Belen

What you are looking at in these photos is a "Belen", which means a re-enactment of Bethlehem. The Spaniards love them. Most people create one in their home by buying little figures and animals. Kids make them at school with bits of moss and other Blue Peter like utensils. Jose apparently, being a budding architect, used to create amazing ones in his youth.

These pictures were taken in Valencia. We went down there on Wednesday to look for a flat and to do a few jobs at Jose's new office .......and we cames across these great Belens. The first three photos are from the life size Belen which has been erected in the Mercado Colon. The last two photos are from the mini civilisation that has been set up inside a shopping centre very close to the Mercado Colon. They were both really worth a look. The one in the shopping centre was so well thought out. There was a whole village set up with tens of narrow streets and homesteads. I loved it! I don't normally bother much about Belens but these two have really got me interested now and I am going to look out for other good ones over the remaining Christmas days. I can see myself getting into making these in years to come when we have little children. I'm sure Jose will be better at it though - he'll be calculating the weight bearing on the bridges and all sorts!

Exciting news on the Valencia front is that we found a flat that we both want to buy - jus two streets away from Jose's new office. I made an offer yesterday and so we now have to get into the game of numbers backwards and forwards. However, the owner is away skiing so we won't be able to move forward and reach a deal until after the holidays. Fingers crossed everyone.

S xx