It’s now the end of my week off and I've almost forgotten what it’s like to be at work. The holiday went well. I had feared that I wouldn't really be able to get right away from work since for most of the time I would be here, but it worked out well because somebody has been looking after my patients for me.

Last week it’s been really cold here. For 5 days there was no sun at all and it was foggy all day with moisture dripping from the leaves. We've been chilled to the marrow, and have been gradually putting on more and more clothes including long thermals and double fleeces. I moved house to a warm country! What makes it difficult is that the houses have no central heating so they never really get warm. My house was constructed to be extra cool in the summer, so it cools very quickly. It never gets above 16 degrees now. For the last 3 days it’s been really sunny again. I’m now sitting with my computer on my lap and really enjoying the feeling of warming up.

Below are a few photos from Christmas. There’s a church on our compound which is officially Lutheran, but because people from all kinds of denominations come, through work in the hospital, it’s pretty informal really.

On Christmas Day there was a celebration service in which the children sang one of the songs (photo). We from overseas also had the opportunity to sing, and so did the Santali (indigenous tribal people).

After the service there was a rice meal for everyone: all the church members and also all the guests, hospital patients and non-Christian staff. The rest of the day was spent visiting Christians, who had prepared all kinds of nice things to eat for Christmas..

On Christmas Eve my housemates and I (photo with Christmas tree) also had a small party for all the doctors, and in the evening a party for all the foreigners without children (17 people plus some guests!). Just like in the Netherlands, celebrating Christmas means lots of food. The big difference is that unless you’re from the hospital, where quite a lot of Christians live and work, you don’t celebrate Christmas at all. For people who are not Christians although it is an official holiday, it is just another cold day.

Next week I’m back at work, and then I’ll write more about what work I’m doing.

For now, best wishes for 2013!