So this is Christmas.......although not entirely

With Christmas fast approaching that also means Christmas prices looming and therefore a lot of people said their  farewells this week. Monday was easily the main night with Phil and Julia leaving and Phil with the help of others put on a rather lavish feast. It was rather impressive to say the least having an absolutely huge piece of ham, sausage rolls, platters of cheese, dips, booze, goon and everything in between, it definitely gave new definition to the term "spread". It was a rather memorable night as the whole hostel came together to get involved and it was a nice way for the new arrivals to meet people too. They must've thought they'd hit the jackpot hostel wise with all the free stuff and were slightly spoiled with all this going on but it was a nice send off  and the majority of us then headed over to the Sugarmill for the last free drinks. After that it was much the same as usual, much craziness into the middle of the night, a few having too much, a few tears by some but all in all a good night.

The run up to Christmas here has been quite odd to say the least, it's just not a big thing over here at all so you kind of forget about it. Obviously back home everything is slightly over the top once Halloween hits but here there's no lights, no songs in bars or shops, few decorations and just no overriding "feeling" of it being Christmas at all; it really is like i've missed it this year.Back home we always go out on Christmas eve so it was nice to keep that tradition up here, the day was excruciantly spent for me following Melanie, Pemilla and Chelsea round Paddy's Market as they went "shopping" and for the first time in over ten years i had that feeling in my legs i used to get following my Mam round C & A or Marks & Spencers, where i just wanted to lay on the floor on the spot.

On the return to the hostel we discovered that Rich had put on a ham and lots of drinks for everyone which was cool, once again bringing everyone together. We made the most of it with the Christmas songs (and Butcher Boy) to try and catch the mood plus catching Paul McCartney live put the ever so few of us who like "Rock & Roll" in good spirits. Everyone headed out while  Lee, John, Steve, me and "Dutch Girl" headed round The Empire, O'Malleys and finally World Bar. On O'Malleys we encountered easily the jolliest man in history, originally we just thought they had the radio on but turned around to see a black fella sitting on his chair singing perfectly in the most casual manner of all time with a constant beam to his smile. He was eating food, on the laptop, holding conversations all while singing and not missing a single note. Just a happy happy man. He really added to the night and girl told  us she'd come ten years ago and he was singing then so he really must be a draw, i can see why too. We all then headed to World bar and i can't tell you enough how refreshing it is to not hear Black Eyed Peas or Pitbull all night and some actually good songs like The Kinks, Interpol and some actual proper Christmas tunes. As per usual though the heat and sweat got too much so at different intervals we all headed home for a bit of a sing song more drinks and plenty of carnage.

Christmas Day was a bit of a quiet affair for me really, i'd planned to go to Bondi but when it actually came to it going to the beach wasn't appealing at all, the rain hardly compelled me to go either. So i just spent the day round the hostel and it was a little bit odd really and a bit sad that it was just like any other day. Obviously though i'd never exchange the last three months for one day back in England though. New Year seems to be a much bigger thing over here with the harbour and everything else so we'll see what that brings, it should be a good one i think. .....still not got a job.