Hey, remember me? It's been a while since I have written on my blog and I apologize. I've tried to sit down twice and write in it, but my computer starts to mess up, or my internet doesn't work. It's always something. But I'm here now, and that has to count for something!
To start, I must inform you all that I have switched families and am no longer located in Barcelona, but in Vitoria-Gasteiz. It just didn't work out there. I am with a new family, Marina, Jorge, Paulina and Jorge Jr. Vitoria is a city, much smaller than Barcelona, but big enough to have something to keep me occupied, small enough for it to feel warm and welcoming. Also, it was nominated the Green Capital of Europe (woohoo!!). Everyone here rides their bike everywhere or is always walking somewhere. It's very nice. The weather is slightly different. Not exactly the tropical, humid climate I was preparing myself to endure more of. Instead, it's kind of cold. And it's going to get even colder in the winter if you can believe that. Of course me, being a Florida girl and all, has very limited winter gear and have not adequately prepared for what's to come. With me, I brought 7 pairs of sandals, 2 flats, 2 pairs of heels, 1 pair of tennis shoes and 1 pair of boots. On top of that, my winter "coats" are really only suitable for the mild winters of Florida. So as of now, I'm kind of panicking about what I'm going to do once it starts to snow and freeze.
Now, I'm going to back up a little bit to 2 weekends ago. I went to Valencia with my au pair friend, Catherine for the weekend and it was such an amazing time. The city, again much smaller than Barcelona, was beautiful and intimate. We stayed in a hostel (only 13 euros a night!!) located right in the middle of the old city to where we could walk to go sight seeing, or walk to the bars and clubs. It really was perfect. The first night we got there, we went out, got some pizza and box sangria and enjoyed the bars. The next morning was an early one, but we got up and took a two hour walking tour of the old city where a tour guide enlightened me with all of his immense knowledge of the city. It really was impressive. We again went out that night and stayed out until 6 in the morning! How's that for freedom? I actually did not really enjoy being awake for so long. It tends to make me a little cranky. But, I was able to watch the sunrise over the old city which was absolutely beautiful.
I highly recommend to anyone who travels to Spain, to visit this beautiful city.
After we returned to Barcelona, I left to Vitoria-Gasteiz two days later, which is where I am currently located. It is Northern Spain in the Basque country. It is closer to France and only an hour from San Sebastian, which I will be visiting with my host family next weekend! Yay!
Last Sunday, a festival called "Festival de la Virgen Blanca" began. It is similar to the festival in Pamplona/San Fermin (the Running of the Bulls) but on a much smaller scale. Basically, on Sunday, the festival begins by the whole city (and visitors and tourists) gathering into the city square. Thousands of people are crammed into a courtyard, shoulder to shoulder, where they wait for "Celedon" (the mayor) to appear. Teenagers, young adults, moms, dads, children, the elderly are all included in this festival, though it is more common to see teenagers and young adults. Eagerly, they hold bottles of champagne, wine, beer, and so forth. Among the sweaty scene, you can hear the popular chant:
"Celedon! Ha hecho una casa nueva!
Celedon! Con ventana y balcon!"
A puppet of "Celedon" comes down from the steeple of the church, over the sweaty, drunken courtyard, and over to a residential building, where the real Celedon jumps through a flag of the city, revealing himself. Wine, champagne, any kind of alcohol is sprayed everywhere as people chant, laugh, jump, and enjoy the festival. Really, it is quite the spectacle.
From Sunday until Friday, festivities take place such as live music, bull fighting, drinking, more drinking, parades, drinking, fairs, fireworks and so forth. Every night, fireworks take place. I'm not exactly one for fireworks (unless they are the ones from Lititz, PA, because that is the best firework display EVER) but these are pretty amusing as well. A competition takes place with every night. People from different parts of Spain, some even from Italy and France compete with their handmade fireworks for some prize they claim at the end. I'm not sure what exactly. But nonetheless, it puts an interesting twist on things. And, the firework shows are guranteed to be different every night.
However, my favorite part of the festival thus far has to be the parade. This parade is no ordinary parade. It is a parade of drunken men and women, wandering the streets to the arena where the bull fighting takes place. Every evening at 6:00, these people sing, dance, hand out stickers, play instruments and drink as they walk to the arena. It is the most entertaining parade I have ever witnessed as the bafoons stumble across the streets. To make it even better, most people in Vitoria wear certain outfits during this festival. The girls where long skirts, a blouse and a handkerchief, and the boys wear pants, high socks, lace up shoes, a "blusa" (also a blouse but for the men) and a hat. It really is a fantastic show.
These are all the updates as of now. I'm sorry it has taken me years to update!
Missing my friends and family dearly-- I love you all!
