Home for the Holidays

When I came back to Spain this past year, I always knew that I would suck up the cost of it and go home for Christmas, since I didn’t last year.  All of December, leading up to my flight on the 23^rd, I couldn’t hold in my excitement. I counted down the days and to make my days at work more bearable, I made December a whole month of Christmas activities for the kids (i.e. coloring, making snowflakes, singing Jingle Bells…the usual). I’m sure they appreciated not doing grammar exercises for a whole month. 

I was going to fly out on a Sunday, but sadly, I had to work the Friday before.  I didn’t want to spend Friday and Saturday all by myself (Whitney left Thursday morning), so I planned on catching the last bus out of Navalmoral after work to Madrid.  I arrived at work on Friday, only to be told that once I left my materials for the two weeks I would be gone (yes, the academy was open…even on Christmas Eve…), I could leave.  It took all of about 15 minutes, so I excitedly went home, got my stuff together, and traded in my 7.30pm bus ticket for one that left at 5.30pm. I would be home in 2 days!

I got to Madrid and ended up hitting up 100 Montaditos with Juan and his friend for dinner (always a delicious and cheap choice).  We spent Saturday shopping for last minute Christmas presents, eating pizza, going to Juan’s soccer match, walking through Retiro, seeing the Christmas lights, and as is tradition, going to see Cortylandia (a department store’s giant animatronic show on the side of one of their buildings). It wasn’t as good as last year’s. We were pretty disappointed.

Last year's circus theme definitely wins over the fairy theme.

In the morning, we drove to the airport, I checked-in, and went through security to wait for my flight.  I had logged on to do the online check-in exactly 24 hours before the flight and snatched up an exit row seat for the long trip from London to DC, so the journey was pretty comfortable. I watched tons of movies and ate the disgusting airplane food.  When I landed, after navigating through customs, my parents were waiting for me at the arrivals gate and we were so happy to see each other.

We got my bags and hurried home so I could shower, eat, sleep, and most importantly, meet my new nephew, Benjamin! He was sleeping when I got home, so I had to wait until the next day to hold him.  He is the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. Seriously. Maybe I’m a bit biased…but I don’t think so.

He loves his mommy.

The next day (Christmas Eve), my dad and I had our normal sushi date and that night, we all opened our one present each (always pajamas), ate our spread of hor d’oeuvres, and slept with visions of sugarplums.

Christmas Day, we opened the rest of the presents (Benjamin definitely made out with the most of them this year), and spent the day lounging around the house.

I want this again right now.

His new UVa booties I made him.

The rest of break, before New Year’s Eve, I met up with some old friends, bought loads of American stuff (oh peanut butter, how I’ve missed you), and spent my days holding Benjamin, but refusing to change his diaper.

New Year’s Eve, for the first time in two years, I attended the annual New Year’s party of my friend Nina, who I went to high school and college with.  Two of our other college friends (Jacquie and Katie) were driving up to be there too, so with them and Nina’s super fun Persian family, we were guaranteed a good time.  We ate, drank, played pool, danced like crazy people on Nina’s dance floor, and at midnight, ate twelve grapes from the cans of grapes that I had brought with me from Spain, as is Spanish tradition.  Looks like we’ll be having good luck this year.

The New Year's group.

I ate sushi one more time before leaving, drank tons of Starbucks, celebrated my pre-birthday, and packed my suitcase carefully…it ended up weighing 22.8 kilos…the limit is 23. 

My attempt to bring Spanish tortilla to the USA.

On the 4^th, my dad took me to the airport because my mom had to work.  We said goodbye and I began the long return journey.  I had again weaseled my way into a free exit seat, so the trip to London was super smooth and as comfortable as coach can be.  Once I got to London, I had three hours to kill before my next flight.  I was still on USA time and, because I hadn’t eaten the plane food, I was starving for dinner.  Unfortunately, every place I checked out was only serving breakfast food. It just doesn’t make sense to me. Airplane travelers are on all different time schedules. All food should be served 24-7. Just saying. I settled for a croissant and smoothie.

On the flight from London to Madrid, I passed out, since I hadn’t slept in almost 24 hours.  In Madrid, I got my bag, took the Cercanías to the bus station, and met up with Whitney, who had arrived the day before and had stayed the night in the city.  We took the bus back to Navalmoral and it was good to be home.  I was exhausted and couldn’t even think of going out that night…or the next.  But we did manage to watch the parade for Los Reyes Magos (Three King’s Day) from our balcony. I love living on the main street.

All in all, Christmas vacation was wonderful. I was so happy and thankful to be with my family and amazed by my new nephew.  I was, however, glad to be back in Spain.  Like I’ve always said, if all of my friends and family could just move to Spain with me, life would be perfect.

<3