Sunday, December 6th

One of the really great things about the Kobe Club is its annual X’mas party. Every year we know what to expect, but every year we are surprised that we still feel the magic. This year did not disappoint us.
This year again our eyes were treated to beautiful decorations and our tummies again were treated to some great food and beverages prepared and served lovingly as always by our dedicated food and beverage team. I must admit that this year like last, I was looking forward to the opportunity to eat the ginger bread house and reminding myself that although the world thinks that I am a middle aged husband, father and uncle, I am actually still a kid at heart. 

Talking of being a kid at heart, I was pleased that I am not alone when a X’mas Tree arrived on stage. You would be forgiven for wondering how our favorite Easter Bunny had miraculously transformed into a X’mas Tree, but then you would be missing the point that Mr. Nathan Bryan, our dynamic, bi-lingual MC knows that the magic that we all feel as adults at X’mas can only come when we remember what the world looks like through the eyes of a child. Nathan did it again, combining just enough authority to take command of the stage and the event with his unique brand of fun and generosity of spirit to make sure that smiles were permanently on everyone’s faces.

Kobe Club staff ensured that fun, games, arts and crafts were prepared to keep all the kids entertained and amused so that parents could have a little of their own time to eat, drink and enjoy conversation with family and other friends at the Club.

Oh, and did I mention our special guest that came bearing gifts for the kids and great photo opportunities for the parents? I am not sure who he was but he had a flowing white beard and wore red clothes. I was looking forward to asking this kind old gentleman his name, but he left the stage and the Club before I got a chance. I did however manage to find the bottom half of a business card that I think he dropped where his permanent address was written as being in the North Pole!!! The card was badly damaged and so I could not read his name or find a contact phone number or email address. Anyway, if anyone knows who this wonderful old man was, please tell me because the kids loved him! Hey, who am I kidding? I loved him, too!

Anyway, thanks to Okabe-san and her team and Nathan and his wife putting on another great event. I am already looking forward to seeing the Easter Bunny.

- Adam Lindemann