As a child I remember being unable to sleep because it was only two days until Christmas and how could I bear the wait of another 48 hours before I got to open my presents. This year I will have my first Christmas in France and it will be exciting in a different way.
Christmas day in Australia also meant a divide between my father’s family in the city and a long drive into country to see visit my mother’s family. It is always hot, and one year we drove, and drove and drove. The bench seats in the old Holden were vinyl and we stuck to them. The family tradition is that everyone brings their signature salad, a plate of cold meat and a dessert. One year we visited my cousins who had a swimming pool – bonus! But that night the entire extended family sat and listened to reports of Cyclone Tracy as it obliterated Darwin.
This year I will be in France, with French people speaking French on Christmas Eve. I have high hopes for the wine, I’ve heard that the menu includes oysters, champagne and salmon but I will miss the hot weather, the signature salads and my family in Australia.
Merry Christmas to everyone, and best wishes for 2016!
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