So I am desperately due for a blog post, and since jetlag has me up at crazy hours of the night and day, this is a perfect opportunity for an update.
So December started rough with being sick, but our weekend trip to Sevilla made Spain feel like Christmas and so it was just everything that I had really needed at that point. It was so nice to get to experience Sevilla at Christmas time because it just made feel even closer to my heart than it already is (if that's even possible).
I spent the rest of the month in Madrid. And then just before Christmas (on Christmas eve), I flew home to Los Angeles. I've got to say, Europe just does Christmas right. Especially Spain. Between the Christmas lights, Christmas markets, our Christmas show and special events at school, it just felt magical (yes I know that's corny but I don't have any other words to describe it).
In Madrid, I got to shop at a ton of Christmas markets mostly for things that I brought home to friends and family (and some things for me too). Some of my favorite markets were the one in Plaza de Jacinto Benavente and of course the Mercado de Artisaniía (Artisan Market) in Plaza de España.
One of my favorite things about Christmas in Madrid (and in Spain in general) is that there a HUGE focus on nativities and Los Reyes Magos (the Three Wisemen). Instead of Santa bringing you gifts, or sitting on Santa's lap, and writing a letter of things you wish for to Santa, children in Spain write to Los Reyes and The Three Wisemen came to school one day so that children could sit on their laps and give them their letters. Growing up, we we didn't believe in Santa Clause because my dad is a pastor. We always knew that he didn't exist. Actually one Christmas, when she was like 7 years old, Kelsey pretended to be Santa and she wrapped presents under the tree from Santa because she felt left out and different from other families. So spending Christmas, not really talking about Santa Clause, wasn't a big deal for me. But talking about Los Reyes so much, I thought it felt more important and focused on religious reasons for Christmas (aka Jesus being born), which made it just as special.
Some of the fun Christmas adventures that I got to do included the Navibus (a 2 euro open top bus that takes you around Madrid just to see the Christmas lights), our Secret Santa friend Christmas dinner/ pizza party at my house, Reina Victoria Christmas dinner with Elli's roommates, and our Calasancio teacher Christmas dinner with Javier, Maria Fuente, Cristina, Ana, Raquel, Arantxa, and me. School was crazy because the last week before break there was literally something special everyday. We had an Advent Candle Lighting Service, making Christmas cards and taking them to the retirement home, visiting with Los Reyes, practicing Christmas Carols for the Christmas show, and the day of the Christmas show. It was such a busy December but it was so much fun and it really made the season feel like Christmas and feel special, which is a big feat when you are so far from home.
The weekend before I went back to Los Angeles, Kelly and I went to Segovia on a day trip as well, which was super fun. We got to see the Roman Aqueduct, the Catedral, and the Alcázar. It was beautiful with lots of country side and it was such a small, quaint, super quiet town. And there is such a place in my heart for towns like that. :)
After Segovia, I flew out of Madrid on Christmas Eve early early AM. I had a connection from Mad - London and got to sleep a little during the first leg. After a brutal 12.5 hr flight from London to LA, I was finally home. My California Christmas was everything I wished it to be. It was full of adventures with friends and family, hiking, the beach, being outside in 70-80 degree weather, biking with my dad, and eating all the foods that I love and miss (21 choices, Gringos, Taco Deli, Star Cafe). It was such a good trip home, but I'm glad to be back in Madrid. And next week Elli and I are going to Dublin to see Maroon 5 in concert!!
