Differences & Similiarities

We spent Christmas in Portugal, which we have done before. However, this year was the first Christmas my cousin had spend abroad and not in the UK. She was regularly heard through the holiday describing what she would have been doing if she had been in the UK compared to what she was actually doing at any specific time ("peeling brussel sprouts" compared to "sitting in my flip flops in the sun"). She really enjoyed the change from the norm and relished the difference.

For the New Year we travelled north to stay with some friends and were fortunate enough to be invited to a Portuguese families home for the new years eve celebrations. Not quite sure what to expect we went along to their farm and were introduced to their family.

We were served a feast of 3 courses. The whole family from small children to grandma and grandad joined together to celebrate. As midnight approached there was much rush to fill every ones glasses with champagne and then we were all told to pick 12 sultanas from the bowl. As midnight struck we were instructed to eat our sultanas and make 12 wishes for the new year ahead.

I had learnt earlier that there was no translation for new years resolutions and so this must be the Portuguese equivalent? Much nicer to have wishes than resolutions I think.

What are your sultana wishes?

Happy New Year.