Christmas is coming...
Hi everyone!
Christmas is coming!….I can feel it in the streets, now dressed in red with the typical Christmas lights, trees, plants and all those Santa Claus standing for the whole day in front of every big store entrance. Kids are dying for the Christmas Day to come and find their desired presents under the Christmas tree or into the stocking…
Santa Claus hasn’t been known in Spain for very long. That tradition was picked up from Europe and, above all, from the USA and their influence through the TV and films. Here what is really traditional are The Three Wise Men. They supposedly come on camels on January 5.That evening in every city take place a “cabalgata”. It’s a parade of floats symbolizing the coming of the Three Wise Men to Bethlehen, but the religious meaning has been forgotten. At that right night they get in every house and leave the presents beautifully wrapped. However, to get those gifts is advisable to leave a glass of milk for the camels, and some biscuits for the three kings, and if you do so, the next morning you’ll discover that there’s no milk or biscuits left, the window is a bit opened and the presents are there. It’s said that if a boy or a girl has been naughty, he or she will get only coal as a gift, but it’s a sweet coal suitable for eating :).
Apart from dressing the Christmas tree, in Spain it is traditional to have a belén at home for Christmas. It’s a nativity scene that contains figures representing the Holy Family, animals, the shepherds and the Three Wise Men. Every town and city has also a belén viviente, in which real people are playing the characters (I’ve also seen it in US films). Both kinds of belenes are all around.
The bad side is that nowadays a lot of people seem to have lost the Christmas spirit. Take a look in any shopping centre. For them Christmas is their golden time. They are crowded with people carrying more bags than fingers they have. From my point of view, it’s a direct consequence of the consumer society in with a lot of people (including me) have grown up. Some people have no sense of moderation when it comes to spending money. Here, everybody wants to be who has the best car, the best dress, the best shoes, etc….and, of course, who gives the best gifts just to show off. I think any present has to come from one’s heart and not only from one’s pocket.
It has all come into my mind because yesterday evening I 'tried' to go for a walk to one of that shopping centre. There aren’t many choices, since all the cinemas, many fun centers and restaurants are in them. So, everyone ends up going there. Personally, I prefer to go out for a walk and get some fresh air. However, in countries where it’s too cold out, it’s more convenient to be in.
Jonathan:
Yes, you are right. Elche is that place. Actually, it surprises me a lot that you know Elche because it isn’t as touristic as Alicante. I don’t pretend to seem meddling, but what is your connection with Alicante? Have you been here on holidays or just on a business trip?
“El quinto pinto” is literally translated “the fifth pine tree”, as you mentioned. I tried to express the Spanish idiom into an English way. I know it’s very difficult to express the context, but incredibly there’re many similarities between English and Spanish idioms. It’s curious how these idioms have a history behind. The same happens with plenty of everyday expressions or words. For example (literally translated) : “to be a fittipaldi” means to drive at a high speed and carelessly; “to be in the Ubeda hills” means to go off as a tangent.
Upss! I’ve noticed that I wrote the wrong preposition. The right one is ‘to’…. A brief introduction to….. I always try not to translate literally from Spanish, but sometimes I do it unconsciously.
I’ve surfed the Net looking for info about the town you live in. I’m really curious about discovering new places and also I’m a beach lover. I’ve found that beaches there are incredible, and almost wild. Here we have good ones, the “untouched” ones, thanks to the fact that they were protected by the government years ago. If not, nowadays it would be impossible to find wild beaches, due to the high rate of construction that directly affects our coast lines. The so called land speculation, I suppose.
Now, my answers to the question that you proposed me are:
I’d appreciate it if you could help me with my research
I’d like you to help me with my research
I hope you can help me with my research
I wish you could help me with my research
I’d be grateful if you could help me with my research
Jonathan, I think that I see what’s wrong with that sentence….The good one would be:
”At first I thought I’d never be able to achieve it” . Is it now right?
That's all for now!
See you tomorrow,
Silvia
Comments
Hello Silvia! How interesting to know about the Three Wise Man. Here, we also celebrate them. However, we celebrate them in January 6th. In this day folk groups use to drop in the houses. They sing, dance and wish good fortune to family members. I agree with you. Even more people are forgeting the real Christmas meaning. They only want buy and buy. Oh by the way, we also have a belém in our homes, and it´s called Presépio. Moreover, some churches have the Nativity scene alive too. Oh that´s reminds me I don´t dress my Christmas three yet. Oh shame on me :-). Have a nice week, see you tomorrow, Ana Paula.
Hi Silvia, Very nice to read your blog. I have a Catalan collegue here. He is so kind and friendly. For me I love your country, your culture.
