SPAIN barcelona (catalan traditions!)
one of the really cool perks about barcelona is that the catalan city celebrates a lot of special holidays. a unique tradition is the “caga tió.” it is basically a small log with sticks for feet, a drawn-on smiley face, and its rear is covered with a blanket. kids have to feed it daily until the night of christmas eve. but the presents don’t appear like they might under a christmas tree. the family gathers around and watches as the kids sing a song telling it to poop out presents (caga means poop in catalan)…all the while beating it with a stick. after it gets beat enough, you lift the blanket and what do you know, there are presents!
the “three kings day” on january 5th is also special because catalonia celebrates it with a massive parade. neighborhoods also hold their own parade, but the main one starts at port vell and goes through the city centre. this event is really crazy because a billion kids and their parents come out to see the kings who greet the crowd and pass out candy. if they haven’t done so, the kids can give their wish list to the kings or their helpers, and then on the morning of the 6th wake up to presents. this day is like our christmas and the naughty ones here get a lump of coal as well!
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