Advent Calendar: Day the Thirteenth

Christmas isn't the same as it used to be...

Maybe it's a bit silly but I went and bought a little Christmas tree to brighten up my otherwise Spartan living room. Pre-decorated, sadly. One day I'll be home again and we'll all be able to decorate that full size tree together.

I don't know if it's better to try and avoid feeling Christmassy when you're so far from home, but even here you can't escape rampant commercialism and Jingle Bells in Vietnamese being blasted at top volume when you walk down the road! So there comes a point when you've got to surrender yourself to it.

A little bit of tinsel on the bannisters as well...

The Pike Family Christmas Band

Today, I was also reminded me of this video, filmed on recent Christmases when the three of us, my dad, my brother and I would learn a couple of songs to play on Christmas day. This is my aunt's house, where we go every other year. The rest of the family will be there again this year.

Perhaps he's about to go a-wassailing...

Here's the Advent Calendar update! So the thirteenth (unlucky for some!) is both just over halfway through the calendar and as Christmas Day is on a Friday, already the third Sunday of advent. Have you been lighting your candles? Here's a man and his dog wrapping themselves up against the cold before a Sunday afternoon walk. 

Brett Domino's Ultimate Christmas Medley

Okay, I'll finish my Christmas themed ramblings for the time being with this video, the only Christmas song you'll ever need, a medley of 40 Christmas songs by Youtuber 'Brett Domino' all sung in a slightly Yorkshire accent for an extra splash of Englishness.

So what did I do this fine Advent Sunday? I went for a Sunday spin with Dale and Mary out to District 7, and swung by the ludicrously commercial Crescent Mall.

They'd really gone all the way with the commercial side of things by ringing in "gifting season". A highlight was the huge LEGO display in the centre, where lots of children were playing. There were even some LEGO local landmarks! Who recognises them?

The Cathedral, Notre Dame de Saigon

The Hotel de Ville (Town Hall)

Interestingly, all of the distinctive landmarks are the old French colonial buildings. 

The Opera House

The Post Office

Of course, it was all ludicrously expensive, especially by Vietnamese standards. I doubt there are many parents who could afford to splash out on some of the higher end LEGO sets.