Merry Christmas from Ho-Ho-Ma!
Even though I was far away from traditions, family, friends and the cold, I couldn’t have had a better Christmas in the Ho-Ho-Ma desert. Here is a glimpse of the top ten moments from my holiday weekend.
10. Laughing Circles: We played the laughing circle game which soon turned into us singing the Tanzanian National Anthem and changing the words to ‘Ho-Ho-Ma.’
9. Mail Time: Eric got a package from his mom filled with decorations, stockings, holiday Oreos, the Washington Post, Parade ‘end of the year’ special, candy canes, a mailbox of letters, and elf on a shelf. We hung all the décor and pounded the Oreos while listening to Frank Sinatra’s Christmas Music.
8. Kitten in a Stocking: It was Oliver/Olly’s first Christmas. He is the cutest stray kitten in all of Tanzania. He is no older than a month and some change, (I decided his birthday is November 10th), and perfectly playful and snuggly. I like that he eats the mosquitos and beetles that like to nest in my room, and he likes to sit on my shoulders, lick my ears and eat dagaa. I’m making a conscious effort to only speak to him in Kiswahili, so right now he knows how to ‘njoo!’ very well.
7. Snow: It definitely didn’t snow. I actually got sunburned walking around downtown shopping on Christmas Eve. BUT, the wonderful package of ‘snow’ that Gwen sent was the perfect addition to our Christmas Card Picture.
6. Chakula Marekani: Kim made everyone French toast with nutella and ndizi. ‘Nough said.
5. Ray Charles Stopped By: Patrion would put Jamie Foxx out of a job because his Ray Charles impression is so good. I’m pretty sure the Mama serving us sodas downtown didn’t know what to do when Kat, Chuck and I started crying with laughter the moment he put on my sunglasses.
4. Slumber Parties: Thursday there were 3, Friday there were 6, Saturday/Sunday there were 8. And all this time only 1 bed, 1 mosquito net, and 1 very active kitten. Needless to say it was a tight squeeze in 2011, staring Dodoma PCVs. Luckily, we’ve all grown accustomed to smelling bad 24/7.
3. Caroling: Who are those wazungu singing Christmas Carols, walking down the dirt road? Why yes, it’s our new neighbor Asha and her American friends.
2. Letters from Buddy the Elf: Eating a fancy dinner at the Chinese restaurant in town was not enough Holiday Cheer for Buddy the Elf and Santa. So Christmas Eve night they stayed up in Santa’s workshop writing letters to each PCV, decorating the ‘surprise’ tree, and putting together a Christmas puzzle. They tip-toed out over sleeping bags and snoring kitten, placed elf on the shelf on top the tree, letters beneath, and left just after eating the cookies and feeding a carrot to the reindeer.
1. Christmas Morning: Christmas morning we all drank coffee, read the paper, and gathered around the tree opening our Secret Santa gifts and reading the letters left by Santa. It was such a great morning as we were consumed with laughter, smiles, and really enjoying the company. I couldn’t have been luckier to have shared the holiday with my new friends. It is incredible how close we have all gotten after only knowing each other for 10 weeks. My family here, both Tanzanian and American were a wonderful present this Christmas, and I’m already looking forward to continuing our new traditions next year. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (au panya).
The stockings were hung on concrete walls with care,
In hopes TZ Santa soon would be there.
The PCVs were nestled all snug in sleeping bags
While visions of warm showers and chapati were had
And Olly in his bow, and Eric in Obama cap,
Had settled under mosquito net for a rainy season nap.
When out of the choo there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my seat cushion to see what was the matter.
Away to the barred windows I flew in a flash
Tore open the kanga and threw up the sash.
The moon and the stars on ho-ho-ma desert ‘snow’
Gave a glisten to dust roads and mud huts below.
When, what to my wandering eyes should appear,
But Buddy the Elf, giggling with no fear.
With some letters in hand, and a Charlie Brown tree,
I knew in a moment this is Santa, it must be.
They quickly tiptoed towards the ujirani they came,
And sang Ho-Ho-Ma Anthem and called laughing circle by name!
Now Patrion! Now
Chuck! Now Eric and Maria!
On, Kat! On, Jodi! On Kim mnaangalia!
To the top of the water filter! Top bottles of Kanyogi!
Now Kiswahili! Sasa!
Shikamoo Ray Charlie!
As Chinese food has been eaten and dance party stepped
We came together this night, a family who just met.
As I thought about new traditions St Nick and Elf creeped,
But not without stopping to grab a biscuit to eat.
And then, in an instant, I heard a small rustle
Not beetles nor lizards nor roosters were a shuffle.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
In came our Christmas surprise, we’d been found.
He was dressed all in dirt, from his head to his foot.
And his clothes were all tarnished, with Muheza soot.
A bundle of treats he had flung on his back,
And he looked very sneaky, pulling a puzzle from his pack.
His eyes umeme adjusted!
His dimples how merry!
His cheeks sunburned, his nose just like Jerry’s!
His funny little mouth, finger pressed upon so,
And the tops of his feet bared a chacko tan glow.
The stump of a candy cane held tight in his teeth,
And the jingle of ornaments rang to a beat,
He had cut out snow figures, and placed upon tree,
And right on the top well who could that be?
He was small, and cute, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw it was elf on a shelf!
A wink Santa gave and Buddy grabbed more biscuits,
I knew that this was like no other Christmas.
They spoke not a word as others slept fo fo fo,
And they filled all the stockings simply humming ho ho ho.
And when finished, they seemed to have had loads of fun
They skipped down the hall, their job was well done.
I knew the next morning would be a sikukuu to remember,
In a home filled with love and friends we’ll have forever,
When I heard in a distance just barely out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”
No comments:
Post a Comment