Here I am, everyone, in sunny Spain!  It's strange to be in springlike weather (16, 17 degrees) while hearing rumours of torrid snow storms at home.  I thought just before I left that I'd miss the snow, but I'm reminding myself how lovely it is to wear shoes without socks outside and not lose toes to frostbite. 

I've been staying with my best friend and fiance at their apartment, and it's been lovely.  The food here is better, the wine here is MUCH better, and there's a element of glamour and tradition here that doesn't exist in North America.  This is my first Christmas away from my family; but I think my family will feel my loss more than I'll feel theirs.  I have the company of strange and exciting cultural differences here, whereas they will act out the same old seasonal routine, but with an absence keenly felt. 

There are a few downsides, though.  While I absolutely love Barcelona, I don't speak Spanish or Catalan with any kind of skill.  And since my boyfriend's parents do NOT speak English (his mom understands a little), I have to rely on my rusty French (his mom speaks as much as I do) and my boyfriend (and his brother) to translate.  This obviously makes me a little more silent than normal, but it's hard to want to say anything when you're so absorbed watching the cultural nuances unfold around you.  Little things like jamon pizzas, modern christmas light displays only worthy of Europe, 1,30 E bottles of REALLY GOOD wine, and bonzai plants in the groceries become fascinating and distracting.

Also on the downside is that my boyfriend, being a Ph.D student who loves his work, is not here yet.  He's planning on flying out tonight (Saturday), and making the narrow window that the snow storm is providing.  We have both lucked out.  Until he is here, I feel a little like a fish out of water.  But I've been lucky to have my friends here taking me around the semi-familiar city (I've been here 5 times before) and providing me with anything I could ever need.

And finally, I feel like this is a Christmas that is absent of the stresses and responsibilities that it usually holds.  When my boyfriend gets here, and I'm surrounded by friends and family, I will feel completely at ease and welcome.  Because no matter where you are, it is those you love who make Christmas special.  Bon Nadal, everyone!