A traveler’s Christmas is letting go of traditions to let things be.
PHOTO WENDY HUNGGrowing up in Taiwan, I lived in one of the few homes decorated with a Christmas tree. Unlike Chinese New Year, Christmas isn’t a holiday widely celebrated throughout Asia. Fortunately, my parents always immersed the household with different types of cultures. Every year, we were the only children in our neighborhood to open presents under the tree on Christmas Day, while receiving red envelopes from aunts and uncles on Chinese New Year’s Eve two months later. When you’re young, both Eastern and Western holidays are centered around toys and wishlists. Leading a nomadic life that I do now, holiday traditions may drastically shift each year. Depending on where I am in the world, plans don’t pan out until the week of, or sometimes the day before the 25th.
This is the first holiday season that Jetset Times is celebrating. In the fourth month since launch, we decided to provide holiday recipes from outstanding chefs, who we’ve had the utmost privilege to interview in recent months. When I personally made the request, teams from: José Andrés, Angelo Sosa, Barbara Lynch, Serendipity 3, Le Cirque, Circo NYC, L.A. Burdick Chocolates and Chef Kevin Kathman from WiSC were eager to participate. With our collection of master recipes, regardless of where you’re celebrating the holidays this week, you can cook up a storm, just like a Michelin chef.
PHOTO WENDY HUNGThis month, some of our contributors have also showcased various ways that people around the world enjoy this time of the year: Christina Singh wrote about her experiences in Prague (Top Holiday Foods You Have to Try in Prague, Warming Up to the Holidays.) Olivia Molineux guided beginners to ski in the European Alps and provided a great list for A Perfect Holiday in London. Lena Kazer offered tips on How to Buy Souvenir Gifts Abroad and shared A Mexiruvian Recipe: Batido. Danielle Douez presented a popular list: Not Home for the Holidays? How to Make the Most of It! While Kaela Trutner opted Five Ways to Enjoy the Holiday Spirit No Matter Where You Are.
As avid travelers, we all learn to adapt and roll with the punches. Our contributors’ articles have all reflected upon: keen cultural observations, surviving in foreign settings and genuinely, making the most of it. While our hearts are always with friends and families; travelers’ lives are periodically steered away from traditions. Leaving us in riveting discovery of new paths to enjoy the holidays; with great food and new friends, regardless of where we are in the world.
PHOTO WENDY HUNGLong ago, I gave up the idea of dictating and following rules of traditions during the holidays. It simply isn’t practical in my life. I’ve discovered that holidays became evermore enjoyable when I was letting go of “the way things had to be,” and float right into “the way things happened to be.” In recent years, I’ve spent Christmas in Paris, Asia, the United States. Plans change each year, and I’ve joyously recognized: regardless of where I am in the world, there seems to always be friends or families to have an endearing Christmas dinner with. Every year, I’ve felt more blessed and unconditionally loved. Either I’ve traveled so much to call many places “home,” or that’s simply the beauty of letting go of traditions occassionally, and just let things…be.
Happy holidays,
x
