Christmas with the Marshall
The Marshalls celebrate a German/ South African Christmas in South Africa, a not too rare phenomenon in South Africa given how popular this destination is for this European crowed... especially during December time.
To escape the rush of Cape Town during the festive season, the Marshalls pack their bags (filled mainly with swimwear, shorts, flops and thin shirts) and head of to Pearly Beach. This is a village situated South-East of Cape Town (merely 20km from Gansbaai) with what seems to be a never-ending beach.
At the Pearly Beach house, Santa is welcomed with cookies and milk, carrots are laid out for the reindeers that have traveled miles at end and children lay at rest with the sound of the waves braking as they reach the shores. On Christmas day it is not the church bells that awaken all but rather the croaking of crickets. Real Christmas trees are not popular in South Africa, so the Marhsalls... I mean Santa.... lay the gifts under a "Driftwood" tree.
After the gift-giving, which is accompanied by an abundance of laughter and hugs, the day has officially begun for a hot summer's day at the Beach.
Instead of pulling on skates to trek through a snowy Germany, the Marshall kids in South Africa rush to get their body boards and run off to ride the waves. Silke of course brings the German influences and prepares a traditional German meal for all to enjoy. However, instead of Glühwein, the adults enjoy Gin & Tonic as the sun goes down on yet another magical Christmas spent in South Africa.
