Christmas in two weeks?

Here I am... in Valencia... with temperatures in the 50s and 60s... and I am realizing that Christmas is only two weeks away.

Not only does the temperature make it hard to believe, but the lack of what I normally associate with Christmas doesn't help... such as Christmas trees. Sure, they sell Christmas trees here, but plastic never has the same smell as a living tree.

I also haven't decorated my apartment (which is totally my fault). :( Sad Dan

However, I went out last night with Jessica, Nils, and Minna. We met at, of all places, Starbucks. I had a chai tea... yum! We sat in there and talked a mix of Spanish and English for a while, then we decided to head on out. Walking outside, in the cold, an seeing the lights decorating the city, I started to feel a bit o' the season creep up on me. Jessica pointed out something too, that I otherwise might have overlooked:

That's right, palm trees with christmas lights!

Today, even though it isn't snowing, and I there isn't the scent of pine in the air, I am starting to feel a little bit more of the Christmas spirit. Finally!

Some other pictures from last night: Nils, Jessica, and me... I thought I took a picture of Minna, but it was not to be found today... sorry!

Other events this past week: Keese, a guy I met in the Quads and in Text & Critics class, came to visit Spain and to do some climbing. I was luckily able to meet up with him one night while he was here. He is currently studying abroad in Germany, and to me sounds like he is having a good time. Although both of us agree that we so far have not done much different from what we would be normally doing in the US. He climbs and does outdoorsy stuff... I sit at home and play computer games... the usual :)

That's it for now... this week I have alot planned... let's hope I follow through with it all: bowling, friends Birthday party thing, dinner at my place, Christmas party, etc... wish me luck!