Madrid is flooded with Christmas decorations, every shop is covered in cotton snow and tinsel and street are decorated with christmas lights, figurines, and huge metallic Christmas trees. I really should have written this post a month ago, as Madrid pulls out the Christmas decorations the moment Halloween celebrations commence, but my loyalty to Thanksgiving (and my distractedness) allowed me to hold back.
Even though I claim my Thanksgiving loyalty, I will admit that the one good thing about the country skipping over this holiday is that the Christmas spirit comes that much sooner. With an entire city lit up and decorated, there is no way to escape the festivities and Christmas bliss. Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is always my go to music year round to put a smile on my face. When I was growing up we used to listen to this at the dinner table regardless of the season. But, in the past month, I have start listening to it nonstop, as well as whatever other Christmas songs and playlists I can find.
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| Fuencarral lit up |
Every main plaza in Madrid--Callao, Gran Via, Sol--has its own respective tree. El Corte Ingles, Spain's huge chain department store, at Sol has 2 floors which are labeled "Christmas Wonderland." Essentially, they are sponsored by Disney and decorated with life size Christmas themed Disney characters for children (and adults) to enjoy and take pictures with. If this isn't the most wonderful time of the year, I don't know what is.
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| Vodafone sponsored Christmas tree on Gran Via |
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| Golden Metallic Tree in Puerta del Sol |
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| Callao Christmas Tree |
When I got back from my church's potluck last saturday, I stumbled upon my host-sister, Amalia, and her friend decorating their table top Christmas trees. It was the perfect and seamless holiday transition! I got to help them decorate the trees too, making colored paper chain links and beaded ornaments. I absolutely love doing crafts and was elated to get to help. The next day we went ice skating together--there are a few small outdoor rinks set up around the center of the city--and continued the holiday celebrations.
To top it all off, this past Wednesday I woke up to a lightly dusted Madrid. Snow is very rare here, despite the freezing temperatures we've reached, yet this week the weather surprised us all. Madrid's White Christmas is coming early to guarantee I won't miss out on it before I leave. Madrid, you never cease to amaze me.
An amazing city during the best time of the year. What a perfect way to spend my last few weeks.
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