MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
And man, do they do Christmas in Kolkata. From what I've been told, Jesus is included somewhere in the Hindu pantheon of gods, and even if he wasn't, who can resist a chance to celebrate during the darkest time of the year? Not Indians, that's for sure. Preparations began in ernest a week or two ago, and now the streets are overflowing with colored tinsel, plastic Santas and shiny green Christmas trees. The hotel we're staying at (the Hotel Maria, which is actually wierdly appropriate for this particular holiday) strung up heart-shaped balloons, a pinata and a cascade of lights which is pretty magical, and last night, on Christmas Eve, the Indian version of a mariachi band stormed all the hotels and businesses along this street and people danced like mad.
Our friend Jimmy kindly treated us to a sumptuous Christmas buffet at The Grand Hotel--a five star deal--and so our little family of three toasted with mulled wine and feasted till our bellies were beyond full. The evening was even sort of chilly, at least by Kolkata standards, and as we walked back to our hotel we found ourselves under a huge canopy of white lights strung over the road and it did feel a bit (maybe not a lot) like Christmas.
Josh and I created our own Hannuakah/Christmas rituals, which is a nice way of saying that our room is too small to hide presents and we were too impatient to wait until the morning of the 25th to open our goodies, so we started a few days ago:-) We're hoping to see some snow in Katmandu when we head there mid-January, so we might have to extend the holiday celebration until then since both of us are a bit homesick for cold weather and crisp winter air.
Christmas Eve was relatively rowdy, but Christmas Day is easing along pretty quietly. The crows are out, of course, but many folks are home--I think it may even be a national holiday--so the day does have a sort of tender calm about it. Josh will practice on his newly gifted practice mat. I'll read some of my newly gifted books (Josh found me a collection of Kafka's letters!). We'll probably pack our bags up since tomorrow we begin traveling again--off to Pune via Mumbia on a 35 hour train ride give or take a few hours--maybe wander the streets a bit, visit our favorite nook of a restuarant (The Turkish Corner) for a classic Christmas Day meal of fresh pita with falafel and mutton kabab.
We're sending all of you--our East Coast clan, our West Coast clan, our Everyone in Between and Beyond clan--much love and peace,
J&J
J&J
Our friend Jimmy kindly treated us to a sumptuous Christmas buffet at The Grand Hotel--a five star deal--and so our little family of three toasted with mulled wine and feasted till our bellies were beyond full. The evening was even sort of chilly, at least by Kolkata standards, and as we walked back to our hotel we found ourselves under a huge canopy of white lights strung over the road and it did feel a bit (maybe not a lot) like Christmas.
Josh and I created our own Hannuakah/Christmas rituals, which is a nice way of saying that our room is too small to hide presents and we were too impatient to wait until the morning of the 25th to open our goodies, so we started a few days ago:-) We're hoping to see some snow in Katmandu when we head there mid-January, so we might have to extend the holiday celebration until then since both of us are a bit homesick for cold weather and crisp winter air.
Christmas Eve was relatively rowdy, but Christmas Day is easing along pretty quietly. The crows are out, of course, but many folks are home--I think it may even be a national holiday--so the day does have a sort of tender calm about it. Josh will practice on his newly gifted practice mat. I'll read some of my newly gifted books (Josh found me a collection of Kafka's letters!). We'll probably pack our bags up since tomorrow we begin traveling again--off to Pune via Mumbia on a 35 hour train ride give or take a few hours--maybe wander the streets a bit, visit our favorite nook of a restuarant (The Turkish Corner) for a classic Christmas Day meal of fresh pita with falafel and mutton kabab.
We're sending all of you--our East Coast clan, our West Coast clan, our Everyone in Between and Beyond clan--much love and peace,
J&J
J&J
posted by Jessica Pierce at 10:18 PM
2 Comments:
Y un cariñoso Feliz Navidad a nuestra hija y yerno.
Con amor,
dave/cati
Merry Chirstmas and Happy Hanukkah (yikes!! Hope I spelled that one right).
Thanks for keeping family in Nevada entertained with tales of your trip.
Hmm, Kafka's letters. That would cheer up any holiday.
Best of wishes,
Love,
Matthew, Denise, and Zachary
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