Cultural differences...Christmas

Well of course there are cultural differences here in Spain. So Christmas is not spared the translations. More of a religious holiday, Xmas is more about the religious aspect and less about the kids and commercial holiday. Actually that is not fair. I cannot make assumptions on most Americans like that. Rather to me, in America, I am bombarded with buy, buy, buy and I lose focus on the religious side of things. still here there is an air of consumer frenzy...but in a small town like Tossa, I am somewhat sheltered in all of that.

Since there is no thanksgiving here, there is no "official start" to the season except to say that when November ends, then it´s time to start. I have not visited anyone´s homes since I have been here except my mother in law, Carmen and my sis in law, Natalia. they do not have any decorations up and I am not so sure they will. Carme is trying to bring a bit of America with her and she has the house all decorated and ready to go. Unfortunately our new cat, Messi, likes the shiny new toys gangling from the limbs of our fake tree. Yes, we bought a fake tree last year and shipped it with us. We had to go find a new star to put atop the tree but that was a scavenger hunt unto itself.

On Xmas eve families are together to share a meal...a pretty big one and I think I will be doing all the cooking this year. Xmas day is not full of all the presents we like to do in America but so far I think we are the only ones in town with a tree decorated. Not sure if that´s the thing to do here or not. We will be getting Alex a few presents and of course my mom is sending them by the bulk load. Typically they all go to church and even though it´s a bit more diversified here in Spain, the majority of the people are Catholic. there are a few Muslims and in the larger cities there are some Jewish people. There are many more religions here but they practice a little bit more quietly I am sure. Funny, another major difference here, and I have not taken a poll or anything, but after watching some news programs, it seems the Spanish are more sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians rather than the big bad and abusive Israel government. It´s amazing how a news program can edit the same story written in history to make you feel and think other ways. Don´t believe me, watch CNN then switch to Fox news. Maybe you will agree.

The big "kid" celebration doesn´t come until Jan 6. That is the 3 King Day...and you thought it was a movie starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube. This is representing the 3 kings coming across the desert for little baby Jesus. Well the funny thing about that is that of the 3 kings, one had dark skin...or so the story goes. So they have either a celebrity African, most likely a soccer player, to do some publicity shots as the third king. In each town they have a parade. Well most towns have it i am sure. They have the "3 kings", which includes some yoke with black paint on his face. not brown...Black. he looks like some military guy with camouflage and it´s never done well. They ride thru town in the night throwing candy at kids. To be really historically accurate, you need camels or at least horses. Most times, there are none laying around so they ride in on the back of pickups or on John Deere tractors or ATV drawn wagons to launch the massive rains of candy and treats. I find it funny b/c it´s hard to see little bits of candy being hurled at you in the evening hours. the lighting is like if you stood on Broad St. , just west of Staples Mill Rd. this is where the city ends and the county begins. You can tell because broad St. goes from being pretty well lit to pretty damn dark. Well imagine standing in front of Krispie Kreams and being launched a handful of M&Ms. Wear safety goggles. Some is going to lose an eye I swear.

The parade then proceeds to the local church. How do they know which church? Well they are catholic and there is usually only one church in these small towns. I would assume in Barcelona there is a bigger parade leading to some huge church to accommodate all that follow. What they do in the churches I don´t know but the wife mumbles about brainwashing.

Also they have this thing called cagatio (ka ga tee oh) where it´s a small log, with a painted on face and a Santa hat, that is draped in cloth and kids beat it with a stick until the poor log poops out presents. Sad I say. I do not understand this concept at all so fill in your own comments.

At the end of the day, your family and / or friends and share a ring shaped bread. the bread is slightly sweet and possibly topped with dried fruit and/or a bit of icing. inside the bread is baked 2 items. one is a stone or a dried bean and the other is a ceramic small figurine representing a king. whomever gets the king in their slice ..."wins". what they win I do not know but I never got anything. the few times I have done this i have gotten the king but i think it was done out of niceness. the one who gets the stone...they have to pay for the bread. Never mind being so hungry and having only bread and wine for dinner might cause you to rush and bite into he stone and lose a tooth. Good things there is not much in the way of liability lawsuits.