Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

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It's the cold time of the year again. Time to spend nice moments with our family. In Spain, and as I heard in Poland too, Christmas is not over till the 6th of January. That day the three kings come on their camels to bring the Christmas gifts. There is a procession in every city for the children. Were people disguised with Christmas costumes in big chars throw candies and other small gifts. 

We had a Christmas meeting with the other volunteers, were we tried the typical food of this period in Poland. I was very happy to notice that most of the meals were vegetarian since the tradition is to not eat meat during those days. So I could try everything !

We also did a secret Santa, where everyone had to bring a small gift and received one too.




Sylwia giving out some gifts

Bartek and Melina opening gifts with Christmas cards

We also had, with Nicole, the volunteer working in the Cultural Center, a Christmas meal with the people working either in the Cultural Center and Library. There was so many types of sweets, and cakes. After all this festivities together everyone took their way to their families. I went to Hungary where my mother's family lives. It was nice to see them again, even if the current situation makes everything unusual. I flew back a few days before New Years Eve, because I wanted to experience a polish one this year, with some friends I met here. And because New Years Eve is usually spent with friends rather than family. 

I'm curious to see the traditions here on this day, and be part of it. In Spain, we eat 12 grape berries with the last 12 chimes of the year. It's supposed to bring good luck for the new year. But it usually ends with choking experience to start the year. In Hungary, they eat lentils, it supposed to bring you money, and they don't eat animals with wings because they will fly away with your good luck or crabs because they are going backwards and they want to start the year going forward. 

My polish New Years Eve went well, we shoot fireworks at midnight, we toasted with champagne. I discovered Prosecco, while listening to some polish songs. 


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