Dear Silvia, I completely agree with you that people have lost most of the Christmas spirit. I do not like to say it is because of the globalisation but in fact I think it is so. When I was a child there was, as you have pointed out : the nativity scene that we called “pessebre”, on the 24 of December children used to hit (bang) a trunk (el Tió) for sweeties and of course the cabalgata of the three Wise Men. We did not use to have a Christmas tree, or Sint Nicolas or Santa Claus or other. Today we tend to embrace any tradition coming from outside (the other field is always greener). Times are changing. You are right too with the non moderation. But it is difficult to resist. When my children were younger they took advantage of their international situation to try to get something from every tradition. Now we have made an arrangement and they have only part of the presents they have asked for at Christmas, so it is in the middle, not at the beginning of December not on the six of January but on the 25 of December. In the meantime they get things they needed for school or clothes. I remember well the Palm Grove : “Huerto del cura” but I think what the most impressed me was the smell (or odour) by night of the orange blossom (azahar). Well, happy to see you seem to be a productive blogger. Antonio
Hi,Silvia. In Japan, I'm afraid we don't have any special dishes for Christmas. Yes, we eat a Christmas cake on the Christamas Eve. But I don't think that comes from Japanese tradition, of course. Chiristmas is just a present-giving day(or "present-getting day" depends on one's status) for most of Japanese. I will check when we came to know about Christams. Anyway, my oldest kid wishes upon a star, "Please give me a telescope this year". Unlike most Japanese boys who are video-game addict, he is an astro-bum. My middle girl, she's always wishing something, bicycle, watercolour and etc. So it's quite difficult to decide which she wants most. As for my smallest, all she wants is "ME". Do you know why I can tell that? 'Cause she is only ten months old and needs me every time. Ha-ha. I am enjoyng being with three kids. No need for a present for me who has such wonderful children.
Hi, Silvia, and hi, Everyone! Are you feeling all Christmassy?! I am. Well, maybe not Christmassy (as here in Russia Christmas comes after New Year) but I am definitely in a festive mood. We haven't adopted many western traditions of celebrating Christmas. One of the purely Russian traditions is Yule fortune-telling which takes place during the week in the run-up to Christmas with its "apogee" on Christmas Eve. Traditionally, it is a girly thing to do as all the sorts of forune-telling come down, in the end, to trying to know who you will get married to and when ;) I will let your imagination run wild by saying what things they use to tell fortune but omitting what they actually do with them. So, these things are: cards (obviously!), wax, candles, Russian woolly winter boots («valenki»), spoons, paper and fire, standing under someone's windows (earwigging, basically), going to a crossroads etc etc. Talk to you soon, Ana
Hi Silvia, how are you? At the outset, let me extend my heartfelt welcome to BBC learning English blog. I hope you are enjoying life with your family and friends over there. Well, let me introduce my self a little bit, my self Manoj 24/M from India, friends call me by nick name monu. I am doing my post graduation and I am a regular blogger at BBC, though sometimes I miss it because I couldn’t get time to access internet because these days I am busy with my exams preparations. But, I am trying to get time for it; well I will try to reply you as much as possible. It’s very great to know about you, especially that pic which you have posted in previous blog, you are looking pretty well in it. As you said you are working hard for your new project and I am very pleased to read that you are really a very enthusiastic person. Going through your article which makes my destiny feel that you would definitely get success in all your endeavors. So just do your best and don’t think about the result because whatever be the outcome, I am sure it will be destined in your favor. Have you ever been India? pls tell us more about your culture , tradition and also about your likes and dislikes. Hey I am very fascinated to know about what preparation are going on for Christmas over there. Say hi to your sister and her baby, they also looking very pretty in that pic. See you soon and don't forget to reply me. Take care n always keep smiling like this ^_^ Bye Manoj Pandey "Monu" India "SORRY FOR LATE REPLY"
Hi Silvia, I wanna wish you a merry christmas. Hoping you to receive lots of lovely gifts. Nice to see you here, Best regards,
Hello Silvia, you are welcome!! I come from Italy, my city is Padua.Do you know? near Venice.... However in Italy there are already festive air....Christmas is coming!… In the streets there are the Christmas lights, trees (Pine Christmas) and Santa Claus in the shopping centers or in the historical center.... The Christmas Day I will stay with my family.....my parents, my sister, and my two brothers... we are a big family....and maybe with my boyfriend... And what about you? Nice your photo...and nice the baby.... Back soon Mariangela
Hello again Silvia! I agree with you. Christmas have changed very much in the last years. December is a month of compulsive purchases, instead of love and family celebrations. Kindest regards
Hi Silvia, I was wondering if you recelived my question about how were you chosen or how can i apply to write this blog in the future? Thanks for your answer Jola
Hello Silvia, I read about Christmas celebrations with great interest. As you said about the 'Three Wise Men', as far as I remember I've also seen a movie on it in which they arrive at a place on camels and help the locals with their wisdom. I agree with you that the society is becoming materialistic. You will see people boasting of their wealth and power, but, still there are people for whom, little things make their day.Cheer up! Because you are going to meet up with so many people here who will write to you straight from their hearts. Naheed
Three wise men are known here in Finland as well. Yes you are right Silvia about people going a bit over the limit with money spending during the Christmas time. But I do think that in general everyone is aiming to give pleasure to their love ones. The world today is living in such a chaos that small pleasures of life are forgotten perhaps. The weather wise we in these parts of world are lucky, there was a heavy snow fall today. Talk to you soon again.
