A Lonely Christmas
Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you’re home. ~Carol Nelson
Here’s a surprising fact: Christmas Day in Warsaw is very much alike Lebaran Day in Jakarta. And by that, I mean: empty streets, no public transport, no shops open, and many of Varsovians (Warsaw citizens) returning to home villages to celebrate Christmas with their parents or grandparents. Who said the moedik tradition only belongs to Indonesian?
In short, my first Christmas in Europe was unexpectedly and awfully tranquil. I even sensed loneliness in this blessed day. It is bad enough to spend a religious festive far from your family and friends, I had to spend it in a dead-city alike. Well, at least it only died for two days (25-26 December 2008). In 27 December 2008, most shops are re-opened and public transports have operated again.
Bottom line is, Warsaw is not the place you want to go on Christmas Day. Period.
The snowy road on my way home from church...
