, if you have misbehaved, his sidekick ‘Krampus’ steals the presents back. It’s quite disturbing really....
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 9 HERE)
Denmark, Northern Europe
Identity theft has been a problem if not a confusing one in Europe. Denmark has ‘Julemanden’ (the Yule Man) who I believe is Santa Claus that has elves to help him deliver gifts. If you find an almond in the rice pudding you eat there, it’s thought that you would receive good luck for the coming year and you will be entitled to a small gift....
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 8 HERE)
Russia and Armenia, Eastern Europe
Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) lives with his granddaughter Snegurochka (The Snowmaiden) in Russia. Grandfather Frost doesn’t enjoy Christmas as he feels that his identity has been taken away from him. He looks exactly like Santa Claus; however, he wears exotic clothes and his white bread dance and glide like wild flames. He is often...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 7 HERE)
Germany, Central Europe
I arrived early in Germany where it was Saint Nicholas’ Day. I later met up with Saint Nicholas as we went in search for children’s shoes. We had no intentions of stealing them like the thieves in the Philippines did; however, we ventured out to put gifts in them. While leaving shoes unattended on Christmas has been quite popular, Saint Nicholas...
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“The sound of me, made it hard for you to breathe.”
– Michael Daaboul
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 6 HERE)
Central Europe
It was reported that children had been witnessing several golden pigs running around in Central Europe on Christmas Eve. The tradition puts forward that if children can fast until dinner on Christmas Eve, they might be lucky enough to see these mysterious pigs. It was also the only time where people attended church. It was believed that if they went to church...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 5 HERE)
Philippines, Asia
After heading up to the Philippines, I thought I had missed Christmas. In the Philippines, Christmas begins in September and ends early January. I wasn’t sure if that made me late or not. You can go to church whenever you feel like it; the masses go for nine days; however, a feast is enjoyed after which is a rather enjoyable incentive to stay until the...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 4 HERE)
India, Asia
A transition happens in India, one of a celestial kind. The children there witnessed a ‘goat’ in the night sky. I didn’t see it, but the children had this innocence about them, it was hard to tell if they spoke the truth or made up stories. The expression of fear coated with disbelief on their face was hard to ignore. Even if it was an act, I fell for it. It...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 3 HERE)
Bangladesh, Asia
The Star of Bethlehem hangs on the rooftops of homes in Bangladesh. It’s not a real star contrary to what the children believe there. You don’t have to look far to find the real stars in the night sky, they’re used for those who want to make a very particular kind of wish. They wish for things like world peace and to eliminate poverty. However, on...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 2 HERE)
Nigeria, Africa (continued)
After church, families come together to hug and kiss as this is the first time all year that they have seen each other. Everyone is living in different parts of the world; it’s hard to keep a track of everyone.
The family man has little to no money. Wealth was not a common subject, but if you have travelled here from a better off country,...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
(Read Part 1 HERE)
Nigeria, Africa
A sigh of relief is exchanged between the working-class in Nigeria as the world makes its last turn in Africa before it hits midnight. They’re relieved that Christmas Day is a public holiday. Mixed opinions are shared amongst the population as the general consensus in most families who work consider the day off too expensive. With the only solitary day...
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notes from the traveller's christmas journal (part...
No dates will appear at the start of my journal entries, but my observations were viewed right in the thick of Christmas.
No times will appear either, I have forgotten about the time and because of that factor, I don’t take notice of the aging sun. Have you noticed it is aging? It reminds me though, every time it rises and sets, however, I use this as an indication of when I have to sleep and...
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“You’re my future in-between my space and time. You’re the past reminding me of...”
– Michael Daaboul