Flashing Pineapple

I always find myself utterly sick of Christmas by the first of December in the UK; the six month build up is just over the top. So every year I try to think of different ways of spending my Christmas, in order to reignite my interest. This year I have surpassed myself. In the run up to Christmas and New Year the local people work tirelessly to decorate the streets with streamers, banners and lights; their enthusiasm is infectious. There are children everywhere dressed as Santa and we even got roped into painting messages like “Happy New Year” on the roads! Obviously the excitement was even more palpable at school, handing out the stationary and colouring books that had been kindly donated was a genuine privilege. Our art lessons became more and more about covering each other in glitter and the kid’s passion for stickers really is comical; especially the 3D ones of “Christmas Father” (It doesn’t matter how many times I explain that its “Father Christmas”, they just nod as though I’m slightly simple and say “Yes, yes. Christmas Father”).
On the last day of term we attended the Christmas assembly, which was both touching and hilarious. I’ve never seen Santa Claus in a nativity play before, particularly not like the creepy specimen at this event; and watching the Manipur girls perform their rendition of “Reach for the stars” left the other volunteers and I with a lump in our throats that didn’t disappear until we had lunch with the teachers later that day. The School staff are always welcoming and appreciative of the GVI volunteers, but over Christmas they reached new heights of hospitality; serving us lunch, handing out presents and generally taking the time to talk to each of us. I’m sure none of us felt that we were really away from home at all.
Christmas day surrounded by palm trees and sunshine was a completely different experience for me, I loved that we could BBQ on the roof for Christmas dinner. Since we were lacking presents to open, the volunteers collectively decided that we should do a secret Santa and that the spending limit should be 150 rupees. I received the most hideous dove/heart figurine I’ve ever laid eyes on as a result; in fact buying each other the tackiest present became the main target of the exercise. I was most impressed with Ross’s present – a flashing pineapple. We went into the orphanage to spend some time with the girls over the school holidays. We gave them henna and nail polish to pretty themselves up and played sports, or painting with their new paint sets. I think every volunteer ended up having their hair styled by the girls on more than one occasion too.
So, now I have a conundrum. What on earth am I going to do next year to better this? I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay away from the care free attitude of India for long. Besides, Christmas will never be Christmas to me now unless I hear “Simply having a wonderful Christmas time...” in an Indian accent from the local church, or of course, open my present to the light of a flashing pineapple.

Flashing Pineapple