Being stationed in Al
Khobar on the Eastern Province, I had made a few good friends. However, I had
been recently moved to Jeddah on the Red Sea side where I didn't know anyone.
Saudi Arabia, as you know, is a Muslim country. Christmas is not a
Muslim holiday. Therefore, the Saudis do not celebrate Christmas. In fact, it is forbidden
to celebrate it. So I didn't think there would be much excitement at Christmas time.
Purchasing a Christmas tree would be illegal.
As there are few trees, cutting down a thorn bush in the desert would have proved to be
too painful. Finding trimmings for the tree and a wreath in the local stores would be near
impossible. And putting lights outside my villa might create complications with the local
police.
The temperature remained high in the 80s and
90s in the desert climate. Why bother, it would be too warm anyway. No tree, no stockings,
no fancy lights, no Christmas pudding, No glazed ham with family and friends. I didn't
think Christmas would come at all.
But then late one evening, I got a knock on my
door. Three British teenagers were standing at my door wearing t-shirts, shorts and roller
blades.
I opened the door and they starting singing
Christmas carols to me. After a bit of shock, I sat there and listened to them for a few
songs, gave them some money and bade them farewell. That event made my Christmas. It
wasn't much, but it meant a great deal.
Over the next year, I made friends with many
Western expatriates.
My 1997
Christmas in Saudi Arabia had more spirit than any other time I've ever
had. I found the expatriate underground who found lots of ways to celebrate the holiday.
There were numerous parties at friends' houses
with loads of food and handmade decorations. We attended a Christmas Concert with 40
people in a Choir who sang their hearts out. There was even a play for the kids that
touched on Christmas.
There was also a Christmas party out in the
desert. And what a party it was.
Over 200 expatriates from around the world
came together out into the desert away from the city, the Saudis and the local police.
The party came complete with mould wine, mince
pies, hot cinnamon apple cider, a roaring fire, and even Santa Clause.
During the Christmas caroling, 'Silent Night'
was sung in five different languages. We sang and laughed and celebrated for hours on into
the night.
We brought our tents to camp out, ate and
drank to our fill and enjoyed each others company. We celebrated Christmas in a place that
considered it to be taboo. It was truly wonderful.
Some say that
the true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ. Some
say it is to celebrate the fact that we have survived the shortest day of the year. Some
say it is for the merchants so that you can buy presents.
Those reasons may be true, but I say it is
more than that.
It is also a reminder that you belong to a
community. You are part of a common thread that binds us all together.
Christmas allows us to get close to and give
to people we don't know. To be kind and giving to each other, to get close to our loved
ones and share a good time together. To celebrate life. Isn't that what birthdays are
about?
Even when you find yourself among a culture
whose beliefs do not match your own, there is plenty of warmth to be found. The local
police and the Bedouins out in the desert knew we were there. But they ignored us and let
us enjoy our fellowship.
They understand their own brotherhood and
their own time of giving, and so they chose to accept ours. Some day, we may all celebrate
this oneness together.
Don't be alone this holiday season.
© Dave Bunyard
Submitted as part of the Christmas Travel Writing Contest |
