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Columnistas  |  19 diciembre de 2018  |  12:00 AM |  Escrito por: James McCarthy

English Corner No.31

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James McCarthy

Between Christmas and New Year, not a lot happens, it’s a time for “pigging-out” overeating/ gluttony / excessive eating and drinking, it is also a time for catching up with neighbours, visitors and friends.

December 31st – New Year’s Eve

It’s mostly the same the world over, as kids we didn’t do much just stayed at home and watched TV, for the adults it was time to hit-the-town, people nowadays go out for dinner while the younger generation go to the pubs and clubs to “ring in the New Year” in my day it was the local disco or hall. Dance halls were clubs that had show bands playing live music up and down the country; this is another dying tradition in Ireland as most halls have closed. Fireworks are illegal in Ireland: With a fine of €2,500 - €10,000 or prison for six months to five years or both.

January 1st-New Year’s Day

A new day- new year, a new beginning, a day full of hopes and dreams for the coming year. For others, it is the dreaded hang-over from (hell) the night before. Oh boy! Did I have a few of those in my younger days!! This is when everyone needs “the hair of the dog.” The expression the hair of the dog is for an alcoholic drink taken to cure a hangover. Today there are many parades in larger cities around the country; many people take part in the annual swim in the freezing cold ocean to raise money for charities. This also happens on Christmas Day in various parts of the country. It’s a day for mulled wine and mince pies, visiting family graves or relaxing. It’s also the day for “New Year's Resolutions” when people say they will do something to change their lives, usually for the better, most try to quit smoking or the drink for a few months, some join a gym (normally failing after the first month) and others start their diet. As for me, it’s the same for the past 35 plus years, “the diet starts tomorrow” one day I will get there!!

January 6th- Epiphany

Small/Little Christmas or Women’s Christmas (Nollaig na mBan) this is still going strong in counties, Kerry and Cork in the south of Ireland. “Nollaig na mBan" or “Little Women’s Christmas" is an old custom that’s still celebrated by women around Ireland. It goes back to the days when large families were the norm. Men never lifted a finger in the house to help and were never expected to. If a man washed the dishes, he would be called an “auld woman" by other men. No full-blooded Irish man was prepared to risk that! But each year, after the Christmas holiday, tired women finally got a break – for one day, at least. On January 6th, men would take over the housework and look after the kids, offering women a chance to go out to relax with each other; with bars and restaurants full of women out enjoying themselves- not a man is sight, Girl power!! A lesson for Colombian men-Maybe!

December 7th- All the decorations packed away for another year.

It’s still a bit strange spending Christmas in a hot country; I love the traditional Buñuelos, Natilla, and Lechona, It wouldn’t be Colombia without these tasty treats. A bit odd to say the least, when the bars close early on December 24th and 31st as, everyone heads- off to spend time with their families. Christmas is a time for children to have fun, enjoy their innocence and cherish the good times. In our family since 1990, we have lost 22 members…Things are different now; too many links have fallen from the family chain. I still like Christmas but in a different way.

It’s not all about buying expensive gifts: Gadgets come and go- Memories last a lifetime!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise Daoibh!

Thanks to everyone for your comments over the past months.

Friends and students …Thanks for all your help and support over the year, and for the many stressful cups of coffee!! For those brave enough to return…Classes begin Tuesday 8th January.

Next English Corner –January 8th 2019

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