2015 marks the 6th year that i’ve spent holidays away from my family. the first time i did it, i was studying abroad in glasgow. our hosts held a thanksgiving party in edinburgh for us, and the pumpkin pie was made with real pumpkin (it was gross.) in 2008, i went home for christmas but was back in glasgow for new years. i had a raucous flat party with all of my friends. in 2012, i was working on the boat and had thanksgiving at home, but not christmas or new years. in 2013, i had thanksgiving and christmas on the boat, new years in dallas. and in 2014, i had thanksgiving and new years on the boat, but i was home for christmas. this year, i’m away for all of them.
at first, my holidays away from home were with good friends in scotland. and then, when i was working on the boat, they were with my boat family. thanksgiving was in shipyard, where we had potluck dinners in the warehouse, christmas meant white elephant parties or barbecues on the beach, new years was a pinata and champagne on deck. one year on easter, our chef served rabbit with a chocolate mole sauce and baby carrots. we had a sense of humour on that boat. now, my holidays are spent actually alone.
but that said, sometimes, a holiday alone can be … lonely. on friday, facebook lit up with my friends celebrating thanksgiving on thursday in the states but i was off exploring around wellington by myself. i facetimed with my family on friday morning (thursday afternoon for them): while they were drinking wine, whisky, and beer, i was sipping my tea.
as christmas gets closer, i’ll immerse myself in my new city and country. i’ve got plans to hike the tongariro crossing and spend a day at the kapiti coast. maybe i’ll spend christmas at the beach just south of my house. for new years, i’ll hit the town and kiss a random stranger at midnight. my midnight will be five am, december 31st for my family at home. for almost an entire day, my family and i will be living in different years.
i don’t see anything wrong with being a globe away from my family at holidays. i find an affinity with other travelers, with other peripatetic people. orphan holidays mean new friends and new adventures. plus, my mom will call me.
**edit**
as we enter the holiday period, please spare a thought for the millions of people who do not spent the holidays at home and/or with family due to war and terrorism. imagine if that was your child that is sleeping under a piece of cardboard in freezing cold weather. whatever your political leanings/beliefs, we are all human.