What I Did For Winter Break, or How YOU can survive the Holidays away from home...
Step One: Pack your own toys and decorations. India has it's own ideas about what a western Solstice/Christmas should look like. There was a Santa in town, but the Caucasian mask looked creepy. I was wished a 'Happy Christmas Tree' and a house was painted with 'Happy X-Max.' We decked up our room with a strand of lights and a bag of Playmobil Santa's & gear, plus assorted candies and small packages. This is the key: pack light. You've got to get Christmas home, too.
Two: Make magic where you can, and look forward to Plan B. Maybe you will end up at the beach, maybe you wont. Use the challenges in front of you to create mandalas of sense for those around you. Or just play with the pretty shells the kids collect for you.
Three: Know that you too are a tourist. Get in the middle of it. Blend in when you can, but stay on the perimeter for the random opportunities. We saw an aquarium inside the crocodile/snake preserve, then handled a baby burmese python. Get used to the pacing of the crowd as soon as you can, then pick your 'counter-tempo' and get your needs met. You can practice your own crowd movement at home by attaching glow-sticks and balloons to your jacket then walk through the mall during the busy hour.
--- aeryk ---
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