Anyways, this holiday season was a special one, certainly, and a different one. Thank goodness that they don't play as much Christmas music here. (Sorry if you like Christmas music, but to me it´s not that great).
The holidays here aren't much different from those that I have experienced in the USA, but at the same time, are completely different. One thing that I liked was the amount of food. And that's one thing that every person I talked to complained about after the holdidays. That they had eaten too much. A lot of times (most with my family) all the food is served at one time, or we go buffet style, but in Spain, there are courses... Well, not like a 5 course meal or anything. On a normal day there are 3 courses, but then their are holidays and festive days when we go 4 courses or more. We start out with like appetizer food in the living room, then move to the dining room to eat the (big) soup, then on to the meat, and then dessert. And that also comes with as many drinks as you need to wash it all down ;). And sinces there are a lot more festive says during Christmas break, you end up eating a lot more. I thought it was great.
We spent almost all of holiday holidays with my host extended family, all of whom are pretty cool. We filled the house a few times with all the family. We never fit at one table, let me tell you that. But to be honest, my family has never fit at one table. Haha, and so far Spain has not changed that part.
It was a busy but relaxed Christmas break all in all. We were always doing something, never stopping. But we also had a lot of relax time, just to do whatever. We took a few trips within the region, but nothing far away. I have been to a lot of convents all over Castilla y Leon (my region of Spain) because of the work that my host mother does with them. And me hitching a ride with her on her convent-ional trips (pun intended) has taken me quite a few places.
Christmas, as in the day itself, was a lot different from the previous 15 times I have experienced it. Like, a lot different. The morning was the same, we went to midnight mass, and then sometime later (earlier??) we went to sleep, but no one really woke me up a measily 5 hours later for presents. Actually I think I might have gotten a full 8 hours of sleep too. (Don't worry it wasn't a surprise to me, they'd already told me). And then, we got up and dressed, and left to go have a big meal with the family in the pueblo (basically where the family started and so they all have houses there). And we ate, made a side trip to a convent, went to visit a 100 year out aunt, and then went home and ate again, and eventually went to sleep.
Did I forget anything, no. Spaniards, in general, do not celebrate more than the birth of Jesus on the 25th of December. It's Christmas, but without the Coca Cola advertizer (Santa Claus; if you didn't catch the red and white reference). Haha those aren't my words. Those are some of the Spanish opinions that I have witnessed. They appreciate Saint Nick and what all, but Santa Claus is a bit of a sham to them. Some even asked if I was sure I was Christian (Catholic) because by having celebrated Christmas with Santa Claus, I merited that question. It was a bit wierd but they didn't bother me that much. They do presents on the 6th of January, the Epiphany. (more on that later).
I also got to go to a Real Madrid/football match in Madrid on the 30th of December. That was fun. You should go if you ever get tickets and are in Madrid. Just saying guys.
Well, they do celebrate New Years' Day basically like in the USA: alcohol, fireworks, and the same channel on TV. But we add the grapes.
The Grapes. The 12 grapes. The last and first time you choke for a year.
Basically, you down 12 grapes in the 12 second before the "ball drops". Which is basically just you choking on the 7th grape, and then you end up having 9 grapes in your mouth, while shaking the hands of everyone around you. 100% brilliant tradition. I don't have to hear your voice for the first minute of the new year. Already the year has started off good. The general public (everyone) in Spain throws a significant amount of firworks in the 2 weeks leading up to the New Year and the day/night itself. Just a warning.
Then came the 6th of January, the, by now, much anticipated day of presents, that needn't be shared with Jesus. Los Reyes Magos, the Three Wise Men, or the Three Kings, however you prefer, had arrived.
Actually, los Reyes Magos are the ones bringing the presents to all of the kids of Spain (and the rest of the world), just like they brought presents to Jesus. (And that's their reason for saying they're more Christian than I am, even when they can't stand through a 30 minute church service without complaining). So I got some presents from los Reyes Magos too. Pretty nice of them to stop by for the little American boy.
January 6th I was woken up at an unholy hour by the youngest of my host siblings here. He tried to wake everyone up, but it only made us angry at him. Because everyone in the family is a lot older and we have all decided that through years of experience that the presents are not going anywhere in the near future, and that the extra hours of sleep will be appreciated later, when we want to play with our toys. Though, eventually we got up, and opened presents. Nice job to los Reyes Magos, whereever you guys reside when it is not January 6th. (nobody would explain that one to me)
Then, suddenly and rather violently, I was thrown into school, a measely two day later. And BAM we are back in school. Yay.
It's been a slow start for me at school. But it only gets easier (in regards to the Spanish part; the other part just continues to get harder).
And then, I recieved a couple of packages from the US of A. And then it kind of hit me a little bit, that I had just missed my first Christmas with my mom and dad, and my siblings. And a few Kleenexes may have been needed for when I had to read the 8 letters that I found within the two packages. I send a special thanks to the genius who made each of my siblings write me a letter about why the miss me and double thanks (because it cheered me up) to them, for telling me why they didn´t miss me. That was especially nice of you guys. I needed that. Seriously, almost thought you liked me or something. (Totally joking around for those of you who don´t catch sarcasm when it is written.) Love you guys.
All in all it was a pretty good Christmas season. Hope yours was a good one too.
Un saludo, Miguel Sabol
January 6th I was woken up at an unholy hour by the youngest of my host siblings here. He tried to wake everyone up, but it only made us angry at him. Because everyone in the family is a lot older and we have all decided that through years of experience that the presents are not going anywhere in the near future, and that the extra hours of sleep will be appreciated later, when we want to play with our toys. Though, eventually we got up, and opened presents. Nice job to los Reyes Magos, whereever you guys reside when it is not January 6th. (nobody would explain that one to me)
Then, suddenly and rather violently, I was thrown into school, a measely two day later. And BAM we are back in school. Yay.
It's been a slow start for me at school. But it only gets easier (in regards to the Spanish part; the other part just continues to get harder).
And then, I recieved a couple of packages from the US of A. And then it kind of hit me a little bit, that I had just missed my first Christmas with my mom and dad, and my siblings. And a few Kleenexes may have been needed for when I had to read the 8 letters that I found within the two packages. I send a special thanks to the genius who made each of my siblings write me a letter about why the miss me and double thanks (because it cheered me up) to them, for telling me why they didn´t miss me. That was especially nice of you guys. I needed that. Seriously, almost thought you liked me or something. (Totally joking around for those of you who don´t catch sarcasm when it is written.) Love you guys.
All in all it was a pretty good Christmas season. Hope yours was a good one too.
Un saludo, Miguel Sabol
