Where's Christmas? All I Feel Is 35 Degrees...

[kudroz]

Christmas was always a time a year I enjoyed. Looking at people with their colorful scarves walking down the street looking at all the Christmas decorations in the stores windows. The enchanting Christmas music they played on the walking street downtown or on the radio on the way back home after shopping.

In a desperate attempt to feel Christmas, I downloaded a CD over the Internet yesterday - but all I feel is 35 degrees. I'm sad.

[johnh101]

Yes, you are !

Why would you want to be freezing your b@lls of in farang land ?

[astral]

Get down to the beach and enjoy the new life, instead of moaning.

[sriracha john]

Sounds like a trip to "Snow Town" is needed....

http://www.dreamworld-th.com/english/adventureland.php

[Sing_Sling]

Get down to the beach and enjoy the new life, instead of moaning.

Precisely. How many people in the old country are bitching about the cold weather? Everyone I am in contact with . . .

35 degrees and a swimming pool or the beach . . . let Santa wear Speedos!

[girlx]

this is my 4th or 5th christmas in asia... it's the only time of year when i would rather be back home. it passes pretty much without notice where i live. i have excruciatingly torturous dreams about all the good food i am missing out on.

[Scott]

Kudroz isn't moaning, he says he feels sad--that's quite different than moaning. Sometimes Christmas in Asia can be magical. When all the places have their lights up and on, it's interesting and quite beautiful.

It's not the same as home, but it's interesting.

For a lot of people, this time of year conjures up the idea of magic--snow falling in places where it usually doesn't snow, surprises, presents, unexpected visitors and phone calls. It's quite normal for a lot of people to feel sentimental and nostalgic.

It certainly would help make things bearable if there was some hint of a cool season!

[MiG16]

kudroz and girlx..think of it this way...20million aussies spend each christmas in 35 or even 38 degrees heat every year

so its not just about being in thailand

your other option is to head north to chiangmai or chiangrai...no anow...but could get much cooler....

in any case wish you all a wonderful festive season

[kmart]

I enjoy Christmas back in the UK every year. Its a nice break for me, and also a timely "perspective check" to remind me how good I have it here.

This year the missus is coming with me also. It will be great for her to meet my family, and if she doesn't get hypothermia to show her round my old town.

Looking forward to the visit already. Its the only time of year that I feel homesick.

Wishing everybody a great Christmas and New Year.

[Jockstar]

Ba Humbug!!

[PhilHarries]

Personally I love to spend Xmas here in S.E. Asia where there is just about enough exposure to the subject (except for the strangulated chipmunks singing Jinger Benn in Foodland) to remind me that it is that time of year..

The Christmas "magic" in the UK has been all but destroyed by rampant commercialism. They, the retail business sector, can't wait to get ramming Xmas down your throat starting as early as September. By Christmas many people are heartily sick of the subject and are fleeing the country on holiday. By midday on the 25th Christmas is dead and the television is full of adverts for January sales, starting 26th December, and winter/summer holidays

Bah humbug maak maak I say!

If there is one thing I miss about it I'd say it was the Xmas lunch session down the pub but that's all.

In 15 years I've only once got suckered into the expat Xmas gathering with turkey etc etc. It just doesn't go with the climate though, a bit like British beer.

If you are missing the cold, may I suggest a visit to the movies? It's always bluddy cold in the cinemas.

[richard10365]

If you want to see Christmas in Thailand, go to a mall somewhere. It's the same as back home. Advertising and money.

[Casanundra]

Get yourself to Central World and sit under this Christmas tree.

Last week they were handing out free chocolate snowmen and glasses of wine as the Carol Singers sang beautiful songs with angelic voices. Talk about getting an instant rush of Christmas Spirit.

What's more, Thailand still allows itself to use the word "Christmas" without feeling all politically correct about it, so get to the malls, enjoy the spirit, stock up your stockings with turkey, Christmas pudding and a bottle of baileys and put on your Christmas hat because Christmas is here and who cares if it is 34 degrees outside, it could be worse, you could be in Poland sitting in 4 layers of clothes at -14 degrees instead. yeah!

