Toward the end of class today, the discussion turned to the winter holidays around Christmas and their celebrations, that is, which ones are celebrated most often here in Spain. From Immaculada on December 8th to Epiphany on January 6th, there are holidays big and small (including the Christmas lottery on Dec 22nd). Although people put up trees and many squares put up lights - most of these things do not happen until the last half of December, and in general, things just are not as commercial as in other parts of the world - or at least that is what our teacher claimed.
I made a quick side trip to Corte Ingles between class and intercambio to find a couple of things for my next cookie experiment. While there, I noticed this disturbing sight.
Yes - a small shelf of Christmas cookies and candies has appeared in the Corte Ingles supermarket.... in August.... weeks before the fall term begins for local schools. I am hoping it is a retail anomaly. It is still above 90 degrees everyday.
The group at intercambio was quite small tonight. Many of the local students are enjoying the end of their summer holidays and many of the students who are enrolled in the Spanish language program were out celebrating the last night in Sevilla for a couple of students. Or maybe, they were all out secretly Chistmas shopping...but I don't think so.
