The Season is upon us and that has been particularly evident since Thanksgiving. I’d like to take this time to share with you the things for which I am thankful.
To our surprise, since the time we lectoras arrived at Cura Valera, the professors began to ask us what we were going to prepare for the “bird party” (fiesta del pajaro) as they have nicknamed Thanksgiving. They also began occasionally to mention just how wonderful was the food prepared and brought by the language assistants the year before. And they did this casually - you know, just to let us know that the standard was high and that we’d better not screw anything up. So on the night of November 25th, far away from our homes and families in the United States, we celebrated Thanksgiving dinner with the Spaniards, who over a few years of hosting American English language assistants have come to embrace the tradition and love the food, though it is foreign to them. Try explaining sweet potato pie to a Spaniard. They probably will not understand how you expect to make dessert out of a vegetable and may even respond with some Spanish equivalent of “eeewwww.” But they’ll try anything, and when they tried my sweet potato pie – what a revelation! I am thankful to work with people who so enthusiastically saw to it that we gathered to recognize Thanksgiving Day.
Spain has turned out to be an ideal location for travel, full of fun people and good food. And yes, I admit, you might call that the honeymooner mentality. Although, strolling down my street one day to the house of a friend, I was hit with a feeling of being at home. Oh, man! I feel at home here! Not solely comfortable, but I actually have a sense of knowing and understanding this place. As we’ve been planning for our holidays, we lectoras have realized just how convenient it is to be in Europe because the traveling options are endless for a low price! I’ve certainly taken advantage of my long weekends and traveled about Andalucia. The last puente (long weekend) Margaret and I made a trip to Baeza, Cordoba, and stopped through Granada on the way home. In Cordoba, a pleasant surprise of a city for me, we enjoyed the Mosque Cathedral, the Roman bridge, the parks, the palace, the Juderia (the old Jewish neighborhood where we stayed), and of course, the food and nightlife. Still, as much diversion as any trip provides, a feeling arises inside me each time I see that colorful fountain approaching, signaling that we have arrived in Huercal-Overa. It is a sigh of comfort, like a big hug, a gladness that makes all my muscles relax and I know that I’m back home again. I am so thankful to live in Huercal-Overa, Spain.
Every Wednesday afternoon I tutor two sisters and their cousin in English. Following our lesson this week, I had the privilege of helping them put up and decorate their Christmas tree. Their mom is always so hospitable and tells me to stop by anytime to have a coffee and visit. I am even invited to have Christmas Eve dinner with them! I am thankful for my sweet students and their families. I am thankful for the opportunity to teach.
Now is the time for Christmas shopping, hat crocheting, Russian tea, and Christmas themed movies. I don’t think that’s necessarily the Spanish way, but that is how I feel about it. Not much has changed around here in regards to acknowledging the season. I have five days coming up in January in which I want to travel, but I’m a bit stuck in the decision making. Any suggestions? Oh, and BY the way, I’m thankful for YOU, readers, friends, and family! Thanks for being interested in my lifeJ and don’t forget to let me know about yours as well! Happy Holidays!
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