The streets are filled with holiday shoppers and holiday revelers… along with those people trying to live their lives as they would any other day. The lights are brilliant. The smoke from the chestnuts being roasted is overwhelming at times. Street entertainers are everywhere. I’m saving the music for another post (or two or three). Carolers, blues singers, puppeteers, dancers, chamber musicians, string quartets. You name it, we heard it and saw it last night. We were gleefully overwhelmed by the festivities and the talent. It was one huge street party, and everyone appeared to be sober.
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| SOME CLOWN ON THE STREET LAST NIGHT KINDLY STRUCK A POSE FOR ME. ACTUALLY A MEMBER OF THE CAST OF “MUSICLOWN, EL ESPECTÁCULO” PLAYING AT TEATRO DUQUE – LA IMPERDIBLE NEAR OUR HOUSE. |
After having our oven repaired yesterday (it turns out the thermostat was deceased), we headed over this afternoon to the kitchen store to pick up some of the things Jerry needs to start baking his holiday goodies. Somehow, Jerry gave away his rolling pin before we moved. That was unintentional. But he also needed baking pans, cookie sheets, and whatever else struck his fancy. He was like a kid in a candy store. When it was all rung up, Jerry seemed disappointed that he hadn’t spent more.
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| A CHOCOLATE BELÉN (NATIVITY SCENE) HAS REPLACED THE SUGAR GIRALDA IN THE WINDOW OF LA CAMPANA. |
I’m hopeful a sturdy kransekake is on its way this year (as opposed to the delicious leaning tower of last year) along with lots of other delectables. Jerry has a great recipe for lemon bread (just like his mother used to make… because she gave him the recipe). It’s not very gourmet — a box of lemon cake mix, a box of lemon custard mix, etc., but it sure is delicious. We doubt, however, that he’ll be able to find boxes of anything for that recipe, so it’s probably history.
We finally walked over to Plaza Nueva (and beyond) last night to see everything lit up for Christmas. The pictures should speak for themselves. I am definitely overusing the word “magical” since arriving in Sevilla.
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| AYUNTAMIENTO (TOWN HALL). |
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| LA GIRALDA (CATHEDRAL BELL TOWER) IN BACKGROUND. |
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| JUST ABOUT TO HEAD DOWN AVENIDA DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN. |
Every street welcomes you in with its own style of holiday lighting. The following photos were snapped all around our neighborhood. I THINK I remember where each picture was taken. If I’ve mislabeled anything, I know you’ll forgive me.
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| CALLE DE VELÁSQUEZ. |
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| WE WALKED THIS STREET EVERY DAY BETWEEN THE HOTEL AND THE APARTMENT. ON THE WAY, IT IS CALLE ALMIRANTE APODACA, THEN CALLE IMAGEN, THEN (HERE) CALLE LARAÑA, BEFORE BECOMING CALLE DE ALFONSO XII (ALL IN 10 MINUTES). |
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| CALLE ORFILA. (THAT’S “MY” VODAFONE STORE ON THE RIGHT.) |
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| CALLE CUNA (OF PINK PALACIO FAME. OUR ALMOST-HOME). |
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| CALLE SIERPES. SHOPPING. |
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| CALLE SAN ELOY. MORE SHOPPING. |
And of course, we had to stop for a treat. Once we passed the cathedral, we took the first seats we found at a café across the street. The menu was impressive. The prices were cheap. The service was the pits. Perhaps the waiter had simply had it with all the tourists. Most of the tables were empty and yet he took forever to finally get over to us. We ordered a gourmet pastry from the menu. He told us they were all out of that and then walked away never to return, never giving us a chance to choose something else. But, it was just as well. We didn’t need dessert. We hadn’t yet had dinner. At least we had already ordered something to drink before we were left high and dry. We had our first ColaCao — very popular here. It is simply a brand of hot chocolate (and simply delicious). I’ve seen it served some mornings at El Sanedrín. We were given mugs of steamed milk and packets of ColaCao. Very un-gourmet. We had to open the packets and mix it in ourselves. So, yes, I had to “cook.” But it was another exciting new experience.
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| COLACAO. I MADE IT MYSELF. |
http://mitchellismoving.blogspot.com/2010/12/leaning-tower-of-kransekake.html
The lights are amazing. Your first Christmas is going to be fabulous!
Cindy:
It already is fabulous… and overwhelming. We have to stop ourselves from trying to absorb everything all at once!
You're such a chef! I hope you didn't hurt your back with all of that labor
PS: That was Josh. For some reason, my google account keeps me "unknown". Maybe a good thing most days.
Unknown Josh:
It's all in the wrist.
I'd give my right tit to be there in Sevilla for the holidays. Maybe next year.
Felicidades y un próspero año 2012
raulito
http://www.bonertube.com/videos/9078/raw-fuckhtml
Raulito:
LOL. No sacrifice is too great, huh!?! Anyway, if you DO get here next year, it would be a joy to meet you guys!
As usual, I'm loving the pictures, but that first one is absolutely gorgeous. Love the Clown Eye.
Jerry sounds like quite the MasterBaker.
Carlos is the MasterBaker of our house!
Bob:
Jerry is definitely a master baker. He's a man of many talents.
Thanks regarding the pictures. I have to admit to having "Photoshopped" a bit. I blurred the background to make the clown stand out more and I then brightened up what you see through the eyeglass lens to enhance the effect.
I have many fine memories of Spanish cafes at any and all hours of the day and night. And thank you for the festive pictures — more memories there as well.
I think "magical" is a great word to describe Sevilla as it transforms into a wonderland. Happy Christmas to you and Jerry. All my best for the holiday season.
Everything looks so festive. Nice to see folks out in the streets instead of a damn mall.
Stan:
The streets are always alive here. It's invigorating.
Will:
Glad to be able to bring back good memories. It's all new for us.
Jo:
I need to increase my vocabulary. Exceptional, incredible, and magical are getting old. But I have enough increasing my non-existent Spanish vocabulary. English is on the back burner. Feliz navidad to you, too, Jo. Remembering our Christmas together all those years ago!
Overuse of "magical" is justified in this case, methinks. It all looks … magical!
Judith:
I suppose magical really is an apt word in this case. And there's apparently so much more around town we still haven't seen. Maybe we won't take it ALL in the first year!
It looks just lovely and festive there! I wish I could see it in person as it seems magical and amazing! Thanks for sharing this.
Of course it's magical, it's your first Christmas in your home abroad. And next to that I'm not sure if they do these lights in the US too.
Jenners:
My pleasure. I hope you can see it some day. I'd be happy to represent the Sevilla Tourism Bureau. What a city!
Peter:
They do lights across city streets in the US, but I haven't seen them in such variety and so spread across an entire city. Also, there is definitely a Sevillano style! I do remember amazingly huge snowflake lights (one big one centered over the street) crossing 57th Street in NYC.
WOW! Now Sevilla knows how to celebrate! And I am so proud of you Mitchell, you have passed your 'Stirring 101' class with flying colours!!!! lol
Jim:
Not only did I stir, but I also tore and poured. Very complicated. And Lola told me today (while laughing at me) that if the ColaCao is not poured into the mug BEFORE the steamed milk, it takes great skill to get it all dissolved. So, it was an even greater accomplishment than I had given myself credit for.
Sevilla definitely knows how to celebrate. I look forward to sharing more pictures and videos.