Published via Ecency

We celebrate these special days in many different ways, but there are always optimism, decorations and many lights around. No matter the place.
And this time I have spent these festive days of December in a different city, in the north of Spain, is not my city but I have been there these past days, and I must say that all seems to be much more illuminated, we breath the Christmas atmosphere and more joy, and thus it makes me want to go for a walk and explore Santander a little more. Because you can also do a bit of sightseeing just enjoying the illuminated decorations after dark. And that's how one of my #WeekendExperiences has been on these holidays.

Everything becomes different, in this weekend spent there as a tourist we hardly recognized the city that we had just discovered during that day, and we had to go out and enjoy not only the Christmas days but also the happy and festive atmosphere that in every street, square and corner looked so pretty.

As soon as we start walking we are surprised by a façade, happier than any other, and also more original. At the corner of Hernán Cortés street we discover a “Golf” clothing store whose decoration surpasses that of the others. Its entire façade and around the shop window was decorated with teddy bears and other small ornaments, as we got closer we could see old toy cars and also a lot of tinsel and lights.

A very funny welcome and certainly different and full of happiness, that's what it feels like to walk through these streets, right?

And we arrive at the Plaza Porticada o Velarte (Porticada or Velarte Square) where more things cannot fit, not only decorations but also different fairground attractions, a small train and a large skating rink, and many more lights. Within its walls and arches everyone, especially the youngest, enjoy these free holiday afternoons full of laughter and illusions.

All the streets are crowded, with people, decorations, lights and also with open shops and bags with gifts. So we continue walking through that central and commercial area until we reach the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Town Square).
Perhaps I should say that I had not seen anything so motley. There is everything. Lights, decorations and a large monument of funny dolls inspired by many Disney characters that are loved by all who pass by. And those same passers-by also take pictures next to the big light bulb bear, or next to the Christmas tree, which of course couldn't be missing, or simply look at the façade of the main City Hall building, also illuminated and decorated with lights and special techniques that they make everything more special.

Now we change course to go to the beginning of Paseo de Pereda (Pereda Promenade) where in front of the Post Office building we discover that all the trees are illuminated, in a very elegant and beautiful way, and with different colors. And also another Christmas tree here. But this wide esplanade also becomes the favorite area for many because there are more attractions, there is the city's tourist train now with lights rolled up and with Christmas songs it goes around the city while the inhabitants shout: “look, the Madaleno!”, that's what they call the train, but it's for another story... (which I'll tell you about).

And there is even more, more lights, more decorations, more attractions and even a beautiful carousel, classical in style, like the old ones. A merry-go-round that turns and turns and that suddenly makes us all become children again, and that we remember the verses of a great Spanish poet Antonio Machado (perhaps it is the only poem that I still remember):

Pegasos,
lindos pegasos,
caballitos de madera,
yo conocí siendo niño,
la alegría de dar vueltas,
sobre un corcel colorado,
en una noche de fiesta...

Pegasus,
pretty pegasus,
wooden horses,
as a child I knew
the joy of going around,
on a red steed,
on a festive night...

Childhood dreams and current illusions merge in an instant at each turn of the merry-go-round. And we have to go, towards other streets and squares, towards other avenues, also decorated like the Alameda, another promenade, where we find the Wise Men made by more lights and all the bright and elegant trees flank the whole path, making our special walk even more magical.