By: Elisabeth Steinhardt
Posted In: * Deck the Halls *
Photo credit: Dr. A. Walsh
Another photo from Dr. Walsh´s Christmas trips to the British Virgin Islands.
Photo credit: Dr. A. Walsh
This is what Christmas looks like to Dr. Anthony Walsh.
Photo credit: Erica Johnson
A view of Bulgaria where exhange student Alex Vassileve will be returning too this Christmas.
In the United States, most people are used to a traditional Christmas with decorations, a Christmas tree, tons of gifts set beneath the tree, Christmas carols, and a large feast with the whole family gathered around the table. But this year, increasing numbers of people are taking their holiday traditions on the road.
Most Americans aren’t used to a view of the beach, palm trees and the hot tropical sun outside of their window on Christmas morning. But that’s a familiar scene for Salve psychology professor and department chair Anthony A. Walsh, who is traveling to the British Virgin Islands to escape the cold weather for Christmas break. His Christmas is what he calls “reinvigorating.” On the walls of his cluttered office are the many pictures he has taken of Tortola, the island he and his wife Doris escape to, located in the British Virgin Islands. They stay there in their family villa situated on the beach. “I find it wonderful to be in the warm weather during Christmas,” said Walsh, who will travel to Tortola for the twelth year. On Tortola, they enjoy relaxing, reading, hiking and enjoying the beautiful scenery that surrounds them. Alex Vassileve, a Bulgarian exchange student, also plans to travel over the holiday, but his travel will take him home. “Christmas is always at home,” Vassileve said. “Even if you are on the other side of the planet, you have to be home for Christmas!” In Bulgaria, Vassileve said his traditional Christmas consists of having the whole family together, having a grand feast of 13 non-meat dishes, dried fruit for dessert and opening presents on Christmas Eve. According to Christmas.com, some of the non-meat Bulgarian dishes Vassileve was referring to were white bean soup, red dried peppers filled with white beans, and boiled prunes served in their liquid as a special meatless dinner is prepared for the end of the fast. Vassileve also said that he didn’t ask for anything for Christmas. “I get whatever Santa wants to bring!” He added that he used to ask for things when he was younger, but now he gets practical things for Christmas, such as sweaters and clothes. Vassileve also said in Bulgaria, the tradition is to leave the table as is on Christmas Eve for the holy spirits to come over night. The tradition was confirmed by sources at Christmas.com: “The Christmas Eve table is not cleared until the following morning. Some say that it is to insure that there will be plenty of food in the coming year, while others leave the food out for departed family members whose spirit may return. Still others leave the food on the table in case Joseph and Mary stop on their way to Bethlehem.” Vassileve is flying back to Bulgaria on Monday, Dec. 15 as his exchange program is now over. Although he has been away from his family for five months, he said he doesn’t miss them much as he attended boarding school for two years and now used to being away from his family for an extended period of time.
