Last year we spent nearly all of December in California and Mexico, so we missed out on most of the holiday festivities here in San Sebastian, and there are many. This year we have done our best to take it all in. Here’s a quick recap of the excitement.
On December 1, the city turned on all the holiday lights and inaugurated the Christmas market. We joined what seemed like the whole town to see the lights come on:
The Christmas market is set up along the river and includes a diverse group of merchants selling artisanal wares. This year the city installed a giant Bavarian style Ferris wheel along the La Concha beach walk, which has been very popular, especially thanks to the good weather we’ve had so far this winter. We rode it on the 24th and the views were spectacular:
Starting on December 21 with the fair of Santo Tomas, San Sebastian celebrates a month of festivities that continues with Christmas (Nochebuena), New Year’s (Nochevieja), Tres Reyes (Jan. 6), and ends with La Tamborrada (San Sebastian Day, the drumming festival, which you can read all about here: http://vinoconvino.blogspot.com/2018/01/la-tamborrada-san-sebastians-biggest_27.html).
Santo Tomas was a kick. San Sebastian transforms into a huge country market to commemorate the day farmers came to pay their rents to the city-dwelling property owners, sell their wares, and buy products they could only get in the city. Most everyone dresses up in traditional Basque costumes and there are lots of stands selling txistorra (pork sausage) sandwiches and wraps, cider, honey, cheese, and other local products. It is yet another excuse to eat and drink in excess – like anyone needs such an excuse here in the gastronomic capital of the world. There is even a 340-kilo pig brought in and displayed in the main square. The pig used to be auctioned off to a lucky winner:
Here are a few choice photos of the events, including some of our friends in their traditional dress, txistorra in hand:
The city has been busy with lots of shopping activity, music, and decorations. On Christmas we went for a nice long walk on the beaches – it was a beautiful day.
We are spending NYE in Barcelona and will have more to report soon. Sending our very best for a happy, healthy, and joyous 2019.
Feliz ano nuevo,
Shana & Jeff
No comments:
Post a Comment