Today after French class, I hung out with my friend Emma [a fellow American exchange student] at her house. As is our tradition, we decided to paint our finger and toenails with the most obscene colors [or color-sparkle combinations] possible. While we were in the bathroom picking out color combinations, I was admiring the Christmas themed toilet cover. Not only was it Christmas themed, but it included pompoms, some sequins, and the words “FELIZ NAVIDAD” in bold white letters. We decided that bringing back a few Christmas themed toilet covers would better represent the Ecuadorian culture than some kind of alpaca sweater or postcard from the Galapagos. Christmas decorating is a way of life in Ecuador. EVERYTHING is decked out—Supermarkets, malls, bathrooms, bedrooms—I’ve even seen special silverware sets with snowflakes on them. To top it off, there’s no Thanksgiving to mark the “socially acceptable” beginning of Christmas decorating. Early November hits and the world becomes a Christmas wonderland. If you have the money, huge nativity scenes are a must, both inside and outside. In my house, there were three women who sat in my living room for three days decorating—the tree, banisters, guest bathroom, chairs, mantles, etc. Emma and I also decided that we miss ugly Christmas trees that are not professionally decorated and aren’t completely color coordinated. A few of those hideous ornaments that we made at Christmas parties 15 years ago never seemed quite so beautiful. Anyway… so we finally make it to Christmas Eve. In Ecuador, they open presents at midnight on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning. At 8:30pm, we are still whizzing around toy stores, searching in the mall, and trying to buy tape and gift bags. We start eating around 11:30. Pork, chicken, fish, etc… everything is piled onto a giant plate that is set in front of you. Coke, strawberry soda, and Nestea are passed around the table, seconds are offered, and everyone eats until they’re stuffed. Next up—presents. My own gifts were well received, and I was given some lovely ones too, including a giant, stuffed angry bird. After gifts, we sat and played Jenga [one of my little brother’s presents] until 3 in the morning, and then headed up to bed. Asi se acabó la navidad.
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