by Hodan, age 9 from Djibouti City, Djibouti, asks Santa about Christmas reindeer, the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, and Djibouti’s strategic location.
Dear Santa, my name is Hodan, and I am nine years old. I live in Djibouti City, Djibouti, where my hooyo says it gets so hot here that snow is something we only ever see in pictures.
Dear Hodan, I always pack my lightest gear for Djibouti, your hooyo is not exaggerating about that heat one bit.
Santa, I have three questions.
Do you have Christmas reindeer? My little brother says they would probably melt if they ever visited us.
I do have reindeer, Hodan, though your little brother has a point, they much prefer colder climates. For a stop as warm as Djibouti, I will admit they mostly just admire the view from a comfortable, breezy altitude.
My teacher says Djibouti sits right where an important shipping route passes between two big bodies of water. Is that true?
It is true, Hodan, Djibouti sits along the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, a narrow, busy passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. I always enjoy watching the ships glide through on my way to your rooftop.
My hooyo says because of where we are located, several countries keep military bases here to help protect the shipping routes. Is that true?
It is true, Hodan, Djibouti’s strategic location has made it home to several international military bases over the years, all connected to keeping the busy shipping lanes safe. Location has a funny way of shaping a whole country’s story, doesn’t it?
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Hodan Farah
Djibouti City, Djibouti
P.S. Can the reindeer at least dip their hooves in the ocean while they are here?
I will allow a short, supervised dip, Hodan, purely for morale purposes.
