The worst journey I remember was four years ago. I was coming home for Christmas holidays from the city where I was studying. My intention was to go home by bus but it was imposible. all the tickets had been sold, so I to buy a train ticket. That was the beginning of my nightmare.
The train left the station at 14:00. I knew that I was ahead a long journey so I called my mother to say that I would be late for dinner. Then I turned on my Ipod and I relaxed. On the way the train broke down and we had to get off and wait for another train to pick us up. We were in a lost station and it was very cold. The wait lasted two hours. I was angry, bored, tired and freezing.
Once on the new train it was my surprise to find myself in the same carriage with my best friend, we were very happy. We were talking together all the way home about our planes at this holidays. Finally we managed to reach our destination about six hours later than planned.
When I got home and saw my whole family gathered for dinner and singing carols I thought that any effort had been worthwhile and said with a big smile HOME SWEET HOME AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
My name is Anna, a Spanish Erasmus student, and I have just lost the flight that would take me back home. I was at Helsinki airport. Everybody was running around me. Why? It was 23th December. People were happy because they were coming back to their houses to celebrate Christmas Day. But not me!
I was thinking I was going to stay all winter holidays at the residence hall, when I saw my roommate ready to go. I called her and she told me that she was going to visit her uncle and aunt in Rovaniemi, a small beautiful town in the north of Finland. Would you like to come with us? Sure!!! What could I do if I didn’t?
The journey to Rovaniemi was long but when we arrived I felt like being in a dream. The town looked like a picture or like a Christmas card! And there was a billboard that said: “Welcome to Rovaniemi: Santa Claus Village”. At that moment I thought they were crazy!
My friend and I looked for her uncle’s house and we rested until the next morning. And then, the miracle surprised me!
It was the greatest day of the year in Rovaniemi and everybody was excited! My friend told me we would have to help her aunt to do a very very very important job inside the most special house of the village: Santa’s house!!!
We entered the house and I really couldn’t believe it! Lots of people were working there! It was a big post office and everybody was reading thousands of letters that children from all tries of the world had written. I thought it was the best job I had never had in my life. And I will probably never get…
But I can’t tell you more. It’s a secret that Santa doesn’t want anybody to know. But the only thing I can tell you is if you need something, whatever it is… write a letter and send it to this address:
Santa Claus Post Office FI-96930 Napapiiri Artic Circle, Rovaniemi
It was a cold winter afternoon. The fireplace was lit. The Christmas tree was decorated and there was a bright star on top.
Everything seemed perfect to celebrate Christmas day, but something was missing. My family was far away and I would have to spend the day alone. The house was very lonely and looked sad. Then I sat on the couch and fell asleep.
After a few minutes, everything had changad. The house seemed different. Kids were running around the lounge, you could hear carols and we were all together and happy.
The doorbell rang and the children ran to open it. The grandparents had come and they brought the dinner. We sat down for dinner,;we had roast turkey, pork in blankets and Christmas pudding.
After dinner we all sat around the fireplace and talked for a long time. I thanked for thr dinner that grandma had prepared and I asked her what the secret of her recipes was. She laughed and said: “ the biggest secret of my ecipes is the love I put into each of my dishes, you should never forget”.
I was surprised, it was a very simple secret.
RINNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!
At that moment a strong sound woke me up. Then I realizad it had been a nice dream. So I went to the kitchen and prepared one of the recipes that my mother had taught me. I didn´t forget to put the special ingredient: LOVE”.
She was sitting next to the Christmas tree. I could see her shape because the light of the Christmas lights passed through the window. I was behind the window, I was waiting for some news while I was watching the street. Everybody was walking with their families; they smiled and the children were amazed with one Santa Claus who was next to the best restaurant that there was in the city. They felt as we must feel on Christmas day, but at home we weren´t happy. Nothing was shining, everything was dark, she was devastated and I had a feeling that I didn´t know and I couldn´t describe, but I was sure as I had always been that I loved her The phone rang, I answered and I took her in my arms and I took her to the car. When I was driving I was very happy, she was crying, but I would take care and I would be happy because the person who prevented our love, her daughter, was dead. We were going to the police station because her corpse had been found. Then she took my hand and something changed. As soon as we arrived at the police station, I kissed her lips and I went to plead guilty in the murder of her daughter.
