Christmastime in Swansea

Yule Ball took place on the 4th of December and the Christmas party on the 6th.

A girl I know from Sonoma State studied in Swansea last year. I would always see her doing stuff with the Hogwarts Society and was especially jealous when I saw that she got a Yule Ball. I vowed not to miss that opportunity when it was finally my chance. As soon as the tickets went on sale, I picked one up. Before even arriving her, I found a nice dress to wear from America (so that I didn't have to pay for one in expensive pounds). I take my Harry Potter seriously.

But this was also about celebrating Christmas time in general here in the UK. Experiencing a traditional Christmas meal, seeing the Christmas markets, and enjoying all the marvelous differences. Having a fancy ball was just the icing on the cake. I had no idea what other magical-ness was in store for me in Britain during the holidays.  

Leading up to the Yule Ball I attended Swansea's Winter Wonderland. Apparently every city has one of these and London's is the best. There are carnival rides and games. Of course also plenty of food. Every Winter Wonderland also has an ice skating  rink, which I utilized (along with the rest of the Disney Society) before exploring the rest of the Wonderland.

I mainly hugged the rail, but did get out onto the ice for a bit when Leah took my hand for balance. Soon I fell and dragged myself to the edge of the ice in order to get myself up on nonslippery ground. It's a big leg workout and I was a little glad when it was over. Plus my knee was throbbing when I fell. People advised me to ice it before realizing how funny that was. 

I recovered from this traumatic experience with a go on the carousal. 

Lizzie! :)

The rest of the Wonderland was good fun as well. I had a good time on the penguin bumper cars (though there was a debate over whether they were bumper cars or Dodgems; it was concluded that since you didn't dodge them but intended to bump into them that they were in fact bumper cars....and I had no part of that all British person debate). 

The main attraction that could be spotted from a good while away was the Ferris wheel. Although it was an iconic marking of Swansea, none of us fancied a go. Too expensive. 

Instead, we went for food. Always the better choice. They have special markets in the Wonderland with traditional sweets shops (sweets is their word for candy), mulled wine, and of course traditional German sausages. It isn't Christmas without German sausages. 

It talked too.

Candy Floss = Cotton Candy

This one talked too.

I didn't get any sweets, and didn't imagine myself getting anything to eat either as I had already eaten dinner. But this is a historic moment ladies and gentlemen. This is the day I would discover cheesy chips. The girl in front of me ordered them...and so I figured I may as well give them a try. Sure enough cheese and fried potatoes are a match made in heaven. I never had anymore that semester but this second term it has become a downright addiction.

Interior decorations

 That about sums up the Wonderland. Christmas also shows it's face in the way of markets. I visited on in Bath as a school trip (will be the next post) and also saw one in Cardiff. But each week I passed through the one in Swansea. Here I got crepes next to the German bar. I also tried a German Snowball from there which is essentially a chocolate covered creamy marshmellow thing. 

Plus there were loads up shops in the middle of the walking road where the other shops were where people had many handmade items. I got my Welsh slate coasters from here with slate from North Wales and made in South Wales. 

Example of the stalls.

Exterior of market German sausages

Interior

Christmas tree!

Dessert shop with seating next to German pub in market.

To the left she makes crepes. On the right are the German snowballs in many flavors.

Seating area had it's own tiny Christmas tree.

My crepe with creme (they don't say whipped creme, just creme).

Costa's drinks are far superior to Starbucks at Christmas.

Jumper shop opened up just for the holidays and featured this number in its window.

There was a larger Christmas craft fair which Yaren and I attended in the Mariott hotel. It was like an indoors art and wine festival, but without the food. Just lots of local craftsman selling their wares in the form of holiday gifts. And the money raised went to a good cause (why there was an entry fee and a cost for the stalls to sellers). Also, for a pound you could get your picture taken with Frozen characters.

Another cool event that the school put on was a holiday party for us international students. There was food and a quiz where you could win prizes. Also my introduction to Christmas crackers. You pull them apart to get cheesy jokes and some cheap toys. The people grab each end and those who keep the middle part when they pull it apart "win" though everyone is distributed one in the end.

Results of my cracker. Each one has a crown you must wear during the whole Christmas meal.
The mustache was my toy.

We won the quiz!

Rugby ball was my prize.

The next event was the one I was most looking forward to. Yule Ball! A chance to get dressed and have fun with all of the friends I had made in the Hogwarts Society. With shoes from prom, jewelry from the 8th grade dance, and an Old Navy dress I purchased before I left...I was ready to go. What I did lack was make-up, and for that I had to go to the flat next door where Jen and Al were getting ready in Gareth's room. As he got ready with a suit and leather shoes, we straightened Al's hair and I borrowed make-up. I had Izzie (not attending the ball) put the foundation and mascara on my face. The only thing I know how to use is lipstick.

