Freixenet

Freixenet is THE sparkling wine (similar to champagne) we use in Spain to celebrate Xmas, to toast for the new year, and so on. Freixenet Xmas spots have always been very much appreciated. Celebrities, famours directors, sparkling bubbles,... A classic for Xmas in Spain. They are currently trying to earn a place in the German market, saying it is sekt, and getting people to mix it with orange juice.

For some very strange reason, this year they have made a turn into Spanish folclore (real or fake). Which, seen from up here, it is really strange. They are a very succesful catalan brand.

We first saw the spot in Germany. An attempt to do a pseudo-hot latin spot, with dark haired people, a latino macho, and horses (suspiciously similar to the Italian festival). Whatever. The re-interpretation of "hot and latin" from some Northern mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGUkzj7fgkk

After seeing what they have planned for Spain this year... Flamenco. At least, they got on of the best flamenco dancers, Sara Baras.

Warm

It is strangely warm this year. We haven´t seen any snow yet. Don't know whether that is good or bad. The building's heating system is working as if it were really cold, so it is much warmer indoors than usually.

With this kind of weather, who feels like some Gluehwein? Nobody. If it's not freezing, who would want to drink mulled wine? Not us for sure.

A funny thing about the Ibis Hotel nearby. Low season was 55euros/night, until the first weekend when they opened the Xmas market. Now it is 79euros/night on the weekends (not bad, uh?) and 65euros/night during the week. I wonder how much money the businesses over here earn thanks to the Xmas market.