Madrid durante el 6 de enero

[Cynthia]

Hola a todos,

I will be in Madrid for a week in January, including on January 6. I was hoping that you could give me some info on what this holiday consists of, and some tourist advice--will all the shops and restaurants be closed? Will all of the hotel/hostal rooms be booked (so, should I book mine especially early?)?

Any more general information or suggestions would be appreciated as well.

(also, can someone correct me on the name of this holiday in Spanish?? I keep referring to it as los Reyes Magos, but I'm not sure what it's actually called. I can't remember what the day is called in English either at the moment... :confused:)

Gracias por la información.

[Marina]

Hola Cynthia,

The 6th of January is when the Spanish children receive their Christmas presents and as you said it is called "Los reyes magos". On that day all the shops are shut and most of the people will spend their day at home with their family. What is really special about it is the previous night when there is a parade for the children from the Retiro Park to the Puerta del Sol, with the three kings, the camels and many more things.

Regarding booking a hotel I don't think hotels will be fuller that the other days of the same week.

Have a wonderful time!
M.

[Cynthia]

Aaah, ok, bueno, sounds like fun! After posting this, I spoke with my friend from Getafe with whom I'll be spending some time while I'm there, and it looks like we'll be spending that day with his family and friends. That's so nice that they're going to let me into their home on a big holiday like that. I can't wait!! ;D

[gary]

I will need to get to the airport on 6 Enero - will the taxi cost more on this day than on normal days because it is a ´bank holiday´?

[Brian]

I will need to get to the airport on 6 Enero - will the taxi cost more on this day than on normal days because it is a ´bank holiday´?

I wouldn't think that normally the price would be any dearer, but I would think that taxi drivers might be a little more difficult to find on Reyes.

[Marina]

I will need to get to the airport on 6 Enero - will the taxi cost more on this day than on normal days because it is a ´bank holiday´?
If you were in Madrid you would pay tarifa 2, which is the one you pay after 10 pm and on Sundays, but I assume you will probably be in Barcelona;)
In any case it will be no more that a couple more Euros than normal. It might be good to book in case you don't find one.

Aaah, ok, bueno, sounds like fun! After posting this, I spoke with my friend from Getafe with whom I'll be spending some time while I'm there, and it looks like we'll be spending that day with his family and friends. That's so nice that they're going to let me into their home on a big holiday like that. I can't wait!! ;D

That is lucky, you will be able to see what the day of Reyes is like in a Spanish family!

[cubix]

What is the history behind this holiday, why not decmber 25th? Also just a fyi I was in Spain in February and it was cold(but this is coming from a southerner who has seen snow like 4 times in his life, and once was in spain)

[Brian]

What is the history behind this holiday, why not decmber 25th? Also just a fyi I was in Spain in February and it was cold(but this is coming from a southerner who has seen snow like 4 times in his life, and once was in spain)

It's the date that most children get their gifts in Spain, as well as many other places. Traditionally, it's the date set for the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_%28feast%29

We were in Valencia this year for Reyes, and there were town parades at 10 PM (quite chilly). At the end of the parade was not Santa, but the 3 Magi. And they threw lots of gifts and candy to the children.

[greytop]

What is the history behind this holiday, why not decmber 25th? Also just a fyi I was in Spain in February and it was cold(but this is coming from a southerner who has seen snow like 4 times in his life, and once was in spain)
Have a look at this site (http://www.idealspain.com/pages/information/ChristmasInSpain.htm) for Xmas traditions in spain. The 3 kings represent the arrival of the magi after Christ's birth bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The kids here seem to have it cracked these days and expect gifts both at Xmas and on 6th Jan! Long live commercialism.

[Marina]

You can hear more about it in one of our first Spanish podcasts, Los Reyes (http://www.notesinspanish.com/2006/08/29/notes-in-spanish-advanced-podcast-5-los-reyes/).

[Cynthia]

...Also just a fyi I was in Spain in February and it was cold(but this is coming from a southerner who has seen snow like 4 times in his life, and once was in spain)

Hahaha! :D Well, I grew up in Texas where I had seen snow just about as much as you, and now I've had to get used to the seemingly 9-month-long winters of upstate New York. If I could manage that transition, then I'm sure I'll be fine in Spain in January, but thanks for the heads-up.

[gary]

If you were in Madrid you would pay tarifa 2, which is the one you pay after 10 pm and on Sundays, but I assume you will probably be in Barcelona;)


Barça in February - Malaga for new year, probably Benalmádena.....

Thanks for the advice!!

[Brian]

Hahaha! :D Well, I grew up in Texas where I had seen snow just about as much as you, and now I've had to get used to the seemingly 9-month-long winters of upstate New York. If I could manage that transition, then I'm sure I'll be fine in Spain in January, but thanks for the heads-up.

About 10 years ago I spent the most miserable 2 weeks in Spain during December because it was very humid and chilly in Valencia at the time. Didn't help that the suegra didn't have any other heat besides the butanero's weekly delivery of a bottle of butane. Now she has radiators in each room, makes quite a toasty feeling. :)

[ValenciaSon]

Hola Marina y Ben,

I understand that Halloween is celebrated in Spain now. What is it called in Spain and can you describe how it is celebrated (may be in a podcast)?


Trick o' Treat>:D

[Brian]

Hola Marina y Ben,

I understand that Halloween is celebrated in Spain now. What is it called in Spain and can you describe how it is celebrated (may be in a podcast)?


Trick o' Treat>:D

Didn't Marina actually refer to it as Halloween in one of the latest NIS podcasts?

[Ben]

Hola Marina y Ben,

I understand that Halloween is celebrated in Spain now. What is it called in Spain and can you describe how it is celebrated (may be in a podcast)?


Trick o' Treat>:D
It's called Halloween. There is not trick or treat, but lots of dressing up as devils, vamps etc for parties in bars. Definitely sounds like a good idea for a podcast!