Christmas

Laurence wants me to write about our Christmas meal at Samarkand, an Uzbek restaurant three bus stops and then a walk from our place, but unless you’re a foodie who’s interested in other cultures, I fear I’ll bore you. The lamb kebab was delicious. The plov, over the top and the baba ghanoush with their warm bread, totally satisfying. We very much enjoy the ambience of the restaurant with its waiters and waitresses wearing native dress, and to observe the long tables filled with Uzbek Jews. Laurence works with a Jewish nurse from Uzbekistan. When he told Lana that we were going there, she said that her brother-in-law David owns the restaurant. (David! Of course, he’s Jewish) Samarkand closes at sundown on Friday and opens after sundown on Saturday. (As we well know after once having reservations for after sundown on Saturday and waiting in a downpour with Randy and Leanna for it to open.) The thing that puzzled us Wednesday evening was a big screen showing a fireplace with a flickering fire and a Christmas tree beside it while Christmas songs played. Observant Jews do not celebrate Christmas.

Neither do Muslims, Buddhists, atheists, and many others in this city. The liberals do not name the name of Jesus. Instead they say things like, “Happy Holidays,” so imagine our delight at hearing “Away in manger no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay day his sweet head” by the skating rink at Bryant Park. I leaned forward to the Spanish mother near me and said, “Your daughter skates so beautifully.”

She replied, “It’s been a year. She practices every day.” I wonder if she’s going for the Olympics.

Laurence and I like to walk the streets of Queens and take bus rides to see the wonderfully decorated yards and houses lit for the season. Once again, it thrills us, because many in this city are not Christian and don’t celebrate.

Did you listen to the Christmas program streamed from Sugar Hill Mennonite Mission last evening? It’s a highlight of the year for me. My favorite thing was visiting with the people who attended, but I did love the carols and the food!

I most enjoy the good old-fashioned carols and wish we’d hear more of them. I’m going to sing them at the market tomorrow. You’re welcome to join me.

Christmas Day we plan to be at the mission. I understand the young Michael Jackson actor is back in the city and will join us with his mother. Long ago, Bernice (Mrs. Shawn) Becker had a penpal in Russia. Today this penpal lives in Brooklyn. She wants to come to Christmas dinner. Some of the Akinyombos will come from Poughkeepsie. Maybe the doctor from Nepal will come.

We’ll be a merrily diverse group, and I’ll be home (in NYC) for Christmas.

Merry Christmas! Love from the Penners

PS Tell me about your Christmas.

Pss Sorry if you keep getting this is your inbox. I may be an author but I’m prone to error. It helps to keep me humble. 😊