It’s Christmas time again. I can't quite believe it's already our second Barcelona Navidad (or more precisely in Cataluña: Nadal). Even more shocking, for me, is that it’s our eighth Christmas in Spain. ¡Coño!
Today is only our second "Boxing Day" however. That’s because there is no holiday on the 26th of December in Madrid, as in most of Spain. But Cataluña is Cataluña, so for our two Christmases here, we’ve got a Boxing Day – although it’s not called that, it’s simply St Steven’s Day.
Maybe most of Spain doesn’t have a holiday on the 26th because Christmas is pretty long here - it doesn’t wrap up until after the public holiday on the 6th of January.
That’s because on the night of the 5th, Los Rayes (literally "The Kings", but meaning the Three Wise Men) visit the homes of all good boys and girls to leave them presents – just as they did for Jesus Christ all those years ago.
Here are some Christmas scenes from here in Barcelona.
The Pretty Lights
The Christmas Market
 |
| All the protagonists for your Belen (literally Bethlehem, but in this context it means nativity) |
 |
| Gum-nuts and gum leaves are for Christmas here in Barcelona |
 |
Gargoners - literally "pooers" (look closely, they're all doing it). I've spoken about these guys before. They're a Catalan Christmas favourite.
Traditionally it's got to do with bringing prosperity for the new year by fertilising the ground! |
The Traditions
 |
| Churros. Best washed down with hot chocolate |
 |
| Castañas (Chestnuts) roasting on an open fire |
 |
| Lining up for La Loteria de Navidad - El Gordo (the Christmas Lottery - the Fat One) |
 |
| Shopping at the market for Christmas (Eve) dinner |
 |
| Checking out the Belenes in the barrio (neighbourhood). This one is in my local market. |
|
|
Tio's de Nadal. Very Catalan - you won't find these guys in Madrid.
Underneath you leave sweets for good kids and coal for the not-so-good ones
|
 |
| My Cargoner. The detail is impressive (if a little gross) |
Merry Christmas to all, Felices Fiestas a todos, Bones Festes a tots!
No comments:
Post a Comment