- Joined
- Jan 8, 2007
- Messages
- 1,859
Granted, it could've been someone pulling my leg (and if so, I intend no offense) but I've heard that it's a custom among some of the Jewish persuasion to go out for Chinese food on Christmas Day as both groups of people have little use for Christmas.
Not being Jewish (or too inclined to any other religion, really) or Chinese, but being hungry and it being Christmas, my GF, her father, aunt, and cousin (the last two are in the beginning stages of learning English which you'll know, if you've ever had the pleasure of trying to explain the idiosyncracies of the language to someone who barely speaks it, makes for interesting, if not somewhat frustrating, conversation - "No, Hilda, I have no idea why 'daughter' and 'laughter' are pronounced differently when they are spelled so similarly... have you ever heard of Gallagher? Well, he didn't understand it much either. Yes, really - and then he'd smash fruit with a large hammer - no, I'm not kidding, Hilda!") and I ventured out in search of food, probably Chinese I'd imagined.
This is uncharted territory for me as before my mom passed away, we always had spectacular Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners so no worries about food. Now, my dad and his travel-obsessed GF (What is wrong with people like this? Just stop it. I swear things are fine right where you are.) take off to Manhattan for the holidays and as I can't bear the accelerated pace of life in NYC, I'm left in Miami to fend for myself. Thanks, dad.
Anyhow, we didn't wind up eating Chinese. Instead, we found a Greek place that was open. The food was so good that I ate all of mine before even considering taking a picture but by the time the coffee arrived, I'd returned to my senses.
I got a latte. Not a Greek latte, mind you (I'm not even sure if that's a real thing... probably because I'm not obsessively traveling) but a latte nonetheless. Here it is, my Christmas latte (I don't expect
mitch13
to be too impressed - his always look quite a bit better than this one!) and The Stagnator: The Second Term playing accompaniment.
All things considered, I think it was a success. At least, I didn't starve (not that it would've been likely anyway as it seems hardly anyone down here acknowledges the sanctity of Christmas as they did in the past (I believe due, in no small part, to the Latin-American community operating under a theory in which it is somehow acceptable to set off fireworks on Christmas Eve - let's not even get me started on that, but I think it sets a bizarre tone to the holiday...) and it appeared that many eateries were indeed open and operating. I kinda felt bad for the people who had to serve delicious mousakka on Christmas morning instead of sitting by a fire opening presents, but then again, it was 77°F and most people down here don't have fireplaces and even if they did, it would seem kinda silly to light one in weather so balmy. Can you imagine running the A/C while also having a fire? Well, I bet some of the "new money" down here does just that. This place is really going to the dogs.
On that note, I hope all the Guardians had perfectly splendid holiday celebrations (and hopefully more traditional, if you like that sort of thing, than mine)!
Not being Jewish (or too inclined to any other religion, really) or Chinese, but being hungry and it being Christmas, my GF, her father, aunt, and cousin (the last two are in the beginning stages of learning English which you'll know, if you've ever had the pleasure of trying to explain the idiosyncracies of the language to someone who barely speaks it, makes for interesting, if not somewhat frustrating, conversation - "No, Hilda, I have no idea why 'daughter' and 'laughter' are pronounced differently when they are spelled so similarly... have you ever heard of Gallagher? Well, he didn't understand it much either. Yes, really - and then he'd smash fruit with a large hammer - no, I'm not kidding, Hilda!") and I ventured out in search of food, probably Chinese I'd imagined.
This is uncharted territory for me as before my mom passed away, we always had spectacular Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners so no worries about food. Now, my dad and his travel-obsessed GF (What is wrong with people like this? Just stop it. I swear things are fine right where you are.) take off to Manhattan for the holidays and as I can't bear the accelerated pace of life in NYC, I'm left in Miami to fend for myself. Thanks, dad.
Anyhow, we didn't wind up eating Chinese. Instead, we found a Greek place that was open. The food was so good that I ate all of mine before even considering taking a picture but by the time the coffee arrived, I'd returned to my senses.
I got a latte. Not a Greek latte, mind you (I'm not even sure if that's a real thing... probably because I'm not obsessively traveling) but a latte nonetheless. Here it is, my Christmas latte (I don't expect
mitch13
to be too impressed - his always look quite a bit better than this one!) and The Stagnator: The Second Term playing accompaniment. All things considered, I think it was a success. At least, I didn't starve (not that it would've been likely anyway as it seems hardly anyone down here acknowledges the sanctity of Christmas as they did in the past (I believe due, in no small part, to the Latin-American community operating under a theory in which it is somehow acceptable to set off fireworks on Christmas Eve - let's not even get me started on that, but I think it sets a bizarre tone to the holiday...) and it appeared that many eateries were indeed open and operating. I kinda felt bad for the people who had to serve delicious mousakka on Christmas morning instead of sitting by a fire opening presents, but then again, it was 77°F and most people down here don't have fireplaces and even if they did, it would seem kinda silly to light one in weather so balmy. Can you imagine running the A/C while also having a fire? Well, I bet some of the "new money" down here does just that. This place is really going to the dogs.
On that note, I hope all the Guardians had perfectly splendid holiday celebrations (and hopefully more traditional, if you like that sort of thing, than mine)!
I did call briefly at my neighbours, who are from the Ivory Coast. They were being visited by friends who live in Milan, and since I couldn't stay for lunch, they insisted I try a dish of salami and lentils, which is apparently a traditional starter there, and the key to success in 2025! 
