Not like it isn’t going to be Christmas Eve back home when all of you wake up today…but just wanted to point it out. I am in Djibouti, Africa and it’s Christmas Eve. I have to say I woke up today feeling better than the last few days. I am going to get through this Holiday Season abroad! I am! And yes, I am still trying to convince myself.
No really, I am feeling better today. The sun is out, the temps are in the low 80’s and the flag status this morning is GREEN! It’s a GREEN day in Djibouti! Woo Hoo Come March 2011 we won’t see too much GREEN anymore when it comes to the flags. I hear it gets hot and it gets hot fast. So we’ll see. No sense thinking about that too much now. Just thinking of the positive things I can right now.
So I got some mail yesterday. Finally! With all the weather issues in the US and abroad our mail is getting super backed up. But it is starting to really fascinate me. I got a letter from my sister Jodi yesterday with the kids’ school photos in it. It was postmarked Nov. 28. Received on Dec. 23. I also got a package from amazon.com that shipped on Dec. 12, received Dec. 23. Makes no sense to me. But I suppose it is the reality of being deployed. But I was so happy to get a few things yesterday. Got a nice package from my friend Michelle. Thank you! And OMG – got a package from a very OLD friend from College – Shippensburg University Days! Thanks Larry! Always still my favorite card ever – “Life is just a bowl of Larry’s!!” Remember that card Larry and Denise? That was such a nice surprise to get some goodies from you.
Speaking of sending goodies…please be advised that they changed the way we address things to get them to Djibouti. Please do not include anything about my job title, the company I work for, nor the Country I am located in. Please use the following format:
Haley/Kathleen
PSC 831, Box 0052
FPO, AE 09363
After the first of the year, any packages/letters addressed in any manner other than the above will be returned to sender. Hoping that doesn’t include those packages already en route. We’ll see. But thanks to all of you who have sent me cards and other goodies. It sure does help make me feel close to home!
We are lucky though that the NEX (Navy Exchange) carries a lot of fun stuff from home. One of the things that is nice about being here, almost every food item we get contains none of the preservatives we see in our food back home. Even our Lays Potato Chips. They have a much shorter shelf life than back home. I have dropped 9 pounds since my arrival here. Maybe that could be part of the reason?
Tonight is the Championship Softball game. Had a blast helping out with this tournament this week. The final teams are VF-5 and the Cherry Busters. The final game last night could have been the championship game – it was very exciting! Bottom of the 5th (last inning) and the Cherry Busters were down by 3. They had 2 outs. The Japanese team was out in the field. Bases were loaded and the last batter hits a grand slam! OMG! It was awesome! What a great game! Hope tonight is some of the same.
Then I was asked to referee the Super Bowl Flag Football game on Christmas morning. I think it’s the Army vs. Navy. So I agreed to help out – 0900. This after the 5K run in the morning and then the rest of my day will be spent at the fire department for my ride-a-long. Christmas Feast then BINGO! Full day indeed! Should be fun.
Anyway – I just wanted to check in again. Thanks for helping me out this morning. Making it…
Wishing all of you and your families a most excellent Christmas. Please keep close in your thoughts, prayers and hearts those who serve our wonderful Country and are far away from home this time of year. We are one big family here…but it just isn’t the same. I love and miss everyone of you muchly!
Ciao!
Merry Christmas!
French (for all the French Djiboutians) - Joyeux Noel!
Russian (for my Sister-In-Law) - Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Japanese (for all of my new Japanese friends) - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Italian (to remind me of my time in Italy and my time to come in Italy) - Buone Feste Natalizie
Irish (for my Irish Family) - Nollaig Shona Dhuit
German (for my German Family) - Fröhliche Weihnachten
Arabic (for the Arab speaking Djiboutians) - Milad Majid
Ecuador (for all my new Fire Fighting friends here on Camp) - Feliz Navidad
Christmas in Djibouti has a unique flavor as one can see a perfect blend of western traditions and local customs. If one looks at the history of Christmas in Djibouti one has to go back to the history of Djibouti itself. Primarily an African country Djibouti began celebrating Christmas only after the French government came to power. After the country was colonized by the French, missionaries came to the country with the purpose of spreading Christianity among the people. After the missionaries started educating the local people they also introduced many new customs.
As the majority of the population in Djibouti is Muslims, Islam is widely practiced. The missionaries have indirectly influenced the culture of the place and today Djibouti Christmas is considered as one of the important events in the country. According to Christmas traditions in Djibouti the local people decorate their homes with flowers and friends and family members join each other for a traditional Christmas dinner. People who belong to the Christian communities celebrate Christmas in Djibouti in their own manner.
One can see the influence of the local culture in Christmas in Djibouti. People go to the Church and join the other members of the community for Christmas Mass but they sing the carols, hymns and songs in local languages. They follow the traditions but they have added their own color in it. Most of the songs are sung in Somali, Arabic and Afar all of which are considered as important local dialects. Christmas is an important day for the people of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
It is on January 7th that people of the Church meet for the Mass. This event is an integral part of Christmas in Djibouti and the celebration takes place after two weeks after the Epiphany. Other than the Mass people welcome relatives who come from all over the world to spend the Christmas with their own family members. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is one of the oldest churches in the region and they have contributed in the development of the local people.
If you are in Djibouti during Christmas you can be part of the festivities and you will enjoy the celebrations.
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