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| carp live well on the sidewalk |
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| line up for your Christmas carp |
Christmas in Prague is a sight to see- the markets and large trees in any open space throughout the city, lights everywhere, and starting on 23 December the large tanks of fresh carp on the sidewalks. Yes, carp is the traditional Christmas meal paired with potato salad. The funny thing is that nobody actually likes this tradition (mainly because it is rather nauseating) but they eat it anyway because traditions trump all. Some have their carp killed on the spot at the street stand while others opt to take it home alive and keep it in their bathtubs until Christmas (24 December here) when the male figure of the household properly kills and cooks it for the meal. After the meal a bell is rung to inform everyone present that Baby Jesus has successfully delivered the presents and that it is time to open them. Everyone rushes the the living room to the tree (which is decorated on the morning of the 24th, no earlier) and happily open gifts together.
It has been very entertaining to compare the differences in holiday traditions between the many cultures and am happy to see that universally the core is the same- to spend time and and celebrate with friends and family alike
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