by Deniz, age 7, writes to Santa from Antalya, Turkey, and asks where does santa live?
Dear Santa,
My name is Deniz, and I am 7 years old. I live in Antalya, Turkey, where his baba still swims in the sea in December, which the rest of the family thinks is completely ridiculous.
Dear Deniz, that is exactly the sort of detail I like to hear about Antalya. It tells me you are paying close attention to the world around you, which is a fine habit to keep. Please keep noticing things like that.
Santa, I have three questions. First, where does Santa live? My dad and I were arguing about it at breakfast.
The North Pole, of course, in a workshop that never quite shows up clearly on any map, which the elves insist is intentional so tourists do not track slush all over the toy floor.
Second, my grandpa was telling us about the Taurus Mountains, which rise up sharply just behind the coastline near his home. Do you fly over that on your Christmas Eve route?
Every single year, without fail. The taurus mountains, which rise up sharply just behind the coastline near his home is one of the sights the reindeer look forward to most, and I always tell the newer reindeer to watch closely as we pass over, because there are not many views in the whole wide world quite like it. Rudolph tends to slow down just a little right there, and I have learned not to rush him.
Third, is it true that modern Turkey is officially a secular country? My family was talking about it and I want to know if it is real.
It certainly is true. Modern turkey is officially a secular country, so while most citizens are muslim, small christian communities still celebrate christmas openly. I think that is a wonderful thing for a family to talk about, because customs like that are exactly what make Turkey feel like Turkey, and they are precisely the sort of thing that keeps a community close together, especially in the winter months.
Thank you for your letter and your good questions, Deniz. Keep noticing the world around you, keep asking honest questions, and keep being kind to the people in Antalya. That is the whole spirit of Christmas right there. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Deniz
Antalya, Turkey
P.S. Does Noel Baba ever visit Antalya too, or is that only your job?
We split the map fairly evenly, and Noel Baba handles that part of the world beautifully. Consider it a very old and very friendly arrangement.
