Christmas in the US is not very different from Colombia or any other place

juli says on Jan 24, 2008, 08:07:

"I have experienced Christmas many times in Colombia and for that reason I can say that You are most likely the one out of the two of us that has not experienced anything out side of your little circle in or outside of Colombia" - SWINN88

I lived and have traveled in the US for over 10 years - from 11 to 23. If a town in the US celebrated Christmas like it is celebrated in Colombia the celebrators would all be in jail for breaking about 10 laws. Bonfires in the streets, noise ordinances, fireworks, public drinking, killing pigs in the street, streets closed off by civilians...

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 24, 2008, 08:30:

I don't know what swinn experienced in Colombia, but I have spent most of the Christmas holidays of my life in Colombia and it could not be more different than the way it is practiced in the US.

For starters, most Americans open the presents in the morning and celebrate with a Christmas dinner the evening or afternoon of Christmas day. On Christmas Day, most Colombians are recovering from partying all night long and opening their presents at midnight. There are so many other differences it's not even funny. I just don't have time to get more detailed right now. Suffice it say, that when I was married to my American ex-wife, we celebrated very differently with her family than with mine. My kids still celebrate both different versions.

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juli says on Jan 24, 2008, 08:36:

I don't mean to attack him but I am absolutely flabbergasted.

But he goes on to say:

"No Loop hole Juli Just how The U.S.A. CELEBRATES." Swinn88

Just like Colombia huh?

Swinn, even though you are comparing whole countries, as mentioned in the other thread, please name a city in the US and a city in Colombia that celebrates Christmas the same way.

"The Jewish Colombian population I don't think celebrate it at all, and the Muslim Colombian Population would never even think of it. Some Chinese Colombians I imagine celebrate Christmas differently. What do we think about the Native population in Colombia? Do they celebrate just like everyone else?" - Swinn88

Colombia is 95% Catholic - What are you getting at mentioning the other 5%

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

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slguy says on Jan 24, 2008, 08:39:

so? ;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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juli says on Jan 24, 2008, 08:50:

" I don't know what tourist version of a Colombian Christmas he may have experienced." -Colombiano Gringo

Maybe he found a secret city in the US that parties for the whole month, closes streets, kills pigs in the streets, Chiva rides, partying til dawn, bonfires in front of the house, loud music and fireworks all month long....

The cops in this US town (he claims the whole country) must be non existent as 10 laws would easily be broken if the Colombian Christmas were brought up to the US. I remember so many things we couldn't do and didn't have when I was growing up outside of Colombia - those Christmases where we stayed up in the US. There were many in my 11 years there. We only went back three times for Christmas and only stayed for two weeks because my parents had to work. Once my father canceled and we went with out him. It was devastating.

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

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joanseb says on Jan 24, 2008, 08:54:

La unica cosa que tienen en comun es que es 24 de diciembre, en el ambito de la celebracion es como si se comparara la noche con el dia.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 24, 2008, 08:56:

Es que ni en eso se parecen, porque en los EU se celebra el día y noche del 25. Alguna gente va a misa a la media noche del 24, pero no es lo mas común.

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juli says on Jan 24, 2008, 08:57:

Yeah we don't even have that in common!

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

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joanseb says on Jan 24, 2008, 08:59:

sigue siendo lo mismo, tecnicamente aqui en colombia la fiesta empieza el 24 y termina el 25 o 26.
Pero digo lo mismo, el tipo de celebracion que se hace es totalmente diferente.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 24, 2008, 09:05:

For one Christmas we spent in the US, my crazy ass Colombian family killed a pig in my grandparents' garage. That thing screamed bloody murder for a while and they made a gigantic mess, but that was a damn good lechona. By that point, all the Americans in the neighborhood were used to loud and crazy stuff happening at that house during the holidays. My dad's Rolo family in Bogota is a lot more subdued, but it is still very different from a US christmas.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 24, 2008, 09:05:

.

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Mononoke28 says on Jan 24, 2008, 09:17:

The difference is that in Colombia you get into party mode after December 7th and it ends the week of January 6th, for most. Here in the States, you're a bit more laid back than the rest of the year but don't party like you do in Colombia.

