My experiences of living as a seasoned immigrant in Cordova (Andalusia): humour, culture, history, illustrated. Also includes poetry, quotes, thoughts, and nature.
Firstly, sorry to say that some of the photos in this post have been eliminated due to insufficient space on the multimedia (see my later post for details…)
Well, as the title suggests, it is definitely that time of year again! And I would like to share a few festive photos and a poem with you.
So here they are:
Our very homely-looking Christmas tree. Although it’s alive, it’s not actually a fir or spruce but a very large branch pruned from one of our wild Pistacia lentiscus bushes. It makes the house smell so resiny.
The Nativity scene. We have oxen, camels, sheep and homemade pigs, ducks and geese. Unfortunately the 3 Kings haven’t arrived yet, because although I’ve been seriously rummaging around the baubles and tinsel, I just haven’t been able to find them yet. (Must’ve gone trotting off somewhere…)Every year we add bits to it. This year it’s the baker / cook working away in his corner in front of the stone oven and balancing a basket of goods on his head — right-hand side. (And I really must repair Jesus’s hand this year, because he had a bit of a mishap a while ago so He’s missing a little corner of it! Out will come the plaster of Paris…)A bit of a close-up, and yes, I’ll have to mend Mary’s hand too. (We have had these figurines for a long time now, since the kids were born, so that makes 25 years more or less!)
One of the Christmas candle holders
Apart from the tree and Nativity scene, we’ve also put loads of tinsel, baubles, stockings, hanging pine cones etc. around the house. The decorations reflect the light and bring a glowing cheer to the dark evenings.
Meanwhile, in Cordova, the central square Plaza Tendillas has been dressed in thousands of lights, as so too the tall palm trees:
And back in my local village of Posadas, apart from all the streets, gardens and trees being lit up, they are usually decorated by the ladies from the crochet group too. However, since social gatherings are not permitted, nothing as yet has been displayed, so I am including their work from last Christmas. (I included other of their photos in a previous blog of mine.)
They made an extensive Nativity scene totally from crochet (except for the cork which was used for huts)
And there were also life-sized statues in one of the main streets — as you can see they were all robed in crochet garments
The street Nativity scene came with a well and fire too…
… and a flying angel announcing the Good News!
Well, to end this Christmassy blog I’d like to finish with a seasonal poem:
Christmas Eve 1893— Christina Rossetti (5 December 1830 – 29 December 1894)
Christmas has a darkness Brighter than the blazing noon, Christmas has a chillness Warmer than the heat of June, Christmas has a beauty Lovelier than the world can show: For Christmas bringeth Jesus, Brought for us so low.
Earth, strike up your music, Birds that sing and bells that ring; Heaven has answering music For all angels soon to sing: Earth, put on your whitest Bridal robe of spotless snow: For Christmas bringeth Jesus, Brought for us so low.
Thank you all for visiting — I hope that you are able to enjoy this special time.
Take care! xxx
Your comments and questions are always welcome — it is nice to hear from you!
Hello! I was born in London but moved to Cordova (inland Andalusia) thirty-two years ago. Although I qualified as a geologist, I had to retrain, and I now teach English and work as a freelance translator, writer and artist (sort of!).
I have written and published two books: Edward’s Secret and the Enchanted Throne for young teens, available from Amazon, and also 'An English Lady in Cordova - the Alternative Guide' which tells of my experiences (both humorous and harrowing) of living in Cordoba and later on, in the countryside location of Posadas. I describe the culture, history, geography and emblematic sites of Cordova, Posadas, the neighbouring villages and local Sierra — (hence the ‘alternative guide’ bit!)
My blogs talk about my experiences here, my day-to-day life, and also include poetry, quotes, literature, art, photos, nature, and thoughts and reflections. (In other words, it’s a bit of a pot pourri, but unfortunately, I still haven’t learnt how to house these categories into the different pages that appear in the menu!)
I do hope you enjoy reading my blogs, and I welcome your comments and questions, as I love to interact with people.
Thank you for visiting — bye for now!
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5 comentarios sobre “It’s that time of year again!”
I love your Christmas tree. And I enjoyed reading your post too. Hope you have a good Christmas. We will be spending time on zoom partly because of covid 19 but also because we have family in the UK and in New Zealand and we live in South Africa.
Thank you! Yes, my tree is quite…authentic! I will also be spending a lot of time on Skype as I won’t be able to fly out to London to visit my mother and brother. I hope you have a lovely Christmas too!
They look so charming and beautiful. I love individual family traditions that are unique and so precious. The village crochet team are certainly very efficient and productive. I love the village nativity scenes in Spain. We spent Christmas and New Year in Lanzarote in 2016 and they were fabulous. Have a lovely Christmas with your family. We tend to get together beforehand with the girls so that there is no pressure on them on Christmas Day. We like a bit of peace and quiet and have done a number of Aussie Christmasses over the last 10 years.
Thank you Lisa! I hope you too have a lovely, peaceful Christmas and a healthy, lucky New Year – and that you enjoy with your family. Perhaps next Christmas you will be on your travels again enjoying the different sights, food and customs. I have never been as far as Australia, but I did like Lanzarote though, – quite different with its black sands and lack of trees.
An English Lady in Cordova 
I love your Christmas tree. And I enjoyed reading your post too. Hope you have a good Christmas. We will be spending time on zoom partly because of covid 19 but also because we have family in the UK and in New Zealand and we live in South Africa.
Me gustaLe gusta a 3 personas
Thank you! Yes, my tree is quite…authentic! I will also be spending a lot of time on Skype as I won’t be able to fly out to London to visit my mother and brother. I hope you have a lovely Christmas too!
Me gustaLe gusta a 1 persona
Thank you 🤗
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They look so charming and beautiful. I love individual family traditions that are unique and so precious. The village crochet team are certainly very efficient and productive. I love the village nativity scenes in Spain. We spent Christmas and New Year in Lanzarote in 2016 and they were fabulous. Have a lovely Christmas with your family. We tend to get together beforehand with the girls so that there is no pressure on them on Christmas Day. We like a bit of peace and quiet and have done a number of Aussie Christmasses over the last 10 years.
Me gustaLe gusta a 2 personas
Thank you Lisa! I hope you too have a lovely, peaceful Christmas and a healthy, lucky New Year – and that you enjoy with your family. Perhaps next Christmas you will be on your travels again enjoying the different sights, food and customs. I have never been as far as Australia, but I did like Lanzarote though, – quite different with its black sands and lack of trees.
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