So, a Christmas in Rio has passed. First summer Christmas since the New Zealand one in 1999 and the second one ever away from my family. Hard to know what expect but I guess it turned out pretty much as I thought it would be. Had a quiet morning on Christmas Eve, with a swim in the pool and a long walk on the beach. Then back to the flat to try and to catch a few minutes with my near and dear ones at home.
And I have to admit (although it’s a bit hard), that Skype made my day on Christmas Eve. Sure, the holidays should be about actually spending time with your family and keeping the traditions and all that, and the last thing you would want to do is to sit in front of the screen. However, if you can’t make that happen, at least you can try to be sort of semi-present with a web cam. Phoned my family just in time for coffee and Santa and apparently, my brother put his laptop on a pile of cushions on the sofa and abracadabra – it was almost like sitting there with them. It was great to see them open all their presents and see a few surprised faces every now and then when someone had hit the bullseye. An hour and a half and meters of wrapping paper later, it started to look a bit empty under the Christmas tree in Bergsbrunna and I was ready to get going to the Christmas dinner here in Rio. And best of all; it finally felt like it was Christmas. Also, and to give Skype a bit more credit, I don’t think I’ve ever had such a good connection for a video call, and I couldn’t have asked for a better timing for it. Murphy must have taken the day off – good on him.
The evening of the 24th was spent with some fellow Scandinavians in a flat with an amazing view of Rio harbour. For me, a very different Christmas set-up of course, but I kind of like the idea of having the aperitif in the sun on the terrace before you dig into the Christmas dinner. And what a dinner - some delicious Norwegian pinnekjøtt and Danish flæskesteg and of course, excellent company. A while later, I had to put my principles aside for a few minutes when it was time for singing and dancing. At home, it’s not really an issue. No one in my family is particularly keen to sing and dance around the Christmas tree, so we don’t even bring the subject up. But here, no excuses accepted. Everybody dances and everybody chooses a song and I both survived it and enjoyed it to be honest. Thus, all in all, a much appreciated and nice evening.
Yesterday, I was treated with another, for me, new Christmas experience - a proper American Christmas lunch. Turkey, ham, corn bread dressing, cranberries and the lot, all home cooked with a lot of love and effort. For dessert, the one and only Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie, all the way from Texas. A sugar rush out of this world, but hey, it’s only Christmas once a year.
Jens & Lillik and Don & Rosa, thanks so much to you and your respective families for inviting me to share Christmas with you. It would have been a very lonely Christmas without your hospitality. Instead, thanks to you, I got the most international Christmas ever with lots of nice treats.
And I have to admit (although it’s a bit hard), that Skype made my day on Christmas Eve. Sure, the holidays should be about actually spending time with your family and keeping the traditions and all that, and the last thing you would want to do is to sit in front of the screen. However, if you can’t make that happen, at least you can try to be sort of semi-present with a web cam. Phoned my family just in time for coffee and Santa and apparently, my brother put his laptop on a pile of cushions on the sofa and abracadabra – it was almost like sitting there with them. It was great to see them open all their presents and see a few surprised faces every now and then when someone had hit the bullseye. An hour and a half and meters of wrapping paper later, it started to look a bit empty under the Christmas tree in Bergsbrunna and I was ready to get going to the Christmas dinner here in Rio. And best of all; it finally felt like it was Christmas. Also, and to give Skype a bit more credit, I don’t think I’ve ever had such a good connection for a video call, and I couldn’t have asked for a better timing for it. Murphy must have taken the day off – good on him.
The evening of the 24th was spent with some fellow Scandinavians in a flat with an amazing view of Rio harbour. For me, a very different Christmas set-up of course, but I kind of like the idea of having the aperitif in the sun on the terrace before you dig into the Christmas dinner. And what a dinner - some delicious Norwegian pinnekjøtt and Danish flæskesteg and of course, excellent company. A while later, I had to put my principles aside for a few minutes when it was time for singing and dancing. At home, it’s not really an issue. No one in my family is particularly keen to sing and dance around the Christmas tree, so we don’t even bring the subject up. But here, no excuses accepted. Everybody dances and everybody chooses a song and I both survived it and enjoyed it to be honest. Thus, all in all, a much appreciated and nice evening.
Yesterday, I was treated with another, for me, new Christmas experience - a proper American Christmas lunch. Turkey, ham, corn bread dressing, cranberries and the lot, all home cooked with a lot of love and effort. For dessert, the one and only Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie, all the way from Texas. A sugar rush out of this world, but hey, it’s only Christmas once a year.
Jens & Lillik and Don & Rosa, thanks so much to you and your respective families for inviting me to share Christmas with you. It would have been a very lonely Christmas without your hospitality. Instead, thanks to you, I got the most international Christmas ever with lots of nice treats.
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