24 December 2009
On Tuesday, we made the familiar drive down I-5 to Southern California for the traditional family Christmas celebrations. We spent two nights at the Hamann's in Huntington Beach before heading down to the Nazaroff's in Laguna Niguel.
Is it true that everywhere in the US images of the holiday season are dominated by scenes wintry weather, a warm hearth and snow?
These signs of a surfing Santa are displayed along Main Street in Huntington Beach every year. But even here in Surf City, alternative images such as these represent a small minority. There are more displays of snow flakes, snow men, and reindeers than of palm trees, gentle breezes and surfers. I suppose this imagery reflects the continuing cultural dominance of the northern European component of our collective heritage.
The traditional Christmas Eve gathering at the Hamann's marked the 40-y anniversary since that family returned to the US from Maracaibo. Five of the siblings -- Ingrid, Eric, Walter, Martin, and Ernie -- were there along with their spouses and children, so in all we were 21. We sang carols in German, Spanish, and English before exchanging gifts.
I shot these photos on 23 December on morning and late afternoon walks to Main Street and the Huntington Beach pier. To me, these scenes don't connect as much emotionally to the winter holidays as would pictures of snow-covered firs in the mountains. But they are a closer rendering of the truth of the setting for our holidays.
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