October and Halloween....The school held an all-American halloween party at the end of October, all-inclusive of popcorn, hot dogs, candy corn, haunted house and costumes. It felt fun to join something that reminded us (and especially the children) of home. Not content with one halloween party, our American neighbor, Kyle, invited us to her annual party for ex-pat families living in Sant Cugat. We celebrated in a park - we potlucked the food (some American - part British - part local) and the kids had a blast. They loved the pumpkin carvings, the trick-or-treat in the park, and the costume parade.
And thus began the holidays...!
November and Thanksgiving....Thanks to All Saints Day on the first, we got the day off and a chance to relax after a busy Halloween weekend. (Teachers, one of the smartest things about Spain - not letting kids go to school the day after Halloween....what a gift!) We spent much of November getting out the decorations for Thanksgiving, including the volumes of books we had brought and the kids love. The rest of the month was spent trying to track down a butcher that might sell turkey this early in the year. The challenge? "If I can find a butcher with turkey available, how do I say in Spanish 'Without feathers or a head?'" Our friends from church took that task on and so on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (no days off on Thursday or Friday) we had a delightful and traditional meal with the Colemans, complete with a gourmet fresh turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mash, and gravy. We made traditional pumpkin pie and pumpkin bars, and even managed to take an afternoon stroll.
Needless to say, we missed family and home, but we really enjoyed our home-from-home celebration!
And just like that, December began and we welcomed in the Christmas season! Some time ago, we had discussed that it would be nice to visit a Christmas market in France, so we found a quaint hotel in the nearby city of Perpignan and decided to take our first, cross-border drive since we've been here. What a treat! The city of Perpignan ended up being less than a two-hour easy drive through the Catalunyan and French countryside. This medieval, former-capital of the Kingdom of Mallorca, with its imposing castle and fortress overlooking the valley, goes all-out to create a festive spirit. Our hotel sat close to the river flowing through the town, and just happened to be located in the center of the Christmas activities. We had a leisurely weekend strolling through the town, enjoying the market and some French treats, and soaking up the atmosphere of mediterranean France.December offers us a number of one-day holidays and then the traditional break from school. With the sights and sounds of Christmas, and the anticipation of spending the holidays with Nick's family in England, we are feeling like we're beginning to settle in here. The first few months have offered us glimpses of why we came, but the day-to-day transitions and learning curves have often been overwhelming. With the arrival of the holidays, we are feeling positive, excited, and eager to see what the coming weeks and the new year will bring.
At this time of year, whether in the comfort of the familiar in California, or in the newness of our current home in Spain, we find ourselves reminded over-and-over as we look around of the One whose birth we celebrate. It was 2,000 years ago that God looked down and saw a sinful world, desperately in need of a savior. It was in a gesture of loving selflessness that he sent his only son, who would be born as the babe in the manger, but later would become the sacrifice the world needed for forgiveness. Though the traditions may be different here in Spain, we are comforted that they point to the unchanging one, whose offer of forgiveness and life remains constant, the world over.
From our family to yours, Merry Christmas from Spain. May you know the peace, joy, and life of the One whose birth we celebrate.
