St. George's Christmas Walk

So many times I hear people say "Christmas is for the children."  And while it is true that it is the children who eagerly await Christmas morning and remember that day as the sentinel event of the year, Christmas takes on a much longer and more engaged process for the adults.

When I think back to my happiest Christmas mornings, I have shifted from remembering my own "Pac Man" themed year (yup have both dated myself and reconfirmed my nerd status) and requests for Loretta Lynn records (oddly I liked Country and Western music as a young child), and have finally forgiven my sister for the year she woke up early and opened all of the presents under the tree just to make sure I didn't get anything she wanted.  (I swore to my 4 year old self to always sleep near the tree after that.)  Nowadays I remember the excitement of Christmas morning through my niece and nephew's best years -- the year Jordan found a hamster cage and supplies from Santa and looked up in wide eyed horror as he realized that Santa must have forgotten the hamster (his mother quickly slipped the hamster from her hand in her housecoat pocket and pretended to pull him out of the Christmas stocking saying "Oh you missed something at the bottom of your stocking.")  Relief and joy overtook him, and while that lovable little rodent would keep him awake scurrying in his cage at night for the next several years, the "Christmas of the Mouse" is one of my favorites.  When Justyne was about 3 years old the only thing she wanted for Christmas was a silly wall plaque from Canadian tire that you could push a button on and the fake mounted fish would sing carols.  We had to listen to it all day.  Kristyne spent the whole Christmas in a doll box, the box being the only thing of interest as a one year old.  Janelle and Shantelle were captivated with Disney Princesses, and then of course our Jaycena who seemed to have been born loving horses.  Uncle Jerry got her a rocking horse her 2nd Christmas and she rode that stationary horse half way around the world in her Grandma's kitchen that year.  Through the Lego, the Harry Potter, and all the trends, there was always horses.  What I wouldn't do for another Christmas like that.

Pretty Christmas displays everywhere

But coming back to the present and the original point, as an adult the Christmas season is much more of an endurance event.  Christmas advertising and decorations begin appearing in November.  The adults need to be proactive in their shopping to get the hot items while in stock, and so the stores begin to light up early.  While many despise the commercial aspect of Christmas, I love the big Christmas displays and since stores and corporations are in the position to supply them, it is all OK by me. Christmas cards should be mailed out 3-5 weeks early from Bermuda, as who knows where life and the various postal services will take them before their final destination.  Christmas cards became a new habit for me when I moved here, knowing that I would not get to see each person to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Addressing and wrting notes in all of those cards is a solution to that little bit of loss that tugs at my heart when old friends and family are so far away at Christmas and New Year's.  Christmas parties and special events are usually weeks ahead of the main event so that the week of Christmas can be reserved for close gatherings of friends and family.  And so, I find that my Christmas season began November 30 with the Caledonia Ball, and is likely to carry on steadily until the New Year.  Friday night was the annual St. George's Christmas Walk.

Scottish Pipe Band playing in King's Square at the Annual St. George's Christmas Walk

This fantastic Christmas event is put on every year by the Bermuda National Trust, with the support of local vendors and residents.  St. George's has some of the oldest buildings on the island, and every Christmas they open their doors for a festive evening to explore the interiors of the homes and businesses in the area.  Most places offer a cider or mulled wine plus some snacks to the guests that go through, so you can leisurely wander the town with a warm cup if the evening is crisp.  Burrows and Lightbourne, a local liquor shop, was handing out samples of desert themed vodka's with names like "Fluffed Marshmallow," "Whipping Creme" "Cake" and "Caramel."  This last Friday was a gorgeous evening, but we still accepted the mulled wine and cider as much out of habit as warmth.  I discovered that there are many businesses I have been unaware of near the waterfront on the western edge of town including a glass artist who makes beautiful grey glassware, a high end jewellery shop, and a surprisingly reasonably priced hair salon.  I walked past "The Carriage House" and mentally added it to my list of places to dine before leaving the island.  A couple of old homes have been converted into Bed and Breakfast's -- Bedford Cottage for example is a small but beautiful accommodation, perfect for 2, with 2 patios and and outdoor fire pit.  Renting for $150 a night, I was tempted to make a booking just to have friends over for a night by the fire this winter.  The Freemason Hall was open and giving out information, as was historic Tucker House, a standing museum of life in the early colonization of Bermuda.

The Cycle Livery had this relic on display for viewing pleasure

People make up a big part of this pleasant night -- traffic was backed up from the airport to the Town of St. George's (a pretty big traffic jam by Bermuda standards) as everyone came out so participate in the walk.  Many little gifts were purchased, and many familiar faces were seen.  Marty and Cherie, who had flown in from Boston for the weekend, another Cherie from work, Phil, Hannah, Liz, Sheneh to name a few.  The ever busy Scottish pipe band performed in the King's Square in town, as did many local dance groups and caroller's.

Looking back at the town near the end of the night from the Freemason Hall

The Christmas walk is both a lovely way to spend a Friday night in Bermuda, a good opportunity to explore St. George's and history, and a night not to be missed in the Bermuda Christmas season.  The National Trust provides this fantastic free Christmas event every year for one night only.  If you missed it this year -- mark your calendar for next year, you won't regret it.