Seasonal: Into the Darkness
Alissa Smith reflects on the experience of living in Turkey, where she’ll be conducting research for the year on a Fulbright grant. Check out this feature about embracing Christmas in the Middle East…
Every year, I wait with almost obsessive anticipation for the month of December. I search house windows and storefronts for that first Christmas tree, keep my face turned to the sky to catch the first snowflake that falls. Christmas, with all the joy of family and warmth and companionship…it’s my absolute favorite time of year. When I spent my college years in California, I was appalled at the nerve of the city to put lights around the palm trees – lights just weren’t right on anything but Evergreens, laden with the heavy burden of fluffy snow. I refused to acknowledge Christmas until finals were finished and I was on my way through Nevada back home to Colorado. Just as I crossed the border into Utah and saw the first snow-capped mountain, I’d pop in my Christmas CD and take a deep breath, welcoming the season. For me, there’s nothing better than Christmas. Continue reading “Into the Darkness“…