Helen was a six year old girl and she lived in The Canary Islands. She was very cheerful there, playing with her friends, going to the beach everyday… But when it was Christmas she was sad and disappointed. She asked her mother why there was no Christmas but her mother didn´t understand her. Helen thought that in her town it wasn´t Christmas because it wasn´t cold and snowy, when she watched TV in the adds and films, everyone wore coats, scarves, gloves… but she used to go to the beach, wearing a swimsuit every day. She wished to enjoy a white Christmas and suddenly it happened. When she was opening an ice-cream she realized that she had got a nice trip to the Alps! She couldn´t believe it! She visited the Alps with other children who had been winners and she was fascined with the snow she was even skiing… Her dream had come true, but she missed her family. So, she realized that was the most important of Christmas: Her family!
I´ll tell you a very sad story of a self-confident and conscientious man that I met last Christmas. His mane is Jose and I could see in his eyes something that I´d never seen in my life. I work in a shopping center and last year the boss decided to look for a man to collect the letters that the children sent to the Three Wise Men. I had chosen one of a hundred men. I had a list so long that I thought that I´d never finish. But when I saw him, I knew he was the choice. He was tall and slim and he was wearing an old tracksuit and trainers. He told me that his family were poor and they needed the money to eat. He was a person with a degree but he had lost his job two years before. His parents were ill and his wife was in hospital because she had had a heart attack. He wanted the job for Christmas and the presents for his two daughters. I could see a good man in his eyes. And he spoke about the past cheerfully and funny. I thought that this was a very sad life and I told everything to my boss. He decided to give the job to Jose. He was very happy. He cried a lot, because he was very excited and grateful. His work was excellent and the children were happy with him. He told us that he was spending Christmas Eve with his family, he was the happiest in the world. Jose made a lot of friends in the shopping centre, thanks to his good personality. He used to visit us a lot of times. He helped other people with problems and he was always happy with everybody. I think that life is unfair with a lot of people. Life is very short and you have more problems and difficult situations. Everybody should have food and drink, and a house to live in. Today a lot of people need things to live while others enrich day by day. This is the life…
Paula woke up very happy because she was going to buy the Christmas tree with his father. When they came to the shop, hundreds of trees were waiting for a family to buy. A man came to serve them and when Paula saw how the man tore the little pine she felt very sad and began to mourn. Her father tried to explain that it was a tradition and that they had been planted for that purpose , that was its mission on earth. When her father did not know what to do, Paula called from her room. The girl had a beautiful Christmas tree with objects that were in his room. From that year and every Christmas, father and daughter do a craft workshop for all the neighborhood kids to make their own tree without cutting down a tree. Their neighborhood is the greenest in all the city.
Peter was a six-year-old child who was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Christmas. He loves the snow and making snowmen with his friends, but these days his main concern was to write a letter to Santa Claus. Besides, this year he was learning to write, he wanted to write it alone without the help of his mother. So one evening after returning from school Peter took his notebook and began to write. When he finished the letter he went to show it to his mother. Then she took it, read it and said: - ‘I’m very happy that you have written the letter on your own but I think to ask Santa Claus to bring you the twenty-five things you put in your letter, is too much.’ Peter took the letter and said: - ‘Ok, I need all these toys but I’ll try to remove something.’ His mother laughed. When Peter came back with his mother his list had been reduced to fifteen things. Mother and son came out to go shopping and when they were coming from the shopping centre they saw two poor kids sitting on the sidewalk. Then the mother said: - ‘Peter, you have a big house, your parents love you a lot and give you everything you need. Besides, you have a room full of toys and you hardly ever play with them, and this year you ask Santa Claus to bring you more. I’m sure those children haven’t written any letter and haven’t got anything.’ Peter thought about it and when he got home changed his letter. - ‘Dear Santa Claus, I’ve been thinking that this year I don’t want anything for me because I have a lot of things and don’t need any more. But I want to ask you that all the children have a gift and if you haven’t got enough for everyone I’ll help you.’ Peter gave the letter to his mother to send it, and when she read it she felt a great honor to her son and she realized the lesson that he had given to all them. Today Peter has grown, but every Christmas his mother remembers this story not to forget that we shouldn’t be selfish and should learn to appreciate what we have.
