Elche is a city about 45 minutes away from Alicante by train. Each year they have a live nativity scene. We decided to take the train to Elche and check out the Nativity scene.
We could see the beautiful walkways that led along the road towards the Nativity scene.
Walkway with Palm trees in ElcheWalkway in Elche
When we arrived at the Nativity scene it was unique and interesting to see. The setting was in the old quarter of Elche and the backdrop was a 16th-century church.
Elche live Nativity scene with old church in background
We strolled through the Nativity scene looking at the different structures. They had a Sheppard guarding his flock in one area.
A Shepard watching over his flock
Other areas we walked through had different structures.
A building in the live Nativity scene in Elche
There was a market area where you could buy some food and beverages.
Merchant selling tea and fruit
Merchant selling roasted nuts
We walked through the Nativity scene admiring it and came to the final section. We saw donkeys in a stable beside a manger.
There were donkeys in a stable beside the manger.
Then we came to the manger and we saw baby Jesus with Joseph and Mary.
Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus in the Manger
The recreation of the Nativity scene in real life was impressive and interesting. It was well worth the train ride to Elche.
We have been trying out new food since moving to Spain. One of the foods we have seen on many occasions is Quail eggs. I do not recall ever seeing them in Canada but they are popular here in Spain. We decided to try “Huevos frescos de Codorniz”. which means “Fresh eggs of Quail”.
Common Quail
They sell the small cartons of Quail eggs at most grocery stores and markets. We went to our local market and our vendor Christina told us they are very good served on toast with cheese.
Quail eggs which are sold in Spain
We bought a dozen of the quail eggs and headed home to give them a try. Quail eggs are much smaller than chicken eggs about a quarter the size of a regular chicken egg.
Carton of a dozen quail eggs
Quail eggs are higher in protein and nutrients than chicken eggs. Their small size makes it very tricky to crack them open without breaking the yoke.
Shelley cooked up four of them for breakfast in a small frying pan. The eggs were so small that there was lots of room left in the pan.
four quail eggs in a small frying panTwo fried quail eggs on cheddar cheese and a half of a toasted baguette
We made some toasted baguette and enjoyed the quail eggs with cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of olive oil.
The meal was very tasty and the quail eggs taste very similar to chicken eggs.
Today December 6, 2016, is an official holiday and fiesta in Alicante. It was a beautiful sunny day and we decided to take a walk downtown. Along the way downtown, we came across an artificial hill made for sliding. It was decorated to look like a snow hill and people were using tubes to slide down the hill.
Artificial hill made to look like a snow hill for sliding.View of artificial sliding hill in Alicante
The sliding area of the hill was made with white plastic and provided a slippery surface for the tubes. It worked fairly well and the children were enjoying the slide.
We then headed to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento which is located beside city hall. Christmas music was playing and a large Christmas tree was on display in the center of the plaza. We also found in the center of the plaza an outdoor skating rink with real ice!
Outdoor skating rink at city hall in Alicante
People could rent ice skates and go skating on the ice rink. We watched as people enjoyed skating on the ice. It was strange to watch because the sun was shining and the temperature was 19 degrees celsius.
Ice rink with Christmas tree and orange tree in Alicante
After watching people skate for a while we started heading home. As we reached the main street there was a parade taking place. We stopped and watched the parade which consisted of a religious procession. They played music and carried a large religious statue.
Religious procession in Alicante SpainReligious statue being carried in parade
At the end of the parade was a truck which was throwing into the crowd small gifts to the children.
It was a nice and relaxing way to enjoy the holiday in Alicante.
We went and completed the driver theory exam for a second time last week. The test location and the process were identical to the first time we wrote the exam.
Ministerio del interior Centro de Exanenes
We entered the testing room and wrote a paper exam with completely different questions than the last one. Some of the questions were on motorcycles, traffic statistics, and illegal drug use. We completed the English version of the 30 question exam and returned home to await our results. Two days later we received notification that we both passed the exam and could move on to the practical training.
In Spain, it is mandatory to take driver training through a government recognized driving school. We signed up with a local driving school called “Autoescuela Pausa” which is walking distance from our home.
