Day 109: Santa Claus is Asian!!

Date: 19 DEC 2008

Joey and I decided to explore Old Town together today. So we went out and we caught Santa Claus in action.















Hmmm... what message is the poster trying to convey?? Anyone got the answer??



Then it started snowing and it was OMG!! AWESOME!! With the snow painting everything white, the Old Town look so different from yesterday. LOVE IT!! So we spent hours watching the snow fall, looking at this beautiful painting of nature and took our time walking through the park.















I love this shot!!



More pictures as we ascend to the castle.



























We then made our way back to Markus's place (My host). Along the way, we passed by a very tempting shop which turn cookies into art. Almost everything you see here can be eaten.











I want to eat it so badly!!







Feeding wine to him. Haha.







Hey I am a traveler and I love world map.









Isn't this beautiful?













Now back at the community house.



Its exactly 1 week before Xmas and today is the day where they welcome the Xmas week. So people from this neighbourhood gathered at this community house to share this festive of joy. Kids and adults, everyone were present.

Some children were helping out in baking cookies, some were playing, while others just enjoyed the company.









Now it is also necessary to decorate the place, especially the Xmas tree!! So everyone gathered and made something to be hang up on the tree. How can I missed out the fun. So I made something too.













We thought this looks good and wrote it for the house as part of the decoration.



HAHA.. I caught he lazying around!!





A lady in a traditional Estonian dress.



All these were being recored down on film. Nice memory!!



The end product of the house, the tree and the cookies!!







Then its time to plant the tree and welcome Xmas!! We all went outside the house, placed the tree in the middle, formed a huge circle, and as we held hand in hand, we sang Xmas songs loud and clear while dancing around it. Though I dont understand the songs as it was being sang in Estonian, I feel very special at that very moment as it was my first time doing such a thing in Xmas. It was a unique experience. And with the snow, PREFECT!! I never had a white Xmas before!!









Then we went back into the house and the evening continues with self formed choirs/bands singing Xmas carols and playing wonderful music like classical for example.





Then it was the highlight of the night. It was time for Santa Claus to appear. It was the moment that every children in the house was waiting for. However, this time round Santa did not come from Finland, instead, he came from Asia, from Singapore, he was indeed me!!! HAHA!!



This was real fun. They wanted me to be Santa and give out presents to the kids and it was done in a very special way. I went in and gave speech and talk to the kids and everyone else in the house in Chinese mandarin. Ofcourse noone understood me. BUT THATS THE POINT!!!!!

Then the lady who was standing beside me, was "suspose" to translate whatever I said in chinese mandarin into Estonian for the crowd. Ofcourse I dont understand her translation and she also dont know what am I talking about. But that was the fun. She can say what she wants and I just say whatever I like. It was HILARIOUS!! Smiles were seen hanging on faces, laughters and giggles were heard, and curious look were also on the faces of the kids. :P



Then after my speech, it was time to give out the presents. I had a hard time trying to pronounce the estonian's name right. Why? Cause the names were in Estonian! HAHA!!

Some kids refused to take the present cause they were afraid of me.



Some children were so clever that they say I am not Santa cause I look different from how the normal big fat santa claus should look like and because I am not westerner.



Some just happily sang some songs to me and happily recieved their presents.



But some only accepted my present after I let them hit my palm. HAHA.. Irregardless what, it was pure fun. Then the night carried on with more singing, more laughter and more fun and joy.



Till it was getting late and everyone went for bed.



This was indeed a very special Xmas celebration for me. It was a taste of the culture and tradition of the local. It was exactly what I was looking for in this Cold Journey. Not only do I want to see places, I also want to experience what the local experience. I want to be like a local. Thats What I called traveling. Not just be there and seen that but be there, felt that and done that!

Dont travel blindly, travel with a purpose! The world is full of amazing people, experience it! Thats why I travel.


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