Long time ago, in a land far away, there was a big industrial city and it was December…
-“I hate those dates, everybody is laughing and spending money on nonsense”
-“Why are you so furious Johann ?” “try to be happy, at last, we are at Christmas”
-“Bah, stop saying stupid things and give me my bag”
-“Ok, ok, here you are”
The man got out of the pub where he had been drinking all the afternoon and was walking to his home when a poor little boy who was sitting on the cold stone floor in front of his home said:
-“Please Sir, give me some money, I’m so hungry and we are at Christmas”
-“What?” “My money is mine!” “Where are your parents?”
-“Oh Sir, both have died, I’m alone in the world”
-“Bad luck”
Then, the man opened the door and got into his home, but, at this moment, the mask he was wearing fell; he looked at an old photography and, with tears in his eyes said:
-“Why?” “Why God?” “Why am I alone?”
He took the rope who was in his bag and said:
-“I can’t be happy, I’m cursed seeing everybody full of happiness but I’ve lost my family; but today I will put an end to this”
The man passed the rope over one of the supports of the ceiling and made a lace, he got on the top of a chair, put the lace around his neck and with tears in his eyes and the memories of his long lost wife and son, he jumped off the chair, he closed his eyes waiting for the eternal rest, but…
-“W-Where am I?”
A voice answered:
-“You are between two worlds”
Very surprised the man said:
-“That voice… it’s impossible!” “This is the voice of my son!”
-“Yes dad, I am Billy”
-“But you are dead, this must be a dream!”
-“I’m dead but this isn’t a dream; death isn’t the end, it’s only a new beginning, but you have commited a terrible sin: you’ve tried to take your own life and nobody can do this; everybody has a time to live and a time to die and you can’t determine yours”
-“But I’m always alone, how can I live with this sorrow?”
And a woman said:
-“You are never alone, yes, I’m Martha, your wife, and me and Billy are always with you; we love you and one day you will came and stay with us”
-“But, what must I do living whitout you?”
-“Can you feel this light? This love? Give it to the others; and now my dear, you must return”
Johann awakened and looked around him; he was in his home, the rope was broken and he was still crying, but this time of happiness, then, he ran outside and said to the orphan who still was in the street:
-What’s your name?”
-“John, Sir”
-“Well John, I’m Johann and you are no longer a orphan, now, I will be your father and you my son!”
And they got into the home and lived full of happiness as a family and, after a few years, Johann died for natural causes with a smile on his face and the knowledge of the true sense of life
George was a child who had been disappointed by Santa Claus last Christmas. Trying to solve the problem, the child writes a letter to Santa Claus asking for explanations for the lack of gifts.
Santa was annoyed and decided to go to see the child at home and ask him the reason for his anger and also ask him why he wanted many gifts if he had a lot of friends.
They decided to reach an agreement. Santa would give him all the toys he wanted, if he gave Santa all his friends. It was accepted by George.
Christmas came and George had all the toys that he wanted for himself. Even though, it was very funny at first, nobody wanted to play with him. The time passed and all those toys were boring and he realized that he missed his friends.
So, he waited patiently for the next Christmas and he wrote to Santa Claus again. He was sorry because he had changed his friends for stupid toys.
CHRISTMAS JOURNEY
ResponderEliminarThe worst journey I remember was four years ago. I was coming home for Christmas holidays from the city where I was studying. My intention was to go home by bus but it was imposible. all the tickets had been sold, so I to buy a train ticket. That was the beginning of my nightmare.
The train left the station at 14:00. I knew that I was ahead a long journey so I called my mother to say that I would be late for dinner. Then I turned on my Ipod and I relaxed. On the way the train broke down and we had to get off and wait for another train to pick us up. We were in a lost station and it was very cold. The wait lasted two hours. I was angry, bored, tired and freezing.
