Perpetual Change

The Festive Season

Having survived Christmas eve (January 6^th, in the Orthodox calendar), which has striking similarities to our Halloween, I was then faced with two HUGE and delicious meals on Christmas. I ate so much that I had difficulty sleeping that night, much as when I have drunk too much, but this for once, was not the case. We then celebrated St. Maria's on the 8th and St. Stephan's on the 9th. Having friends and relatives with all these names means all the more the drinking and celebrating. By this fourth day, they finally got me good and drunk (I actually tried drunk-dialing several of you this night, which I think is my first parlay into that activity. I was afraid to lie down because I thought the room would start spinning).

It took them 4 days, but Stephan is no slouch when it comes to hospitality. Not to mention I thought this was going to be a casual bar-b-cue as we started with a beer in the backyard as we grilled; then we toasted at the beginning of the meal with champagne, and the food kept coming; it is amazing how fast the bubbles accelerate the effects of all (frequent and) subsequent vodka shots.

The following Monday, I actually got to work, and it was such a relief. Then was Old New Year (by the old Slavic calendar, on the 14th). I had forgot that I had accepted an invitation weeks before. Otherwise I had thought of going to spend the day and night at the orphanage in a neighboring town where I sometimes visit. I think I would have been there for the wrong reasons though.

I did turn down on Old New Year's Eve with a church organization. What do you say when the priest's wife says, "come to our party; you can go to your friends after! We won't be out late. We will start at 8pm and should be done by 2."

posted by jjs @ 12:09 PM