- 5 weeks ago
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00:01Christmas in Africa.
00:03Christmas is one of the most fun times of the year for us hunters.
00:07But nobody enjoys it more than my sister, Corky.
00:11Yes, snow! Just in time for Christmas.
00:15This will be the best hunter Christmas ever.
00:18My holiday schedule is wrapped up like a Christmas present.
00:21Ooh, I can't wait to hear it, Corky.
00:24It took a lot of planning, but I think I crushed it.
00:27This year, our gingerbread house will have two floors and a balcony.
00:32Yay!
00:33Sweet! In more ways than one.
00:36Lily, can you make the icicles out of vanilla frosting?
00:39Sure can.
00:40Since it's snowing outside, our neighborhood snowman building contest is on.
00:45Benny, I want you on my team to help me design it.
00:48We can use my old scarf on the snowman so we won't get too cold.
00:52Perfect.
00:52Speaking of cold weather fashion, I'm going to wear my special holiday sweater for opening presents on Christmas morning.
00:59You mean the woolly one with the big Santa face, the giant Christmas tree, silver ribbons, candy canes, reindeer, and flashing lights?
01:07Yep.
01:08Is that thing actually comfortable to wear?
01:11Not really.
01:12The lights are kind of itchy, but sometimes we have to give up comfort for Christmas spirit.
01:17Very true.
01:18Look, I also have a surprise for Dad.
01:21Lily, you know how you and I always bake cookies with him right before the holiday?
01:25Yeah?
01:26Well, I found Great Grandpa Wallace's secret holiday cookie recipe for his special snowball cookies.
01:33What? No way!
01:35Dad's always talking about how much he loved those cookies.
01:38Well, he'll be really surprised when we bake some for him.
01:41We hunters usually love holiday surprises, but Corky had no idea we were about to get the biggest Christmas surprise of all.
01:52Hey, kids!
01:53Hi, Dad!
01:54Did you catch my forecast on TV tonight?
01:56I'm predicting we're going to get a lot of snow.
01:59I predict that someone is going to have to shovel our driveway tomorrow morning.
02:04Good forecast.
02:05Mom, Dad, are you ready to hear my hunter holiday activity schedule?
02:12Of course you are.
02:13Yeah, we want to hear it, but first, your mom and I have a big announcement.
02:17This Christmas, we're spending the holiday far away in another country.
02:23The North Pole?
02:24Where Santa lives?
02:26No, Benny.
02:27We're actually going to spend Christmas in Nigeria with our good friends, Gyeong and Bintop.
02:34Yay!
02:34So, we won't be home for Christmas?
02:40No, we won't, but we hope you might find this just as much fun.
02:44Gyeong runs a weather observatory in Jost, Nigeria, and December just happens to be right in the middle of Nigeria's harmattan season.
02:53What's the harmattan season?
02:56The harmattan season is a dry season with very low humidity, no clouds, and high winds.
03:03Fun!
03:03It's very different than our winter weather.
03:06It's very hot.
03:08And the harmattan winds bring dust all the way from the Sahara Desert.
03:13The dust and setting sun create the most beautiful red, orange, and pink colors.
03:19Those sunsets are gorgeous.
03:21Ooh, that sounds so exciting.
03:24I've always wanted to see the harmattan season in person.
03:28Gyeong and Binta enjoyed visiting us so much, they wanted us to spend Christmas with them.
03:33And the best way to celebrate the holiday I know of is to be with people you care about.
03:39But does it have to be this holiday?
03:41Can we visit them on Valentine's Day?
03:44President's Day?
03:45National Taco Day?
03:47Which is totally a holiday.
03:48You can look it up.
03:49Your dad and I get why you might be disappointed.
03:54Spending Christmas in Nigeria will be a different way for us to celebrate.
03:59But let's try something new.
04:01It could be the most fantastic Christmas ever.
04:04Where's Nigeria?
04:05I'll show you, Benny.
04:06Follow me.
04:15This is the continent of Africa.
04:17Here's Nigeria.
04:19And here's the Sahara Desert.
04:21The harmattan carries dust from the Sahara Desert over a thousand miles to Nigeria.
04:26I can't wait to see those sunsets.
04:28I want to see Binta.
04:30And Nigeria sounds fun.
04:32But I like our Christmas.
04:34With cold air and snow and hot cocoa and sweaters so thick I can barely put my coat on.
04:41Look at it this way.
04:42We'll get to celebrate a Nigerian Christmas with Gyeong and Binta.
