Turron, Noche Buena, and a whole bunch of differences

"There's no place like home for the holidays no matter how far away you roam. When you long for the sunshine of a friendly gaze, for the holidays you can't beat home sweet home." My first holidays away from home! I'm warning you, this is my longest post yet. Go ahead, scroll down and see for yourself. I just have sooo much to tell you!

Turron de Tres Chocolates

We started the Christmas season around the second week of December by putting up the small Christmas tree in the corner of our living room, and spending several hours precisely arranging the gold and red ornaments throughout the branches. My host mom put various candles and decorations throughout the house and there was definitely a Christmas feeling in the air. She also bought boxes and boxes of turron. If you've never tasted turron, which I'm assuming many people in the US haven't, you're definitely missing out. There are endless types, almond, chocolate, fruit, nuts ect. but my personal favorite, not to surprise anyone, is the triple chocolate. (note to fellow Spain AFSers: run to the nearest Alimerka and buy this before they get rid of it. You will not regret your 2 euros) Since the beginning of December, there has always been a box of turron in the pantry for after lunch, mid-afternoon, after dinner, or perhaps a little snack before going to bed. I made a joke with my host family that after January 1st, all we are eating is lettuce and tomatoes. No but I actually wasn't joking. They know me so well now that after I eat a lot, they jokingly say, "A correr??" (To run?) That's what i feel like i do here, eat and run, eat and run.

So the real festivities started on Christmas Eve, known as Noche Buena (good night) here in Spain. It's actually bigger than Christmas Day. So I started the day by running (big surprise). Crazy thing was I went running in a tshirt and shorts. The past days have been hot here. Totally opposite from home right? Didn't you guys have a white Christmas? What a dream :) So after my run, Lucia (my host sister) and I ran some errands for my host mom. We picked up groceries for the big feast that night, went to the movie store to rent a chick flick, and went to the cellphone store because Lucia wants a new phone for kings day. When we got home, we had a normal lunch followed by siesta. Around 5:30, Lucia and I went out on the street to meet some friends. We headed back early, around 8, because it was cold and raining. At home, we ate potato chips and watched tv together until 9, when we all went out as a family to the local bar. As tradition in Spain has it, with our drinks, the bartenders gave us free food. More potato chips anyone? By the time we got back home around 10, I was definitely not ready for the mountain of food I was about to eat.

We started with small foods to pick out, like appetizers. There was jumbo shrimp, cheeses, ham, bread, pate (delicious spread of chicken liver. I swear it's better than it sounds) and other spreads. I could've stopped there, but no. Next, we had a full bowl of noodle soup. The main dish was the neck meat of a cow I think. Sounds a bit bizarre but it was so tender and literally melted in your mouth. And the desserts.. oh the desserts. By the time they took out the chocolate mousse, lemon tart, and various chocolates, I was eating for my heart, not my stomach. I had a little chocolate mousse, a small slice of lemon tart, and a cube of chocolate. You have to try everything right?! Let's just say that I probably set a record for the biggest food baby ever after I finished. I couldn't bring myself to move off the couch so there I sat, for the next hour and a half with my family watching some random movie. I slept quite well that night.

Christmas day, I woke up at 12:30. That would NEVER fly in my house back home. The level of excitement I have usually wakes me up at 6:30 and I run into Matt's room to wake him up (and he is always so happy to see my face bright and early christmas day). That's how Christmas morning always worked for us. We would sit together in Matt's room waiting and waiting for what seemed like forever for Grandma to get situated in the living room. Then Mom and Dad would knock on the door and we would run down the stairs; balls of energy, faces lit up in excitement on Christmas morning. But as I knew very well before today, Christmas in another country is completely different. I just didn't realize how different it could be.

So I woke up, half slept walked into the kitchen, and prepared myself my usual oatmeal and yogurt breakfast. I sat there alone, watching the travel channel because there was nothing else on, and eating. It took me a minute or two to register that hey, it's Christmas! My immediate surge of excitement very quickly fell as I looked around and saw the reality. I was eating breakfast alone, at 12:30, without a hint of gifts, in a foreign country on Christmas Day. Well I'm a positive person so I thought, at least I have the rest of the day ahead of me to see what happens on Christmas in Spain and if all else fails, I still get to skype with the whole fam tonight. As I finished my breakfast, my host parents and my sister came into the kitchen in their sneakers and workout pants. "Hola! Buenos dias!" They were going on a walk to the beach and were wondering if I wanted to come. Perfect! I thought. Anything to get my mind off of being homesick. The walk was refreshing and beautiful. The ocean was so blue. In that moment, even though I forgot it was Christmas, I also forgot why I was sad and I just enjoyed being by the beach. The ocean really is a magical place.


So the rest of my day consisted of a regular lunch followed by siesta, watching about 5 old tv episodes, writing a few letters, and wishing my friends back home Merry Christmas. Some friends came to my pathetic rescue by inviting me over around 6. We played Just Dance on the wii for 2 hours straight. The last time I played Just Dance was with one of my bestfriends Claire Pearce at her beach house over the summer. I'm pretty sure we spent a whole day playing. Such good memories. Happy birthday my love <3

In most houses in Spain, they don't celebrate Santa Clause. They say it's an American tradition. Instead, they give their presents on kings day, also known as "Los Reyes Magos." But that will be another blog post.

My highlight of Christmas Day was definitely my skype with Matt and then the entire family at my house back home. It was great to talk to everyone; Aunt Ann, Katie, Emily, Jack, Patti, Joe, Joshua, Kenan, Grandma, Uncle Doc, Aunt Kathy, Aunt Mary, Uncle Gary, Maria, Mom, Dad, and even Pepper wearing his reindeer antlers. I hope I didn't forget anyone! I really felt like I was there with them; making jokes, laughing, and catching up. A big kiss and hug to all of you! Thanks to Matt also for sharing another amazing video blog about Christmas in France. I love having a brother abroad at the same time as me. Even though I know it's really hard for my parents, he's the first person I go to when I need to vent or when I'm homesick because not only is he family and he knows me more than anyone, but he's also going through a lot of the same stuff I am. Love you so much big bro. Sorry for getting all sappy on ya ;)

So as I sit here, just a few minutes of Christmas left, I'm okay. There were moments of my day when all I wanted to do was cry. When all I wanted was to reach through a computer screen and hug everyone I loved who were on the other side. When I wanted to stay in bed all day but instead forced myself to get up and live. Yea, Christmas was different this year, but hey, so is my whole life. I'd be silly to think that christmas away from home would be easy, but just like every experience I've had here so far, I can say that I made it. I can say that it taught me so much about myself, and that it will get better. It will always get better. So if I can't find a little Christmas spirit, I'll make some of my own. I'll listen to my Christmas music and continue to smile.

Merry Christmas to everyone! I love and miss you all