11/12/2020 - At the moment we are being banged by scary winds and rain, please pray for the Philippines. 5th typhoon in 2 weeks, this is a very strong one we have now.
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Christmas is almost around the corner. In the Philippines, Christmas begins at September 1st until the feats of the Epiphany on January 6th. During this time, streets are lighted with Christmas lights and different displays. But of course, this year would be very different because it's almost the middle of November but houses are still not lit yet (I can't speak with my eyes since I still can't go outside often, but speaking from my updates from my Filipino friends)
Whenever I travel, I always make sure I take home a little something from that country that I visited. Before, I used to hoard a lot of stuff but after 10 years of travelling, I realize I don't need a lot of souvenirs, I just need at least one or two that I can treasure forever. On my trip to Europe, since it was during the last three weeks of December, there are Christmas Markets in almost every city I visited. Too bad I wasn't able to see one in Amsterdam, my first stop out of Paris, but I found my first one in Milan.
I was so happy to see this one on the store. It's a bit unusual for me to see a lot of witch inspired ornaments and decorations on sale at the market dressed up on festive and colorful dresses, but as a traveler who's eyes are open to different cultures and perspectives, I really appreciate seeing them as well. I think I got this for 4 euros a piece so I bought two, one for me and another for my brother's friend who was hosting me in Milan for my 12 hour stop in the city.
On my stop at Prague, I did not miss getting one of course at the Christmas market in the old town square. It was packed with people but everyone was happy as a system of speakers blow out joyous carols which heightens the Christmas feeling! That moment made me realize that I really was on a Christmas Village, something I used to build at home using ceramic figures of shops and churches and stuff. I was there, on the real thing! And as a remembrance of that magical moment, I got this beautiful hand-painted ornament from a very kind Czech uncle who even agreed to have a photo taken with me. His work will forever be treasured on my tree.
Ornaments are just simple things that adds beauty and color to a Christmas tree. Not everyone appreciates these little trinkets the way I do, but knowing all the stories behind every special ornament is a timeless spirit that will forever be attached to each of these. Hope I can bring more from my future travels and add it to my tree every Christmas season to add more joy and cheer to my holidays.
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By the way, I would like to share with everyone this beautiful Disney short animated film made by Disney UK that tells a story about a Filipino Grandma and her granddaughter living somewhere in London. It was trending here in the Philippines and in the Filipino community around the world and it really touched a lot of hearts, mine included! Always wanted a Disney movie about our culture, and thanks to Disney UK, we had a very good taste of it this Christmas! Watch it below.
This runs every Thursday at 12 am (Manila/Perth Time) until Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila/Perth Time)
Iam amazed by your blog.It is so nice!Wonderful disney video
ReplyDeleteI hope the storm has gone now
Wish you all well :))
thank you so much Anita. It went gone a day after but it was very strong, a lot of our island is flooded but we were spared.
Delete...these are beautiful ornaments, now most are make in China. Thanks my friend for hosting.
ReplyDeleteOh Yes Tom, like 95% are made there. That's why I always ask if where was it made if a tag is not available, to make sure it's really made on that place I got it :) and thank You for joining my friend Tom!
DeleteGorgeous Xmas ornaments and photos ^_^ It is coming soon ^_^
ReplyDeleteLive each moment with love,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
It is Carol :) Gives us so much hope despite everything that happened to the world this year! Hugs dear Carol!
DeleteWhat beautiful ornaments, and so special when they carry such precious memories :)
ReplyDeleteThat is very true Margaret! I am excited to hang it on the tree again before Christmas (took them off first because they might fall when our dogs play haha)
DeleteI love that idea of Souvenirs (I often when with clothes or shoes - that way when I wore them, I'd have that flush of memory). I can't believe your Christmas season runs for so long. That would be exhausting! I hope one day to get to the Christmas Markets. With elderly parents, it's not a time we can go away in. But maybe once the kids leave school...
ReplyDeleteOh that is true Lydia! Especially for sentimental people like me :) Oh please visit one soon Lydia, you'll love the trinkets and the food!
