Xmas trip review

There's nothing like popping home for Xmas, especially when you've not had the chance to really experience it for 5 years. That's the big downer in Israel, Xmas is just not celebrated. Just try and find a decorated Xmas tree, a fairy light or a sprig of holly - hard to believe, eh? From my experience of Jewish holidays, they really can't match the festiveness of Xmas - they know how to celebrate calamitous occasions, such as the destruction of the Third temple, or the remembering of Holocaust victims...absolutely nothing wrong with any of that, but I often end up on a guilt trip for even looking at a beer bottle...

Anyway, it was great to get back to England for Xmas. Even mrs. anglosaxy was impressed - even at this moment she is telling a friend on the phone about how nice Xmas was and how everything revolved around shopping, food and presents. Which pretty much sums up our Xmas trip...

London was its usual self, though Oxford Street is always worth a peek with its Xmas lights. We managed to squeeze in 'We will rock you' a play by Ben Elton with music by Queen. Not bad at all, but we both agreed we'd seen better. We also met up with a friend from Israel, Seffy, who has started working for a company in London, so that was a great excuse for downing a few drinkies. We even managed a moment of culture at the Tate Modern, which was quite impressive, see my pic from yesterday's post.

Apart from that, most of the trip was one big shopping experience as we shopped until we dropped, trying to find the Xmas presents we knew, or at least I knew, would pale into insignificance next to the presents we would receive from my family. And I wasn't far wrong, despite protestations that our presence was the biggest present we could give...ahem...Xmas Day itself was one long present swapping session, with a brief respite at my sisters place for dinner (nice one Sue, you are getting pretty accomplished with that cooking malarky!).

Our main problem, and I think it came to the fore this trip, was that we'd been to and seen everything around where my parents live. How many times can you go to Eastbourne and get excited? Okay Dad, the game with Eastbourne Borough was an experience and something new, along with the Cinderella pantomine, but Eastbourne just doesn't cut the mustard, probably never did. Brighton is okay, but even the Lanes have become a little monotonous. In defence, I have to say that at this time of year, tourist opportunities are fairly limited anyway. I think the next trip will have to include a quick jump to Dublin or Edinburgh, or at least during the summer...

So that was Xmas 2003. Hope yours was as colourful and alcohol-filled. Xmas 2004 - where will you be?