Once on the new train it was my surprise to find myself in the same carriage with my best friend, we were very happy. We were talking together all the way home about our planes at this holidays. Finally we managed to reach our destination about six hours later than planned.
When I got home and saw my whole family gathered for dinner and singing carols I thought that any effort had been worthwhile and said with a big smile HOME SWEET HOME AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
Perfect!.
ResponderEliminarThank you very much
And what can I do now?
ResponderEliminarMy name is Anna, a Spanish Erasmus student, and I have just lost the flight that would take me back home. I was at Helsinki airport. Everybody was running around me. Why? It was 23th December. People were happy because they were coming back to their houses to celebrate Christmas Day. But not me!
I was thinking I was going to stay all winter holidays at the residence hall, when I saw my roommate ready to go. I called her and she told me that she was going to visit her uncle and aunt in Rovaniemi, a small beautiful town in the north of Finland. Would you like to come with us? Sure!!! What could I do if I didn’t?
The journey to Rovaniemi was long but when we arrived I felt like being in a dream. The town looked like a picture or like a Christmas card! And there was a billboard that said: “Welcome to Rovaniemi: Santa Claus Village”. At that moment I thought they were crazy!
My friend and I looked for her uncle’s house and we rested until the next morning. And then, the miracle surprised me!
It was the greatest day of the year in Rovaniemi and everybody was excited! My friend told me we would have to help her aunt to do a very very very important job inside the most special house of the village: Santa’s house!!!
We entered the house and I really couldn’t believe it! Lots of people were working there! It was a big post office and everybody was reading thousands of letters that children from all tries of the world had written. I thought it was the best job I had never had in my life. And I will probably never get…
But I can’t tell you more. It’s a secret that Santa doesn’t want anybody to know. But the only thing I can tell you is if you need something, whatever it is… write a letter and send it to this address:
Santa Claus Post Office
FI-96930 Napapiiri
Artic Circle, Rovaniemi
Merry Christmas!!!
Thank you very much
EliminarTHE CHRISTMAS´S SECRET Leticia Fernández Pérez
ResponderEliminarIt was a cold winter afternoon. The fireplace was lit. The Christmas tree was decorated and there was a bright star on top.
Everything seemed perfect to celebrate Christmas day, but something was missing. My family was far away and I would have to spend the day alone. The house was very lonely and looked sad.
Then I sat on the couch and fell asleep.
After a few minutes, everything had changad. The house seemed different. Kids were running around the lounge, you could hear carols and we were all together and happy.
The doorbell rang and the children ran to open it. The grandparents had come and they brought the dinner. We sat down for dinner,;we had roast turkey, pork in blankets and Christmas pudding.
After dinner we all sat around the fireplace and talked for a long time. I thanked for thr dinner that grandma had prepared and I asked her what the secret of her recipes was. She laughed and said: “ the biggest secret of my ecipes is the love I put into each of my dishes, you should never forget”.
I was surprised, it was a very simple secret.
RINNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!
At that moment a strong sound woke me up. Then I realizad it had been a nice dream. So I went to the kitchen and prepared one of the recipes that my mother had taught me. I didn´t forget to put the special ingredient: LOVE”.
When I was cooking, the doorbell rang.
What a surprise!
My family had come to spend Christmas with me.
It was the best Christmas of my life.
Verónica García López
ResponderEliminarShe was sitting next to the Christmas tree. I could see her shape because the light of the Christmas lights passed through the window.
I was behind the window, I was waiting for some news while I was watching the street. Everybody was walking with their families; they smiled and the children were amazed with one Santa Claus who was next to the best restaurant that there was in the city. They felt as we must feel on Christmas day, but at home we weren´t happy. Nothing was shining, everything was dark, she was devastated and I had a feeling that I didn´t know and I couldn´t describe, but I was sure as I had always been that I loved her
The phone rang, I answered and I took her in my arms and I took her to the car. When I was driving I was very happy, she was crying, but I would take care and I would be happy because the person who prevented our love, her daughter, was dead. We were going to the police station because her corpse had been found. Then she took my hand and something changed.
