Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas to all, from Chengdu! No whit Christmas here – just a foggy one!

Yesterday was interesting and surreal. I went to the Catholic Church in Chengdu for Christmas Mass. The church reminded me of one of those Portuguese ones, cos of the semi-circular arches. I’m no church expert, but it didn’t look like the ones back home. Here's a pic I took with my phone:



I’d never been to a church in China before, and didn’t know what to expect. Inside was quite nicely done with chandeliers on the roof and everything. It was sort of weird for me to see a church full of Chinese people, since I’m used to seeing them full of paddies!The mass seemed pretty much the same as the one in Ireland. Actually, the mass started off bilingual (Chinese and English) but the majority was in English, well, Chinglish. Fair play to them for doing it but 95 of the congregation would have been fairly lost. I think the majority of the people at the Mass were older people but there were a few young people. The young fella behind me was fairly into it. He knew all the lines and responses for the prayers! More than I remembered from my Mass-going days.

Well, after getting my fill of holiness, we adjourned to the foreign students building for a Christmas party organised by some of the students. It was a great spread with lots of lovely things to eat and drink! They organised some games too, which got pretty competitive! We managed to fluke a win. Seemed that Efram and Sylvia had a telepathic connection for the charades round!

Off for my turkey this afternoon. Fingers crossed that it will turn out ok. It’s Justin’s first time – a turkey virgin!

For anyone who’s actually read this far – fair play. I’d have been bored by now. Anyways, wish you all a great Christmas, and hope all your dreams come true in 2008!