DeleteThe ornaments are beautiful and so special for you. It reminds you of your travels. Great photo with your uncle. Nice photos of the places you went, they are priceless. Hope the storm has left your area. Take care and stay safe, Stevenson.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much my friend Bill! I very much agree with you and memories are something that will never be taken away from us :) It did and thank you so much for your thoughts Bill! Happy Weekend to you my friend!
DeleteUh-oh, dearest Stevenson, hope that typhoon passes by! In the museum in Darwin I heard the power of how cyclone Tracy hit Christmas 1974 and it was horrible.
ReplyDeleteHope nothing like that is on the list for you! You´re in my thoughts.
Wow, that is a long Christmas celebration (usually).
The Astronomical Tower sure is special and the pic with the vendor makes the souvenir a real souvenir in the classical meaning. Oh, my Dad would´ve loved to see this.
The film... awww. Reminds me of Nonno Duilio, my entry for tonight.
Off to Becky and back later to check on a certain someone, "LOL", kinda hope I´ll be doing that for nothing!
And... hugs!
It was bad dearest Iris, and scary to be honest! But glad it passed and it spared us, not our neighboring province though, it's submerged in more than 20 feet of water to be honest. But the sun shone the whole time this morning, hope it got most of it out now :( But they are all evacuated now :(
DeleteIris Nonno Suilio is super super adorable! I want to give him a hug (okay when the pandemic ends) he is so cute!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Gotcha on that dear Iris! Coast is clear HAHA And thank you for visiting Becky's :)
Such lovely ornaments, great to get them from different places :-D I think this year, Christmas will bring hope to so many people.
ReplyDeleteI really hope your country passes through these horrible weathers without damage. We have had a few storms here in Scotland, but nothing too serious. Just wild winds and heavy rain.
I absolutely agree dear Ananka and I pray that it really does give hope especially to the poor and the afflicted :( Glad you are doing well out there despite the bad weather. We are doing good now but the last few days were horrible. Sending hugs to Scotland dear Ananka!
DeleteOooh, Prague is so high on my bucket list! :) I hope visitors will visit World Superstitions! :D
ReplyDeleteOh sure it should be Becky! It's beautiful!!! I myself would love to see the Japan countryside that you visited :) Oh I hope so too, thank you so much for having me :)
DeleteChristmas ornaments are great memory makers, aren't they? Every year you get to relive that trip. I love seeing the ornaments you brought home. And wow, Christmas is a very long season in the PHilippines. That sounds pretty fun! Hope you are staying safe and healthy. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteYes to that dear Erika! And I hope I can bring home some more on my soon to be travels after this pandemic craze. It is fun, well i should use "was" but still hoping when it gets closer to Christmas Day, it will be better :)
DeleteChristmas is my favorite holiday season and I do just as you do when I travel -- try to find at least one special ornament to add to my tree. I love the ones you've shared here -- they are so very representative of the places you have visited and every time you hang them on the tree you will remember that moment, that person, that minute you stood in the market or looked at the clock. Lovely in every way!
ReplyDeleteDearest Jeanie your comment is so beautiful! I very much agree and after I took those photos I placed them carefully on my ornament box for the mean time because if I hang it now I believe our dogs might pulverize them (once they played on the living room and tripped on it, tree got down! Sending you hugs from here Jeanie!
DeleteWhen we lived in New Mexico we celebrated "Las Posadas" in the days before Christmas. Our group trudged through the snow to a different home or chapel each night and sang and acted the story of Mary and Joseph finding no room at the Inn. Our knocks on each door were reluctantly opened after we convinced the occupants who we were (or represented). I was surprised that my guitar (actually a Cuban tres) tended to go flat in the cold. I rather thought the cold would tighten the metal strings and sharpen the notes. I miss the mountains and the immersive Hispanic culture.
ReplyDeleteOh brother Kenneth that is so beautiful! I would have loved to hear you play the guitar while you do the las posadas on a winter's night reminicing the Nativity story. I very much understand how touching and moving those traditions are especially during Christmas because the Philippines is also highly hispanicized even if it was tried to be erased by the early Americans.
DeleteBoa noite meu querido amigo. Parabéns pelo seu excelente trabalho.