Ray and Shelley in front of the Autoescuela Pausa
There are few things that make driving a challenge in Spain. There are no English instructors and all lessons are conducted in Spanish. The final exam testing is also completely in Spanish and you are not permitted to have an interpreter present during the exam. The road system here is very different from Canada. The traffic lights, signage, and intersections are dissimilar to what we are accustomed to. Finally, the majority of vehicles in Spain have standard transmissions, there are very few automatic transmissions. The issue here is If the driver’s exam is done while driving an automatic transmission then you are only licensed to drive an automatic. In order to rent vehicles and have the flexibility, we are both taking our exam with a standard transmission vehicle.
On Tuesday we went for our first driving lesson. Our vehicle was a smaller compact car with standard transmission.
The driving school training car
Our instructor’s name was Oscar and he could not speak any English. He was very good at explaining things using hand language and clear Spanish. He was very helpful and had lots of patience with us.
Ray was the first to drive while Shelley sat in the back seat waiting her turn. Oscar would give directions in Spanish.
Here is a very small list of some of the Spanish driving words:
Gire a la izquierda (Turn left)
Gira a la derecha (Turn right)
tome la segunda a la derecha (take the second right)
tome la segunda a la izquierdo en la rotonda (take second on the left in the roundabout)
perada (stop)
Tranquilo ( calm or relax)
Espere (wait)
Mas rapido (faster)
Mas dispacio (slow down)
Empuje el embrague (push the clutch in)
Suelta el embrague (let out the clutch)
Cambiar a tercera marcha (change to third gear)
This is only a very small portion of the language we need to learn before taking our practical drivers exam.
We headed on to the roadway and drove through the streets of Alicante. After about 45 minutes we stopped and switched seats. Shelley has never driven a standard before and Oscar was very good at explaining the gear shift and clutch process.
Shelley and Oscar reviewing the standard shift and clutch process before heading onto the road.
Shelley drove around the city and did very well navigating the clutch and standard shift. After about 45 minutes we headed back to the driving school and finished for the day. It was a nice pace and we enjoyed ourselves very much. We are looking forward to more driving and getting the driving test completed.
We stayed at a nice hotel in Paris called “Hotel des Arts Martre” which was close to the famous Moulin Rouge.
Moulin Rouge in Paris
We decided to take a walk from our hotel and walk up the steep streets near our hotel. We weaved in and out of the streets working our way up the hillside.
stairs along the way leading up the hilltop in Paris
We eventually reached the top of the hill and discovered a vibrant area with a large plaza in the middle. There were artists of every kind selling their art in the plaza. We were even approached by different artists wanting to do a portrait of us for about 10 euros. We walked around the entire plaza admiring all the artwork on display.
Art on display for sale in the plazaArtist working on some art while waiting to sell his drawings.People looking at the art for sale
Afterward, we headed up towards the Sacre-Coeur Church which we could see in the distance. The church as a beautiful large domed structure with an amazing view of the city.
Shelley and Ray on the steps of the Sacre-Coeur Church in Paris
We entered the church and there was a mass going on so we did not stay. We headed outside and walked around the church area admiring the views of Paris.
View of Paris from the Sacre-Coeur Church
Unfortunately, there was fog which made it hard to see all of the city, but it was still very breathtaking.
View of Paris from Sacre-Coeur Church area
After walking around looking at the beautiful views we headed down the main stairs of the Sacre-Coeur church. Along the walk down we came across some interesting sights. There was a person dressed completely in white as a statue and people were having their photo taken with him for a price.
Person having photo taken with person in white
Further down the stairs, we came to a section which had a wall with several fountain bases inset into it. This was an area where everyone gathered to sit and enjoy the view.
Wall area where people could sit and enjoy the views along the stairs of Sacre-Coeur Church
Further down the stairs, we came to an area that had a merry-go-round. There were kids playing and enjoying the ride.
View of Merry-Go-Round with the Sacre-Coeur Church in the background.
The walk was very enjoyable and we spent almost 5 hours walking up and around the hill enjoying the views and atmosphere.
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