Into the New Year

Hello, everyone.

Before I jump completely into the new year, I have to talk a little bit about what I did over the holidays.

This year, I decided to go back north to Zaragoza to visit with my old host family from when I studied abroad five years ago. It was wonderful to see the family again, and everyone was happy to see me. Though nothing much had changed in the city or in the village, all of my cousins in the host family had grown to be much taller than me, except for the one who was five the last time I was in Spain since he had not yet hit his growth spurt. The men in this family are just, so tall.

I was met at the bus station in Zaragoza by one of my cousins and my host sister, Victoria, who I had never actually met before. I'd say that Victoria an I get along pretty well. It is unfortunate that we never really got to know each other before now. I stayed in the spare room in my host brother's apartment in the city, which is a quick walk away from Grandma's apartment. My host brother's apartment is small, but very new. However, the fridge is stocked exactly like you would expect it in a bachelor pad. That didn't matter much since the Christmas festivities were taking place at Grandma's apartment. No worries, I ate plenty of food.

After Christmas, my host siblings, Mariangeles, and I headed back to the village where I spent the rest of my Christmas vacation. The days leading up to New Years, which we spent in our house in the village, were spent visiting with old friends and exploring the village all over again. Basically, I walked the dog a lot. I also took a day trip to Jaca before Reyes Magos (Three kings day) and explored the sites there.

Though the weather is much warmer here in Almeria than it is up north in the mountains, I did enjoy the change in temperature. Christmas doesn't really feel like Christmas to me if it isn't a little cold.