Sunday, December 23, 2012

A little bit of Christmas in Fuengirola, Spain - Photo essay.


While we bask in unseasonably warm sunshine, Fuengirola is getting ready for Christmas, with lights and decorations galore, and everyone is going shopping, shopping, shopping.

Just past the winter solstice, today is unbelievably warm. 21 degrees Celsius, with warm sunshine, clear blue skies and no wind at all. The tourists are in heaven, and we don't mind either!

In the run up to the Christmas festivities, the shops are busy and while people are probably buying less, and cheaper, business does seem to be booming. Supermarkets have many special offers going, which helps with preparations for the festivities.
One thing that is always noticeable at this time of year is that people smile a bit more readily, and greet you as you walk along. Even the normally grouchy ones, who will no doubt be back to normal once 2013 is here!
The Christmas lights here in Fuengirola, are, I think a bit boring this year. What happens is that the street lights, and the main Christmas tree in the plaza are shared with other surrounding pueblos, to keep them varied. This year, I think, Fuengirola pulled the short stick.
While some streets look colorful, for the most part it's a very monochromatic Christmas. Especially the main decor in front of the town hall, in the Plaza de España.
And sometimes reflections of the lights can be better than the real thing:
From different angles, with the lights on the olive trees in the plaza, it can make for an interesting view:
Just for fun and comparison, I am including views of previous Christmases, which I think were better. Especially when taken in the rain.
And in the early evening, with the children playing:
The side streets have some more colorful decor, with the Camino de Coin displaying poinsettias:
There were Christmas carols in the Plaza de España yesterday evening, and while the weekend will be relatively quiet, on Monday, Christmas Eve, the Spanish will be celebrating with their families and lots of good food and English and South African residents will be overeating on Christmas Day, as per usual.
And while those other than the Spanish will enjoy their gifts on the 25th, the Spanish children get to wait for January 6, when the Three Kings come to visit, with the festival of "Los Tres Reyes Magos."
The Plaza de la Constitución is always pretty - here is a view from a couple of years ago, with the church in the background, and an attractive deer in the foreground (which is lit at night).
Let's take this opportunity of wishing everyone, everywhere in the world a wonderful Festive Season, whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, or other local festivities, from everyone here in Fuengirola, Spain.
And of course, a very happy and hopefully prosperous New Year in 2013:
Other photo essays on Fuengirola, Spain:
Photo Essay: 'PictoParque' — Art in the park in Fuengirola, Spain
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/339626

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