St. Joan's Day
Before the 23rd, we have been listening to local children casually throw firecrackers and M80 like fireworks down streets or in trashcans. This has been going on for the past few days, if not a week. Barcelona lifts the ban on fireworks to celebrate St. Joan's (St. John's) day. As you can imagine, the occasional booms in the street jar our peaceful moments in our apartment, especially when we have been trying to sleep. This apartment is fantastic, except for the noise level. I still am grateful for the almost soundproof.
St. Joan's is a big holiday here. We were told that it's as big as Christmas for the locals here. Who knew? The holiday has some history, like Christmas. In fact, it's the summer version in a way. St. John the Baptist was born 6 months before Christ and is the patron saint for Barcelona. He has association with healing. Before Christians dubbed June 24th Feast of St. John's Day, the holiday was a pagan holiday celebrating the summer solstice (which Christmas celebrates the winter solstice). The pagans associated the day as a fire festival meant to purify everyone through flame burning, chasing evil spirits away by dawn, and dipping into the ocean for a night that will cure your ailments. Also, there were giant bonfires on the beach and in town where people jumped over them. Nowadays, people still have the bonfires but with alcohol. Oh, also the constant firework displays on the evening before people feast and recover from hangovers. It seems like Barcelona is a constant party town.
Other fun facts, there are special Catalan cakes for the holiday called 'coca'. They are these flat cakes that are twice as long as they are wide with fruit gummies. It's like a weird fruit cake pastry. No, I haven't tried one. No interest in doing so, either. Another fun fact is that Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain (remember Fantasia?) was originally called St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain. It has gone through some changes in the years 1867, 1872, and 1880. At the end of one, there was a hauntingly beautiful ringing of church bells to signify dawn when the evil spirits were scattered by the light. Neat, huh?
Enough of the history lesson.
Miguel and I celebrated in our own way. We climbed to the roof where we enjoyed the fireworks around town. It's interesting having the effect flashing colors and thunderous sounds around you 360°. We needed an American ('Murican!) fix and enjoyed pizza and coke. We had pepperoni and Frankfurt pizza from a place called Focaccería Toscana. The Frankfurt is the Castillian version of sausage. It's like a less salty hotdog. Can you imagine pizza with hotdog slices? It was surprisingly satisfying. It was my type of ending. Miguel said that next time we need to be on the mountain watching the fireworks that way.
Our roommate Claudia kept warning us about the noise. She also said that if she were to ever commit murder that she would choose St. Joan as her assassination day. It would be the perfect chance when there so many firework gunshots.
Speaking of Claudia, she is traveling to Mexico for a month tomorrow. We're going to miss her tours and advice about the city. Have fun and be safe, Claudia! I'm jealous. Miguel and I have been craving churros, tamales, and horchata.
Guys! I had an interview today. Albeit a nanny job, but it's something! It's a potential job where I would babysit a 3 year old girl for 6 hours a week, 9€ an hour. The parents wanted a babysitter to speak English with her and keeping her mind active through play. I was able to read two books to her and show her a baby seagull on the roof. I feel that I left a good impression. Plus, they live in the next building. Small world! I hope I get it and a day job.
Needless to day, St. Joan was probably our only version of Independence day with the fireworks. I need to research what the next holiday would be in Barcelona and prepare for it.
Before the 23rd, we have been listening to local children casually throw firecrackers and M80 like fireworks down streets or in trashcans. This has been going on for the past few days, if not a week. Barcelona lifts the ban on fireworks to celebrate St. Joan's (St. John's) day. As you can imagine, the occasional booms in the street jar our peaceful moments in our apartment, especially when we have been trying to sleep. This apartment is fantastic, except for the noise level. I still am grateful for the almost soundproof.
St. Joan's is a big holiday here. We were told that it's as big as Christmas for the locals here. Who knew? The holiday has some history, like Christmas. In fact, it's the summer version in a way. St. John the Baptist was born 6 months before Christ and is the patron saint for Barcelona. He has association with healing. Before Christians dubbed June 24th Feast of St. John's Day, the holiday was a pagan holiday celebrating the summer solstice (which Christmas celebrates the winter solstice). The pagans associated the day as a fire festival meant to purify everyone through flame burning, chasing evil spirits away by dawn, and dipping into the ocean for a night that will cure your ailments. Also, there were giant bonfires on the beach and in town where people jumped over them. Nowadays, people still have the bonfires but with alcohol. Oh, also the constant firework displays on the evening before people feast and recover from hangovers. It seems like Barcelona is a constant party town.
Other fun facts, there are special Catalan cakes for the holiday called 'coca'. They are these flat cakes that are twice as long as they are wide with fruit gummies. It's like a weird fruit cake pastry. No, I haven't tried one. No interest in doing so, either. Another fun fact is that Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain (remember Fantasia?) was originally called St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain. It has gone through some changes in the years 1867, 1872, and 1880. At the end of one, there was a hauntingly beautiful ringing of church bells to signify dawn when the evil spirits were scattered by the light. Neat, huh?
Enough of the history lesson.
Miguel and I celebrated in our own way. We climbed to the roof where we enjoyed the fireworks around town. It's interesting having the effect flashing colors and thunderous sounds around you 360°. We needed an American ('Murican!) fix and enjoyed pizza and coke. We had pepperoni and Frankfurt pizza from a place called Focaccería Toscana. The Frankfurt is the Castillian version of sausage. It's like a less salty hotdog. Can you imagine pizza with hotdog slices? It was surprisingly satisfying. It was my type of ending. Miguel said that next time we need to be on the mountain watching the fireworks that way.
Our roommate Claudia kept warning us about the noise. She also said that if she were to ever commit murder that she would choose St. Joan as her assassination day. It would be the perfect chance when there so many firework gunshots.
Speaking of Claudia, she is traveling to Mexico for a month tomorrow. We're going to miss her tours and advice about the city. Have fun and be safe, Claudia! I'm jealous. Miguel and I have been craving churros, tamales, and horchata.
Guys! I had an interview today. Albeit a nanny job, but it's something! It's a potential job where I would babysit a 3 year old girl for 6 hours a week, 9€ an hour. The parents wanted a babysitter to speak English with her and keeping her mind active through play. I was able to read two books to her and show her a baby seagull on the roof. I feel that I left a good impression. Plus, they live in the next building. Small world! I hope I get it and a day job.
Needless to day, St. Joan was probably our only version of Independence day with the fireworks. I need to research what the next holiday would be in Barcelona and prepare for it.