The Christmas Season in Palau

Growing up in Michigan, I had the typical Christmas environs of snow and cold. December would bring Christmas lights, carols, silver bells, and other seasonal symbols. Even when I moved to Virginia, there was still a nip in the air and the occasional snow. The Holiday season in Palau has been completely different. Everything looks and feels just as it did three months ago when I arrived. The weather is as hot as ever and nothing signals Christmas is near. Because everything feels normal, planning for Christmas is very odd because it feels like summer. The only indication of Christmas is the lights. Palauans love Christmas lights and they are everywhere: buildings, palm trees, bushes, etc. There are no pine trees, so there are no real Christmas trees, but plenty of lights. My apartment building is covered in tons of little lights in a display that would make Clark Griswold happy. The biggest lights are on the two grocery stores who compete with one another by trying to have the best display. The lights are great, but they seem out of place. Not that it isn't great to be here and I'll enjoy myself over the holidays, but I feel like I'm skipping Christmas this year. It would be nice to be home for Christmas, but I'll take advantage of the extra days off to enjoy Palau.