Is it the English, her, or is it me?

- Dokkum - The Netherlands

Opening Christmas Crackers - a British tradition

Last week we loaded up the Explorer in the wee hours and hopped on the ferry to France. We spent a midweek at a Centerparcs in Heijen, where we floated lazily in the pools, drank cocktails in a jungle dome, enjoyed Dutch bitterballen while humming along with some dreadful bands in the evenings and sweated amongst some Germans in the sauna; A great way to avoid Christmas shoppers and start the Christmas break. The Dutch schools were not out yet, which meant no lines (or queues for the Brits) for the pools' slides.

Christmas was spent with family up North in Frisia, and I guess I'm going into the New Year a couple of pounds heavier. (Another thing I don't believe in: New Years Resolutions....)Slowly I'm getting back into some healthier lifestyle.....By the beginning of next week we should be done with all the junkfood we brought back from Holland.

We're back on the British Island again since last night, and I decided today that this really is not where I want to be... The neighbor brought me a package that someone left for us while we were away. I said thank you, and before I could get a neighborly chat started, she already turned and walked away. No "how was your Christmas?" or anything in that direction. Is it her or is this just typical British behavior, or maybe a trend that is seen in our western society? I mean; we share a driveway..... It's not that I'd like to have neighbors come through the backdoor and walk straight through any moment of the day, like it is in my parent's neighborhood......but some sort of neighborly friendliness, a little chat, showing some interest or concern, might be nice......
Of course, it could be that they saw me running through the house naked one too many times......Yeah, I guess that could be it.

Well, I hope all of you had a good Christmas, Hannukah, buffet and/or day off. Stay warm!