To the right is a picture of me with a few friends during the beginning of Dia de San Sebastian (San Sebastian Day).  I have several more pictures and videos taken during this day but of course I am not able to post them yet.  I will give a brief overview of what happens on San Sebastian Day and what it represents.  El Dia de San Sebastian only happens once a year, on January 20th.  This is by far the biggest "fiesta" in San Sebastian and the one that is celebrated with the most excitement.  The day starts at Midnight when the Mayor raises a flag in the center of Parte Viaje (the main city square).  The fiesta lasts for 24 hours until the mayor lowers the same flag.  When the day begins at midnight all of the local citizens and local workers are dressed up as either Chefs or Soldiers.  The reason for dressing up as a chef is to show pride for the food that San Sebastian offers.  The reason for the soldiers to dress up is a little bit more of a history lesson, I'll keep it to what I learned in my culture class.  Basically, Napoleon came through Spain trying to take control of Portugal which is on the South/West coast of Spain.  After losing a few battles in Spain and Portugal, Napoleon began to retreat.  The last battle took place in San Sebastian which is 15 miles West of France.  After this battle Napoleon never tried starting another war on Spanish land.  All of Spain respects this day for that reason and the people of San Sebastian are proud of their accomplishment. This war took place sometime around the 18th century and they still celebrate this like it was yesterday.  So these Chefs and Soldiers parade around the city and all spectators and marchers carry drums.  For the entire 24 hours, everybody is playing 1 of 5 different songs, depending on where you live within San Sebastian.  Every person in the town is out, young and old, to celebrate this day.  It was one of those things where I could never really appreciate and fully understand this celebration like they do.  Imagine a Spaniard coming to the U.S. and getting goose bumps on the 4th of July.  It just does not work that way.  I had a great time during the entire day and it will be something that I never forget but the meaning of the day didn't settle deep in my skin.  I'm sure it would be much different if the history of America was celebrated in the streets with family and friends rather than asking for a day out of school.  

We have had rain in the forecast for the last few days and it looks to be the same for the remainder of the week.  I am not somebody that minds having rain so it has been completely fine with me.  Actually, the locals reaction to rain has caught my attention and I find it to be fascinating.  Like I said, rain is in the forecast almost everyday because of our location to the sea.  It has not rained for more than 3o minutes at one time but it might rain for 10 minutes 15 times a day.  Since rain is so common, nobody leaves their house or apartment without their umbrella.  They usually walk with their umbrella using it as a cain.   Before the first rain drop hits the ground, everybody already has their umbrella out.  Some people don't close their umbrella even if it stops raining because they know that it will only be a matter of time until they have to open up the shield once again.  

I expected to go out tonight with a few friends but everybody seems to be catching colds.  I'm sure my peer pressure will convince somebody to go against their instinct.  

I will have internet in my apartment by Friday or maybe the beginning of next week.  I can not wait to re-connect with the world.

Thanks for all of your posts!