Work Christmas party in the US: Drinks, food, small talk, if you're lucky you'll get a band and caterer.

Work Christmas party in Colombia: Aguardiente, Ron, cerveza, lechona, asado, natilla, buñuelos, rumba, rumba y más rumba.

That's just 1 example of many.

Diana

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El Polo says on Jan 24, 2008, 09:53:

y mas rumba carajo!!!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 24, 2008, 10:58:

Since you asked....
I've celebrated many Christmases in Colombia, in USA and in Scandinavia.
All very different.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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juli says on Jan 24, 2008, 13:41:

"Christmas [in the US] is not very different from Colombia or any other place. " -Swinn88

So far no one agrees with the above statement.

Also he has not given us the name of a town. Sad and empty.

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 24, 2008, 13:46:

Well. In all fairness, he has not participated in this particular thread.

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juli says on Jan 24, 2008, 13:56:

We already know his vote.

But about the cities I asked him for (in the other thread as well) I will concede that there are some very remote pueblos that are obviously more laid back than other parts of Colombia. But even those are a world of difference. The US is just a horse of a different color. I'm not saying it's bad.

But in no way can you compare the two as being the same in their celebration traditions.

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

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Robert Jorge says on Jan 24, 2008, 17:40:

It's not unheard of to kill a pig for festivities in certain parts of the US. In Indiana, we did it. But the normal method of killing the pig was a .22 to the head.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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john_stark says on Jan 24, 2008, 20:55:

As stated in another thread I don't see too many differences nor do my Colombian in laws between here (South Texas) and Colombia in terms of Christmas celebrations. Why do you think the entire Toyota plant shuts down for Christmas week? It's not because the Japanese really like Santa Claus!

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goin_south says on Jan 24, 2008, 20:57:

I think if Juli went to New...Yaawk....City....
she might think that Christmas in the USA was a lil different than in Colombia

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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Robert Jorge says on Jan 24, 2008, 22:14:

Christmas here in north Florida SUCKS. Absolutely boring. It is probably the quietest time of the year.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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eywed says on Jan 24, 2008, 22:16:

RJ come to Tampa , Hang around the Colombians I do . Now around most Gringos I agree. Your problem is your in a Colombian Free zone up there I would think.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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goin_south says on Jan 24, 2008, 22:16:

Then, you gotta come next year and do the .........
(juli, are you counting the dots???)
...............you gotta do the Cajun Christmas!

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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Robert Jorge says on Jan 24, 2008, 23:17:

I could see us coming down to central and south Florida next Christmas season. We could do the tour: Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers/Naples, and Miami. I owe people in those city's visits.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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eywed says on Jan 24, 2008, 23:19:

I my friend will be in Medellin for that month. Meet me there. Oh this year can't pass quick enough.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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eywed says on Jan 24, 2008, 23:21:

I will be easy to find , I will be the only large Gringo Playing an accordion on the Cormer drinking Pilsen. Just look behind the large stack of cans.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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juli says on Jan 25, 2008, 05:04:

"It's also celebrated in the U.S. the way they do it in Colombia. Anyone who does not see this does not get out that much and as a result has a one sided view of the U.S...." - Swinn

I get out enough to know that the handfull in the US that does celebrate Christmas like Colombia represent an extreme minority.

According to Swinn:
"The Jewish Colombian population I don't think celebrate it at all, and the Muslim Colombian Population would never even think of it. Some Chinese Colombians I imagine celebrate Christmas differently. What do we think about the Native population in Colombia? Do they celebrate just like everyone else?

you know what...i'm sure that christmas in Colombia is not that different than christmas in the USA. It's a country way to diverse to pinpoint a specific way that people celebrate."





What a grand blanket statement!

Colombia is 95% Catholic. How's that for diversity? Pretty much all of December there is a non stop party in the streets - that's 95% of the streets and 95% of the people with 95% dancing, music, rum, guaro, fireworks... How's that for diversity? Christmas eve here is bigger social party than New Year's eve in the US. I have lived in both. At midnight Christmas eve the whole place erupts. I won't even mention candles, chivas, las luces....

