Merry Christmas!!
So I was gonna try and change things up a bit and do a v-log (video-log), then post it. You know, so you can literally hear my voice, and not just “hear” me. Ha.. In any case, turns out I can’t figure out how to access my video I made, so yeah. Writing about the holidays will stick. Probs a better idea, anyway, cuz who has the time to listen, when you can read, nuh true?
CHRISTMAS: Christmas in Jamaica was nice. When I found out I was coming here, I was stoked and looked up different things about the country, and got super stoked when I found out that Jamaicans LOVE to celebrate Christmas. I love Christmas myself, so I was in high spirits anticipating the holiday. Well, turns out they do things a little bit differently than we do in the States. They do love to Celebrate Christmas, and that’s it. They celebrate the holiday. They party, party, and party. Friday before Christmas I went to a Christmas Tree Lighting in Southfield. I guess it’s the biggest tree lighting party in St. Elizabeth. It was pretty big. But the tree, itself, was tiny. Ha.. the emphasis was definitely on the venders, food, alcohol, and music. Picture Vegas, but in the country. HA! No joke, anyone, (and I mean ANYONE – age nuh matter) can walk around with alcohol in their hands and nobody says a thing. I guess I don’t mind underage drinking all too much, but when I know you’re 12 or 15, I get a lil uncomfortable; especially because I know that it’s a regular thing.
One would think that with booze and music, there would be dancing. Nope. You have the road, then one side of the rode has a cluster of people staring to the other side of the road, which is another huge cluster of people. You could maybe find 1 in 10 people bustin a SMALL movement, like moving their head or the hips a bit. I guess that’s just what happens at these things: stand and stare. Ha.. Speaks reminded me of a lyric from a Search for Steve Six song, “What if there were no music, and we just sat around looking half-assed at each other?” Ha.. only there WAS music. I dunno. Perhaps I left before the “real party” began (left around 1am).
Oh and what’s with the light up bunny ears being vended? I mean, we’re celebrating the birth of Jesus, not His death. Errr..Not that the Easter Bunny has anything to do with Jesus dying, but a confusion of holidays maybe?
So yeah, I partied Friday night in Southfield (after Caroling with St. Mark’s church), and partied in Junction Christmas Eve night. I wouldn’t consider either of the nights “partying,” though. I didn’t dance or drink. Saturday was Grand Market. Most “big cities” put on a Grand Market. This is the night that everyone goes last min shopping at all the shops that extend their hours into early morning. You can find people buying gifts, clothes, alcohol, or any food they have yet to pick up for Christmas dinner. It was pretty cool. Nuff traffic, though. Ha. Yikes.
Christmas Day was nice. I went to church at 7:30am at St. Mark’s Anglican Church. Good service. Ended around 9:30am, after starting around 8am cuz the Pastor was coming from a 6:30am service. Ha.. This church usually starts on time, so no worries there. Just had to wait. It’s cool. Then I walked to Queensbury Missionary, well planned to walk, but then these nice folks gave me a drive. You see, Friday, at the caroling in the church hall, there were breaks in singing for people to come up, share a talent, or something. I took the liberty to formally introduce myself to the people, letting them know who the random white chick was that’s been showing up and most likely sitting in “their” seat on Sundays. So yeah, fast-forward to Sunday. This nice couple drove passed me, turned around, and offered me a drive home since they were going in my direction. They told me that they remembered that I mentioned I was living in Queensbury, and that it was a long walk, so they figured they would offer me a drive. Yay. Ha.. so yeah. I had them drop me at the Missionary Church, which then made me early to a service that usually starts late. LOL. Whatever, it’s Jesus’ birthday, the least I can do is use the day to celebrate His day, in His word. Unfortunately, the sermon lasted far too long, and I fell asleep like 3 times. Yeah, that’s how long it was, I had time to fall asleep THREE times. Didn’t get out of church til about 12:30pm. Need help with that math? 5 hours in church. Not bad. Ha. I had nothing else to do, might as well spend a day in church, right?
So yeah, afterwards, I went home to change into jeans and my “Froomie Christmas Shirt” that Kimmy and Rachel made in 2006. Heck yes, and it STILL glows in the Dark! What.is.up. Changed, then went to Daphnie’s for my Christmas Dinner. DELICIOUS! Ton of people were over for food. Another J’can Christmas Tradition: LOTS of meat on your plate. Curried goat, fried chicken, and pork. Yup. All on one plate with your veggies and whatever else is decided. Some people have beef, too. Craziness. But soo good. I couldn’t finish the chicken, but naturally had room for sorrel and Christmas cake (fruit cake) – two other J’can Christmas Traditions.
Once dinner and socializing was finished, I came home and was able to chat to some family and friends. 
I chatted for a couple hours, but had to blaze cuz I was going back to Queensbury Missionary Church for a holiday program. Likkle pickney recited short poems, people sang, and there was a Patwa version of Jesus’ birth (was interesting to say the least). Yup, that finished, came home and was happy with my day.
Monday the 26th was also Christmas. Err.. It was being observed because Christmas was on a Sunday, so we still need to take a day off for it. Ha. In any case, I went with my friend Audrey and her fam to her lil sister’s grandma’s house for dinner. Delicious. Once again, chicken, pork, and curried goat. This time I couldn’t finish the pork. Ha.. Sooo goood. They also attempted to get me drunk as they gave me a glass of wine and some rum punch. The wine was sooo good. I haven’t had wine in a while, I forgot how much I enjoyed it. It was some Chilian wine, I dunno. Good though. The rum punch wasn’t too too strong, thank God, cuz I can’t stand the white rum anymore. Too much of it during training. Lol Whatever. After dinner, we played charades. Twas a fun day/night. :-)
Instead of mailing 100 Cards...
