It's Christmas! Today it is sunny, beautiful and 31C in Melbourne. Yesterday I was at a friend's house to celebrate Hungarian Christmas which we do on Christmas Eve. I had one of the best Christmas at their place that I have spent here in Australia.I did not even dream about using my mobile devices during the party to post to Facebook. However, one of the guests has been using her phone taking pictures and posting during the night. I was quite surprised. Seeing her, everyone got in the Facebook spirit to take pictures, videos when the table was set and the traditional Hungarian apetizers and sweets appeared then when we sang along and opened our presents then later when the delicious dinner was served.
The evening was very relaxed with great conversations, singing and music making and playing with the games and toys the kids received from Santa.
It was well in the early hours for the time I got home and had a quick peek at 3.30am what everyone else was doing on Facebook. More and more Merry Christmas wishes started to appear with pictures of friends and their family, their trees and of course the menu.
As I looked around and enjoyed everyone's pictures and proof of happiness I also noticed a few other messages and pictures. Those, who felt they can't compete with the huge trees, colour coded decorations, large family celebrations and feasts. There were some soulful messages remembering those who are homeless, 'famililess', treeless, feastless, you know what I mean.
Fortunately, I did dot get any feeling that Facebook in my circle of influence became a place for Christmas competition. However, I got the feeling that some were very much aware that others maybe have a better Christmas than they. A few friends also decided to put up pictures that they downloaded from the web for whatever reason.
For me, the Hungarian beautiful White Christmas is a lovely memory but not a reality in Australia. Therefore, years ago I decided to create my own Australian Christmas traditions. The first step was to find a suitable tree. I felt that getting a real Christmas tree would be cruelty. In this heat to cut and torture a tree was not an option for me. I also wanted something that I can use year by year. My first tree was a small golden collapsible tree. I loved it! The small traditional wooden decorations that my brother sent to me looked beautiful on this tree. A few years ago my tree just disappeared at the last move. I was quite sad to loose it because it was the perfect unique tree for me. However, it was a good reason to get a new one!
By not following the same traditions and setting the same type of tree that my family used to do, I think I protected myself from being terribly homesick during Christmas. Another, greater reason was that I thought that some of the traditions and foods were not suitable to this climate and my way of living. Australia is hot, it's summer here in December, it's school holiday, it is traveling time and I rather enjoy the holiday after a busy year of teaching.
I have been thinking on how moving and living in another country changes us. In many and various ways, I believe. Many times I find myself in situations when I question the practicality of certain things, including traditions and customs. Living in another country allowed me to question the customs and the way of living I grew up with. Some of them I continue and still enjoy but others I decided not to practice. I feel that getting away from my conditioning and traditions gave me more freedom to find out who I am and what way I want to live. I very much enjoy this process.
The greatest surprise was that my new Indian neighbours dropped a Christmas card under my door after meeting their visiting parents the other day in the car park. People in this country embrace the heat and celebrate Christmas differently and create their own, new traditions.
Merry Christmas everyone!
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