Getting ready with the girls.

Once we were all dolled up, it was time to go! The refractory was decked out in holiday decoration and even props to take themed photos. Shannon had been laboring away on a replica of the blue car Ron and Harry escaped in. There was also the outline of a chocolate frog card that was also present for Fresher's Week. A stage sat at the front with Christmas trees on either side. Dinner tables were adorned with white tableclothes and dinner plates.

Yaren was the triwizard Champion for Hufflepuff and therefore had to arrive early for dancing lessons. Matt, her dancing partner, also had to be there early for practice. This meant we didn't have the opportunity to get ready with them and just had to meet them both there.

The decorated stage.

Found my gorgeous Hufflepuffs.

All dressed up together.

 After some socializing, it was time to sit down and start our meal...but not before the champions danced. They even used the same song from the movies. I noticed how serious Matt's face was the entire time. He was ready for this. Since my videos aren't working on the blog, I will save him from the embarrassment. But there needn't be any. The two did very well!

But I think they were both relieved when it was over and time for dinner. Food was exciting as well, especially for me since I had never before had a traditional British Christmas roast. And it was done so fancifully with people bringing our food and taking away our dirty dishes. Not some casual buffet. And just check out those decorations! Even the butter is in a fancy flower shape!!!

And the food that followed was equally as tasty. All very British as well.

Dinner roll...or a "bap" is some lingo.

Carrot and corriander soup. Corriander is cilantro, but it lacked any Mexican flavor whatsoever.

Turkey with gravy alongside roasted potatoes and lots of veg. The moment I discovered
how tasy roasted parsnips are.

Lush dessert.

After we ate it was time to party. We took some photos at the booth, others drank A LOT of booze, and I lost the raffle. It was fun dancing with friends and talking the night away in some of the quieter areas where you can actually hear people. Mainly I just enjoyed being with friends.

I'm a chocolate frog card!

Another American (Jenea) on the right and Yaren on the left.

Some of the girls.

With my two favorite guys!

We all had ciders during the night and the table was decorated in cotton balls to look like little snowballs. At some point, Joe decided it would be a fun game to flick the snowballs into the empty cups. I did pretty well and got it in the first time. Not so much the subsequent times. Kinda like beer pong I suppose, but without the drinking game aspect of it. We were just being silly.

Joe flicked one in a glass with liquid by mistake.

There were some fun themed drinks as well! All with harry Potter names purchased at the "Three Broomsticks."

"Patronus"

"Nymphadora"

For the most part, the dancing music was performed all by live bands. Each were extremely talented as well! They even sung "the song" from Yule Ball. The one they switch to after the formal musi where everyone rocks out.

Live jazz band

Yaren and I always take a selfie at events.

The raffle I lost.

But some lucky poeple won.

Ain't no party like a Hogwarts party.

Someone's had a few too many ciders.

The tree wanted to be involved.

Matt and Al both drank too much.

Apparently the drinking and festivities continued once it was over, but I set my own bedtime to midnight as I had to be up early to go to Bath the next day.

I did attend another Christmas party, but with the Psychology Society. It wasn't as grand and the ticket was free with the cost of the ticket to the Bristol museum. In summary, free food and booze. One of the committee members dressed up as Santa and handing out presents. One of the wackier teachers attending and getting excited over having a drink named after her. And just lots of talking and chilling with people.

Best name ever.

The drink named after the teacher

Can you spot Santa?

My Christmas experiene was not quite over! Yaren and I joined the flat next door for a proper Christmas meal and a Secret Santa gift exchange. They went all out with paper chains made out of Christmas wrapping paper throughout the hallways and in the kitchen. When we arrived, Izzie was still busy at the stove. Apparently she is the real chef of the area. Christmas crackers were laid on the table, ready to be pulled.

The tie has a snowman on it and sings.

Pirate King Kieran

Izzie giving him more crowns

Tiny comb he stuck in his mustache.

The whole family!

The last Christmas-y thing I have to talk about is attending a traditional carol service in a church. They might have these in the states, but not in centuries old churches that look quite gothic. This was done with the Christian Union, but located far off campus. A very incredible experience. I tried mince pies during that as well. (Not made with mincemeat; they're sweet.) I wasn't a big fan of them, but people informed me that no one really is and they just sort of eat them out of tradition.

I felt that despite going home for the holidays, I still got the whole Christmas experince with my multiple roasts (the second being more traditional as it had my love, Yorkshire puddings). I was also able to experience Christmas crackers and even bring some back to the US to share with my family.

Well, as they say in Wales...Nadolig Llawen! (Merry Christmas!)