by Isabela, age 9, writes to Santa from Salvador, Brazil, and asks how does santa know if you have been good?
Dear Santa,
My name is Isabela, and I am 9 years old. I live in Salvador, Brazil, where her tio says the whole city smells like acaraje frying on every street corner during the holidays.
Dear Isabela, that is exactly the sort of detail I like to hear about Salvador. 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, how does Santa know if you have been good? My dad and I were arguing about it at breakfast.
I keep a very long list, though mostly I trust that children know in their own hearts when they have been kind, and that matters more to me than any list ever could.
Second, my grandpa was telling us about the Bay of All Saints, the enormous bay that her city sits right along the edge of. Do you fly over that on your Christmas Eve route?
Every single year, without fail. The bay of all saints, the enormous bay that her city sits right along the edge of 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 in Brazil’s city of Salvador? My family was talking about it and I want to know if it is real.
It certainly is true. In brazil’s city of salvador, african-brazilian traditions blend with christmas celebrations, since the region has deep roots in afro-brazilian culture. I think that is a wonderful thing for a family to talk about, because customs like that are exactly what make Brazil feel like Brazil, 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, Isabela. Keep noticing the world around you, keep asking honest questions, and keep being kind to the people in Salvador. That is the whole spirit of Christmas right there. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Isabela
Salvador, Brazil
P.S. Does Papai Noel ever visit Salvador too, or is that only your job?
We split the map fairly evenly, and Papai Noel handles that part of the world beautifully. Consider it a very old and very friendly arrangement.
