Christmas in Botswana

The whole feeling of Francistown has changed with this week of Christmas.

To me, it doesn't even feel like Christmas. I know in my head that it is December, but to me, Christmas is snow and lights, decorated trees and Christmas carols, family gatherings and a big church Christmas program. Here, there is none of that - except, of course, the occasional Christmas carol and the family gathering.

But to the people who live in Botswana, this is what Christmas is like for them. When the weather is in the stage between unbearably, stifling hot and the torrential downpours of rainy season, it is Christmas. When every store has a Christmas tree, it is Christmas. When the grocery stores stock up on butternut squash and chicken, it is Christmas. When everyone begins to go on holiday - sometimes for as long as a month - it is Christmas.

And one thing I've learned is that these people are all about Christmas. They may not have snow, and they may not understand a lot of the traditions that surround Christmas, but they love it anyway!

So the whole atmosphere of Francistown has changed. There were times when it was busy before. Traffic would back up. Special sales and end-of-the-month paychecks made things especially crazy. But now, the town is practically humming with excitement. People rush to and fro, carrying packages, boxes, and bags - full of food, clothing, and presents. Fireworks randomly go off in the streets. Everyone is too busy to meet, trying to get things ready, to cook their big meals and buy their gifts, traveling to their home villages near and far. People greet each other as they go down the street, "A Merry Christmas to you and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!"

It still startles me to hear songs in the stores like, "Just hear those sleigh bells ring-a-ling..." or "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas." It's almost comical to see the lone house in town with Christmas lights - red and green rope lights up the peak of their roof, and one poor tree with some white lights around its trunk.

I guess it's all what you are used to. I'm certainly not used to this!!!