La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Tuesday was another fantastic day in the company of Maureen and Connor, our Glaswegian friends. It was sad to see them off at the train station last night, but we should be seeing them again in about four months. They are such kind and remarkable people, so interesting, and so much fun. Maureen is an exceptional mother and Conner is an exceptional son. And they are both our friends. We’re so lucky. We’d love to visit them in Glasgow one of these days.
On the way back from the train station I stopped by the huge winter wonderland set up on the paseo. Lots of pictures of that and our day to come. And I still haven’t even shared all my photos and memories from my November trip to New York City.
During some recent wanderings that began before sundown and ended after, I decided to check out nearby Avenida de Gran Capitan to take in the Christmas event there. It was fun to see but not the most relaxing place in the city. Lots of people. Lines to buy tickets for the attractions. Lines for the attractions. Families and friends moving en masse; at one point I was almost knocked onto a concrete bench by a solid block of a family led by a man with a stroller. I grabbed the back of the bench and let out an, “¡Hombre! ¡Por favor!” (Man! Please!) in my best Spanish. Still, I enjoyed much of it, just to see the spectacle, the colors, the screaming kids, and the exhausted parents.
Today’s first video is a dance act I’ve seen several times in Sevilla since we arrived in 2011. The duo were kind of old and tired looking even back then. I can’t believe they’re still doing all that spinning. I’ve never seen the guy smile, nor the woman for that matter. The second “short” is where many parents wanted to take their kids.
San Geraldo cut up 27 apples and made the best apple sauce I’ve ever tasted. And it’s sugar-free. I’m astounded by how delicious it is. But I gave him a bad time because there are now no apples!
We’re going to Shannon and Stacy’s for dinner tonight and we’ll then all walk the few minutes to Plaza de Las Tendillas to ring in the new year and follow the grapes tradition with thousands of others. Whatever your activities, even if it’s a blissful night at home, I wish you happiness.
El martes fue otro día fantástico en compañía de Maureen y Connor, nuestros amigos de Glasgow. Fue triste despedirlos en la estación de tren anoche, pero deberíamos volver a verlos dentro de unos cuatro meses. Son personas tan amables y extraordinarias, tan interesantes y tan divertidas. Maureen es una madre excepcional y Conner es un hijo excepcional. Y ambos son nuestros amigos. Tenemos mucha suerte. Nos encantaría visitarlos en Glasgow algún día.
De regreso de la estación de tren, pasé por el enorme paraíso invernal del paseo. Tengo muchísimas fotos de allí y de nuestro día. Y aún no he compartido todas mis fotos y recuerdos de mi viaje de noviembre a Nueva York.
Durante unos paseos recientes que empezaron antes del atardecer y terminaron después, decidí echar un vistazo a la cercana Avenida de Gran Capitán para ver el evento navideño. Fue divertido, pero no el lugar más relajante de la ciudad. Mucha gente. Filas para comprar entradas para las atracciones. Filas para las atracciones. Familias y amigos moviéndose en masa; en un momento dado, casi me tiran contra un banco de cemento una familia enorme liderada por un hombre con un cochecito. Me agarré al respaldo del banco y exclamé: “¡Hombre! ¡Por favor!” en mi mejor español. Aun así, disfruté mucho, solo por ver el espectáculo, los colores, los niños gritando y los padres exhaustos.
El primer video de hoy es un espectáculo de baile que he visto varias veces en Sevilla desde que llegamos en 2011. El dúo tenía un aspecto algo viejo y cansado incluso por aquel entonces. No puedo creer que sigan dando vueltas. Nunca he visto sonreír al hombre, ni a la mujer, para ser exactos. El segundo “corto” es donde muchos padres querían llevar a sus hijos.
San Geraldo cortó 27 manzanas e hizo la mejor salsa de manzana que he probado. Y no tiene azúcar. Me asombra lo deliciosa que está. ¡Pero le hice pasar un mal rato porque ya no hay manzanas!
Esta noche cenaremos en casa de Shannon y Stacy y luego caminaremos unos minutos hasta la Plaza de Las Tendillas para recibir el año nuevo y celebrar la tradición de las uvas con miles de personas. Sean cuales sean sus actividades, incluso si es una noche maravillosa en casa, les deseo mucha felicidad.
• El edificio de ladrillos del centro al fondo es donde casi alquilamos un apartamento. Me alegro mucho de haber decidido que la cocina era un desastre.
• Parece que la sagrada familia está bien iluminada. En inglés, “well lit” (bien iluminado) significa “borracho.”
