CHRISTMAS

A palm tree transformed with red bows, the table was laden with sliced turkey, cranberry sauce and a number of salads, french bread, fruit punch and chilled white wine - one was transported home by the sight.  This was the International Women's Club Christmas Lunch.  India is good at celebrating and if I thought Diwali was difficult to beat, then they are not doing too badly with Christmas.  Shops are draped in Christmas lights, Artificial Christmas trees are for sale, wrapping paper and decorations.   The children's party will include Santa with a bag of presents and party games !  The amount of preparation and devotion to the cause of the Festive Season is more concerted and the care with which the image of Santa was prepared for the 'Pin the beard on Santa' game, was remarkable.  Having limited artistic skill, but in the quest for authenticity, Santa was required to lie on the piece of calico, so that his outline could be drawn to achieve the right proporations for the image.  Children, be impressed, you don't know how much, has been done by so few.