Well the holiday season is officially here! There are many traditions that are different here then in America and vice versa.
1) Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas is a holiday here that doesn't exist in America. It occurs on December 6th. For about a week before the day, children put their shoes in from of the fireplace and Saint Nicholas (like Santa) will make bring them a small goodies (I forgot to leave my shoes out 6/7 days.. whoops!) and on the 6th the children go downstairs to find a table covered in chocolate, games, and games. Since Saint Nicholas fell on a Friday this year, we went over to my host grandma's house for dinner. She had a table of goodies laid for for my sisters, their cousin, and me. SO MUCH CHOCOLATE. And that isn't even our real Saint Nicholas! We will celebrate tomorrow so we have the entire day to enjoy.

2) Saint Nicholas de Rhetos
Saint Nicholas de Rhetos is for the 6th year (seniors) students (there is also one for the University students). The students buy white lab coats and spend weeks decorating them with their favorite pictures and signatures from everyone they know (I bought mine 2 days before...). On the day of the celebration the kids make the most disgusting food mixtures they can think of and have a giant food fight. I was expecting some eggs, flour, ketchup, ect., but in reality there was all of that plus vomit, fish, tripe, and other extremely disgusting mixtures. Gross. After the giant food fight the kids all follow a float that has someone dressed up as Saint Nicholas through town to a field that has a DJ and bar. They then spend the rest of the day drinking and partying covered in vomit and fish. It was an interesting experience for me... if anything the egg was good for my hair :)

3) Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving doesn't exist here because it is an American holiday. I wanted to celebrate anyways, so we had a Thanksgiving:) It was a good learning experience for me... I now really appreciate how hard my mother works for make it perfect. I (with the help of Joisy) cooked a turkey, stuffing, greenbean cassareol, candied yams, chicken gnocci soup, and apple pie. We invited over my host grandma, Joisy and her host family, and my rotary counselor Fred and his wife. It was really nice to get everyone together and talk about life and everything we are thankful for. This past year has given me a lot to be thankful for:)