• Siempre hay cola para comprar churros y chocolate.
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Happy New Year! So many bright lights and colors.
David:
And there’s so much more! It helps with the dreary skies we’ve had so much of recently.
Some weird sights there! Happy New Year!
Anonymous was Boud
Boud:
I know! Isn’t it great?
Revelers everywhere!
Happy New Year to you both!
Jim:
Wishing the same for you two!
So many colors! So much activity! That dancing was wild, and who would want their kid to get swallowed up in a blowup face?? Oh boy. I know you are glad your apartment isn’t right here. Fun to see everything from afar, though 🙂 Hoping for good health and happiness and all good things for you and Jerry, in 2026.
Judy C:
The kids loved that mouth. There was something similar at a big kids fair not far from there. Wishing you and El all happiness and good news this year.
Remarkably brave of you to face those crowds. My least favorite thing to do…especially as I only just crack the 5′ high mark. Was once lifted off my feet in a surging crowd and almost crushed which, trust me, is not something one wishes to experience more than once. Now you know why I like the Scottish Highlands and wide open spaces…with few people. 🙂
All the best to you and Jerry in 2026. XO Mary
Mary:
It wasn’t as bad as we expected, but we were on the outside perimiter. And, unlike down by the Roman Bridge, there are a number of streets that access the plaza, so escaping was easy. And, yes, it really helps to be 6-feet tall.
Dare I say this? HOW BIZARRE! So, it’s like a county fair but it’s a Christmas/New Years fair? The dancing disturbs me. I would have to go to bed for a week after an hour spent at this event.
I will say the answer to the problem with children would come in handy in every parent’s life now and then.
I am so glad you did not get smushed. Man, PLEASE, indeed!
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
The other Christmas fair near the train station is even more like a county fair with midway games to win prizes and kiosks selling fun gifts. They, too, had a child-eating inflatable. I was so annoyed with that rude guy but glad I got over it quickly.
That nom-nom-nom inflatable is too funny! And I hate goddamn baby strollers in a crowd — they’re the size of a small VW car these days. I’m convinced people use them simply to clear a path for themselves and claim spatial dominance.
Debra:
You’re right about the strollers. Usually someone holds the baby (as was the case this time) while the stroller is rammed into legs and ankles (as was the case this time). Unbelievably rude. What jerks!
Oh what fun and all those lights, very best wishes to you both for 2026, good health, happiness and peace
larrymuffin:
Wishing you and Will the same!
What a fabulously colorful celebration … I’ll watch from indoors in my jammies!
Bob:
I do enjoy the energy level.
I kept watching that dancing duo, finally put my glasses on for a clearer look. Not real people but couldn’t figure it out until it was over and the guy showed himself. Omg, doing that whole thing twirling bent over.
It’s a regular little carnival but why is the Happy Family in English.
ellen abbott:
So many of the rides have English names. They’re made in different countries and travel all over Europe. I don’t know how that guy twirls like that — bent over! I’d be flat on my face midway through.
Those are some fantastic and festive pictures!!!! I can imagine the NYE crowds they will gather!?!
And A Happy New Years to you both. We never met, but I know I adore you both.🎇✨🍸🎆🎊🍾
Mistress Maddie:
We both feel the same about you! The party on the plaza was surprisingly fun. Not overwhelming like Times Square.
A funhouse and carnival at night doesn’t say New Year’s Event to me, but then, the hordes don’t have to snow and ice to contend with in Cordoba…. Happy New Year to you, SG, Moose & Dudo!
Tundra Bunny:
That was a Christmas carnival. Another huge, creepy Santa figure was in the center of it all. It was frigid last night. 6C!!!
I thought the male dancer was fake, but I wasn’t sure about the woman. Then the male picked her up, and that made me think maybe he’s real after all. The ending was certainly worth it!
Kirk:
I trimmed the video so you wouldn’t see him slipping into costume. Much more fun that way.
Happy new year, from a very dizzy Olivia.
Olivia:
Can you imagine doing that dance? And I’m guessing he’s at least in his 60s.
Glorious photos! I need to know what SG put in the apple sauce to make it taste so good without using sugar. I’d need to be well lit to hang out with a holy family. Some people probably want to stick their kids in the child-eating inflatable and run like hell.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
There were no panicking parents when their kids disappeared into that giant maw. I think all that was in the apple sauce recipe were apples he used a mix of granny smith and a sweeter crispy red apple (I can’t remember what we had) and cinnamon. I’ll get the recipe for you.