As soon as we arrived at the police station, I kissed her lips and I went to plead guilty in the murder of her daughter.
Helen was a six year old girl and she lived in The Canary Islands. She was very cheerful there, playing with her friends, going to the beach everyday… But when it was Christmas she was sad and disappointed. She asked her mother why there was no Christmas but her mother didn´t understand her.
ResponderEliminarHelen thought that in her town it wasn´t Christmas because it wasn´t cold and snowy, when she watched TV in the adds and films, everyone wore coats, scarves, gloves… but she used to go to the beach, wearing a swimsuit every day.
She wished to enjoy a white Christmas and suddenly it happened. When she was opening an ice-cream she realized that she had got a nice trip to the Alps! She couldn´t believe it!
She visited the Alps with other children who had been winners and she was fascined with the snow she was even skiing… Her dream had come true, but she missed her family.
So, she realized that was the most important of Christmas: Her family!
Thank you very much, Elena
ResponderEliminarBeatriz González Martínez
ResponderEliminarThis is the life…
I´ll tell you a very sad story of a self-confident and conscientious man that I met last Christmas. His mane is Jose and I could see in his eyes something that I´d never seen in my life.
I work in a shopping center and last year the boss decided to look for a man to collect the letters that the children sent to the Three Wise Men. I had chosen one of a hundred men. I had a list so long that I thought that I´d never finish. But when I saw him, I knew he was the choice. He was tall and slim and he was wearing an old tracksuit and trainers. He told me that his family were poor and they needed the money to eat. He was a person with a degree but he had lost his job two years before. His parents were ill and his wife was in hospital because she had had a heart attack. He wanted the job for Christmas and the presents for his two daughters. I could see a good man in his eyes. And he spoke about the past cheerfully and funny.
I thought that this was a very sad life and I told everything to my boss. He decided to give the job to Jose. He was very happy. He cried a lot, because he was very excited and grateful.
His work was excellent and the children were happy with him. He told us that he was spending Christmas Eve with his family, he was the happiest in the world.
Jose made a lot of friends in the shopping centre, thanks to his good personality. He used to visit us a lot of times. He helped other people with problems and he was always happy with everybody.
I think that life is unfair with a lot of people. Life is very short and you have more problems and difficult situations. Everybody should have food and drink, and a house to live in. Today a lot of people need things to live while others enrich day by day. This is the life…
Alexia Rodríguez Veloso
ResponderEliminarPaula woke up very happy because she was going to buy the Christmas tree with his father. When they came to the shop, hundreds of trees were waiting for a family to buy. A man came to serve them and when Paula saw how the man tore the little pine she felt very sad and began to mourn. Her father tried to explain that it was a tradition and that they had been planted for that purpose , that was its mission on earth.
When her father did not know what to do, Paula called from her room. The girl had a beautiful Christmas tree with objects that were in his room.
From that year and every Christmas, father and daughter do a craft workshop for all the neighborhood kids to make their own tree without cutting down a tree. Their neighborhood is the greenest in all the city.
Laura Barrientos
ResponderEliminarCHRISTMAS STORY
Peter was a six-year-old child who was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Christmas. He loves the snow and making snowmen with his friends, but these days his main concern was to write a letter to Santa Claus. Besides, this year he was learning to write, he wanted to write it alone without the help of his mother. So one evening after returning from school Peter took his notebook and began to write. When he finished the letter he went to show it to his mother. Then she took it, read it and said:
- ‘I’m very happy that you have written the letter on your own but I think to ask Santa Claus to bring you the twenty-five things you put in your letter, is too much.’
Peter took the letter and said:
- ‘Ok, I need all these toys but I’ll try to remove something.’
His mother laughed. When Peter came back with his mother his list had been reduced to fifteen things.
Mother and son came out to go shopping and when they were coming from the shopping centre they saw two poor kids sitting on the sidewalk. Then the mother said:
- ‘Peter, you have a big house, your parents love you a lot and give you everything you need. Besides, you have a room full of toys and you hardly ever play with them, and this year you ask Santa Claus to bring you more. I’m sure those children haven’t written any letter and haven’t got anything.’
