Christmas is all around
Living overseas and being far from family and friends is never easy, especially during the Yuletide season. However, for these five expatriates who work in the hotel, F&B and tourism industries in Bali, spending Christmas far from home and working during the festive period, is part of their professions.
One has spent more than two decades living in Bali, while the other is celebrating his first Christmas on the island. Despite the difference in their length of stay, the longing for home and memories of Christmas traditions remain acute.
Christmas in Mexico is a full-fledged family affair. Festivities across the country begin on December 12 and extend through January 6. It kicks off with the tradition of posadas. There is a lot of religious history, but in practice, it most commonly refers to a generic Christmas party enjoyed in the lead up to the festive season, with an abundance of food, drink and, of course, piñatas. The tradition of posada is unique to Mexico, and both children and adults can participate in a series of processions or parties. Each night from December 16 through to Christmas Eve, various houses will be decorated and children will pass from door to door to sing a song and ask if there is a figurative ‘room at the inn’, a retelling of the Nativity scene.
