Christmas Eve in Chicago. Sarah and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry again to see their Christmas Trees from Around the World. They’re not authentic, exactly, many of these countries don’t even normally have Christmas trees, but they’re decorated to represent traditions from each country with signs nearby explain unique local customs.

We did this last Christmas, but it was even more interesting this year after having been some of these places. For instance, in Belize, statues of Mary and Joseph are carried though the streets. In Mexico there are Christmas piñatas. We worked with many people from the Phillipines while on the ship, and apparently they have colorful bamboo lanterns shaped like stars. And in France, home of the French Magician, St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6, just like I did growing up in Ohio.