This was the week when the Christmas season arrived in Alicante at full blast. Nativity scenes, big and small, are everywhere, and the city as well as the surrounding towns are nicely decorated.
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I continued to take my morning bike rides before going to the office. In the winter this means that I get to see some glorious sunrises:
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One evening I stopped by the centre to look at the lights and other decorations, something I did several times since then. Our Rambla with the lights:
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At the bottom of the Rambla, where it meets the seaside promenade, there is a huge nativity scene. Joseph is 18 meters tall:
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Needless to say, lots of photos were being taken:
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Even baby Jesus is oversized:
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On Sunday I was out on the Vía Verde again. I photographed this view of Agost from the trail, a nice small town of around 5000 people:
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There are lots of grapes around Agost, not for wine-making but for the table. The grapes are protected from birds by enclosing them in bags:
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Another day, my bike ride took me to Jijona, the world capital of turrón and the home of an impressive nativity scene, with life-size figures set in natural surroundings. Lots of people come out to have a look:
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The overall view of the nativity scene:
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The shepherds:
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Los Reyes Magos:
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The central element:
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A motorcycle couple:
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About 200 meters down the street from our house there is a modest bar which has surprisingly good tapas. We got together with our friends on a Sunday afternoon:
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Another set of photos from the centre. On Plaza Montañeta there is a giant Christmas ornament, another popular spot for photos:
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The main attraction on that square is the nativity scene, with the figures made by local craftsmen called belenistas (the Spanish word for “nativity scene” is “belén”). It is housed in a small square structure and has four panels depicting various scenes of the story. Throughout the day and evening, people of all ages come by and look carefully at the details:
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On Sunday afternoon, I drove to the centre to have a look at some of the displays during daytime. The Rambla is pedestrian on Sundays, and people are out and about, walking, looking around, and taking selfies:
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I went back to the large statues of Mary, Joseph and Jesus:
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People were posing their children in front of the installation:
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As often happens when I go for a walk in the centre, I stopped by Malatesta for a beer. This menu outside the bar explains why I like this place so much:
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Finally, a sign of the times. According to the new rules, you need a Covid pass to enter any bar or restaurant that can seat 50 guests or more:
