06 January 2009

6 de enero

The big 1-8, cake 1.

¡Feliz Día de los Reyes Magos! I would like to say it was just like Christmas, but it wasn't. First of all I'd like to talk about this fiesta and why they celebrate it. In America we believe in Santa Clause, and here in Spain they believe in Papa Noel also. But 1 man has nothing compared to the 3 Kings. The 3 Kings are the 3 Wise Men that appeared at the scene of the Nativity, making January 6 Epiphany. Children here believe that the 3 Kings come to their house and each leave them something bigger and better than Papa Noel. 3:1, I think the Kings have Santa beat. Sorry Santa. ;)
The big 1-8, cake 2.

Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos is the parade for the 3 Kings. Its a procession that every town in Spain has, where the 3 Kings ride Camels or floats and throw candy to the children. This is usually the last chance that the kids can ask the 3 Kings for what they want for Reyes. Carla and I went to a shopping center here in Santiago, and I saw the 3 Kings. I begged her to let me go get a picture but she told me "NO!" so there is no picture of me with Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. :(All of us were opening a gift at the same time. :)

Here they have a cake called Rosca de Reyes which is similar to "Hot-Cross-Buns" cake, and it has sugar on top. There is a surprise inside of the cake, and whoever finds that will have good luck for the rest of the year. So in other words, if you didn't eat your 12 grapes on New Years, you better be able to down a whole Rosca de Reyes. ;]

The presents waiting to get torn into.

Last night Carla and I went out because today (Jan. 6) is also my birthday. The big "diez y ocho". We went to an Italian Restaraunt, where here and her friends sang "Cumpleaños Feliz" to me, which was fun and different. Then we went out to a club and just chilled until around 1 a.m. We came home, Carla broke her toe sometime during the day (I don't understand how we waited until we came home to realize this), and then Carla and I just hung out until 5 a.m. when we finally went to bed to see what the 3 Kings had brought for us. =D

Mis regalos de "Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar"

I woke up at 1 (p.m.). . . but I was thinking we would wake up at 8 like normal families do to open presents. The 3 King treated me well with a new coat, new shoes and some "shibby" boxers. ;) It was probably my favorite birthday because the presents came in the morning and I didn't have to wait to be in front of my entire family to open them. Unfortunately I look like crap because I'm not happy about being 18, but what is done is done. Everything fit well also, so I don't have to go and try and change my clothes here. Whoo, thankfully.

A great birthday linner. ;)

Then came the lunch. I have a new feel good food, tortilla española, and I don't know what I am going to do without it when I go back. Now tortilla is better than Paella, hands down. There is no comparison there. So I had tortilla for my birthday lunchish, dinnerish, "linnerish" thing with chorizo, jamon, and another birthday cake. I uploaded a video to here, but it's not as great as the one that will be on YouTube, so I will let you know when that gets put on there.

Seeing old friends and feeling like I'm in a family has been great while I've been here at Carla's, I just can't believe that I'm leaving here in 5 days and I won't see Carla again until this summer if she decides to come back. So, Happy 3 Kings Day, and hope that your 2009 is off to a great start. I head to Cadiz on the 11, London on the 19, and home on the 1 of February so I'll be home soon. Hasta el proximo blog!Carla's brother is crazy, and I really don't like that relaxer that he is wearing. *chills*

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

HAPPY 18TH MASON!!...I am really happy that you had such a nice day! It makes me feel better :) Get that tortilla recipe that you like so well, before you leave. Maybe we can make it here then. You are actually going back to Cadiz on the 11th hon, not the 12th..so don't miss your plane!! :) LOVE & MISS YOU!!...MOM

Jen said...

happy birthday! merry Christmas. happy new year! Looks like it was fun! :)