Christmas in the Székelyföld

Next year I'll buy my Christmas cards.

I had a wonderful Christmas here in Udvarhely. I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my Counterpart and her family. It's always better with young kids around because then it's acceptable for me to get excited about the angel bringing gifts too. Could be a bit strange with just adults.

But First, twas the last day of school and a celebration was had. The drama group put on a lovely "relevant" performance of the Christmas story. Some of my favorite students were in the play, so I had to take pictures. They were embarrassed I am sure. Afterwards, the teachers were given a lovely stuffed cabbage lunch with mulled wine and cake. A good way to end my first semester of teaching.

Because the students were gone and couldn't laugh at me, I took some pictures of the front of the high school.

Izabella, far right. One of my students.
Not looking too happy here, but she's a lovely girl.

Botond is in the black vest, also one of my students.

I also teach Jesus, or as we call him, Ödön.
The girl with the guitar is also one of my students, Erzsébet. 

Stuffed cabbage and sour cream. Not sarmale.

We started the day by decorating the tree while the boys were out with their grandmother. The tree itself is a gift and brought by the angel, so it doesn't get put up until Christmas Eve. After helping decorate the tree and managing to only break one glass ornament, I scurried home to decorate my tree because the angel doesn't forget the foreigners...

The boys came over to see the tree, and I gave them their American gifts which consisted of two baseball gloves and a foam bat. They don't know how to play, so for now the bat is a weapon and the gloves are worn on the wrong hands, but come Summer they will be pro ball players. I am sure.

That night, we went to the church in the center of town. Children recited poems, stories, and songs, of which I understood almost nothing. However, I can assume what was said, it is Christmas.

Györgyi, Tamás, Györgyi's mother, and Péter.

Then back to the house to wait for the angel to put gifts under the tree! And then cake.

On actual Christmas day I made myself a big breakfast that included bacon (American style bacon not so popular in Romania) and a pumpkin spice latte made possible by a care package from Tim Peng. Then I ate some more food at Györgyi's mother's. She prepared delicious turkey and potatoes for lunch. More gifts were exchanged. I received so much chocolate this Christmas, it's a good thing I love it. Although I must constantly remind myself that it is not an acceptable dinner.

I had a wonderful Christmas.