Feliz Natal

This was my first holiday season in the southern hemisphere!  Now we did go home for the holidays on December 21 but we did see the ramp up to the season so we can say we experienced most of it.  First off it is HOT- I grew up in Southern California so I understand warm Christmases but this was different - highs are in the 90's plus 75-85% humidity and it is only getting hotter!  So that makes for a weird feeling.  Angolans seem to really enjoy the season, they decorate trees, put up decorations, celebrate Santa and have traditional meals.  Each of those holds a caveat of course!

• Christmas Trees-I was surprised Christmas trees were a "thing" here - there are NO evergreen type trees in Angola but they still have the symbolism which seems to really show the western/European influence.  No surprise all the trees are fake (and pretty terrible) and seen as a luxury item.

Local Christmas tree farm!

• Decorations- they sell tons of decorations in the stores and the city/government puts up lots of lights on the major streets etc.  On one hand it is really pretty but on the other hand it seems like a waste of money as most people don't have access to electricity....
• Santa- they call him Papa Noel and the tradition seems somewhat similar.  Our local grocery store had a full  Santa set up.  Right next to the canned beans and beer and the snow was cut up Styrofoam but it was free!  The Santa suit was a little sad but he was one of the happiest Santas' ever!

• Traditional Meal- as with all cultures they have a traditional meal, just slightly different then ours.  Our driver told me they do turkey and potatoes but my impression was that was for rich people.  His family ate potatoes and bacalhau (dried cod fish).

The other interesting thing that comes with Christmas here is an increase in crime.  We were warned quite a few times about being more vigilant.  I noticed more sales on food items - in this picture it is hard to see the scope but there were about 100 people in line to buy inexpensive rice at one of our local grocery stores.

The week before I came home - I went both beach, golfed, swam in a pool next to the ocean and enjoyed some lovely weather.  Jason and I traveled on the winter solstice from the longest day of the year in Angola to the shortest day of the year in the US.  We spent about 2 weeks in North Carolina with Roux!  She is doing great and was her typically self when she saw us - showed catlike interest :)  We wanted some cool weather and we got what we wished for and then some- a week of below freezing temps and snow (Roux's first snow)!  The transition back to 90+ degree days has been easier then expected.  It is snowing today in Texas and Louisiana and I spent it swimming and running outside!  Reminded me of some of the good things here :)

The Imbonderio (aka Babob) trees are in bloom!  They produce this beautiful flower that leaves behind the fruit called Mucua.  The flower is said to last only 24 hours but since it is pollinated by huge fruit bats I would guess they knock it down.  And the flower stinks!

Refreshing beer after golf at the pool by the ocean

Pond on the golf course - it was really pink!  There is an algae of some type that turns the water pink

Fun to come home to Christmas cards in Angola!