Christmas in Jeddah

Between swimming laps and toasting at poolside, I wanted to write a blog about my Christmas experiences in Jeddah.

Interesting and foreign would be two words to describe my feelings regarding the Christmas season this year.  My school experience has been very different. Given that AGS students, parents and some of my staff members are Muslim, we have one day off; labelled Winter Holiday. Fortunately Christmas Day is on Saturday which follows the regular weekend days of Thursday and Friday.  Christmas crafts have been non-existent, no frantic practices for the Christmas concert, definitely no traditional Christmas songs nor family favourite sweets dropped on the staffroom table from grateful parents. (Parents however are very generous and often will bring a little treat for teachers who have been sick and gifts for the entire class when there is a birthday).

Thank you to beautiful Juud and her mommy for the lovely roses. This was 'White Day" at the KG building.

Another piece to the professional differences which makes this Christmas so different is that we are producing first term report cards on December 29. The seasonal cycle of report cards in BC is thankfully finished prior to the festivities and merriment of the Christmas season. Somehow proofing all teachers’ report cards, working with the programmer to eliminate the glitches in the new electronic report card and supporting beginning teachers with their first set of report cards has not contributed to my Christmassy feelings.

Interesting enough, given many Expats live and work in Jeddah, there are traces of Christmas cheer at various compounds. Some people decorate their balconies and palm trees, place wreaths on their front doors and hang ornaments from branches on their flower bushes. Because it never rains here, no need to worry about problems with indoor lights being outside or paper decorations being ruined.

palm trees and Christmas decorations!

beautiful bushes

Away from the compounds, business is usual in all the stores and malls. Back in Canada our stores are now blending Halloween and Christmas. Fortunately with the continuous advertising, one never forgets what the season is or the forthcoming holiday.

Reflecting on the times when I have been fortunate enough to travel to warmer climates at Christmas, left me to wonder why it still didn’t feel like Christmas this year. I expect it still felt like Christmas before because I still experienced the familiarity and build up to Christmas prior to my departure time.

Regardless of not having the familiar events of Christmas in North America, there are some special Christmas times for us in Jeddah. We went to a Christmas Eve gathering with friends earlier this evening. Unfortunately, Glenn didn't feel well so we left part way through the evening. Instead of eating turkey dinner with friends, I walked over the the souke and picked up dinner. Glenn enjoyed his first falafel.   I have had fun shopping for a secret sister and doing my best to scrapbook, made her a decorated box. I even found some golden snowflake paper to adhere to her Christmas box! I was also able to spread some Christmas cheer through some Christmas cards Glenn brought over for me.

Believing there won’t be any Boxing Day sales J, Glenn and I will enjoy Christmas Day shopping for a special gift for one another.  Tomorrow morning we might go to the American Corner in the souke and enjoy a Christmas breakfast. Eggs and toast (no bacon). Before we go for breakfast, I will hang the candy canes Glenn brought from Canada on the other teacher's doors. The evening will include a feast with colleagues at the potluck Christmas turkey dinner.

Looking back on my month of December, I have had no shopping stresses, no gala Christmas parties to attend, no kitchen clutter resulting in mounds of delicious treats, or fretting about road conditions. Do I miss some of those events? Yes.

Regardless of the differences and missing some of the traditional Christmas events this year, in my heart, I still remember and adore the reason for the season. May God bless you and yours this Christmas.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas from sunny Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.