Feliz Ano

We came home from Granada on New Years Eve--a big deal in Spain. But first we had comida and I learned how to make paella from Borja's dad. I can't wait to try out the recipe at home. We ate doing "lo tipico"--good food, good conversation, and, in hte Alarcon household, scratchies.


After comida we went to meet Marijuan and Marino--two of Borja's best friends--for a cafe at el Avelino. I loved hanging out with them and again, doing what is typical for a Spanish afternoon--sitting at a bar and just talking. When the bar closed, we went to the pasteleria Dulces Artesanias around the corner from Borja's house which has been there since he was little. We met up with Javi and then went to a bar and played billiard (the British version).

Marijuan, Borja, and Pablo

Two of Borja's best friends--Javi and Pablo

For New Years Eve dinner we went to Tia Maria Teresa's house. I don't know any other way to describe her than a typical senora espanola--sophisticated, confident, and bold with impeccable taste in both food and decoration. She lives in a gorgeous house, still decorated for Christmas of course. A traditional Spanish New Years Eve is good food (and I mean Thanksgiving style), family, the eating of the grapes, and party. Check, check. check, and check. I had my first real Spanish New Years and it couldn't have been better.

The appetizers alone were enough to feed 20, and we were only 7. It was the four of us plus Maria Teresa, her daughter, and Santi's brother Luis. When we arrived, the appetizers were already on the table and more were being made in the kitchen. Santi and Luis were in charge of the gambas (yes, shrimp complete with head and tail), and Maria Teresa's daughter was making the mojopicon for later. We ate and ate until we couldn't eat anymore. They came the main course--sopa, patatas, and a sweetened turkey typical of New Years Eve dinner. When we finished eating, we were 20 minutes away from the New Year.

Santi and his brother Luis

Las Gambas!

Borja and Tia Maria Teresa

Before eating the graps

We quickly peeled our grapes (and for the first time in 24 years Borja peeled his own!), turned on the t.v., and waited. In Spain, the ball drops in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid. THe clock strikes 12:00 and shortly afterward, there are 12 more chimes. On each bell, you supposed to eat a grape and it is said to bring good luck for the coming year if you finish all 12 grapes on the chimes. Eating the grapes was a very serious, intense 12 seconds. Everyone was dead silent and completely focused on eating their 12 grapes. We poured the champagne and toasted "Feliz Ano." For dessert there was chocolate and pan del cielo.

Las uvas peladas