Christmas in different countries

I left language school in September, but as an ex student I got invited back to their Christmas party today (Friday 21st). Everyone who was going had to bring a dessert which represented their country - I made and took trifle with me as this is a dessert we have every year at Christmas time.

The morning started off with us singing Christmas carols, then we had a short talk about Christmas from Peter, a student from England, who is going to Lima in two weeks time to be a missionary there. Peter and his wife were finishing their three and a half months of language school today. 

Singing

Peter 

After that the current students talked about the different traditions at Christmas time in their country - we heard about America, Switzerland (Santa Claus came out at this time), Norway, Germany, Denmark - but the funniest of all was Great Britain.

Anne (Peter's wife) who is Scottish stood up and started talking about Christmas in Scotland first of all and then the rest of Britain (so N.Ireland, England and Wales! in case you did not know). She talked about how it was tradition for the Queen of England to give a speech every Christmas Day at 3pm - then she said and wait a minute today is Christmas Day and it is 3pm - and in walked the Queen of England!

Queen Elizabeth!! aka Peter!

It was so funny, Peter (the same guy who gave the talk and was all serious, was now the Queen!).... I have never laughed so much at the Queen before in my life. Peter gave the Queen's speech and included bits about the four nations, the commonwealth nations and Peru! Then he said goodbye, made us all stand up and sing God Save the Queen - the English, Scottish and Irish (even me) sang this whole heartily but the Americans mocked it.. not every nice from our 'friends'! Ah well. The whole act was so funny.

We then heard about Christmas in Peru, had some Peruvian food and all shared the desserts from each different country - from the British Isles there was two trifles (one irish, one scottish), mince pies, shortbread and scones with jam.... lovely bit of home.  The plates were all full and there was hardly any food left.

It was good to go back to the school and see everyone especially my teachers. They had a hard job when it came to trying to teach me, but was pleased to be able to understand everything there today and have conversations with my teachers without being nervous. 

For more pictures click here