MB & J

January 7, 2007

Holiday Season in Bangalore

We've had a lot of people to ask what Christmas is like in India. Almost everyone gets into the Christmas spirit regardless of religion. People decorate their homes, cubicles and businesses with lights, garland and large paper or plastic stars that have a light inside. Street vendors, who are usually selling sunglasses, cell phone charges and magazines sold Santa Clause hats. The malls had Christmas Trees and lots of decorations. Everyone takes time off of work and children are out of school. Christian families get together for Christmas Day, give gifts and make homeade sweets.

However, the weather in Bangalore stayed in the 80s and sunny like it is most ofthe year, so it didn't really feel like Christmas outside cause it wasn't cold. Also, there was not the huge retail rush and shopping madness that we are all used to, which frankly, I didn't mind at all.

For MB and me, it was a very laid back Christmas that we both enjoyed. On Christmas Eve, we cooked a fantastic meal of beef tenderloin, green beans and mashed potatoes. On Christmas day, we woke up late and made french toast. We gave each other a trip to Thailand for Christmas, but that left us with nothing under the tree. So a few days before Christmas we decided to wrap up some things from around the house to give to each other. It really made Christmas fun to open gifts that we already owned, and there were a few surprisingly funny gifts that were wrapped up too. Even with all the fun and good food we had, we missed our family dearly. Christmas is just not the same without the whole family around.

Thank you also for all the Happy Birthday wishes. It means a lot to me that you thought about me on my birthday.