New Year's Eve 2008 in Gandia

HAPPY 2008!

The Tezcans' entry to the 2008 was not quite the Spanish style but more like the Tezcans style! Initially, we had thought about going to Valencia for a street celebration but decided against it because we did not want to drive after drinking (the last train from Valencia leaves to Gandia at 22:41) and had not made any arrangements to stay in Valencia. Additionally after too much partying, we were not in the mood for further more!

So our New Year's Eve celebrations in Spain followed as:

- having a roast beef dinner with some Spanish wine
- wearing party hats and masks and blowing party whistles
- working on our computers!
- watching TV for the Spanish celebrations - some really bad pre-recorded music and comedy shows! Since we don't have a cable or satellite, we have the privilege of watching free public channels mostly in Valenciano. Channel 3 disclosed the 12 Treasures of Spain throughout the night and right before the midnight bell, they announced the winner: Mezquita in Cordoba (which we already visited)!
1. Mezquita de Córdoba (Córdoba)
2. Cuevas de Altamira (Cantabria)
3. Catedral de Sevilla (Sevilla)
4. La Alhambra (Granada)
5. Basílica del Pilar (Zaragoza)
6. Parque Nacional del Teide (Tenerife)
7. Teatro Romano de Mérida (Mérida)
8. Catedral de Santiago (Santiago de Compostela)
9. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (Valencia)
10. La Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
11. Playa de la Concha (San Sebastián)
12. Museo Guggenheim (Bilbao)

- eating 12 grapes with every chime of the bell - that proved to be more difficult than I thought for when we had only one grape left, the bell kept chiming and chiming .... Yunus had to keep the last one in his mouth before gulping. We are not sure if now the magic will work - should have learned the details!
- spreading confetti, kissing and hugging each other and toasting cava.

Another year has gone by and a new year is still ripe with full of promises and expectations. I just hope that you have a grand year and all your wishes come true.

Amor a todos,

Ayse

The kids decided that without a Christmas Tree, there was no spirit of holidays in the house. Here is what they set up (thanks to our neighborhood China store!).


Note the grapes!

Pre-celebration events!

Dancing Queen!

They grow so fast....

Of course, he had to be different!