Butter and Catalonia

No I didn't go to Spain but I did learn about the Catalonian culture from an Irish man in my class who is married to a Catalonian. Trish this post is for you, as these kinds of things only happen to me and these stories always make you laugh.

I bought some butter to put on the fresh bread I buy from the market but it was really hard so I decided I would leave it out on the counter overnight so it could soften, in the morning it was gone? I was so confused and a little scared? Did someone break in? Did I eat it whilst sleep walking? Where could it have gone? Then I realized what had happened. It is really stuffy in my apartment so I leave my terrace door open at night,  (in France they do not use screens- no idea why as I have 1 million mosquito bites because of this) it is the only way to get fresh air. The neighbouring apartment also leaves their terrace doors open but because their cat likes to walk across the terraces and explore. And hence 'the case of the missing butter' is solved. My neighbour how ever needs to solve, 'the case of the sick cat'. LOL

Now if that didn't make you smile here is another story. Everyday in school a person presents traditions from their countries. I presented the first week about all the horrible things we fry up for Stampede, I'm pretty sure everyone here thinks Canadians are crazy. On this day an Irish gentlemen who is married to a Catalonian presented about their BIZARRE Christmas traditions. The first is that of a Log called Tio who children feed in December and then on the 25th of December they beat him with sticks and sing until he poohs presents. Yes I said poohs presents. Not only do they sing about poohing they also include a poohing  Catalonian man in all of their nativity scenes. Of course our VERY PROPER FRENCH teacher corrected the vulgar french word our Irish classmate was using to the describe mard (shit) with the term "caca" but the story was accompanied by lots of pictures (see below) and the class could not contain it's laughter about this word and tradition(best class ever). When asked why the Catalonian's utilize "caca" so much the gentleman said they believe that "caca" is the great equalizer of the world. Everyone does it, so at the time of Christmas it brings us all together. Kind of a nice sentiment no?