04:46And you never know.
04:47You might get some cool holiday ideas for next year.
04:50I don't know about cool ideas.
04:53Sounds more like I'll get hot, dry, and dusty ones instead.
04:59Okay.
04:59I just dropped Cumulus off at Ms. Joyce's house.
05:02He should be happy and comfortable there while we're away.
05:06All right, hunters.
05:07We have a long trip ahead of us, so let's get going.
05:10Wait.
05:11I'm going to measure our winter weather now and save it in my tracker tablet so I can compare it to the weather when we get to Nigeria.
05:18The temperature is 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
05:21It's snowing with 80% humidity.
05:24That's very humid.
05:28And there's a light breeze of 5 miles per hour.
05:32Hmm.
05:33So, temperature is 28 degrees, humidity is 80%, and wind is 5 miles per hour.
05:42Okay.
05:43Now we can go.
05:45Nigeria, here we come.
05:47Looks like it's time for a transformation.
05:50How has it been?
05:51Let's go.
06:10Now...
06:13Dude.
06:15Remember when I was waiting for you to oopsie...
06:17So, I was wondering, why is it so hot in Nigeria?
06:33I know why.
06:37This is the equator, an imaginary line that divides the earth into north and south.
06:43Countries near the equator always have warm weather.
06:46You're right, Lily.
06:47The sun shines with greater intensity on that part of our planet, so it's warm all year round.
06:54Gyeong and Binta live in the city of Jos.
06:57It's on a raised area of land that's flat on top, which is called a plateau.
07:03And we're about to see it up close.
07:05Next stop, Gyeong and Binta's house.
07:08Yay!
07:09Woo-hoo!
07:09Ooh, just like you said, Dad, it is very windy.
07:26And dusty.
07:27That must be because of harm-a-time.
07:30It feels like July.
07:32It's warm, but it feels different than when it's hot at home.
07:35Well, that's because it's dry here.
07:38Where we live, we've got a lot more moisture in the air when it's hot, so it feels more humid.
07:43At least here, with lower humidity, there's a lot less sweating.
07:47And with this heat, there are no sweaters, especially Christmas ones.
07:52The temperature is 84 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is 5%.
07:59It's very dry here.
08:03The wind speed is 15 miles per hour.
08:08So, temperature is 84 degrees, humidity is 5%, and wind is 15 miles per hour.
08:16That is different than at home.
08:18Welcome to Nigeria, Hunters.
08:21We are so happy you are here.
08:24Binta and Gyeong, my old friend.
08:28It's wonderful to see you again, Gyeong, and you too, Binta.
08:34Merry Christmas, Lily, Corky, and Benny.
08:37I'm so excited that we'll be spending this Christmas together.
08:40Merry Christmas, Binta.
08:42We're happy to see you too.
08:44It'll be fun to see how you celebrate.
08:46I know the weather's a little different here than at your home.
08:50It's a lot different.
08:52The temperature here is more than 50 degrees warmer.
08:55The air is much drier, and it's much windier.
08:59I can't believe it's the same time of year.
09:05I like your Christmas tree, but I'm not used to seeing them when it's hot out.
09:09The temperatures are actually cooler now.
09:12At night here, it can get down to 10 degrees Celsius.
09:17That's the same as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
09:21You taught me a lot about your winter activities when I came to visit you.
09:25I'm excited to show you our Nigerian Christmas traditions.
09:28Do they include gingerbread houses?
09:31Um, no.
09:32But we have dancing, Christmas dinner with our favorite Nigerian food.
09:37And we have ashwabie.
09:39That's what we call it when every family member wears matching outfits.
09:43My mother always picked out the best outfits for us.
09:47I am so sorry we never got to meet your mother, Bita, before she passed away.
09:52Sounds like she was a wonderful person.
09:55Yes, she was.
09:57Ashwabie was my mother's favorite Christmas tradition.
10:00But, speaking of traditions, is there something you like to do on Christmas?
10:04Maybe we can do that too.
10:06Hmm.
10:07At home, I did want to build a snowman.
10:10But here, there's no snow.
10:12Only sand.
10:13Should we build a sandman?
10:17I'm not sure that that would work, Benny.
10:19We'll have a snowman building contest when we get home.
10:23Bita, our holiday traditions usually involve things you can only do in cold weather.
10:28We build snowmen, drink hot cocoa, and have sleigh rides.
10:33I guess you can't do that here.
10:35Santa Claus uses a sleigh to deliver presents.
