Mushies on the Barbie

We arrived in Sydney four days ago and immediately everything felt perfect- no more language barrier, no more hats and mittens, and it stays light here until at least 9pm!After exploring the city for 3 days, we took the night train to Melbourne (on the south-eastern coast of Australia) to stay with the family of one of Anne’s friends for Christmas Eve through New Years Day. They welcomed us with open arms, feeding us kangaroo meat on the grill (or “barbie”), “heaps” of wine, and vegemite (very salty spread that is used like we use peanut butter- smells awful). The most surprising thing that I have found about Australia (besides the idea of spending the day after Christmas at the beach) is that a language barrier, or at least language picket fence, does exist between the States and Australia. Someone will say “Does anyone want any snags on the barbie?” and Anne, Julie, and I will look at them blankly, not having any idea that the question translates to “Does anyone want any sausages on the grill?”.

Christmas Eve was also very different that anything that we have ever experienced. Ten of us piled into a few cars to go to a nearby Catholic Church for the 6pm mass, dressed in short-sleeved shirts and sunglasses, as the sun would not set for a few more hours (not even close to the attire that we wear in Wisconsin on Christmas Eve). When we entered the church, it was immediately evident that we wouldn’t be able to find a place to sit- hundreds of people filled the church, including the extra chairs set up behind the altar and people standing in the aisles and spilling out into the sunny evening air from the side doors that had been opened, but could no longer close due to all of the people in the church.

The church service started and all of a sudden we were overwhelmed by the number of children in the building. Children were running across the front stage of the church, perched on their fathers’ shoulders, and crawling through the aisles- the constant crying and talking was incredible, but also very energizing. The priest, clearly a seasoned family-Christmas-service priest, just smiled and went on with his readings, as little girls with angel halos bounced around in front of him and little boys carrying toy trucks ran up and down in front of the altar. However, despite the chaos, the readings went on, the singing continued, and in the church lit brightly with the outside sun and the laughing of the children, I think it was impossible for people to feel anything but joy for life, friends, and family.

After the service, we came home for a quick dinner on the barbie (including mushrooms, hence “mushies on the barbie”) and then, in true Australia fashion, went to a pub for the rest of the night. Again, very different from the United States, Christmas Eve is a night to go to the pub with friends, before spending all of Christmas Day with your family…
I do miss the magical feeling that comes with seeing snow on Christmas morning and opening presents under the tree next to a cozy fire in the fireplace with family, but if I had to choose a different way to celebrate Christmas, I think the Australians have come up with a pretty good alternative.

Merry Christmas!

-Luthien