Silly+Traditions

__**HOLY WEEK (Rafael Carrillo)**__ First of all and due to the fact that I was educated in a Catholic family, although not intense believers, such as almost everybody in Spain, Easter to me means a time to think about God and the family. For that reason, at Holy Week I usually go to listen to mass and to see some processions, normally on Palm Sunday, on Maundy Thursday or on Good Friday. However praying isn’t all, so I also like going out to a drink with my family and friends or to visit my parents and my mother in law. Moreover this Easter was better than others, because I didn’t have to work, I was on holiday. Finally, I would want to tell you what I like about Holy Week, for example I admire the images bearers, they bear a big weight on their shoulders for a long time, I love the smart bands, their fantastic lovely music, their nice clean bright musical instruments and gala uniforms (if I was younger I would be a band musician). I adore the dirges, the deep incense smell, the robed Nazarenes and the pretty images. But there are two things I hate, staying on foot much time waiting for the parades, and the bad weather. It is always raining and freezing cool in this part of the year, above all here in Guadix.

**HOLY WEEK** **//(Jose Luis Bonilla)//** Shortly in Andalusia we are going to celebrate the Holy Week. What's Andalusia's Holly Week?..Andalusia's Holy Week is the most famous week in the world, In all countries spanish people celebrate this festivity but in Andalusia it's more important than in other cities. This year this festivity is gointo to be celebrated from 1st of april to 8th of the same month, during this week brotherhoods parade trough the city from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, although the most important days in the week are Thursday, Friday and Sunday.On the Holy Week the "costaleros" bear the "pasos" huge floats carry religious figures made of painted wood and plaster, furthermore we can see nazarenes and penitents walk alongside the "pasos", in their distintive brotherhood clothes. One part of the process entourage wears a big tunic and in other parts, some women wear black dresses. During this week old spanish people usually don't eat meat, specially during Thursday and Friday, it's better to eat other kings of food such us fish and vegetables, particulary cod, soup cod, fishball, spinach omelette and potatoe omelette. Andalusian people hope the weather is good because if the weather isn't good the process are going to be cancelled and people are going to cry for a lot of time. To sum up, I would like to say that Holy Week is very exciting and important for me. I like it very much. The best cities to enjoy this festivity are Grenade, Malaga and Seville, although Grenade is the best out of the three because it is an original city and we can see the parades under The Alhambra, one of the best monuments of the world.

I think this sport is funny but dangerous too. They should use a helmet. I know the crazy cars; it is a car competition. It takes place in many spanish´s citiess and the event is planned by "Red Bull".People have to build a car without motor or brakes. The car is placed in a high road and it is pushed.The winner is the car that covers more distance.Check this link []
 * Clemen Gomez **

I think we have some interesting traditions like "The Cascamorras".In the 15th century a new church was being built near Baza, in the north of the province of Granada. A worker from Guadix, called Juan Pedernal hit something with his shovel. It was the image of a virgin.!!!!As he had found the virgin, he decided to carry the image to his town, Guadix. But, unfortunately, people in Baza thought that was a thief and they ran after him and hit him. In the end, he didn't achieve its purpose.Every year, in September, we celebrate "The Cascamorras", to remember that a man tried "to steal" the image. First, he goes to Baza and people hit to prevent him from taking the virgin. A few days later, he comes to Guadix and people hit him again, in this case, becuase he didn´t bring the virgin. Note: In fact, nobody hits him, they only throw dirty water to him. Here is the link with a video recorded last September [] ** Miguel Lopez Lorente ** ==== I know a real story in my village. In Torreperegil, a man dresses up like a bull and runs behind the people for a few minutes. This wouldn´t be funny if the bullman didn´t go to wrapped in fire! This isn´t risky for the man because the fire is on a machine with the bull´s structure. Ppeople have to run faster than the bullman to get away from the fire. It´s really dangerous. It can cause burns in the skin. Look at the photo to see the bullman!! ==== Barbaric tradition?There is another tradition in Fiñana which is more Barbaric: "The day of the pots." In a square, a long wire hanging from side to side of the square. From this rope hanging there are: jugs and clay pots, all of them covered so nobody can see what's inside.The participants have to hit one of the jugs with the stick or what's inside.The participant´s eyes are covered with a cloth. Then with the stick and blind he tries to get closer to hit a jug but people make him spin, so he becomes disoriented. Suddenly, they separate him from the line of action and then... he can only be guided by the shout of people. People shout NOW, NOW, NOW. He gives a blow in the dark, but fails. People have cheated him. Then he has to try again. The second time people usually guide him well. When people shout! NOW, NOW, NOW! He takes another turn and hits. If he hits a jug and it breaks he wins what's inside: an old hen, water with ash, a dove, flour, a chicken, a rabbit, water, wine, some earth or mud ...All through the event a man is throwing flour to the people who is watching, and fireworks are lit. It's war. I go some years but when I get home, I'm dirty, tired and burnt, but happy. Greetings from Fiñana.
 * Fran Urendez **
 * Manolo **** Garcia **. Do you know about the TRADITION OF EATING BACON? In Fiñana we know and practise an old tradition, it is celebrated on "Lardero Thursday", the carnival begins on Thursday. It is a popular festival in which we all go into the fields.Food, especially pork, plays an important role. I have to say that the etymology of the word "Lardero" derives from the Latin "lardarius" meaning "Tocinero". In my town is quite entrenched. All children, teenagers and some old folks leave for the field excursion for the whole day even in bad weather and do not go to school. Food is abundant: bread, sausages, bacon, ham and boiled eggs, sometimes even spanish omelettes, but the food is not the tradition.Boys and girls together in large groups and those separated from other groups, have a nice day. They walk and sing songs. By the time they get home they are very tired.
 * Manolo Garcia **

Do you know "The Tomatina festival"? It takes place in a town called Buñol, it is a town near Valencia, about 30 kilometers. People throw tomatoes to each other, and they get involved in this war only for fun. They throw tons of tomatoes. And it takes place on the last Wednesday of August, during their town´s festivity. Many people come to this festival, it is very popular and funny, a bit dirty though.Do you like it? [|Check pictures and info here]
 * Rafael Carrillo **

In my village there is a bit silly tradition, "The Donkey's Racing Ribbons". During the fair of my village, the unmarried girls of my town embroider bows (ribbons) and roll them into a stick, then, single boys ride a donkey and pass under the stick.When one of the boys picks up a bow that one girl has embroidered, he gives her a kiss and gets the bow as a trophy...and the kiss, of course!
 * Isabel Gil **

Long time ago there was a man. He believed he was a bus. He used to say " get on my bus "and the children would tag along behind the bus man.The bus man was in motion like a true bus and the children would laugh non-stop and the whole group would go down the street saying:pi pi pi pi...
 * Julia Palenzuela **

What do you think of this? Funny isn´t it? **Cheese rolling** [] Do you know any other traditions?(Miss Hernando)
 * MODEL or EXAMPLE **