Christmas day fast approaching. I know it's Christmas because I look on my calendar and see it's December and my mum asks what I want as a present. It doesn't feel like christmas though. Yes, we have a tree with lights in the corner of the room, yes, the shops are decorated with tinsel and yes, the city has lights and decorations up. It doesn't feel like christmas though. I can't see the lights for the sunshine, can't hear the music for the loud voices of the children on their summer holidays.

I can't see the faces of my friends and family as they open the gifts I got them. Can't go out for a walk in the cold or the snow and then hurry home to a warm house and a cup of tea. Can't go on a christmas night out with friends. No christmas dinner. No steak pie for new year.

Sigh.

Christmas here is something else entirely. It's bbq's and sunshine, beaches and sun cream, presents through the post. Being with lots of people on christmas day, a buffet lunch, air conditioning, a cold glasses of water. It's tinsel glistening in the sun, it's men sweating in heavy santa suits. It's open air concerts and street fairs.

It's no so bad. It's just different.