Christmas. The time when I can wear my Santa beanie without looking (too) strange. There’s a beautiful tree, decorations and everyone is happy. This year I added into the equation 10 other nationalities, Bolivian food, copious amounts of champagne and new friends.
A little different to normal was celebrating on Christmas Eve, or just ‘Christmas’ as Ze Germans keep insisting! The hostel was hosting Christmas Eve dinner of a traditional Bolivian dish. As the 24th was when the Germans celebrated, we got to do what they wanted. This meant the Bolivian feast & homemade mulled wine (hot wine).
(Some things never change no matter what country you are in…men standing around food)
(Pre-dinner drinks)
(Pia ensuring Rudolf is ready for dinner)
(Johannes serving his mulled wine)
(Waiting for dinner)
(Picana)
(Ze Germans!)
(Getting merry!)
(Opening presents)
(A sauna suit – just what every German needs!)
(Going crazy with the pinecones)
After all the drinking and dancing we walked to the main square to see what was happening.
The 25th. Christmas. My day. I had hung my stocking in the hope that Santa knew where I was (I’m pretty sure he reads my blog!). I woke to find it filled with chocolate…and lip gloss. Santa’s little helper did not approve of my current lip gloss!
At breakfast I received my present from Pia and Johannes – a homemade advent calendar, complete with all the ridiculous sayings we had been using the past month. It was the best present I could have asked for. Now to transport it home…
After a quick trip to the supermarket to top up supplies, we cooked up a feast! Everyone contributed and so we had a blend of food from all nationalities! Johannes hit the kitchen again and made egg nog – such a hit!
(Merely taste testing the alcohol to make sure it hadn’t gone bad…)
(More cooking)
(Finally time to eat)
(Sulei offering up champagne)
When everyone had finished eating there was a surprise visit from Santa, where he delivered the Secret Santa presents that had been left under the tree. Considering the location, Santa had gone to a lot of effort – bright red puffer jacket, hat, plastic bag beard & one boot…claimed he had lost the other in a chimney.
(Best. Santa. Ever.)
(Tom modeling his new beanie)
(Homemade decorations were in order for Alyssa)
(Santa clearly thought Pia needed some new lingerie…)
The rest of the day/evening degenerated into drinking, eating & playing ridiculous game. Exactly what you should do on Christmas Day!
