Christmas in Spain... is basically eating a lot. Ready?

-Polverones: almond powdery sweets

-Tortilla: egg, onion, potato

-Turrón: fudge-like almond butter squares (in strawberry, more almond, chocolate and cream flavors)

-almendras: almonds

And there's more; there's much more.

So. Christmas. :

-Family dinners on Christmas Eve that last until 6 in the morning, and fireworks, sparklers and poker.

-Family lunches on Christmas Day, where there are four types of cake, which you are told you must try all of them.

-Skyping with real family in the U.S, opening presents over skype.

After Christmas:

I took a trip to Pamplona, in Northern Spain, near Basque country to visit an exchange friend. Pamplona is known for the running of the bulls during San Fermines in July every year

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_of_the_Bulls )

Pictured above is the statue in the middle of Pamplona dedicated to this tradition in which over one million people come annually to watch (or participate....) But thats not for another 188 days (as I found out on the clock in Pamplona that counts down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the start of the run). But in the meantime, there are other things to do.

Pamplona is wonderful, and Navarra (the province) is BEAUTIFUL- castiles and vineyards in every direction. The town where my friend, and where i stayed is called Ciriza, which means "cherry" in the basque language (euskera). This is because, as I found out as we pulled into the family's driveway, because every house has cherry trees which bloom in the Spring in Ciriza.

So Christmas, then Pamplona, back in Tres Cantos. Relaxing, drinking my chocolate milk ( I really drink about 3 cups daily ) , studying for my "recuperation" exam in Math for when we return ( I'll admit it, I failed math class), AND, most importantly, getting ready for a ski trip to Andorra in a week. For that.. you'll have to wait for next time.

And happy (almost) 2010 (how much better does that look than 2009?).

Till the new year,

Megan