Merry Christmas

With all the fun in the sun I’ve been having, it definitely hasn’t felt much like Christmastime. For myself and all of the other Canadians it’s our first Christmas abroad, and none of us really knew what it would be like – how would we mash all of our traditions together? Turns out we just had to make some of our own (like unconventional couch stockings) and just go with the flow. What none of us expected was that we’d spend Christmas Day fighting a fire.

"SAMSA Stockings"

Christmas brekkie

We woke up early on Christmas morning, had a big breakfast feast, and then went to help feed the penguins (merry Christmas little guys!), not before having to jump start our sketchy old car. After the penguins, we came home and were in the middle of opening gifts when Alex got a phone call that there was a house on fire in the village. Alex and Blair volunteer with NSRI, the marine safety & rescue operation in the area, which is why he got the call. In a few moments we were out the door, speeding in the car towards the fire. It was unbelievable to see. Alex and Blair quickly set to work with the other NSRI volunteers, dousing the flames and soaking nearby thatch roof houses to prevent the fire from spreading.  Everyone was terrified that the fire would spread like the last one did, which ended up decimating 76 homes. Luckily, the fire was kept under control and only one house was destroyed.

While our burly roommates were out being fire-fighting heroes, Chida and I spent over three hours standing in the sun diverting traffic from the area. Sounds easy, but trying to prevent people from entering an area where they want to be is a tough task.  There were people who wanted to see it purely for entertainment, and then there were those hoping to save valuables from nearby homes – but in the last fire, a buildup of traffic prevented emergency vehicles from reaching burning homes, and this time it was clear that only extremely necessary vehicles could be let in. Not everyone could understand that though – I was screamed at by many belligerent people demanding to be let into the area. They questioned my authority (but obviously had no concern for their personal safety), cursed at me, and even DARED to call me American. THE NERVE!

After the excitement was over, we returned back to our apartment exhausted. It certainly didn’t feel like Christmas anymore, and we postponed our Christmas braai until Boxing Day, when we were able to get back into the Christmas spirit.

I hope everyone back home had a safe and happy Christmas, and I wish everyone all the happiness and hope in the world for 2013!