Del Alma

Many Spanish-speaking countries celebrate the adoration of the Magi in early January. Children receive gifts, and friends and family share the Rosca de Reyes, a crown-shaped sweet bread sprinkled with nuts, figs and other delicacies. Those finding a figurine in the Rosca are the Kings and Queens of the evening, will have good luck in the coming year . . . and get to host the next party!

On Sunday, January 8, 2006 at the Italian Workmen's Club, we had a potluck and dancing until 10pm.

Sergei Belkin, Russian accordionist, began with waltzes and Argentine tango music.

Later, we did Latin dancing to recorded favorites.

In Italy, an old woman named La Belfana is the gift giver who comes on the evening of January 5.

Russia has a similar tradition, but the woman is named Baboushka.

In Czechoslovakia, the gift giver is Svaty Miklaus.

And keep an eye out for mistletoe, part of the winter solstice celebration.