Christmas Party Extravaganza

So I got to experience my first international Christmas party this year.  And what a treat it was!

The usual celebratory Christmas event that most work places partake in happened here for me, thankfully.  As mentioned in the previous post it's been difficult getting in to the Christmas spirit so I was truly looking forward to this event to help discredit this lack of spirit feeling.

Of course, when one is in a new country without the luxury of their own vehicle, taking public transport can be a bit of a trek.  Therefore, after 2 separate buses and a bit of a legged jaunt we arrived at the restaurant that was booked for our ISG Christmas party.  One of the lovely parts was we continued to meet up with various staff members on each leg of the journey (when buses meet up lol).

I think the biggest treats of all for this Christmas extravaganza were: a) being able to socialize with all our staff in one place outside of work and within a different atmosphere, b) the experience of a new tradition and c) the event was entirely paid for by our school board.  A huge thank you goes to them for this! :)

What was our Christmas party?  Well, it was a traditional Genovese Christmas supper. (Unfortunately no pictures were taken of the food, foodselfies denied by self, so I'll do my best to describe the event as it unfolded).

When we first arrived at the restaurant we hung up our coats and proceeded to the bar for a special orange beverage.  Along our path there we met up with colleagues and the traditional *kiss* *kiss* were given.  One sip of this lovely orange beverage and I can say that many of us traded it in for vino biancho.  I'd love to tell you what the orange beverage was, but I was not sure.  Would definitely like to know though so I can remember to avoid it at future events.

After about 1/2 hr of mingling and visiting we were ushered into the room where dinner would be held.

First we started with appetizers.  This was sliced meat (I want to say proscuitto cotto but I'm really not sure - there's such a variety of meat here that I'm still trying to wrap my head around the different varieties) served with breadsticks and cheese.  It's quite the thing here to take a slice of meat and wrap it around the end of the bread stick before you start to nibble.  However, there are those of use who skip the bread and just nibble on the meat.

The next course was noodles, similar to linguine, in a ragu sauce (aka a meat and pomodoro mixture).  Have to admit it wasn't my favourite entree but I still did participate in the consumation of it since I had really no clue how this whole meal service would play out, and what foods were going to be served.  Didn't want to omit a dish for fear it may be the only one.  I was definitely wrong on that account.

Note: Interesting point is that not everyone gets their own serving of any of the dishes.  Rather, we each get a plate and then a multi-portion serving of each dish comes out and 4-6 people will share from one major serving.

The third course was trofie and pesto, a dish that Genova is known for.  Let me tell you, they did not disappoint.  This has to be my favourite dish here and one usually cannot go wrong when ordering it.

Then came the meats.  Yes, it looked just like it sounds.  A large plate of various fried, cooked, stewed meats came out.  Did I venture? Nope. I am not that risk taking when it comes to foods and considering the variety presented I just wasn't prepared to take that on.  I do speculate that there was everything from beef to pork to wildlife (aka duck/goose)  Just pour me some more vino and I'm happy ;)  Considering the carafe on our table was willingly replenished without asking, this was an easy task for our table.
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Dessert?  Well I'd like to say I stuck around for this final course, but I didn't.  Let's just say that supper started at about 8:30/9:00pm (yep, we eat late here in Italy) and by the time the meat course was over it was 11:30pm, so some of us were just too tuckered out to continue the Christmas meal marathon.  But what a marathon it was!!  I've never had a meal where everything, down to the last course, was so drawn out and the social aspect of dining out was significantly prominent.

All in all I had a great time!  Wonderful people, good (albeit interesting) food, and getting a chance to participate in a new, foreign tradition was a treat to experience.  Hoping next year I can make it to dessert. ;)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like......Nope!

Christmas.....

My favourite season of the year!

Traditionally characterized by pine trees decorated to the gills, glittering lights strung across homes amid a snow covered street, shiny presents below the tree full of love and excitement anxiously awaiting to be opened,  children's homemade ornaments donning pokey branches, Boney M with "Mary's Boy Child" blaring throughout the gingerbread scented house, tinsel stuck to the bottom of your sock as loose strands attempt to flee the scene, garland here garland there garland garland everywhere, my sister's homemade Pinterest wreath wishing good tidings to those who visit, eggnog in the fridge one glass short of a full container, goodies eagerly and silently calling "gain weight, gain weight".....

