Sant Jordi/Saint George/That Guy Who Isn´t Saint Patrick

[rebness]

Oh hey, you know what´s so not a good mix? Iberian sun and pasty Celtic skin. Whee! However, I shall continue being slightly pained and sort of golden, because the novelty never wears off for a Brit. Never!

Anyway, today Catalonia, like England, celebrated St. George´s Day, or Sant Jordi as it´s known in these parts. I know that England shares its patron Saint with about 10,000 other countries and territories, but it still feels good to have some tenuous connection. However, whilst celebrations in England may extend to a flag waved from an SUV and an "En-ger-land" chant before a pint down the local pub, in Catalonia women get roses and men get books.

We´ll ignore the fact that men get the sweet end of the deal to wonder why on earth England doesn´t come up with some cool, non-violent tradition in this way. I mean, the Irish have a monopoly on drinks and parades for St. Paddy´s, so why not try the same as Catalonia and give something vaguely more romantic in that it came from a surly street vendor and not Hallmark? Just sayin´.

I did get a rose today, but it was from my manager. American Company That Owns My Soul likes to get in on the local traditions, and while it would be easy to criticise, I think that´s pretty sweet. And the rose had that gorgeous "I was plucked at my prime and shall now wilt dramatically" smell, so it was neat.

They also sell all kinds of cakes and stuff in the local patisseries all done up in the Catalan colours (strawberries for the red stripes, custard for the yellow), but I opted for Creme Catalan instead. It´s glorified Creme Brulee, but I don´t care, for that, too, was beyond awesome.

Comments

[jaffacakequeen.livejournal.com]

men get the books? why why why?

i am drooling over the description of the cake... 'slurp'

have you got any pics yet? come on more posts!

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Pen, you know the way I´m not much of a sweet lovin´ person? I was DROOLING with the smell of those freshly-baked cakes. Mmm.

I´ve taken loads of pics, and some with you in mind (you´ll see when I post) but I can´t find a computer with a fecking port for my memory card! I´m going home for two days in a week or so to pick up some more stuff and sort some English stuff out, so I´ll upload them then.

[ozfille]

Some in the Aubrey/Maturin fandom have redubbed the day, Catalan Lovers' Day. *g* Jack got the rose and Stephen the book. *g*

[rebness.livejournal.com]

LMAO! Lucky Stephen... ;)

[saffronlie.livejournal.com]

LOL glad you got some eggy, custard-y goodness. What is the deal with Saint George and his day, anyway? Yeah, I could look it up on Wikipedia, but where is the fun there? (Answer: tons of fun! Wikipedia is awesome. But anyway.) In return, I could tell you about Anzac Day - again.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

St. George was all, "O HAY! A dragon!" and slew it. It was possibly a komodo dragon. My Welsh trainer refuses to celebrate because he said Welsh people should support dragons. Catalonia decided to cash in on St. George´s day, book-wise, because it also happens to be the day on which both Cervantes and Shakespeare died, so a pretty canny move. Whee.

What´s Anzac day?

I JEST. PUT THAT SWORD DOWN.

Srsly, it was all over the news here, with pics from the cenotaph, so at least Spain dunt ignore it.

[avariecaita.livejournal.com]

I wonder what people would think if you gave yourself a book? I mean, you can only do so much with une fleur. Eat it? >:)

Tomorrow is Administrative Professionals Day. We're meant to get little bouquets from the managers. I'd rather a raise. Srsly, who wouldn't?!

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I should totally get myself a book. Am just reading stuff from the cupboard o´books that the UK team has. The fleur was, admittedly, very pretty. But now it´s dead. :(

Administrative Professionals Day sounds so... so... Romantic.