Peter thought about it and when he got home changed his letter.
- ‘Dear Santa Claus, I’ve been thinking that this year I don’t want anything for me because I have a lot of things and don’t need any more. But I want to ask you that all the children have a gift and if you haven’t got enough for everyone I’ll help you.’
Peter gave the letter to his mother to send it, and when she read it she felt a great honor to her son and she realized the lesson that he had given to all them.
Today Peter has grown, but every Christmas his mother remembers this story not to forget that we shouldn’t be selfish and should learn to appreciate what we have.
José Manuel Amago Fuertes
ResponderEliminarLong time ago, in a land far away, there was a big industrial city and it was December…
-“I hate those dates, everybody is laughing and spending money on nonsense”
-“Why are you so furious Johann ?” “try to be happy, at last, we are at Christmas”
-“Bah, stop saying stupid things and give me my bag”
-“Ok, ok, here you are”
The man got out of the pub where he had been drinking all the afternoon and was walking to his home when a poor little boy who was sitting on the cold stone floor in front of his home said:
-“Please Sir, give me some money, I’m so hungry and we are at Christmas”
-“What?” “My money is mine!” “Where are your parents?”
-“Oh Sir, both have died, I’m alone in the world”
-“Bad luck”
Then, the man opened the door and got into his home, but, at this moment, the mask he was wearing fell; he looked at an old photography and, with tears in his eyes said:
-“Why?” “Why God?” “Why am I alone?”
He took the rope who was in his bag and said:
-“I can’t be happy, I’m cursed seeing everybody full of happiness but I’ve lost my family; but today I will put an end to this”
The man passed the rope over one of the supports of the ceiling and made a lace, he got on the top of a chair, put the lace around his neck and with tears in his eyes and the memories of his long lost wife and son, he jumped off the chair, he closed his eyes waiting for the eternal rest, but…
-“W-Where am I?”
A voice answered:
-“You are between two worlds”
Very surprised the man said:
-“That voice… it’s impossible!” “This is the voice of my son!”
-“Yes dad, I am Billy”
-“But you are dead, this must be a dream!”
-“I’m dead but this isn’t a dream; death isn’t the end, it’s only a new beginning, but you have commited a terrible sin: you’ve tried to take your own life and nobody can do this; everybody has a time to live and a time to die and you can’t determine yours”
-“But I’m always alone, how can I live with this sorrow?”
And a woman said:
-“You are never alone, yes, I’m Martha, your wife, and me and Billy are always with you; we love you and one day you will came and stay with us”
-“But, what must I do living whitout you?”
-“Can you feel this light? This love? Give it to the others; and now my dear, you must return”
Johann awakened and looked around him; he was in his home, the rope was broken and he was still crying, but this time of happiness, then, he ran outside and said to the orphan who still was in the street:
-What’s your name?”
-“John, Sir”
-“Well John, I’m Johann and you are no longer a orphan, now, I will be your father and you my son!”
And they got into the home and lived full of happiness as a family and, after a few years, Johann died for natural causes with a smile on his face and the knowledge of the true sense of life
Silvia Cernuda Arviza
ResponderEliminarAN AGREEMENT WITH SANTA CLAUS
George was a child who had been disappointed by Santa Claus last Christmas. Trying to solve the problem, the child writes a letter to Santa Claus asking for explanations for the lack of gifts.
Santa was annoyed and decided to go to see the child at home and ask him the reason for his anger and also ask him why he wanted many gifts if he had a lot of friends.
They decided to reach an agreement. Santa would give him all the toys he wanted, if he gave Santa all his friends. It was accepted by George.
Christmas came and George had all the toys that he wanted for himself. Even though, it was very funny at first, nobody wanted to play with him. The time passed and all those toys were boring and he realized that he missed his friends.
So, he waited patiently for the next Christmas and he wrote to Santa Claus again. He was sorry because he had changed his friends for stupid toys.