by Josephine, age 8 from New Orleans, Louisiana, asks Santa about Christmas on the Bayou, New Orleans’s below-sea-level geography, and the Cajun levee bonfire tradition.
Dear Santa, my name is Josephine, and I am eight years old. I live in New Orleans, Louisiana, where my meme says our whole city sits below sea level, protected by walls built along the river.
Dear Josephine, a city held safely below sea level by clever walls is one of the more impressive bits of engineering on my entire route, your meme picked a truly resilient hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Have you seen Christmas on the Bayou? My meme says it reminds her of growing up here.
I have seen a good number of bayou-set Christmas films over the years, Josephine, moss hanging from the trees and lanterns glowing along the water make for a beautifully atmospheric setting. Your meme’s memories sound like they match the movie’s spirit quite well.
My teacher says New Orleans is surrounded by swampy wetlands called bayous. Is that true?
It is true, Josephine, bayous wind through the land all around your city, slow moving water full of cypress trees and wildlife. I always fly a careful, curious pass over that misty landscape on my way in.
My meme says on Christmas Eve, families here light huge bonfires along the levee to help guide Papa Noel. Is that true?
It is true, Josephine, that Cajun tradition of lighting bonfires along the levee on Christmas Eve is a beautiful, real custom meant to help Papa Noel find his way. I will admit, my Louisiana colleague appreciates the help every single year.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Josephine Boudreaux
New Orleans, Louisiana
P.S. Do you and Papa Noel ever cross paths on Christmas Eve?
Occasionally, Josephine, and we always take a moment to wave.
