Our Christmas in Seville

The cathedral, always dramatic, but especially so at night

We’ve been in Seville, Spain for two weeks now! We arrived to days of rain—not cold, but humid and wet. Quite unusual for Seville. But that cleared out, and we have been having the most amazing glorious sun-filled days. It’s quite remarkable, and even the locals are thrilled!

It’s good to be back; this is our fourth time in Seville, and we are still delighted by all the things that delighted us before: the elegance of the city, the magnificence of its buildings, the great food and drink at very reasonable prices, the friendliness and joie de vivre of the people. And, we get to meet up again with all the folks we know here, including my daughter Nina and her new beau, Ricardo (aka Riki), who grew up here.

We enjoyed a family lunch with Nina and Riki and Riki’s extended family, his parents, siblings, and their spouses and children. It was great fun, meeting everybody. And, we were touched at their acceptance of us (we were the guests of honor!), and the sense that we now have a family, sort of, here in Spain!

Christmas was wonderful. Our ex-pat American friends Karen and Rich, who are now long-term Seville residents, put on their traditional Christmas meal with about two dozen guests. Nina and Riki joined us, and we had a great time re-connecting with many of the people we’d met here last year. And, after dinner, we played games. (Can you find a Christmas-related word for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet? Pro tip: “the X-ray Santa needs when he falls off the roof” is not an acceptable answer for the letter X.)

Then, on New Year’s Eve, we headed over to Plaza Nuevo, the main square, where we were met by Nina and Riki, and joined by Riki’s brother, his wife, and their three little girls. We enjoyed the festive crowd, watched the fireworks (an unexpected treat!), and, as the bells rang in the new year, ate the grapes (popping one on each ring) and recited our 12 wishes for the coming year. (It works! All our 12 wishes from last year came true.)

At the stroke of midnight... Riki on the right, with his niece wedge in next to Nina

             Christmas in Seville

A major reason why we come to Seville this time of year! The streets are beautifully illuminated, and everyone is in a party mood!

            

Streets of Seville with Christmas lights

the city's major Christmas display this year is... angels!

The angels take on a whole different aspect at night!

We pose with my daughter Nina with La Giralda behind us.