ADD 2/3 OF RUM
Hot chocolate is such a pleasure, even more if mixed with ⅔ of Czech Rum - I learnt this as a trick to survive the cold while spending Christmas in freezing Prague. Not that you need an excuse to add rum to your hot chocolate, as I did while writing this spill.
This first week of December arrived with some surprises. One one hand, my neighbor Josephine's online dating life took a wild turn. After a few lovely conversations with one of her first matches, she hosted a dinner party with his friends that ended up turning into a clandestine rave. Another match invited her to join a nomadic cosmic cult. She is now holding on the subject as she prefers to be alone, but alive.
On the other hand, I received an unexpected visit from my cousin Charles who had to solve urgent diplomatic issues at the French Embassy. Charles is one of the youngest cousins of our numerous Protestant side of the family. Charles is a perfectionist medical engineer, a jiu jitsu champion and a frustrated left-wing politician. He has physically defended his friends from political far right opponents, survived a firearm attack at his house, and distributed condoms in gay bars to promote HIV consciousness. Charles also seems to be followed by a curse when traveling by train. He is constantly facing weird situations: one time he witnessed a gyspsy family evacuate (as in “basic human needs”) in front of his seat. His trip here was no exception, he was seated for three hours between two contrasting characters: a guy listening and singing to high volume Arabic music and a guy openly watching adult entertainment (“as in porn”). Charles arrived at my place in a clear state of shock. I gave him tacos to feed his stomach and his soul, nothing cancels Taco Tuesday.
December is quite a special month. I celebrate various birthdays in the family including mine and, of course, there is Christmas and New Year’s Eve. When you live overseas, December is when you religiously travel home to hug your loved ones. However, this year is different as family gatherings became potential death bombs. It feels like we are all the Judas Iscariot of each other, a confusing sensation of love and death.
Even if this December we have to be apart, remember to share digital love, eat your greens, avoid all office related zoom parties and of course, add ⅔ of rum to your favourite hot cocoa.
Be brave.
Myster Spills