It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Some of the buses have tinsel and I’ve seen strings of Christmas lights decorating a few stores, but none of the houses. I’ve seen some fake Christmas trees in stores, but not in homes. Christmas in Grenada is not about lights and dazzling decorations.

I had heard a lot of Christmas music in the stores and on the buses in early November, but less now. Still there is nothing like listening to tropical children singing about a one horse open sleigh as part of the Christmas program.

Christmas in Grenada is traditionally a holiday to have people over for a big meal and conversation. People move from house to house throughout the day to enjoy food and friends. Last year I was here for just a few short weeks and one of the neighbors invited me over because “you can’t be alone for Christmas”.

 And if people are visiting you need fresh paint inside and out and everything cleaned.
Scrapping paint in early November

“Beginning to look a lot like Christmas” on this island means that people have been cleaning, painting and working to get the house and grounds ready for visitors. For a couple of months I’ve passed people sanding to get things ready to paint and later painting. I’ve seen rugs being scrubbed outside and then hanging out to dry. Red tablecloths and other things have also been sun drying in preparation for the festivities and table arrangements. The sounds of weed whackers and hammering has been common these last few weeks.
Time to paint

Tablecloths cleaned and the couple by the blue house doing some heavy cleaning
Even the Peace Corps volunteer can be seen hanging freshly washed sheets
These are for the spare bed to prepare for a visitor, but that is another story

I’ve not seen people here get caught up in the materialism of the holiday, at least not were I live.  I know there is a pressure towards materialism. People have televisions and kids are hoping for a tablet and other things for Christmas. Many people have gotten barrels from family and friends in the states. (Shipping a barrel is fairly economical.) However, they may not be filled with toys and such – one of the teachers is happy to get dish washing detergent and other things from the states that are on the expensive side here.

Some people here and in the states understand the value of relationships and the trap of having too many things. You might spend more time in the kitchen with just a knife but less time looking for the attachments to various machines. Several people in my village have told me that they don’t like to have too much stuff around. However, the same people also tell me about a family member or friend who is the opposite.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. Enjoy the season and time with family and friends. Focus on the reason for the season and less on the after Christmas sales if you can.

Not exactly Christmas but the other day I noticed a rough yin-yang image of balance in my cocoa and cinnamon tea.
Sort of a yin-yang balance ..


Love always,
John

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