or: Christmas traditions in other places

One of the 974 things I like about travel as well as hanging out at a dive centre is the people that I have the opportunity to meet.

These people are from all over the world and what I really like about it is that it’s a great way for me to learn some interesting information from those that are likely to know it best and it’s a lot faster than reading a book. I’m starting to accept that there is not enough time left in my life for me to read all the things I want to read to learn all the things I want to know so this is a great shortcut. 

Don’t worry, I’m still living until 104. There’s just a lot I’d like to fit in between now and then.

Anyway, late Thursday afternoon, just before a night dive, one of our clients arrived early so had plenty of time for a chat. This guy is from Slovakia and had brought in some homemade schnapps previously as an ice breaker. It didn’t just break ice, I’m still breathing fire and have had to book a follow-up appointment to have my chest waxed. In any case, I knew he was up for a chat.

I asked him what Christmas traditions do they have there as I’m clueless about that part of the world especially at this time of year since I’m not great with cold weather.

He told me that it all begins on 7 November which is the day St Nicklaus comes to visit the children.

The night before, the children leave a pair of shoes out for him to put chocolate into. This comes from what the Saint originally did before Christmas became the more commercial enterprise it is today. According to my diver friend, he gave out gifts to poor children.

This jogged my memory from a conversation I’d had in early December about what happens in Mauritius.

This conversation was prompted by a display I saw which featured shoes and asked Santa to leave some presents in them. 

I’d never heard of this before having come from a country where we left either pillow cases or Santa Sacks out to be filled on Christmas Eve and then expected some bigger presents under the tree on Christmas morning too.

Apparently not too long ago, children in Mauritius were encouraged to clean their shoes and put them out on Christmas Eve so Santa would put gifts in them. It was a way to ensure the kids would have clean shoes at least for Christmas.

I was a bit surprised since Christmas is quite warm here and flip flops seem to be more likely worn. I was told that it was to be dress shoes or school shoes that should be cleaned for the gifts.

Interesting differences to me.

It’s made me think a bit more about consumerism and clean shoes.

Thanks to Kenny Loggins for the title to this post.