OK here's the final part of the series "Christmas in Spain".
I forgot to mention one of Madrid's own traditions; on December 31st there's the 'Maraton(=marathon) de San Silvestre', San Silvestre being that day's patron saint. It starts early in the morning and the participants run past many of Madrid's landmarks. How can they do this and still endure partying all night?, it's a mistery, but a long siesta might have something to do with it....
Well, while all this "more grown-up activities" take place, the children are busy writing their letters to 'Los Reyes Magos'(Three Wise Men) which most actually send!
On the afternoon-evening of January 5th 'Los Reyes' arrive in every town, they show up at every parade in each major city, and so the look on the children's little faces is worth watching when they spot their favourite one, Melchor, Gaspar or Baltasar.
Then, for once, children do their best to behave themselves and go to bed early; but first they must make some preparations....They usually leave little treats for the three kings(milk, wine, cookies, turron, etc, it depends on what the parents feel like eating really!), and some food for their camels. When I was little we always left them birdseeds!, and were convinced that was proper food for them.
Anyway, the kids spend the night nervously thinking they can hear the visitors enter through the windows! And early in the morning they run to get their presents beside the X-mas tree or 'Belen'. It's a busy morning because then it's time to do a tour around their grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins' houses, to get whatever presents the kings have left for them there.
That day there's also a "festive" meal and everyone eats the typical 'Roscon de Reyes' for dessert which does have a little "surprise" hidden inside, in the whipped cream usually. Now, an average Roscon tends to be....average; but if you can find a good Roscon in some 'pasteleria' it is d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s.
That night, some young people go out and party hard like it's a lesser New Year's Eve.
The 6th of January is another National Holiday, like December 25th and January 1st. The ones who decide to not go out that evening have their last chance at stuffing themselves with all the leftovers from three weeks of Roscon, cider, turkey, etc....before getting back to normal the next day!
Warning! This is not the right time to come here and expect to lose weight folks! Over the last four days, we've had the 'puente de la Constitucion'(long weekend), and in many families we've started with the turron, etc....and have ALREADY gained some weight, ha,ha!
And don't be surprised to hear many Spaniards stating that they dislike Las Navidades, this is because, it's a time for family fun more than anything else, and people that have lost some of their family members, miss them more than ever and feel sad.
I think this is about it!
JJP, sorry I don't have any ideas for you other than make sure you go see some of the nicest and more elaborate Belenes across town, maybe doing the little escapade to Segovia, do some cheering at the marathon, go shopping around calle Serrano, or the Callao area....
Sorry I don't know what you mean by 'proper'(about the Segovia trip), if you mean appropiate, it sure is, you just need a safe 'medio de transporte', because the road may have some icy patches.
paloma
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