Weaving your way through seemingly millions of people getting their Christmas shopping on in El Centro
Shelves and shelves in every grocery store full of turrones, mazapanes, mantecados, and other Christmas sweets
Endless belén (nativity scene) items for sale by the Catedral
The thrill of seeing new lights put up by the city on a street you haven’t been down yet
Chestnuts roasting on every street corner
Cozying up American style on a warm couch in Estarbooks (er, Starbucks), drinking chai tea and admiring the sparkling Christmas lights on Avenida de la Constitución
Trying to explain to students that, no, we Americans are not sad and underprivileged simply because the Reyes Magos don’t bring us presents. There’s nothing wrong with Santa!
Trying to convince your students of the utter greatness of ‘N Sync’s “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays”
Bundling up in multiple coats and scarves for 55-degree weather
Finding the caganer in each belén
Eagerly anticipating watching Love Actually on the flight home two days before Christmas
Christmas girl-talk parties with derailed plans to make mulled wine out of 55-cent boxed wine
Warm invitations to teacher Christmas feasts (unfortunately on the day you’re flying home)
Ridiculous amounts of English used in storefront Christmas displays
Hearing the same English-language Christmas songs played like literally 20 times in a row per class
Tacky flashing light displays for sale in chinos
The excitement of buying your own fake mini-Christmas tree and setting it up with sparkling lights and ornaments
Spanish-language Christmas music that doesn’t make you feel nearly as Christmas-y as the music you know and love
Anticipation of the start of ubiquitous rebajas (sales) in January
Planning all the things you’re going to do while you’re home for Christmas break
Appreciating American Christmas traditions you took for granted as you explain them to your students
Trees full of ripe oranges lining every street
An adorable Christmas concert performed by your students
As always you had me right there, enjoying it all! Those purple and blue lights are so pretty. Do they go down the entire street? It will be wonderful having you with us again! I love you so much! Have a safe trip home!
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As always you had me right there, enjoying it all! Those purple and blue lights are so pretty. Do they go down the entire street? It will be wonderful having you with us again! I love you so much! Have a safe trip home!
Starbucks? You’re lucky. No Starbucks for me in Spain – but it might’ve saved me money!
I miss chestnuts. My suegro roasted them all. the. time. So yummy!