Hello Silvia You are right. Nowadays Christmas is more a good bussines than a religious festivity. What can we do? Marketing is stronger. Perhaps only don't forget the real meaning of Christmas, the born of Jesus, and if you are not a religious person, the value of family, peace and to share. I read your first and second post and one word was the most significant to me "paella". Mmmm, what a delicious thing...I go now to look for a paper towel, because my mouth is watering to much. Bye
I agree, Silvia. I love Christmas decoration and atmosphere but running behind the right gift for the right person is a nightmare. I feel th espirit of Christmas have gone.
A warm welcome to you, Silvia. What a big step across the map: from Finland ( the last blog from Leila) to Spain!I'm very curious what you will tell us about your way of living,your hometown, your family, your hobbies and so on...In GermANY we have the same tradition , you call it "belen" and in german it is called " Krippe". In Cologne, it is 25 kilometres from the village I live, there is a so called " Krippenweg". There are a lot of mangers in the hole town and you can visit it , if you want with a guide. I agree with you, that Christmas Time is a big commerz and it's a big task to resist all the offers. I always say: Less is more! Oh, I've to interrupt, my husband ring and I go by car to the train station, to meet him. So long, see you soon....I have a lot of questions...
Hi Silvia, I'm here with my doctoral students and they are amazed at how much you can actually learn from using bloggin with BBC. Pity it does not sound American! Cheers (let's be some British for a while)
It is so fun to hear about your country in Englishª I am an American living in Spain and you will help me understand the Christmas traditions here. They are very different from the USA.
Wowww you've got a great grammer. What are you doing here :). I hope I can fix my grammer wathcing/reading your news here. I'll be following u. Good job ;).
Hi Silvia, Thanks for your introduction about Christmas in your hometown(country).from that i know the traditon and feel the festaval sphere .but i am sorry to hear that people have lost the Christmas spirit ,just like festaval in China.with the development of mordernization , it is impossible for us to intervene the trend.
Hi Silvia: I´m agree with you about the spirit of Christmas. It´s a pity that people have losen. Sorry for my English ¡¡¡ I´m glad that you explaint about place of Elche. I don´t know. I know "The mistery of Elche" "The Palms" that is "Herytage of Humanity". Mérida also is a city "Heritage of Humanity". I love rice cooking and If you can tell some receipe....."Arroz con costra" "Arroz a banda" etc. Thanks.
Hi Silvia, how are you? I'm very happy to discover that the new student blogger is Spanish, because I like Spain very much and I hope I would visit it one day. I think you have beautiful landscapes and lovely weather.
Hola Silvia!! We have a lot of similar traditions!! But, in addition, here in Venezuela we have some typical customs. In Christmas time we have a typical dish "Hallaca" (I dont know the translation) and a typical musical style "gaita". you can listen a little bit in www.nuestragaita.com. See you soon.
Hello Silvia, it's me again. I've forgotten my name and my country. The comment from Germany, the village near Cologne is mine.I'm looking forward to your next blog...
Hi, You are right that people have lost most of the Christmas spirit! When I was a child (it was communism time)Christmas had much more spirituality value than nowdays. Maybe therefore that our shops were almost empty...We enjoyed even small things, the most important was fact that we could met with family. Regards Majka
Hi Silvia, It is grateful to see your blog here. December is a month of cheerfulness due to Christmas. Although we have to work on Christmas in Taiwan this year, I love and expect Christmas coming to enjoy Christmassy day. Wish sincerely you all have wonderful year with your family.
Hi silvia, I am glad that you Chose todays topic as "Christmas", I think that it is an interesting "Topic" because we don't share this day in our country. And thats why i didnt actually know anything about Christmas but after what you have written ,I think I added some information and got a good idea about Christmas after all ;). I like the way you express things ;) I wish you happy Christmas.
Hi, Silvia! I would like to stand up for poor Christmas shoppers. When I arrived to Ireland two years ago I spent all my money for shopping when Christmas was coming. All Christmas holiday I spent in the fitting room of “Penneys” – it is the chi pest shop where you can buy clothes - and was very happy. Of course, I don’t know what I have to do with all my clothes now. I haven’t time to wear it! But I happy all the same…
dear Silvia First of all I would like to wish you Merry Christmas.Its our pleasure to have you as a new blogger.I hope that we'll be having a good time with you.You look so lively and pretty and remind me of my daughter who is of your age and lives in Dubai.And she too has a baby girl like your neice. Love to you and your family Rizwana
Hi Silvia, it's very interesting to read your blog, i'm really interested about the Three Wise Men, it was also very interseting because i have just heard about Santa and Santa Clause in diferrent countries, i'm going to spain in the Christmas holidays so maybe i'll have a chance to see the trandion. merry christmas usman.
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