notes from the traveller’s christmas journal (the finale)

(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 alone …


Letter excerpt:

Snow.

Surrounded by an outpouring of snow.

Look to the left, look to the right, all you see is snow.

An empty land filled with snow.

This is where I live.

Alone and cold.

No magical elves, no Mrs. Claus and no flying reindeers.

Christmas is the only time of the year the door opens. Fate concealed my destiny eons ago.

This place, a white canvas that was forgotten by the colours, left to be an idea that can never be thought of.

The wind whispers often here, not pleasant, but soothing for me. The silence finds refuge inside and it’s hard to accept it. During the darkest part of the night, the wind screams and howls, I can almost understand it, as if, we both are looking for some sort of comfort, some … company.

I work all year, making, creating gifts in time for Christmas, working hard to meet the deadline. Working and trying to beat the hands of time, trying to be one step ahead of fate.

I always wondered what it would be like to run away from here. Run towards a mountain, see a tree, and maybe even look out into the ocean during the day.

If I stop, would anything happen? All the children, the festive feeling, the meaning will be lost.

The feeling feels like it’s gone. The meaning has become meaningless.

This is all I know. This is all I have known.

Is anyone thinking about me during the year? I wonder what it’s like to receive a gift.

This is where I live.

Alone.

If you look to the left, you will see snow. If you look to the right, you will see snow.

This is where I live.

In snow.

- Santa Claus

(fin.)

notes from the traveller’s christmas journal (part 17)

(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 candles and lanterns. I made it through the forest and climbed a mountain there. I stood far above the city sky and watched the yellow aura gently waving its tail that stretched and touched the heart of the Caribbean Sea.

April fool’s day is a bit delayed here, ‘the day of the innocents’ falls during the Christmas season. Pranks are organised and planned to surprise and pounce on the unexpected victim. Tourists are more likely to be caught in this trap, however, if you have been reading my notes, you have now been warned, gentle reader.



Venezuela, South America(the last destination) 

In Venezuela, people go from house to house carrying an image of ‘baby Jesus’, this is called: ‘Paradura del Niño’.

Santa Claus split the workload with Baby Jesus and decided that he should be on the receiving end of the request letters children wrote to him. The demands are met and the presents are then sent by Baby Jesus at midnight.

Venezuela was my last destination before I ventured back home to the abyss. As I packed my notes, my pen and collected my thoughts, I joined the rest of the people where there was food, drink and dance. The music was played during all hours of the night, no wind, but a calm passing of melody. The beast of the night sky awoken and day was arriving. The music ceased after the Sun was about to rise.

Silence.

Nothing could be heard expect for the crushing of waves against a bed of rocks and the birds that gently sang and circled around the campfire that soon went out with the passing of soft rain.

(the end? …)

notes from the traveller’s christmas journal (part 16)

(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 individual who has been waiting for a Christmas card that never came. He would walk past the post office every day until Christmas in hope that it will one day arrive. To make matters slightly awkward, the delight of receiving a Christmas card by another person there only sent his lips sinking further down his face. I followed the journey of his lips backwards towards his eyes that were covered underneath his eyelids and eyebrows arching over, as if they were hiding his eyes away from the world.

The ‘Christmas Party’ is a popular event in most workplaces, this happens during December, but rarely on Christmas Eve itself. I took public transport to catch one of these events, however, it appeared that most came back drunk and disorderly. I wanted to find a shed and hide, similar to the shootings I heard from previous experiences, but no sheds were to be found here.

Holidays are usually taken in this period with some parties paying no tribute to Christmas at all.

In New Zealand, no advertising is allowed on television and radio on Christmas day.

(to be continued …)

notes from the traveller’s christmas journal (part 15)

(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 Claus, in his shorts of course, finds other ways to get into the house. House robberies were on the increase at the time; however, this could have just been a coincidence.

Candy canes are also popular in Australia; they’re usually seen all around the country.

The houses are usually covered with lights in early December, but many homes were not participating and sadly, the looming street lights overshadowed most of the pretty designs featured in a few rare streets.

Children have been reported missing after the Christmas pageant in Adelaide. After the pageant, the children entered the ‘Magic Cave’ inside David Jones department store where they were expecting to find Santa Claus. The security guards only allowed children, so I was not lucky enough to see what was going on. Rumour has it; Santa picks selected children each year to turn them into working elves.

(to be continued …)

notes from the traveller’s christmas journal (part 14)

(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 presents in their stockings by hanging them above the chimney.