Christmas in other countries is generally celebrated, calmly, on Christmas eve and Christmas day - by those who celebrate. Here it is 95% of the population celebrating for the entire month of December from the Immaculate Conception up until the Epiphany. Most Christmas celebrating Americans have no idea what those are or when they are.

Which is why I asked him to edit his comment to reflect "There are small pockets of families around the world that still moderately uphold Colombian Christman traditions" - which is what he is saying.

5% of the US celebrates Christmas like 95% of Colombia DOES NOT EQUAL "i'm sure that christmas in Colombia is not that different than christmas in the USA."

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

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goin_south says on Jan 25, 2008, 19:58:

"...all of December there is a non stop party in the streets - that's 95% of the streets and 95% of the people with 95% dancing, music, rum, guaro, fireworks..."

Oh, and that's just the start... of Feria and Mardi Gras party hardy for another couple months.
.....
... Maybe 'They' ought to use all that energy to EXTINGUISH LAS FARC.
OR,.... No Wonder... they can't catch up with Las Farc.

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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msaucey says on Jan 25, 2008, 20:07:

I'm going to agree...... I find Christmas in the U.S. Expensive and boringggggggggggggggg.....

I do remember when I was a kid in the U.S. and anytime we would try to have a big backyard bash for Christmas, the cops would come around and tell us to lower the music....

I KNOW that would NEVER happen in Colombia!!!

In Colombia, the cops would be like where's my drink!...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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goin_south says on Jan 25, 2008, 20:09:

jejjje, Saucey
si,.... more evidence: why they can't catch up with the CRAF

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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msaucey says on Jan 25, 2008, 20:11:

Priorities patito, priorities....

Hell, if I have to catch some CRAF then I'm going to be sure to be drunk!

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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goin_south says on Jan 25, 2008, 20:16:

I understand the mentality; I do.
I use to 'ratioanlize', ... "If I must wait tables, then...."

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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msaucey says on Jan 25, 2008, 20:18:

Mental note.... Don't let GS serve food.... =)

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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goin_south says on Jan 25, 2008, 20:41:

and, don't let him make (?) the drinks!

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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ibemeubeu9001 says on Jan 27, 2008, 14:35:

Wow ! I don't know how your came up the topic, but I thank I made a statement reguarding my christmas and new years of 07, in Bogota, and Cucuta, with my inlaw's, not being my first time in south america, and one that really love's my Auzzie, and Harriette, of South America, Ya, there Great< the Christmas was with our the color of the fat-santa, as for which I missed. But over all, My wife, daughter, and I, really love seeing family, on that special day, and I can say, It was really feel with love and family.
Sorry I can't say north america, and south america's christmas's are different, but that one was full of family-love-food-dancing-and most of all-real-friends for life. Happy News-

I just happen to be from Long Beach,CA, and I love visiting South America, My first visit was to Bogota, Ibaque, and Cucuta and not being a spanish speaking person, I had a great time. Would I travel to South America again, You Bet! The people are wonde

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rocinante says on Jan 27, 2008, 15:19:

I`ve done Christmas in MANY places. Anyone saying Christmas in Colombia is no different than in the US should travel in Colombia for Christmas - of if they have, they may mey need to have a check up from the neck up! But seriously it`s not even close. Go and experience it. hint: Go early as the festivites start a few weeks earlier than in the US.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Lisa Zee says on Jan 27, 2008, 15:23:

Long time no see Roci!, Yeah like "the globos" that goes very well here in the USA, can you see the fire department chasing you and the globos, you would go to jail! jajaja!

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rocinante says on Jan 27, 2008, 15:28:

Yeah - someone said that if the US law were in effect in Colombia a bunch of laws would be broken. I´d say the whole country would be behind bars. And I´m not just talking about killing a pig in the garage!

Lisa I have been posting here lately. I remember your kid was fascinated by the globos - me too. There were so many this year.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Lisa Zee says on Jan 27, 2008, 15:36:

He has great memories!. I think I read that they were not allowing them. OMG the pig killing, he loved it! I don`t think he will feel the same any more, but when he was like 8 or so, he was morbid!

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