Castañada against Halloween! Chestnuts against pumpkins!

I am the first who thinks that you have to be ready for changes; it is stupid to try to fight against them because sooner or later you have to admit them. You can’t be like Don Quijote fighting against the mills. World, society and people are in continuous evolution and we have to be ready for new changes in our future.
 

I know sometimes it is difficult to adapt ourselves, but unless you decide to live in a solitary island you have to get used to new things, habits and ways of living. And more now that technology it is so important for all of us.

I think in my grandfathers and I am sure they would have never imagined all the things you can do today with something so little as a mobile phone. You can say it is a small portable office. And I am sure that in 50 years life will be very different.

However, there are something that I think you have to keep alive. Especially, when we talk about traditions. As I said before, I understand that you have to get used to the technology changes but there are traditions in our society that we shouldn’t forget.

Today in Catalonia we celebrate the ‘Castañada’. Is a traditional holiday in where you eat chestnuts, sweet potatoes and a traditional sweet called panallet. I remember, when I went to school, that in the streets you could see people eating the hot chestnuts wrapped in newspaper. I even remember that once my friends and I did panallets for a party.

In the last years, and because of the American tradition, we are getting more and more things of Halloween. Shops and supermarkets have decided it to start celebrating this holiday and you can see special sweets and pumpkins everywhere and special offers celebrating Halloween. Today I am very surprised because I have seen a lot of children dressed up. When I was younger, I never got dressed up for the 31^st of October! Here we celebrate carnival in February and it is when young and old people get dressed up.

I understand that it is difficult to fight against the United Stated influence. We like to copy many things of them and there are a lot of people that like they live style. However, I think we should never lose our traditions. The Castañada is a nice holiday that should be celebrated every year. I think it will be a shame that in the future Catalans can't forgot the meaning of this day.

I repeat myself and insist that it is impossible to fight against changes, but we have to stay firm and preserve our own traditions. Now that the word independence is so common in conversations we have to remember those things that make us different and I can say that Halloween isn’t one of them.

I promise I will never celebrate Halloween and I always stick up for the Castañada. I prefer panallets and chestnuts than pumpkins!

Sant Jordi

Today, in Catalonia, we celebrate one of the nicest days of the year:  Sant Jordi (Saint George). Men buy roses –normally one- to their wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, girlfriends any woman they want and women buy books to their husbands, parents, brothers, sons boy friends... In every citie and village of Catalonia, you can find thousands of stands were they sell roses and books. Best Sellers of the moment, and not so good, go all around dedicating their books to their fans. And of course, there are a lot of people that buy books for their own; it is a very nice tradition.

 

The streets are full and it is difficult to walk around, but it is really nice. I know some of you will think that is a bit boring to walk around the main streets because there are a lot of people, but I think it is a day you cannot miss if you live in Barcelona or if you ever travel here. Here, in Barcelona, the streets are packed since the beginning of the day and you can see love flying in the air. It is very nice when you see a couple walking through the streets and enjoying so much this day. I strongly recommend  you to experience Sant Jordi here.

 

Every year you find more people selling roses in the streets. Today I want to point out three things that have called my attention: even the Chinese from the bazaars are selling roses. They are always ready to make profitable business; they don’t let pass an opportunity. The other two are stands I have seen running. I never go out with money in my pockets when I run, but if I had today, I have to admit that I would have bought one in this stand, because I have found it funny. One of them offered a discount to bikers and runners and the other was offering a piece of cake if you bought a flower.

 

Just one thing before I finish: I know it is very nice to buy roses and books in a special day like this one, but every day of the year is good to buy flowers and books for other person or for yourself. Don’t forget to make happy the people that are around you! Flowers are one of the nicest gifts you can do to any woman.