Tourists flock New York City quite heavily. Christmas here is almost celebrated by everyone, no matter what religion the person is. Sometimes, the meaning of Christmas is more than what is known to these people, an act of kindness, a heartfelt message or a gift of appreciation. Sometimes, Christmas is a reminder of how people should act on every other day of the year.

Christmas day is the only time where everything is closed. The big city can finally rest for 24 hours, the only time it can, before it resumes for another 364 days; strange to see the city that never sleeps, so calm and quiet.

(to be continued …)

notes from the traveller’s christmas journal (part 13)

(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, except Olentzero.

One day, it was believed that he died trying to save children from a burning house, however, there stood a fairy who witnessed his bravery and granted him eternal life. Blessed with this gift, Olentzero decided to bring presents and happiness to the people.

The children of France heard of the thieving appetites of missing shoes around the world after stumbling upon my travel notes and decided to leave their shoes by the fireplace. Father Christmas was expected to put gifts in there.

Ireland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and Scotland, Western Europe

The graves in Ireland are decorated on Christmas with a flower made of holly and ivy. Although I found the cemetery not too welcoming, there was something about this tradition that left the place in a state of calm. It was as if the departed have noticed that they’re not being forgotten and there is this uncanny feeling that fills the air like they’re embracing Christmas with every passing year.

The Netherlands is the only country in the world that celebrates a 2nd Christmas Day. This was an idea that occurred almost 50 years ago when the Dutch government wanted to give their civilians an extra day off. I was starting to wonder what the catch was, an unselfish government? I had seen it all now.

In the United Kingdom, it’s considered bad luck to have Christmas decorations up after the 6th of January and Scotland discovered the joys of Christmas later on because to them, it was never really important.

(to be continued …)

notes from the traveller’s christmas journal (part 12)

(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 south, ‘la Befana’ (who fits the description of a witch) brings the good children sweets, gifts and the naughty bags of charcoal. However, this caused a problem after the naughty children put the charcoal into good use and started fires all around the place. After the incidents, la Befana decided that she will give them bags of ashes next Christmas.

It’s believed that the Three Wise Men asked la Befana for directions once upon a time. She couldn’t help and offered them food, drink and a place to sleep for the night instead. A popular myth that surrounds la Befana was that she was also making her way in search of Baby Jesus to give him a gift on the night of his birth. This was often said to be the catalyst to her giving nature come Christmas time to all the children in Italy.

Portugal and Spain, Southern Europe

Portugal believes Baby Jesus still brings presents to children. Well, they keep the faith you know.

In Spain, Christmas Eve is celebrated with a large family dinner which lasts until dawn.

Midnight mass attendance had been declining, it seems, not many people are interested in the ‘Misa del Gallo’ (which is what the midnight mass is called) anymore. It could be that the Spaniards get tired by then, unless food has anything to do with it.

‘Papá Noel’ (Father Noel), who looks and smells like Santa Claus, gives the children presents. However, they only receive one or two if they’re lucky.

On the 5th of January (Christmas lasts until the 6th here) a parade called ‘La Cabalgata’ welcomes the Three Kings into the city. This is where more children put shoes by their window in the unlikely event they might get presents from them. However, this has not been successful, well, from what I have seen anyway.

(to be continued …)

notes from the traveller’s christmas journal (part 11)

(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. Krampus stealthily stalks the children throughout the year to judge them come Christmas time. I’m not sure if that’s entirely legal, but then again, that’s another matter altogether.

In Slovenia, my suspicions were put to rest as I saw St. Nicholas, Santa Claus and Father Frost leave presents under the Christmas trees of those people who went to watch the fireworks at midnight. This confirms that Santa Claus has friends that look like him in one form or another and he’s not just using different names. It’s understandable, Europe is a big place, and I see the need for reinforcements. I guess this could solve the identity issues I have been having on my trip.

Greece, Romania and Moldova, Southeastern Europe

In Greece, Father Christmas visits the children to give them their presents; it seems it was St. Nicholas that was supposed to be doing the rounds here. However, he blamed Krampus, as they both forgot how to get to Greece.

Romania and Moldova have the smallest children go to houses to sing carols. The larger kids were too grown up for carols and had trouble getting around. Ultimately they stayed home, or at least that’s what the rumour going around was at the time.

Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro, Southeastern Europe

The first time I heard shooting and church bells was in Serbia and later in Bosnia and Montenegro. Those two sounds commenced the celebration of Christmas day. I was late to the events all three times because the shooting caught me off guard every time. Thus, I made my way to the nearest shed to hide. You can never be too careful. I thought it was strange that there was always a shed near by.

(to be continued …)