A Tropical Christmas

I remember my days in England, watching television at Christmas and see how others celebrated across the world. At one time I used to think people in Australia, who seemed to be featured on the news every Christmas Day : " Christmas is not like the heat and go to the beach ."

Why I used to think like you do not really know . I do not like the cold when I am past the age of about 30 years . Or was it 35 ? Who cares , I hate the cold . This is one of many reasons why I live in what many call paradise Palawan in southwestern Philippines.

Being a predominantly Christian country , Christmas is a great opportunity in the Philippines. It also remains a religious occasion, which of course should be . Only a small percentage of people can buy gifts, so the emphasis is on family holidays, time together , and many go to church . Very few families have something special for Christmas lunch , you simply do not have the money . However they make , that Filipinos know how to party .

Despite the lack of money in most families , Christmas starts early in stores around August One thing for him is great here Christmas lights . Sometimes, even the poorest households are decorated with colored lights , some pretty spectacular views . Even at the beginning of November last year , during a trip back from the jungle about 90 miles south , it was really magical to see the Christmas lights we arrived near the city .

My first Christmas in the country has been memorable . I was invited to the house the day before Christmas a friend , a very poor , but very nice, with most of the small wooden houses next to each other close , intimate to say the least . Outside in the garden ( a small courtyard ) were lights everywhere , ready to party that lasted all afternoon and evening. I remember sitting there as they are all organized around me, the magical and special, it was everything. A few months earlier , had lived in England and had only experienced Christmas in England. Now I'm sitting outside on a hot Christmas night , the sound of tropical insects prelude to modern disco music going forward . I loved it .

As with most of the time in the Philippines , there were many children. The neighbors come and go, people traveled from one place to another , and there was a constant stream of people , especially children . Games for children were followed later by adults versions of games for children , most of whom came from Western influence , but Filipinos still put their own stamp on adopt foreign habits . Alcohol is not part of the occasion, but adults were delighted when I offered to buy the beer and rum.

At midnight , I was advised to enter. I soon realized why. All hell broke loose with fireworks that night approached , exploding all cramped in the small enclosed garden area . Fireworks have been banned in the UK , but I must admit they were very strong and impressive. I was surprised because this tradition nobody had warned in advance.

Now all my Christmases are tropical , and very different from those of England. Sometimes I wonder how to change Christmas here , if it ever became a rich country. The main differences between here and England are overspending and materialism in England, and regular moderate spending in the Philippines. However, they are Filipinos seem more able to enjoy what the English.