Sinterklaas!

Last weekend we had a Sinterklaas party at my sister’s house. The term and concept was new to me as it is a Dutch tradition. However, it’s kind of like the concept of secret santa. We were almost 30 people who each got one other person’s name in an online draw. The next steps are three fold; first, we buy that person a gift. Second, we wrap the present in a “surprise”, however, this “surprise” is actually something we have to make ourselves and should somehow relate to the perosn who is getting it. Third, we have to write a poem to the person which should entail some funny things about that person and maybe give a little hint on what the gift is. Then at the night of the party we all sit in a circle and read the poem that someone else wrote for us and then we have to guess who we think wrote it for us – so guess who your secret santa was :) The only issue with this was not just that we were 30 people involved, but that not all of us knew each other or had ever even met! So we all had to be rather creative and many turned to the the internet to search for some information about the other person when they had to write the poem :)

     

              Sarah                                       Me                               Mandana

At the night of the party, with almost 30 people doing this, it took quite a while before we were done revealing all the gifts, but considering the fact that many of us did not really know each other, there were a lot of impressive and funny “surprises” and poems. Needless to say, this was a memorable night and lots of fun!

 

People reading their poems and opening their “surprises” & presents :)

               

 

Everyone also brought a snack and drink so there were lots of goodies there :) It was a great way to get into some Christmas spirit here in Kampala, which I think is not very easy when it feels like summer everyday!

 

Here’s the poem that was written for me. I think it’s pretty good considering the girl who wrote it didn’t know me and had never met me before!

Once upon a time in a country far away,

a girl entered a plane and flew from Norway,

to write St. Nicholas poetry for the very first time,

and to experience the frustration when the words do not rhyme.

 

I realize this poem not up to standard and actually very lame

for that no one else but me is to blame.

During St. Nicholas even in Africa it is our plight

to write a poem as witty and bright

and come with a gift no matter what

is inventive, pretty and not a cat in a hat.

Whether it’s one million or only a thousand schilling

we only care about the way it is wrapped and not about the filling.

 

Birgit is new to the concept of Sint Nicholas and Black Pete

So all I could do to guarentee her tonight’s treat

was to google her name and visit her blogsite

so to know this girl on which I have to write.

 

I took a start and can say with my heart:

Miss Brun has been very good, as she very well should.

To her sister she has been very sweet

as it’s in her house that she took retreat.

 

Some weeks ago, she came to visit her sister in Uganda

and suddenly she found herself sleeping in a banda.

Her sister took her to Zanzibar and Entebbe beaches

or she had to listen to one of her UNIFEM speeches.

 

Warangi, matoke, posho and fried beans,

showering outside and peing in pit latrines,

African adventurous life is not strange to this girl

and as we all can see she sure gave it a whirl!

 

I think this poem should come to an end

as the box itself will reveal to certain extent

some things to do for little Birgit Brun when bored in this place

and for her now to unpack it without disgrace.

 

 

Our little Kampala Christmas tree :)

Happy Holidays everyone!