Converting datetime.ctime() values to Unicode

[python]

I would like to convert datetime.ctime() values to Unicode.

Using Python 2.6.4 running under Windows I can set my locale to
Spanish like below:

Then I can pass %a, %A, %b, and %B to ctime() to get day and
month names and abbreviations.
's\xe1bado'

How do I convert the 's\xe1bado' value to Unicode? Specifically what
encoding do I use?

I'm thinking I might do something like the following, but I'm not sure
this is the right approach.

codePage = locale.getdefaultlocale()[ 1 ]
dayNameUnicode = unicode( dayName, codePage )
dayNameUnicode

u's\xe1bado'

Feedback appreciated.

Regards,
Malcolm