Christmas in Bali
When Hengky and I first got married, we negotiated holidays. I said birthdays were a must. He vetoed Christmas. I argued in favor of Valentine’s Day, anniversaries and Mother’s Day. He was happy to skip them all.
Despite our initial agreements, we find ourselves back to the original dilemma each time a holiday comes around. I’m now happy to skip Christmas, but for Gregor’s sake, I still think it’s important that Santa Claus pay a visit- though not as extravagant a visit as an American would expect.
So we thought and we thought and finally agreed that Santa should bring a tricycle. Christmas Day arrived and Gregor went with his Grandma to her land in the hills of Tabanan, which we always refer to as “the mountain”. After Hengky and I got some lunch, we went in search of the perfect tricycle. We found it in Denpasar. Hideously bright green, made of metal with wheels that can’t go flat, this was the one.
We brought it home and decided that no amount of wrapping paper would do the trick, so hid it under a pile of blankets and pillows. When Gregor got home we told him that Santa Claus had paid a visit to Bali and decided Gregor was indeed a good boy. Throwing off the pillows and blanket, Gregor beamed when he uncovered his new trike.
Out it went and off Gregor went. While our garden is large, few areas can be negotiated by trike. Still, Gregor was happy to peddle back and forth on the flagstones. Success was ours… I mean Santa’s.
Good food, good friends, family… a perfect Christmas.
January 11th, 2006 at 11:04
I remember how social Gregor was that day, he was so busy networking and bragging about mommy’s tummy! I think the chocolates that Tom gave him made him a bit hyperactive.. or maybe he’s just happy
Anyways that was a nice Xmas dinner with dear friends.
January 11th, 2006 at 12:00
It’s pitty that Arena restaurant did not serve Schwein Haxe at that night, that food is RICHTIGE SAU !!! Koday’s vodka was cheer up the night, with a new flaovour of Vodka ” Abolute Peach Vodka “
January 11th, 2006 at 13:54
sounds like a fun day however, your correct as an american I would expect an extravagant gift to be given…. like a tricycle with spinning rims and a TV mounted on the handel bars…..