The real Christmas here begins on 22nd
of December, which is the day on which the raffle for the Christmas Lottery is
performed. This giveaway is the most important in the world (thus the money
distributed as so important that it has in Spain, people started buying lottery
tickets in August). Students have rental from about 21st or 22nd
of December till 8th of January.
Christmas
Eve is known as Nochebuena or "the Good Night." It is a time for
family members to gather together and feast around the Nativity scenes that are
present in nearly every home. A traditional Christmas treat is turron, a kind
of almond candy.
The 31st of December there is an
'ancient' tradition, started by some shrewd farmers about 100 years ago when
they were left with too many grapes after the harvest, of eating twelve grapes
at the twelve bongs of midnight.
The 6th of January, among one of the
strangest traditions in Spain is the Three Kings. The three kings and their
pages ride through the streets on elaborate floats, throwing candy and small
toys to kids. The following day, families eat a flaky pastry cake with candied
fruit, called the Roscón. Two figurines are hidden within the cake – a toy
figure and a bean. That one who finds the bean must pay for the following
year’s cake.
After almost 4 months, I have returned to Spain
for Christmas, in two weeks I have been with my family and friends, I enjoyed a
relaxing time, I've eaten the typical meals prepared by my mother and had a few
drinks with old friends. Have been two great weeks that have happened very
fast, but it has been very emotional and rewarding for me.
