Winter in the Caribbean

Side note, before I even start- in the Caribbean, and in the US, the word ‘Caribbean’ is normally pronounced ca-rib-bean, while in British English it’s mostly said carib-be-an. That’s why, in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, it’s said the second way. Which many of you probably already knew, because you’re so smart, but I just felt like sharing.

Moving on.

Winter in the Caribbean is weird. Okay, let me be more clear, Christmas season in the Caribbean is weird. There’ve been decorations up since before Halloween, first of all. In the US, as you all know, it’s an unofficial rule that you can’t really get into the Christmas thing until after Thanksgiving, and you can’t get into the Thanksgiving thing until after Halloween… however, as the DR doesn’t do Thanksgiving and barely does Halloween, this unofficial rule doesn’t apply. At all.


Entrance to my university, before Thanksgiving

Christmas decorations have been up for sale since before Halloween, there’s been Christmas music playing on the radio for weeks… and I’m not saying that this is bad by any means, it’s just a lot different from what I’m used to.

And not only because the season started so early… but also because it’s still like 80 degrees out. I took a walk this morning, in a tank top and jeans, and sudden realized about how it was going to be Christmas in twenty days. The other day, I went swimming outside and had to remember to put loads of sunscreen on… and later that day I went Christmas shopping with some friends.

Have I made my point enough yet? Sorry. Summary: For a girl who has spent every Christmas in freezing upstate New York, it’s weird to spend the first half of the holiday season in a tropical paradise. But I will be home in about a week and a half, and I am not sure how my body will react to the sudden cold. I’ll probably just go into shock and turn into a popsicle on the spot, right outside the airport.

Anyway, so I’ve been trying to get myself into the Christmas spirit by listening to some holiday music. Unfortunately, my music collection is majorly lacking in this genre. I’ve got a Taylor Swift holiday album from 2007, a few songs from the Love Actually soundtrack, the Linus and Lucy song, and like ten other random songs, none of which make me think of putting up the Christmas tree or baking copious amounts of cookies. I need to get me some Mannheim Steamroller tan pronto como sea posible.

**For those of you not on Facebook, I took/uploaded a bunch of photos from my university. You can see them here.**
I think you SHOULD be able, to, anyway....