New Years and Reyes

Hello Everyone,

For New Years Eve and Reyes we went to Marta's mother's house in Corella, Navarra. For both holidays, we had big dinners with Marta's family. On New Year's Eve, after the dinner we watched the New Year's program on t.v. At midnight bells rang twelve times, a strike of the bell for every month of the year. Also, at each strike of the bell you have to eat a grape. You have to have swallowed the grape before the next strike of the bell. If you don't, it is said that you will have bad luck for the coming year. I finished all of my grapes on time so I'm hoping for good luck! After we rang in the new year, we drive back to Zaragoza.

Festival de Los Reyes was January 6th. Here in Spain, Reyes is a very important holiday. It's a holiday to celebrate the three kings that brought gifts to baby Jesus when he was born. Ana and I went to Corella for the festival of the Reyes. Marta and Jose stayed in Zaragoza. When we arrived we walked around the town, watched the parade that was going on, then went out to dinner with Ana's friends. That night, we all hung out and later went out dancing. We slept over Marta's mother's house. After lunch the next day, January 7th, I took a bus back to Zaragoza. Ana stayed in Corella with her friends for the rest of the holiday break.

New Years and Reyes was very fun and interesting. I really enjoyed seeing and experiencing the different customs for New Years and experiencing a new holiday that we don't have in the United States.

Until next time, Brian

Holiday Scout Camp

Hello Everyone,

From December 26th through the 29th, I went with my entire scout group up to their camp in the Pirennes Mountains for their winter camping trip. It was in a pueblo called Villanua. My scout troop here includes scouts from 6 years old all the way to scouts in theirs 20s. There were two full coach buses that took us up to the camp. Throughout the entire weekend, we participated in games, team activities, leader training exercises, self-reflection, and hiking. On the 28th, I went with my scout patrol on a day hike in the mountains for about 4 hours which was absolutely beautiful! We hiked to a waterfall where a few scouts in my patrol were daring enough to go for a swim! After everyone dried off and warmed up. We started to hike back down the mountain. At the end of the hike, we came across an old abandoned military fort that looks over the entire valley where we were. We went inside and explored a bit which was very cool but also a little spooky because we didn't know what we would find. After exploring the fort, we went back to the scout van and went to France to play in the snow! We were very close to France, only about a 25 minute drive.

Once we arrived at 'Sant Pau' in France, we ate the lunches we had packed then played in the snow for about 2-1/2 hours. I had a blast sledding, snowboarding, and playing in the snow with my scout troop. It was definitely the highlight of the trip for me. That night back at the camp, there was a campfire type program with songs and skits. My patrol and I dressed up as thieves ans put on a skit. I was also selected for a joke. I stood up in front, the scout leaders put a funnel in the waist of my pants and a coin on my forehead. They told me that I had to try to get the coin into the funnel without using my hands. While I was trying to do so, they poured a pitcher of water into the funnel which of course went into my pants. I definitely wasn't expecting it but it was all in good fun! On the morning of the 29th, we had a closing ceremony, reflected on the weekend, and took pictures. We then packed up camp, loaded the buses, and headed back to Zaragoza.

It was a great weekend and I had an amazing time. I really enjoyed it because I was able to hang out with and get to know the rest of the scouts in Okapi, not only my patrol. Enjoy the photos below!

Until next time, Brian

Christmas Time in Zaragoza

Hello Everyone,

Being here in Spain away from my family during Christmas time was tough for me but it was also exciting to experience the holiday in a different way. During the month of December, there were a ton of decorations throughout the city including an enormous Nativity Scene in the 'Plaza de Pilar' in front of the Cathedral and window displays at 'El Corte Ingles' which is like Macy's.

I also went with my Spanish language class to the Museum of Zaragoza, the Goya Museum, and the Roman City Museum. The Zaragoza Museum was just that, a museum about Zaragoza. It tells the history of Zaragoza and there are a lot of photographs so you can see how the city was and how it has grown. The Goya Museum displayed and described the artwork of the Spanish artist Goya. The Roman City museum was my favorite. Underneath the current city of Zaragoza, there is a Roman City that has been excavated. When you enter the museum, you go underground to tour the ruins. It's really neat because there is another entire city beneath the modern day city!

For 'Noche Buena' or Christmas Eve, we went to Marta's mother's house in Corella, Navarra. When we arrived, we walked around the pueblo with Marta's nephew Alberto to see the holiday decorations and such. After about an hour or so, we went back to Marta's mother's house and had a huge dinner with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins from Marta's side of the family. After dinner, Marta, Jose, Ana, and I returned home to Zaragoza and opened our gifts. I received a Zaragoza mug with drawings of typical items from Spain as well as the Steve Jobs biography which I really wanted. Marta ordered it from England so that it would be in English. I thought it was very nice of them and am very grateful.

On Christmas Day or 'Navidad' we stayed at home in Zaragoza. Jose's mother, sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and brother came over for the day to celebrate and eat with us. Although I was missing my family, it was a very enjoyable day. I wore a Christmas tie that my mom sent me from home. I was lucky enough to be able to skype with my family. It was great to talk to my family while my parents and sisters were all together.

Overall, the Christmas season in Zaragoza was an enjoyable and different experience. I hope you enjoy the pictures I included below!

Until next time, Brian