Sunday Funday

Today I was fortunate enough to spend my afternoon relaxing all day with family and friends.

My friend Abby, who is an Au Pair, invited us over to her apartment for brunch with her family, Victor, Paloma, Carla, and Paloma Jr. They are possibly the most welcoming and kind people I have met since arriving here in Spain, not to mention as an added bonus, their house is heated! 

Mid lunch, change into Princessa Carla, por que no?

 

Heated table, what a revelation!

While my roommates played around with little Palomita, and Carla, Victor shared his secrets to making salmorejo and empanadas with me.

As Paloma pointed out, there is ALWAYS room for chocolate.

Full from eating and drinking so much, we went on a leisurely walk to look at the Christmas lights.

You cant tell from this picture, but these lights hang for about a mile.

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

One of the things that I love most about Europe is the random fairs and festivals that pop up overnight...

In my opinion there is no better way to start a Sunday than at Starbucks. When I walked in I immediately noticed that suddenly Starbucks and all of Sevilla for that matter have been transformed. Christmas cups, music, and ambiance is in the air.

Hundreds of Christmas lights were hung over the streets, trees, lampposts and stores. Little booths were constructed along the tramline selling incense, Christmas cookies and figurines for nativity scenes. They literally have everything from miniature saucepans with eggs and bacon, to elaborate scenes with electrical components. 

As we walked through el centro astounded by all the lights hanging, anticipating when they will be turned on, we stumbled upon a full fledged renaissance fair. There was an entire pig roasting on a spit, men having a sword fight in the street, artisans selling their jewelry, owls, and some free puppies being given away? Of course no festival is complete without a dazzling array of baked goods, cheeses, and beers on tap. 

A toffeenut latte and exploring the festival was the perfect end to this surprising weekend.

Dia de Acción de Gracias

These past few days have been a whirlwind. I have been teaching about Thanksgiving (Dia de acción de gracias,) and cooking up a storm, for not one, but two Thanksgiving dinners.

I have to admit it was difficult to get into the Thanksgiving spirit this year being so far away from home. I know I shouldn’t complain about the 70-degree weather, but without the changing fall leaves, a trip to the Cidermill, and missing ugg boot season entirely, I have been in a bit of a funk recently.

On Friday night my roommates and I went to a thanksgiving potluck dinner with other CIEE teach in Spain participants. Then on Saturday, we prepared a feast for about 20 Spaniards in our piso. I made butternut squash soup and after a long tiring search for cheddar cheese, I whipped up multiple trays of macaroni and cheese.

Cooking this amount of food was no easy feat. First of all, we can’t figure out how to use our oven, it’s a guessing game in which the oven usually wins. My chocolate cake I baked a few weeks back was it's first casualty. We also lack measuring cups, the correct cooking utensils, a dishwasher and a garbage disposable at out convince. No matter, I still love any opportunity to cook; I had great company, and some new country music to listen to in the kitchen.

I am happy to report that Thanksgiving was just what I needed, two nights in a row of eating, drinking, talking with our mouths full, and getting in some good laughs has lifted my fussy mood, hopefully once and for all.

Although I am not with from family and friends this year, I think that the far distance away during the holiday season has renewed my appreciation for living abroad and has helped me recognize what I am grateful for, even more than usual.

So on that note I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and for those of you back in the in Vestal right now, eat an extra slice of pumpkin pie for me!

Turkey hands we made in class

Roommates at Thanksgiving dinner #2

Fútbol

There is very little that I know about fútbol (soccer.) I have played basketball my whole life, and the only team that I follow regularly is Syracuse basketball, GO ORANGE!

I decided last minute on Sunday to buy a ticket to the Sevilla vs. Betis game to see what all the fuss is about. ¿por qué no? Before heading to the game I was warned to be extra cautious because Betis is Sevilla’s greatest rivalry and the fans tend to get a bit rowdy.

Policemen watching over the tailgate, "botellón"

Much like a football game in the United States, fans gathered outside the stadium early in the morning to tailgate or "botellón" as it is called here. By the time I arrived two hours before the game, drunken fans were shooting off fireworks, dancing around, cheering, and proudly singing fight songs at the top of their lungs.

We joined right in on the festivities, and celebrated with the masses at the 5-1 win over Betis. 

 

Churros con Chocolate

On my way to work, not only do I bike along the beautiful Guadalquivir River, but I also pass by a multitude of patisseries frying up fresh churros each morning. I breathe in the sweet aroma of the chocolate as the scent lingers in the air.

The time has finally come that I turn a blind eye to calories, and finally indulge in churros con chocolate, a common breakfast for many Spaniards.

The chocolate is warm, rich, and slightly bitter reminiscent of a thick pudding. The churros, in this case are loops of fried dough that are light and crisp. 

As if this is not enough, a generous coating of cinnamon and sugar enhances the flavor. The chocolate is poured into small mugs, and the dipping commences, leaving behind traces of sugar crystals underneath my fingernails.

There is no turning back now, I am addicted.

RONDAzvous

After two weeks of constant rain and fog, on Saturday I was relieved to see the weather forecast for a sunny day. I rallied the troops and we caught the first bus to Ronda, a city located in the province of Malaga, only a two-hour ride from Sevilla.

After a short snooze on the bus, I awoke to bright skies, and one of the most visually stunning cities I have ever seen before. According to Ernest Hemmingway, Ronda is the most romantic town in all of Spain, and I couldn’t agree more, the views were unforgettable.

The Puente Nuevo, "new bridge"  joins the old Moorish town and the newer part of the city, El Mercadillo

Young at Heart

I think that the Rugrats said it best,

Take me there, I wanna go there
Take me there, you know where
Take me to that great place
With wonders and wishes!

We had PARACHUTE day in gym class this week! No matter how old I get, I will always grin ear to ear on parachute day.