Edited December 8, 2006 by Casanundra

[StateSix]

I am in the same boat as Kudroz, this will be my first xmas away from the UK and my family and friends. Looking forward to it in a way, but it won't seem like xmas. Luckily my mum is sending me the Beano annual, which she has bought for me every year since I can remember

[MiG16]

just a thought....last year we did this christmas party with the theme of freezing cold winter....turned up (or is it down?) the aircon to really really cold temp! (not a tough job in thailand! most places are almost freezing in my opinion!!) and then decked the place with lots of white foamy party type thing voila! we even had to put our jackets on!!!

[taxexile]

Ba Humbug!!

exactly.

[PhilHarries]

Well I guess there is one Christmas tradition, for me, that I will be upholding this year.

Christmas day I'll be up to my knees in 'snow' in TQs, Beach Raod, Pattaya.

Might even make it to TQ2s the night before, you never know.

[alexth]

Last year was the first (and the last) Christmas spent in Thailand or any hot weathered country, EVER. I couldn't understand anything of those holidays, I felt sad, bored and lonely even if I had a lot of friends with me. I hated the image of a Christmas tree next to a palm tree or a coconut tree. That's why, for this Christmas, I'm heading home. I'll have my skiing gear ready, the traditional romanian food, my family and my old friends AND my thai girlfriend with me

[Don Quixote]

This is my 5th Christmas in Thailand and i have to say it's always a non-event.

Christmas day falls on a Monday this year so it's just another working day.

Do you think it will snow in Bangkok this year?

[MiG16]

atleast we get christmas day off Im lobbying for Boxing day off too maybe next year... hmmm

[terry57]

Christmas was always a time a year I enjoyed. Looking at people with their colorful scarves walking down the street looking at all the Christmas decorations in the stores windows. The enchanting Christmas music they played on the walking street downtown or on the radio on the way back home after shopping.

In a desperate attempt to feel Christmas, I downloaded a CD over the Internet yesterday - but all I feel is 35 degrees. I'm sad.

you wasnt xmas music mate?

go and hang out at the paragon shopping centre as im sure santa has set up shop.

jingle bells being played about 30,000 times a day.

[Casanundra]

I have to do my 90 day visa 'yes sir I am still here in the same place' report on Christmas day.

I hope they don't mind too much when I come rolling in with my Christmas hat on, glowing red nose and blowing my best party Purrrps to all and sundry whilst slugging back shots of bailey's and munching mince pies with icing powder on top.

Edited December 8, 2006 by Casanundra

[Couthy]

Christmas was always a time a year I enjoyed. Looking at people with their colorful scarves walking down the street looking at all the Christmas decorations in the stores windows. The enchanting Christmas music they played on the walking street downtown or on the radio on the way back home after shopping.

In a desperate attempt to feel Christmas, I downloaded a CD over the Internet yesterday - but all I feel is 35 degrees. I'm sad.

Books by Dicken's are readily available here. May I suggest 'A Christmas Carol'?.

Then have a good greet over your gravy covered gai yang.

Other option is to go home to where cheerful urchins in short trousers whistle cheerily in the frozen streets whilst waiting to be hanged for stealing a loaf of bread.

One presumes that you like the old USA Christmas Hollywood hype. Jeez...........

A little secret: Christmas ain't real.

The Christians took over the old Pagan mid winter festival and some many years later the advertising moguls got involved.

Money, lovely money.

Take your girlfriend / wife out for a nice dinner, go to a movie then finish of with some khao man gai and a slow walk home...............every day can be Christmas.

Nostalgia is a terrible affliction mate.

Cheers,

Couthy

[Ayutthaya]

Do as I did.

Almost every country has a represented restaurant in Bangkok and many of them serves a traditional christmas dinner Buffet.

I'm myself from Sweden and I booked a swedish Christmas buffet in one of the Swedish restaraunts. That's the closest I get to a Swedish Christmas.

Mayby they can set the Air con for minus 10 degrees celcius and it would be even more like swedish christmas hehe

[kmart]

Christmas was always a time a year I enjoyed. Looking at people with their colorful scarves walking down the street looking at all the Christmas decorations in the stores windows. The enchanting Christmas music they played on the walking street downtown or on the radio on the way back home after shopping.

