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Vendors dressed as Santa Claus sell Christmas items in downtown Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe, December 23, 2021. (Photo credit: Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
Nearly three years after the pandemic hit, the festive atmosphere that envelops Zimbabwe during the Christmas season is back in full swing. People travel to rural areas to celebrate the holidays, far from the fast-paced city life.
Harare, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) — Nearly three years into the pandemic, the festive atmosphere that envelops Zimbabwe during the Christmas season is back in full swing. – Fast-paced city life.
The long-distance bus terminal in Mbale Musika was packed with buses leaving two days before the most important holiday.
At the loading bay, the bus crew and marshal loaded bulky bags filled with groceries and other goodies onto the bus’ rooftop carrier and quickly hit the road.
Bus conductors line up luggage on the roof of a bus at the Mbale Musika bus terminal in Harare, Zimbabwe, December 23, 2021. (Photo credit: Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
Unofficial grocers around the terminal have also taken advantage of the travel rush to kill last-minute shoppers.
Traveler Felista Musengezi said: “Christmas will probably be the best this year. Over the past two years, due to COVID-19, we have spent most of our time at home and have not been able to celebrate.” Told.
Zimbabwe prepares the best meals to celebrate Christmas and New Year. During the festive season, livestock such as chickens, goats, sheep and cows are at risk of becoming part of the special dishes served during the festive period.
Family reunions and travel were the hallmarks of the holiday season until the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, forcing Zimbabweans to move away from their holiday traditions. But as the threat of the pandemic fades, the tide is turning. The spirit of jubilation is very much alive.
Traveler Hashem Kazembe said the holiday season is very important as families gather to discuss important issues.
People prepare to board a bus at the Mbale Musika bus terminal in Harare, Zimbabwe on December 23, 2021. (Photo credit: Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
“Christmas means a lot to me because it’s a holiday where family and friends come together. It’s also a time to discuss family issues. It frees people from work,” said Kazembe.
For carriers such as Funlesley Kambeva, travel disruption is a boon.
“Two years ago the situation was much tougher because of the lockdown, but now things are better,” said Kambeva.
And for vendors around terminals like Patience Moyana, the holiday rush is a time to fill your pockets.
“I put the market here because it is where the money starts to circulate. We can, that’s how we make money,” said Moyana.
Vendors sell Christmas items in downtown Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe, December 23, 2021. (Photo credit: Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
Riding the holiday shopping frenzy, roadside boutiques are also loaded with new offerings aimed at those who want their families to holiday in style.
“As Christmas approaches, I’ve come shopping for clothes for my kids so they can celebrate the holiday in style because it’s time we all meet as relatives and friends.”
For children, Christmas is one of the best times of their lives when they get new clothes from their parents and gifts from their elders. ■
