Christmas tree on the set of FijiOne news channel. |
We never paid attention to this phenomenon in the Southern Hemisphere in our old lives, never giving it a single thought. Living south of the equator gives us another perspective of the massive size of the earth. Here are a few facts:
"Northern Hemisphere Summer Solstice
Southern Hemisphere Summer Solstice
(Australia, New Zealand, South America, Southern Africa)First Day of Summer?
The first day of spring, summer, fall and winter can either be defined using astronomical events like solstices and equinoxes, or they can be determined based on meteorological factors, average temperatures.In the USA and some other areas in the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice marks the first day of summer. However, the official date for the first day of summer varies depending on the country's climate."
There are no poinsettias or Christmas cactus plants in the stores, only colorful flowers blooming year round. |
Many other non-Christians celebrate the Christmas season as a time to acknowledge their own faith with the accompanying festivities and gratitude. To speculate that 50% of the world's population observe the Christmas season in one manner or another is not impractical by some estimates.
With "political correctness" seeming more important than well wishes for those who do celebrate, we all struggle with to whom to say "Merry Christmas" and to whom we say "Happy Holidays" when in fact many of those who do not observe Christmas have no particular holiday they're celebrating at the moment. Its perplexing.
Saying "Happy Holidays" to a person who's not celebrating a holiday is comparable to saying "Happy Birthday" when its not their birthday. Duh?
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This year's Suva Market vendors Christmas photo. (Not our photo) |
Banners flew over the downtown area in Suva with "Merry Christmas" proudly emblazoned with a "no worries" attitude (a popular expression in the South Pacific and the UK) as to who this may apply to or not. If it doesn't apply, "no worries," look away, ignore it and move along.
Fijians don't purchase and decorate trees for Christmas. They have all of Nature's bounty to celebrate every day of the year. |
When Diwali, the Hinduism holiday and five day Festival of Lights celebrating good over evil, occurred while we were in Vanua Levu signs were posted all over the village announcing the upcoming celebrations.
No doubt, signs celebrating Christmas are scattered throughout the village now. No one is offended. Let those who chose announce and celebrate their special holiday and we can all choose to observe it or not. Its not that complicated.
No, I won't go into a tirade about PC behavior in many parts of the world and how its become difficult to speak without careful forethought on what may spew out of our mouths to avoid "offending" someone.
As a child in a public venue in the 1950's I don't recall hearing anyone spewing derogatory comments about any religion, people or faction. They were kind. Overall, aren't people still kind 60 plus years later?
It takes only a moment to stop to appreciate the colorful surroundings in Fiji. |
The heat, humidity and pouring rain has continued for five days and five nights. Our laundry didn't dry after three days so I brought it indoors hoping it will dry.
Today, we're off to the Arts Village for a few supplies and chickens. Two weeks from today, we'll be boarding the ship to New Zealand. Sixteen months from today, we'll be boarding the ship to Seattle.
Tomorrow, in this part of the world, on December 23rd is Tom's birthday which we'll celebrate. And, I'll say, "Happy Birthday" only to him but...in this case, he won't reply, "And, to you as well!"
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Photo from one year ago today, December 22, 2014:
One year ago today, we moved into the house next door which we'd continue to share with TJ, Sarah, Nik and Jayden while our other two families, arriving the next day, shared the house next door. For more photos, please click here. |
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