There are many curious customs that are celebrated here in Spain. And guess who's gonna embrace them? That's right, yours truly!
Starting with the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight to ring in the New Year.
No one I asked actually knew the origin of this curious tradition. They just all do it - for good luck. At the stroke of midnight, you have to start popping those grapes, one at a time into your mouth - at 3-second intervals until they are all gone. If you can finish the dozen before the end of the chimes, you will have good luck all year long.
My aunt Lisette sent us a couple of little tin cans - each containing 13 peeled seedless grapes (a fruiter's dozen, perhaps?). How is that not cheating???
For a first timer, this was a cinch - total piece of cake. This was my first New Year's celebration in Spain, and while I was invited to a couple of celebrations - I kept it mellow and celebrated with my mum. Well, I
had have a miserable cold which is still with me 3 days later. Argh!
But imagine having to down 12 large tough-skinned grapes. with seeds. not so easy sounding. One of the parties I was invited to had a minor choking incident... i'm not so sure it wasn't a girl trying to make it with the waiter.
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| Mum & I toasted at midnight with a split and some strawberries |
So here's looking to a bright new year. 2011 was a tough year for many people. Let's hope 2012 will be better.
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| maybe 18 should read - "be kissed by a wonderful man, often." |
Rather than make a list of lofty goals that may or may not be achieved, I spent about 10 minutes thinking of things that I'd hope to do this year. No, I'm not going to change the world... just work within my space within the world - trying to make a few things better.
