Katemas around the world

[barger@aristotle.ils.nwu.edu (Jorn Barger)]

In OUR family Katemas begins early as all the sleepy little Katefans jump
from their beds with squeals of joy, and run downstairs to see what the
Katemas bunny has left for them under the Katemas tree!
Sometimes there are brightly painted Katemas eggs, supplemented by the
traditional exchange of grownups' Katemas presents and Katemas cards.

Everyone joins in singing Katemas carols before the traditional Katemas
dinner of vegetables, rice, yoghurt, and waldorf salad (after finding the
afikomen).  A Katemas cake with one candle for each year (A.K.) is of
course a given.  In the afternoon everyone plants a tree and there is
joyful dancing around a JulyPole, often wearing elaborate Katemas costumes,
or (if you live in a major city, as we do) a Katemas parade with floats and
marching bands.  Everyone is careful to display the KT symbol, or a sprig
of ivy, even if they're not really Katefans.  The children go door to door
begging chocolate as dusk falls.

As the stars wink on we set off spectacular fireworks and jump together off
Waterloo Bridge, or the local equivalent, drying out afterwards by a
crackling bonfire as we sing Auld Lang Syne and count down the seconds to
the new Kateyear...

Ah, these are good times...!