10:38And it flies, right?
10:40Not by itself.
10:41It's pulled by flying reindeer.
10:44Oh, no!
10:45I just thought of something.
10:47What?
10:48What if Santa comes to our house on Christmas and sees we're not there?
10:53Don't worry.
10:54We have Santa in Nigeria.
10:56He's called for the Christmas here.
10:58Benny, Santa can find you here in Nigeria.
11:02Remember, Santa's reindeer can fly anywhere.
11:05Oh, yeah!
11:06It's 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
11:16It definitely can't snow when it's so hot out.
11:19Great observation, Lily.
11:21But can you think of any other reason it can't snow?
11:24My hygrometer says there isn't much moisture in the air.
11:27I don't think it can rain or snow when it's this dry outside.
11:31And I can see that there are no clouds here.
11:34Can you figure out why that is?
11:36Yes.
11:37Clouds are made of teeny tiny water droplets.
11:39The harmattan winds are so dry, there isn't enough water in the air to form clouds.
11:45Correct.
11:48Whoa!
11:49That was a 20-mile-per-hour wind gust.
11:52The dust causes what we call the harmattan haze.
11:57When it gets thick, it blocks out the sun.
12:00The haze is why we have beautiful sunsets and cooler temperatures.
12:07When we left our house, the temperature was 28 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity was 80% because it was snowing.
12:14The wind was only 5 miles per hour.
12:16So a big freeze and a light breeze.
12:19Wow, that is a beautiful sunset.
12:25It sure is, Lily.
12:27It's amazing.
12:28My picture of it is my favorite drawing so far.
12:31I'm going to give it to Binta.
12:38Oh, it's such a lovely drawing, Benny.
12:41Thank you for this.
12:43I have something for Corky, too.
12:45I know you're missing snow.
12:47So, Mom, help me freeze some water for you.
12:49They're not real snowballs, but they're cold and round.
12:53Thank you, Benny.
12:55That's really special.
12:58You're welcome.
12:59I can see that your brother cares for you and wants you to be happy.
13:07What are all these plates and bowls for, Binta?
13:10My dad is letting me help with the Christmas dinner this year.
13:13He's such a good cook.
13:15Corky and I can help, too.
13:16Yeah.
13:17Okay.
13:18We're making jollof rice.
13:21And we're having chicken and chin-chin.
13:24Who's chin?
13:26Chin-chin is fried dough made from flour, sugar, butter, and milk.
13:31Sounds yummy.
13:33Mmm.
13:33That sounds really good.
13:35But it's not Christmas without cranberry sauce.
13:39Sorry, Corky.
13:40Dad and I don't have cranberry sauce for Christmas.
13:43Maybe we can find some.
13:45But we'll do our cooking tomorrow.
13:47Tonight is time for some holiday entertainment.
13:50We're watching holiday movies?
13:52Come.
13:53You'll see.
13:57Dance is an important part of our culture, especially during Christmas.
14:02Binta and I want to teach you some moves.
14:06Take two steps this way.
14:09Now hop.
14:10Two steps the other way.
14:12Hop again.
14:13Now you try.
14:14Okay.
14:15Two steps this way.
14:17Hop.
14:18Two steps that way.
14:20Hop again.
14:26Now add your arms.
14:32Let's take it from the top.
14:48A one, two, three, four.
14:50Wee!
15:02This is fun!
15:06I think I got it.
15:08Me too!
15:09Me too!
15:09Now it's time to cook.
15:24Who wants to help make Moi Moi?
15:27Me!
15:27Me!
15:29Um, what is Moi Moi?
15:32Nigerian bean pudding.
15:34And it's yummy.
15:35Come, Lily.
15:36I will show you how.
15:37While they make Moi Moi cookie, you and I will make the chin-chin.
15:43Okay.
15:45I have already put in the flour, sugar, milk, two eggs, and butter.
15:51My mom also likes to add cinnamon powder.
15:55Ah.
15:57Is something wrong, Binta?
15:59This was something I always did with my mom.
16:02She died when I was six.
16:03I remember the fun things we did at Christmas, like ashoibee and making chin-chin.
16:10You must miss her.
16:12I really do.
16:14But my dad still makes sure I always have the best Christmas.
16:17You and your dad do a lot of fun holiday stuff.
16:22My mom loved to sing Christmas songs, so we do that together.
16:26Her favorite was about getting new clothes on Christmas, since that's a present kids usually get.
