Christmas Holidays

Remember the Christmas Holidays when you were a child? We had two weeks off from school and it was the very best time of the year. Allright, every vacation was a great time, but especially the last days of the year were so much fun. There was lots of snow and all the rivers and lakes were frozen. So we spent all day outside, to come in when dark. This was around three pm, to find hot chocolate waiting and the Christmastree light on. The lights were still real candles at that time.

School

I hated school, so any excuse to not go was good enough for me. I attended the local village schools where teachers had taught for many years and they’d seen it all. There was no stimulation, no fun in learning and teaching. How times have changed. I couldn’t wait to leave school and find a job. Now later on, as an adult I finished college and university. But back then I wanted out.

Aspen, Colorado

When I lived in Aspen, Colorado, the wintervacations were so much fun. Busy, crowded, everybody came up to ski and celebrate winter. Well, maybe not everyone. It was mostly the rich and famous. Which meant that there was no vacation time for us workers. On the contrary, we worked hard and long hours, before, during and after Christmas.

Travelagent

After I moved back to the Netherlands I worked for many years as a travel agent. No free time around Christmas. It was the busiest time of the year at the agency. The new brochures for summer were out and people wanted to plan their summer vacations. Also they had to give notice when they would take time off before the new year started. Overtime, hard work, and no free time around Christmas for us.

Back in time

But this year I will go back in time. For the first time I can actually plan some time off. I will have my vacation the week before Christmas and the week before New Years’ eve. As this is published I will be well underway. And I will cherish every free moment. No matter how much I love my job, I will take some time off. I will bake cookies, I will decorate the house, I will spend lots of time with friends and family. Hopefully there will be some snow and/or ice. So I can play outside and make myself some hot cocoa when I come back home.

Child

I hope everybody will have some time to relive your Christmas childhood. To remember how much fun we had and how we sat by the fire at night all rosy and warm. And most of all how happy we were.