At this time of the year, I normally would post something about how I hate Christmas.

To be honest, I don’t hate it so much, it just doesn’t touch me. Especially on Bonaire, there is so little commercialism – my main gripe – that I actually start to enjoy some aspects. OK, the local radio stations insist on play songs about White and Snow falling! The only White Snow around here is either our salt, locally produced by evaporation, or that sniffing stuff that the Customs Officers are searching for. Both, apparently, are in abundance!

So this year, little commercialism, less tourists able to travel here – perhaps still too many for essential travel reasons only – so the island is looking a lot more inwards as we have less external distractions.

The Christmas decorations at the roundabouts were started last month, they are quite pretty but … November? But the local houses! They are brilliant! Very few Santas, haven’t seen a reindeer – yet. But 1970’s flashing lights, dodgy disco, outrageous 8 metre imitation fir tree made only of lights, epileptic fit inducing tunnels which flash completely out of synch, we have got it all.

Last year, one of the main streets was tremendous. This year it is fairly average. But Margot and I have been exploring lesser known drinking venues (reason later) and we have driven around a lot of the more local and some poorer barios. Some of their lights are just brilliant, nothing about Christmas, just a celebration.

But as a small island, with few Covid cases we are so lucky. Those with their whole family on the island will enjoy as usual. But so many, have family on different islands, or in the US, Netherlands or South America. So family members cannot join them, or they cannot travel. This is especially true of our Peruvian and Columbian cadre of construction workers. They normally have a 10 month contract, work here for that time and go home with fat pockets for the Holiday season. The poor guys (not financially) cannot go home this year. So they are stuck here, cannot see family and friends, cannot impress in their villages with their money.

So Margot and I are careful where we go for drinks, avoiding popular Latino hangouts as they may be boisterous or venues where we know family members, who have made it though the blockade, and may be fresh on the island. So my life is richer because of the Christmas (ish) lights and the new places I have visited.

I must mention Bouncerland! OK we visited it late at night. A lovely outdoor bar, only Spanish speaking staff but a giant bouncy castle in the garden. Thankfully, all the children were in bed and Margot didn’t want to try it! Last night, a bar in the back of town, quiet, people getting takeaway food and ran in to a friend. All very trankilo!

For me, tomorrow, I will Skype/Zoom with my family. With the time difference I have to be up early, drinking tea, whilst they will be probably ripping corks off bubbly. I could join them but I would be wasted by lunch time.

I will be somewhat sad. My mother has withdrawn from spending time with family as she doesn’t want any blame attached should she catch the bug. So she will be alone. Hopefully we will Skype. Also I will see my little Granddaughter with her family. I haven’t met her yet although she is some 8 months old! Of course, I will miss my kids.

That’s what I thought Christmas was about. Family! Not bloody shopping, advertising, crap corny songs.

So I raise my glass, (quite a nice Portuguese Duoro) to those unable to celebrate with their loved family. I hate Christmas but I love my family.

I am still lucky, Margot lets me be with her family and they are here!