In a desperate attempt to feel Christmas, I downloaded a CD over the Internet yesterday - but all I feel is 35 degrees. I'm sad.

Books by Dicken's are readily available here. May I suggest 'A Christmas Carol'?.

Then have a good greet over your gravy covered gai yang.

Other option is to go home to where cheerful urchins in short trousers whistle cheerily in the frozen streets whilst waiting to be hanged for stealing a loaf of bread.

One presumes that you like the old USA Christmas Hollywood hype. Jeez...........

A little secret: Christmas ain't real.

The Christians took over the old Pagan mid winter festival and some many years later the advertising moguls got involved.

Money, lovely money.

Take your girlfriend / wife out for a nice dinner, go to a movie then finish of with some khao man gai and a slow walk home...............every day can be Christmas.

Nostalgia is a terrible affliction mate.

Cheers,

Couthy

Guess you won't be dressing up as Santa this year then?

[Casanundra]

"A little secret: Christmas ain't real."

What!

It isn't real?

Noooooooooo don't tell me that, i'll never be able to wear my little Elf outfit nor jingle my borballs ever again without getting a lump in my throat! Wah!

Edited December 8, 2006 by Casanundra

[mikeinminburi]

this is my 4th or 5th christmas in asia... it's the only time of year when i would rather be back home. it passes pretty much without notice where i live. i have excruciatingly torturous dreams about all the good food i am missing out on.

what do you mean food??

you mean the gorgeous moist turkey, the perfectly salted ham, the mounds of stuffing, the brussel sprouts, peas, carrots, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, bread sauce, picalilly sauce, those small white onions in a jar of vinegar... then the desserts... jelly.. ice cream.. cakes... romantica... triffle... christmas pudding.... then of course the sandwich at night filled with turkey ham and stuffing...

and of course the selection boxes that are stacked against the wall because so many people dont know what to buy someone for christmas so they do what everyone else does and buys 20 or so selection boxes and gives them to anyone they remember between the 12th of december - 2nd of janurary?

and not to mention the beer..... the piss up on boxing day(st. stephens day) and new years eve where everyone gets totally wasted and regrests everything they do that night...

if thats what your on about, then dont read this reply because well you'll want it even more!

im still concidering booking a flight back to ireland for xmas...

:D well happy holidays to what ever you wish to do!

[billd766]

this is my 4th or 5th christmas in asia... it's the only time of year when i would rather be back home. it passes pretty much without notice where i live. i have excruciatingly torturous dreams about all the good food i am missing out on.

what do you mean food??

you mean the gorgeous moist turkey, the perfectly salted ham, the mounds of stuffing, the brussel sprouts, peas, carrots, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, bread sauce, picalilly sauce, those small white onions in a jar of vinegar... then the desserts... jelly.. ice cream.. cakes... romantica... triffle... christmas pudding.... then of course the sandwich at night filled with turkey ham and stuffing...

and of course the selection boxes that are stacked against the wall because so many people dont know what to buy someone for christmas so they do what everyone else does and buys 20 or so selection boxes and gives them to anyone they remember between the 12th of december - 2nd of janurary?

and not to mention the beer..... the piss up on boxing day(st. stephens day) and new years eve where everyone gets totally wasted and regrests everything they do that night...

if thats what your on about, then dont read this reply because well you'll want it even more!

im still concidering booking a flight back to ireland for xmas...

:D well happy holidays to what ever you wish to do!

Up here in Central Thailand it will be another traditional Christmas dinner of sausage, bacon, eggs and chips with a special treat this year of cold processed peas straight from the tin in the fridge.

It is traditional as there is me as the only farang (and village idot) for 15 km around at least.

But it does get cold, down to around about 20 and when you add the wind chill factor it gets down as as low 18 deg (plus not minus).

Edited December 8, 2006 by billd766

[roamer]

My daughters school in the UK, the land of Dickens and Christmas Carol, shall not have Christmas this year, it is the "Winter Festival" they celebrate, how sad.

Would rather be in LOS watching all the shopgirls in MBK in their politically incorrect Santa mini costumes...

[Ayutthaya]

Would rather be in LOS watching all the shopgirls in MBK in their politically incorrect Santa mini costumes...

GOOD POINT ROAMER!!!