Happy Holidays



the family's rice field right out our bedroom window

One week ago Sunday, was the biggest Holiday for the majority of the population here.  To celebrate the conclusion of their month long fast, people travel to the home of the eldest family member.  Thus most people return to their villages, unless their parents are living in the city of course.  The first day people gather with their family and eat traditional food; usually consisting of at least rice wrapped and cooked in leaves.  There are at least a dozen different methods and leaves for preparing these individually wrapped rice pockets; each with its own name too.  The second day people go around visiting other family and friends at their homes.  We had the pleasure of accompanying some friends to the husband's village.  We spent two nights with his family. 

Caedmon played with cousins and fed chickens!

cookies, fried bananas, and a corn-jello dessert



 

We visited aunts, uncles, and cousins.  At every house we were served traditional cookies (tasting like short bread and arranged very nicely in jars), drinks, and other snacks.


 

 

 Traditionally during this time, people also visit the graves of family members. 

At the end of the stay, we spent one night at a beach well known here for the white sand.  It was beautiful!  We appreciated the time to enjoy the beach, though it wasn't always relaxing as everyone desired our picture.  We did have the opportunity for a boat ride, which provided some alone time!

stopped for a picture

enjoying the beach

finally asked to take a picture of just us

boat ride!
 

On the way, we stopped at a village that specializes in boat making.  These boats are made by hand (with the exception of a chain saw and power drill) and sent all over the country. 

 

Happy Birthday Caedmon!!!

On Monday Caedmon turned 4.  Every Birthday I (Erin) am amazed he is ..(your name it).. years old now.  We enjoy the opportunity to rejoice and celebrate the fact that we had another year together.  Plus, Caedmon loves Birthdays, so how could we not celebrate.  We decided to throw a party and invite friends and neighbors.  This proved a little challenging as many of our friends are fasting (during daylight hours) this month.  None the less, we decided to have a party for Caedmon by having what is called a 'break-fast' event which begins about 6 pm with sweets and progresses into eating dinner together.  We planned, of course, to finish with Birthday cake. 

Caedmon opening his presents in the morning

We began our day celebrating as a family.  John left early, on his bicycle, to pick up donuts for breakfast, but after two flat tires and an hour trying to get to the store, he came home and we ate homemade scones instead.  I (Erin) spent the rest of the morning preparing for the big party.  A good friend took me to a local market to buy all the needed ingredients for 'ice fruit' (literally). 

'ice fruit':
papaya, unflavored gelatin squares, & jack fruit in a liquid of water, sweetened condensed milk, and fruit flavored syrup 

After our language class in the afternoon, my friend returned to show me how to make it.  It is customary to 'break-fast' in the evenings by eating 'ice fruit' and traditional sweets.  So we prepared 60 cups of 'ice-fruit' and plenty of chocolate chip cookies (I went for a traditional Stateside sweet).  What kid wouldn't love a party that opens with sweets right at dinner time?  We followed this with dinner and then Birthday cake of course. 

we've had a hard time finding matches, so I had to use our stove

We all sang to Caedmon in English, then again in the local language.  It was a great time with friends and neighbors.  Caedmon thoroughly enjoyed the day as well!