A Different Kind of Christmas

As the JP Superfast carries us into Christmas Day, we are all thinking of the families we have waiting for us in our respective homes. We cannot wait to hear your voices today. In the meantime, we thought it would be cool to give you all a little snapshot of where we're at as we approach a very different Christmas.

Nikau- Looking forward to that first phone call back home.

Will- Seems strange to me that it is Christmas Eve and I feel none of the buzz I would normally feel at home surrounded by family. Instead surrounded by a different family on India's retro sleigh.

Cam- Will Santa keep up with the Indian railway timetable? Missing the family at this special time, I know they'll be missing the spirit of Christmas (me).

Mr Crook- Instead of a drop of brandy, a mince pie and carrot for Rudolph, Santa will be having a drop of hand sanitiser, a train samosa and a mosambi fruit tonight before heading out on his sleigh! A different Christmas to say the least!

Mr Jordan - dinner with 10 family members vs dinner with 26 members of a different family. Cold and dark vs hot and bright. Turkey, ham and all the trimmings vs butter chicken and chips. Tacky Christmas decorations in both cases. Roll on midnight. 

Ryan- Xmas with a different family will be such an interesting experience in a place where there is really no evidence of one of my favourite times of the year. 

Ollie- Very excited. I love Christmas no matter where I am.

Matt- It's strange to have no build up to a special time with year with family and I miss the travel to Tauranga to spend time with my grandparents and other family. I'm excited for a different Christmas but I miss the comforts of home during the holidays.

Ben- Although my family don't really celebrate Christmas, it is weird being isolated from the Christmas hype and spirit for the month of December. I'm usually with other friends that don't celebrate Christmas on Christmas and it also makes me miss them.

Miller- The few signs of Christmas and the release of a new Star Wars reminds me of a simpler time two years ago back at the end of third form, knowing that is the feeling back home and not here is a bit upsetting.  However, I am very excited to finally live out my childhood dream of travelling on the Polar Express on Christmas Eve and to read my letters and hear my family on the phone call.

Josh H - I am missing the family gathering back home, although I am enjoying celebrating this Christmas with my second family in Mumbai. 

Zac - Looking forward to a large Christmas lunch in Mumbai and while I'm not missing the Christmas build up, I am missing home and the annual catch up with my extended family. 

Callan - 2 years ago on Christmas I was sitting in a fancy restaurant on Balmoral Beach in Sydney, surrounded by family. I could never have imagined that 2 years later I would be waking up on Christmas morning on a train to Mumbai, half way around the world from my family who are having lunch in the exact same spot. Life is unpredictable and I love it.

Michael - I miss the smell of the Christmas tree, the scent that fills the house and reminds me of times with family on Christmas Day, the smell that stirs memories of struggling to sleep and waking up at 5am to look for presents. I miss opening gifts and Christmas dinner with family, but at the same time greatly look forward to experiencing a unique and special Indian Christmas Eve on this train to Mumbai.

Lachie- this time last year I was stuck in a bed in Auckland hospital, eating little if  anything. This time round it seems quite a treat being with mates on the other side of the world. However nothing beats spending Xmas with family and celebrating my dad's b-day. Love you guys. 

Sam- The Christmas feeling is really starting to kick in for me, I am going to miss the family gatherings that are the usual. However, waking up with mates to some special cards from family will be a memory I won't forget.

Raymond- Given the lack of decorations, carols and cards, it is difficult to feel that Christmas is around the corner. While I do miss the laughter, food and time with my family, I will definitely cherish opening cards on this Indian Polar Express. Merry Christmas.

Josh R - Christmas is all-consuming in kiwi land. Families travel across seas to reunite. LED lights adorn every street corner. Chocolate Santa's line the supermarket aisles. In India Christmas is simply another passing day.

Aaron- The thought of Christmas away from family feels pretty surreal, and it doesn't feel at all like Christmas here in India. The more I think about home and family the more I miss it, but it's equally pretty cool to be away with such a great group of lads. Looking forward to my phone call.

Richard- Not many people can say that at 16 years of age they spent Christmas Day on a train to Mumbai. Although I'm privileged that I can say this, it doesn't take away that dull ache of homesickness, the realisation that I won't be able to celebrate a very special day with the people I love most. Love you lots Boswells.

Roni- I haven't had a family Christmas, I think, in about 5 or 6 years. The last time I remember Christmas was a time of not being able to get any sleep because I was too excited to see what I get under the tree from my parents. I wonder what I would think of Christmas now.

Rowan - Having the opportunity of writing this whilst, I sit here, wrapped in blankets, talking to the lads, playing cards, laughing lots, collectively sharing one of the best moments on the trip; Unanimously decided after we all got chocolate bars from Santa. Unanimously decided after Leo tipped Santa a hundred Christmas Eve rupees, lighting up the Christmas tree that is his face :-)

Leo- The Christmas hype was non- existent until I began to play cards with the boys in carriage B1 about 30 minutes ago. Now there are 7 of us boys in a train carriage playing cards, laughing, eating chocolate and having some great Christmas laughs- definitely one of my favourite moments in the trip so far.

George - I hadn't spent too much time missing a Christmas at home, too busy enjoying my time away. But as a Christmas carol came on late Christmas Eve, I must admit a quiet tear was shed in remembering a warm family Christmas.

Reuben- Fairytale of New York playing in the background is as close to a McGregor-Sumpter Christmas I'll get this year, and I'm missing family back home. But after 5 hours chatting to boys on a train, and knowing what we have in store for the day itself, I can't wait for another Indian Christmas and reunion at Leopold Cafe. 

Tom- Christmas isn't a big thing for me usually but to be honest I'm hurting to not be at home right now. That aside, I'm just grateful for the privilege of being here and sharing the day with one of my best mates and a top bunch of men.