Living On Three Continents: Christmas There And Here
The word Christmas rings slightly hollow in Chile, which is gearing up for summer at the end of December, says Susan Siddeley. Nevertheless, rampant commercialism has seen to it that Christmas has taken off and is being celebrated in the Northern hemisphere way.
Trees are decorated and snowy scenes constructed in public places as well as in private homes. Whether this is good or bad is often debated, but Chilean children certainly aren't complaining.
Christmas There and Here
There one’s cheeks turn red because the air is freezing cold.
Here we see red cheeks and know the sun’s been over bold.
There snow is softly drifting, beautiful and white.
Here there’s none to shovel. Shame about the sight!
There we gather holly and think nothing could be finer.
Here we buy the plastic stuff, imported straight from China.
There we go a-carolling in murky evening fog.
Here we watch the sunset, leaving singing to the dog.
For Messiah tickets there, we always queue for hours.
Here we put the tape on and relax with pisco sours.
There we wrap our parcels in a last-ditch frantic hop.
Here we get things gift-wrapped as we leave each fancy shop.
There we have mince pies, which are spicy, sweet and warm.
Here it’s pan de pascua - same ingredients: different form.
There our stomachs have a knot that’s tight with expectation.
Here we have a knot, but I think it’s indigestion.
There when It is over we pack trimmings out of reach.
Here we pack our swimsuits and head off for the beach.
Today we’re Southern people and our world is upside down,
but taking stock of everything - Chile earns the Crown.
