Learning about the cultural traditions of a foreign country is one of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling and provides tremendous insight into their identity. Moreover, it can help connect you to the people there, as you have now both shared this common experience. And they will be interested in hearing your perspective as a foreigner!
One of the things I've learned since coming here is that the traditions and holidays I've thought of as universal, are only practiced in some parts of the world or only in America. For example, I always thought the tradition of finding someone to kiss on New Year's Eve was a pretty common Western custom and would be practiced in Europe. How surprised (and somewhat relieved - you might understand this when you're older) might you be to find out that was not the case in Spain. This article is about what the Spaniards practice for New Year's Eve - eating grapes.
One of my favorite traditions I've learned about in Spain is the practice of eating grapes on New Year's Eve. While we Americans have the tradition of kissing someone to ring in the new year, the Spaniards eat twelve grapes for each strike of the clock at midnight. The official clock is in the Plaza de Sol (sort of like their Times Square ball) and all the Spaniards listen for the tolls. As the clock strikes, they eat a grape in rhythm to the bells.