ReplyDeleteMuito obrigado meu querido amigo Luiz!
DeleteI trust you survived the storm without damage Stevenson - that must be so scary!
ReplyDeleteI love your ornaments, and the fact that you have been able to collect them from around the world. I would love to see that Astronomical Tower in Prague!!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine
It really was dear Maxine! It cut our power and internet and even water supply for almost 12 hours but we are so lucky and blessed because others still don't have electricity and even flooded to the second floor of their houses :( Oh please do, you would love Prague I am sure, it's a very historic and artsy place :)
DeleteΌλη μου χαρά, αγαπητέ μου φίλε, χαίρομαι που σας αρέσει και ελπίζω να σας ξαναδώ στο blog μου :)
ReplyDeleteGosh, what a wonderful experience it is to be able to take pictures with the painting artist you bought.
ReplyDeleteHis work is beautiful and unique !.
Sometimes i feel sad to see other countries that always welcome Christmas, while in my country the Christmas atmosphere is not festive in public spaces.
Last night I watched the news on television about a hurricane disaster in the Philippines. I am sorry and I hope the situation will be well again soon.
Take good care of yourself, my friend Stevenson.
Hello my friend Himawan! I am so glad that you like it! You are right, the typhoon was really a strong one and thank you so much for your kind thoughts Himawan!
Deletelong Christmas, friend Stevenson, but the first thing is to take great care of what you have on you, it is a time that as the years pass and the absence of loved ones grows at least for me it becomes nostagica, also because I fall one more year, every December 24, but the important thing is to be fulfilling.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Best regards.
I very much get and agree with what you said my friend José Antonio, Christmas is a fun celebration but lately it has become very sad because before, I lost my Mom and then my Grandma and then my Aunt and Uncle and I can't help but remember them in the happiest time of the year and then it makes me sad. I wish that your Christmas will be extra happy this year :) Take care my friend!
DeleteI just saw the headline about the typhoon in your area, and quickly clicked on your site to check how you were doing. I hope that you are still doing well and have no more ferocious winds and dangers.
ReplyDeleteOur neighbors are just starting to put out a few decorations, though our big Thanksgiving holiday is usually the start of the Christmas season for both shopping and decorating.
be safe... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thank you so much dear Mae for your thoughts. It was a wild one but luckily not much damage in our city unlike other provinces that until now is still flooded :(
DeleteOh I wish you a peaceful and festive thanksgiving despite the things this year. I will be working on Friday but on leave on Thursday :)
Stay Safe Mae!
Dearest Stevenson,
ReplyDeleteThat Czech ornament is oh so special and typical for beautiful Prague.
Glad you found this gentleman that creates such keepsakes.
Hugs,
Mariette
Thank you so much Mariette! It truly is a treasure :)
Delete😉
DeleteHope the worst of the typhoon is over and you don't get battered by another one again!
ReplyDeleteSadly the Philippines has been really terribly affected this year.
I love collecting Christmas ornaments from the countries I visit, it's a beautiful reminder.
Love all the photos and hope you are well Stevenson.
Thank you so much for the thoughts dear Sami! You are right, our country has been a target not just by COIVD but by Volcanoes, Earthquakes and now Typhoons and floods :(
DeleteGlad to read that you were spared from serious storm damages, but sad to read that other areas were not as fortunate, Stevenson. If and when we can ever travel safely again, the Christmas markets in Europe would be on my travel list.i also prefer handmade ornaments as special remembrances. This year, we will be putting up a tree and not the holiday village (not enough space for both). I recently bought a couple of handmade ornaments at a craft fair and one spells out Joy which made me smile and gives hope for a happy holiday season despite everything.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your thoughts dear Beatrice! And yes! I am so happy with the Christmas Markets and I very much suggest that you visit it when you get the chance again. I also have a Christmas Village Miniature but it's been years since I've set it up because the lightings are not yet fixed but I am happy we both will have a beautiful tree at least :) It just gives out a beautiful feeling of joy for the season!
DeleteSo lovely to see these beautiful ornaments which remind you of your travels, you must have some great memories.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the storm has now gone, so frightening.
Stay safe and well.
All the best Jan