X-Mas Time in Logrono

That's right. They celebrate Christmas in Logrono, Spain, too. We're not missing out completely. They actually just lit up lights all around the city early in December; so, we've been enjoying a little bit of extra shine in the nighttime lately. Abby and I went to the 'ceremony' of turning on the lights of the city in the Plaza del Mercado (Market Square) very near our apartment. There were a lot of little kids there having fun watching a marionette show, listening to music, and standing in incredible lines for free snacks. It was still entertaining for Abby and I, and we ran around snapping pictures at all the crazy Spaniards and the lights that eventually turned on without too much fanfare. Eventually all the lights around the city turned on, and so it does seem quite festive around here.

So, anyway, hopefully that video above works. If so, I will have to try to take many more short videos to share with you. Wow... it is taking a long time to load though, so I will have to see how long it takes in the end.

There is plenty of shopping in Logrono (and several large shopping centers), but we've been told that January is the best time to shop in the city. I suppose everything goes on sale after the holiday season is over. We're going to wait, and I might buy some new tennis shoes and some cool lookin European blue jeans.

They generally have two days in Spain when everyone gives and receives presents. These two days are Christmas and Epiphany. Spain celebrates Epiphany a little more than we do, and they have several fun traditions they practice. I will copy and paste some info from the the internet that explains it:

In Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico and some other Latin American countries Epiphany day is called El Día de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings), i.e., the day when a group of Kings or Magi, as related in the second chapter of the gospel of Matthew, arrived to worship and bring three gifts to the baby Jesus after following a star in the heavens. This day is sometimes known as the Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (The day of the Three Royal Magi).

Spanish tradition, on the day of January 6th, three of the Kings: Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthazar, representing Europe, Arabia, and Africa, arrived on horse, camel and elephant, bringing respectively gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. (In Logrono, the three kings arrive in a helicopter and land in the middle of the soccer stadium to a crowd of screaming children and their families. Wild, huh?)

In Spain, Argentina, and Uruguay, children (and many adults) polish and leave their shoes ready for the Kings' presents before they go to bed on the 5th of January. Sweet wine, nibbles, fruit and milk are left for the Kings and their camels.

So, I've been told that very traditionally, Epiphany was the only day that children receives gifts in Spain. The kings were a little like Santa Claus in that they give rocks or coal or whatever if the kids are bad and nice gifts if they behave themselves. Since Western culture is everywhere in the media and otherwise though, Christmas is now another time to give and receive gifts. I'm sure they don't mind much.

I am adding several other photos of X-Mas in Logrono to My Pictures site. You can find it in the regular place along the left side of this webpage. Click the link to go to My Pictures and then select the album.

To all friends and family who are reading this: Abby and I wish you all a very happy holiday season. Safe driving if you are doing so along icy roads, and take advantage of all those Christmas sweets and candies. We're missing out on some of our favorites, but we're making some new ones here in Spain. They have a large assortment of seasonal candies and chocolates, and we make sure we try something new every time we go to the grocery store. Rest assured, we are not starving over here.

Let everyone know that I will miss them this holiday season, and I wish them the best. Feliz navidad y ano nuevo tambien! (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too!)