These are what my senses attribute to the Christmas season.  Images, sounds, smells I've grown up with.

However, this year there is one major element missing from my Christmas scene: SNOW!  My question: how much does this affect my Christmas experience?

Christmas Tree in the centre (Piazza Ferrari)

When moving to Italy, I knew that the lack of snow would not be detrimental in many ways to life here.  Was I going to miss it?  No!  The frigid arctic wind, being chilled to the bone, a sore back from shovelling, exasperation at trying to get the snow blower started, the bone chilling scrape of getting ice off windows, rosy to white cheeks, fingers that feel like they'll fall off, polluting the environment while silently praying command start will work.  Things I didn't think I'd miss, and definitely don't.  Nevertheless, there was one aspect I didn't anticipate on affecting me the way it has: having a white Christmas.

It's been surreal walking to school with a light jacket on, fingers bare to the sea air; or waking up Saturday morning to the sound of a lawn mower (which sounds nothing like a snow blower).  At this time of year usually I'd be layered up, begging mom for 1 more degree on the thermostat, watching the wind chill factor wondering if there would be indoor recesses or if I'd get a few moments to catch my breath, mentally taking note of when I need to command start the SUV so I don't have to scrape the windows.

But not this year.

Nope. I've traded my Sorels in for rubber boots and......it's weird.

Walk to school - first week of December

My "winter" coat ;) December 7, 2014

Barely survived Sept in Sask with this coat.

Admittedly, having always grown up with a white Christmas it's hard to get into the spirit of the season here.  Christmas decorations went up in the school last week and I couldn't believe it.  Christmas? Already?  The Gregorian calendar says yes, but my heart can't seem to get on board yet.  Now, don't get me wrong - I'm not knocking it.  I just........know differently.  And I think that's the struggle.  It became very apparent to me this year exactly how I've always perceived the Christmas season.

Tobogganing, skating, ski trips, freezing off fingers as you attempt to find the ONE light in the string that has caused a blackout upon part of the house.  My learned seasonal Christmas environment has always included snow and frigid weather.  And although many of these winter activities can be done here, especially considering the Italian and Swiss Alps are a hop, skip and a jump away for me, there's a difference.  And I've identified that difference: although many Christmas activities are performed world round in various countries with and without snow, all my experiences have encompassed snow and the cold as a backdrop, however distant it may have seemed.

Baking cookies . . . . . while wearing an apron over layers of clothes as the temperature dropped and there's a small, unseen draft wafting into the house.

Watching Christmas movies . . . . . the sound of a grader FINALLY going down your street (followed by the panic of throwing on a jacket and boats to move the vehicle off the streets in a futile attempt to have your spot cleared and the street slightly widened).

Going out to view the Christmas lights Dad set up in the yard . . . .the crisp crunch of snow under your boots.

Putting up Christmas decorations while singing along with Christmas carols . . . . frost peaking at the corners of the doors and windows.

Staring at the Christmas lights across the street . . . hoar frost enveloping the trees and shadows dancing on the fresh, white lawns.

Within these settings, the traits of Christmas were ever present.  Love, compassion, care, kindness, joy, goodwill.  The change on humanity was evident, even for a short time.  Will that be different here?  I doubt it.  I think the bigger picture behind the season will be wherever you are at this time of year.  Will it feel different - being surrounded by foreign traditions, not experiencing that which I can remember?  Yes.  But it's about embracing the change, fondly remembering the past and overall, being with your loved ones and giving back to those around you.  'Cause that's what the real Christmas spirit is about, right?  And this year, regardless of how different Christmas looks here in snow deprived Genoa, Italy, being together with family will keep the spirit and feelings alive for me at this time of year.

But I must say it's quite the experience to have your perceptions vividly altered right in front of you.

The park - see the green grass ;)

Don't have to worry about an icy walk to school

Laundry still hangs outside to dry

Orange tree still in full bloom