Reflections on Christmas in Rhodes, 2009
This year was the first year in approximately five years that my children and I have stayed on Rhodes for Christmas... Usually, ten days before Christmas my husband announces that he is working every night over the Christmas and New Year period, so I quickly book flights and visit my family in England. Once there we ease in to the Christmas spirit by going to the 'Chris Dingle' children's service, visit Father Christmas and join in with the carol singing under the tree in the village square...but how would it be this year? My mother-in-law was supposed to be coming from New York, but cancelled at the last moment. So many friends had left for the UK, I began to feel like we were the only ones left... So we went to Nick and Anns' English import shop at Koskinou and stocked up with Christmas goodies... Quality Street chocholates, mince pies, christmas crackers, swede and parsnips to name but a few...
But how to capture that 'Christmas feeling', sing the carols and feel like we belong? Well my daughter and I set out on a very wet evening to St Francis Catholic Church. We joined in with the singing and listened to the choirs and although we are not catholic or even regular church goers, we enjoyed every minute of being part of the celebration. My daughter went up with the other children and lit candles and received a bag of sweets (I think her favourite part!). Afterwards we were all invited to stay for hot drinks and cake. We went home still singing and feeling very happy and Christmassy!
When Christmas Day finally arrived,my nine year old daughter excitedly declared that Father Christmas had been and left a lot of presents under the tree... and had put the carpet back down in the living room! (he's a very handy man that Father Christmas!). We had a truly delicious Christmas meal with all the trimmings and my daughter says she got everything she asked for (except an alarm clock!). We just took each day as they came: We met up with friends to walk the dogs (and the children) along the beach; we played darts with my son's new dart board (now his bedroom wall needs replastering after all of our misses!); we played ludo for hours (with 2 die) and endless card games (American Eights - gets so loud!). And we laughed a lot and very loudly... So all in all, it was a Good Christmas.