On our first really long 20 hour van ride (as mentioned in “The Sun…“) to a village, we had a midnight dinner. But when we got back into the van, there was a surprise waiting for us. Our driver put in a CD. But not just any CD, oh no, no no. It was a mixed CD devoted to various Christmas songs done by very popular artists. Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and my personal favorite of the night; NSYNC. We laughed, sang along and looked at each other incredulously. Is this really our life right now? What’s up with listening to Christmas music in May in the jungle with people who have never even seen snow?
Then, to even further the irony, astound us still more and raise the hilarity, someone screamed “look out the window!!!” What we beheld were yards, trees and houses, lit up with Christmas lights wound all around. We couldn’t stop laughing.
A week later on another weekend church visit we found more churches decorated with tinsel, garland and bright coloured round Christmas ornaments. We met this older man who could play guitar and we’d take turns playing songs for each other. After awhile, they asked if I could play some Christmas songs. Specifically, Jingle Bells.
This year I’ve learned to play alot of songs on guitar, but I don’t know how to play any Christmas songs. Luckily, I’ve developed my ability to play by ear alot so I picked a chord and off we went! They were so excited and kept shouting out different Christmas song titles. I’d try my best to play them on guitar, but not that it really mattered because they’d clap their hands and sing loudly to drown it out. It was alot of fun.
I just thought it was hilarious because here we are, singing about snow and all sorts of festive snow related things and its 45 degrees Celsius out there, the sun is beating down, its humid, we’re sweating bullets and we’re in the jungle. Most of them have never even seen snow!
Also, just walking around on the streets at night, you’ll see tons of lights and decorations everywhere on the boulevard. Brightly shining and glowing the night away. Its so decorated that you really do feel like you’re in the middle of a city at Christmas, minus the snow of course.
Christmas really is a worldwide event. And, as I’ve just discovered, sometimes even carried out all year long.
So what are you waiting for? DECK THE HALLS!
