Christmas

Buon Natale! Auguri!
Sorry this post is so super dooper late, I procrastinated a LOT!
So this is my first Christmas away from home, it was sort of sad but also a Christmas I will never forget. It started off in the beginning of December, you know when the Christmas cheer is in bloom? When all the little children start craving the day when Santa sneaks down their chimney? Well that wasn't happening for me. I wasn't even excited! I don't know what was wrong with me! Usually I am at least happy its Christmas and jolly and merry about the joy spreading around. But this year no joy seemed to be spreading around. Because in Italy it seems that they are less commercial about Christmas, so there were less decorations in early December and almost NO CHRISTMAS MUSIC! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! But yes, school was just getting back to "normal" and I had other things on my mind. So about a week before Christmas, I STILL wasn't feeling any excitement what so ever, just anxiety about getting everyone gifts! Then suddenly, I woke up one morning and its was Christmas Eve!!! How did that happen! Christmas was like a ninja this year! I was so confused, and still sad that I didn't feel any of the Christmas joy I was suppose to. The biggest surprise was when the family came over for Christmas Eve dinner, the little kids ran to the tree and started opening there presents! I stood there so confused for so long thinking "is anyone going to tell them to wait for tomorrow?" Then I realized, in Italy they open their presents on Christmas eve! Now I was really feeling like I was missing something, like the night before Christmas day where I lie awake wondering what wonderful things were waiting for me to open! I didn't even get a chance to do that! So I opened my presents with the family.

Host mom and older host sister handing out presents.

After everyone opened presents we sat down for dinner. On Christmas Eve most Italians practice the tradition of not eating any meat, so we had pasta (of course) with fish and other things. Although for lunch my host sister and I cheated and she had sausages and I ate the rest of my Texas chili I got in  the mail :D. We sat around the dinner table and talked for a while, the kids played with their toys and I showed my host family my town's newspaper.

The Taos News

When we were all done we walked over to the neighbors/the aunts house for some more drinks and games. The other half of the family was there. We all sat around for a couple hours and played bingo together (an Italian Christmas tradition), it was lots of fun!!!

Bingo

     The next day was Christmas, and surprisingly less fun. We ate lunch, with meat, then hung out for a while. In the afternoon we went to the grandparents house in Ciampino for Christmas dinner. When we arrived my host sister and I went out with our friends Daniele and Gianlucca for a couple hours. When we came back it was dinner time! What a feast! I've never eaten so much meat at once before! I actually think there was no pasta at the table, just meat and green peas! We stayed around for a bit, then after things got a little slow we went home.
     Even though Christmas wasnt as eventful as my past ones, Christmas eve was definitely a time to remember! I will always treasure the Christmas I spent here in Italy, now I hope my host family can come to Taos one Christmas and see how we do it. I know they would enjoy the annual bonfires at the Pueblo.
Until next time!
Addie