16:31We sing songs at Christmas, too.
16:33I always miss my mom a little more during Christmas.
16:37I'm sure you do.
16:41I have an idea.
16:42I'll be right back.
16:45Mom, can you help me and Binta with the chin-chin?
16:49She used to make it with her mom.
16:51Of course I will.
16:52As our mom helped make chin-chin, Corky realized that Binta was missing her holiday traditions, too.
17:06Corky might not have snowed this Christmas, but she had something even more important.
17:13Look at you, too.
17:15That chin-chin we made is so yummy.
17:18It means a lot to me that your mom helped me make it, too.
17:22I know you wish your mom was still here to make chin-chin with you.
17:25Maybe there's something fun we can do that reminds you of your mom on Christmas.
17:29Ooh, I know just the thing.
17:32Another Nigerian Christmas tradition is to make hampers.
17:37Hampers?
17:38Like, for laundry?
17:40No.
17:41Hampers are gift baskets full of food and sweets.
17:45We give them to our friends and neighbors.
17:47That sounds like a better gift than dirty clothes.
17:49Corky, I know you're missing your cold weather holiday at home.
17:55If we make hampers together, that could be a new Christmas tradition for both of us.
17:59I love that idea.
18:01But what can we add besides chin-chin?
18:04Hmm.
18:05I know.
18:08Because the hampers makes our skin so dry, my mother would make hand cream out of beeswax and almond oil.
18:14My skin is super dry.
18:16That's a great idea, Mehta.
18:18Cold air also makes your skin dry.
18:21I could give Miss Joyce some hand cream as a thank you for taking care of Cumulus.
18:26This is the perfect way for me to remember my mom.
18:29She always made homemade gifts for our friends and family.
18:32I can't imagine how you're feeling, missing your mom during the holiday.
18:37It wasn't easy at first.
18:38I used to get really sad at Christmas, but I love celebrating with my dad, even though our family is just me and him.
18:46Well, now you have us.
18:48It was so good.
18:53Let's pack up these hampers.
18:56Christmas morning might not have been with Corky planned, but I think that the way it turned out, she had even more fun.
19:03Santa found me all the way here.
19:08Look, he got me a new sketchbook.
19:11What are you going to draw first, Benny?
19:13I'm drawing all of us in our matching clothes.
19:16There is one last present.
19:18Corky is missing her hunter holiday family traditions this year.
19:22And while I can't bring cold weather and snow to Nigeria, I did bring all the ingredients for Great Grandpa Wallace's famous holiday snowball cookies.
19:32So we can have our cookie baking day after all.
19:36What?
19:37Wow.
19:38Amazing.
19:40But how did you...
19:42I secretly gave the recipe to Dad.
19:44I figured you needed a surprise treat more than he did.
19:48Thanks, Lily.
19:48Can Beinta join us so she can make another new Christmas memory?
19:53Of course.
19:54If she wants to.
19:56I'm so honored to be included in your special family tradition.
20:00But if they're snowballs, do we have to throw them?
20:04No.
20:05The only way they're like real snow is they melt in your mouth.
20:12That dinner was delicious.
20:17I'm stuffed.
20:18Me too.
20:19And thanks for getting me cranberry sauce.
20:22You're welcome.
20:23Who thinks we should add chin-chin to our holiday menu next year?
20:26Me.
20:27I do.
20:28Me.
20:28All right.
20:30Chin-chin for the win.
20:33Save room for snowballs.
20:36Yeah.
20:37Snowball selfies.
20:38There, all set.
20:47We want to thank you so much for letting us celebrate Christmas with you.
20:51Beinta.
20:52Beinta.
20:52I'm sending you the video I made of our holiday, so you can always remember our first Christmas
20:57together.
20:58And you're both invited to our home for Christmas next year.
21:01Or we could come back to Nigeria again.
21:05That could be our new holiday tradition.
21:07Yay.
21:08I think that's a great idea.
21:10Yeah.
21:12Why, Corky.
21:13I'm happy to hear you'd want to do that.
21:16It's never too early for Corky to start planning Christmas.
21:19You are always welcome here.
21:23I was right after all.
21:25This year was the best hunt at Christmas ever.
21:29See you again soon.
21:30Bye.
21:30It was so great to have you here.
21:32Stay in touch.
21:45We learned a lot about how our friends celebrate Christmas.
21:48But we learned something else, too.
21:51If you're with people you love, you'll have a happy holiday.
21:55Whatever the weather, we can always celebrate together.