When I was a kid October the 12th was the most important day in my hometown. Local fests were at their peak, with the flower tribute to the Virgin from the peasants, dressed in the traditional local costumes. It was the only day I didn’t mind to wear long earrings and a necklace with a cross. After 30 years I can admit I liked the outfit.
I forgot about the outfit soon and focused on partying when I was a teenager, and those were party animal days for real.
When you get older you don’t care so much about these things, at least I do not. I don’t like local fests anymore, so packed with people, nah! Not my thing.
Nevertheless on this day, there are other things celebrated and vindicated.
On one hand, Spanish speakers around the world celebrate the Hispanic day, but as usual, there’s the other side of the coin, with people blaming poor Columbus for all the Native American killing when conquering and settling in the land. Columbus found this land by chance, and human kind should be blamed, not just a single historic character. But hey! I’m not Columbus relative and can sleep fine at nights.
It’s also a national day in Spain, but since there’s all this controversy and waves of independence, lately concentrated in Catalunya, it’s a day of struggle, everybody trying to prove who is right or wrong. Not all the Catalonians feel as part of Spain, same as not all of them are seeking for independence. Demonstrations, flags, and lots of riot squad ready to beat the shit out of everyone if required. I really hate this tendency to politicize any events. Bullshit!
And finally, one of the things which has always disgusted me the most, it’s Army parade, broadcasted on national TV, with the King and some politicians looking proud and in approval to all our defense display. Spain and the army, it’s ridiculous! So much money diverted to the Army while more thant 25% of subjects are unemployed with all the benefits being cut down, tax being raised, and all the crap we are swallowing… I think this exercise of flaunt is not necessary nowadays.
With such tension floating in the air I decided to recover the fest I used to live in my childhood and no, I didn’t wear costumes, but I sang dirty jotas, had wine and other joyful refreshments, and enjoyed a wonderful BBQ party with friends, who chose this day to celebrate Xavi’s and my birthday. And it was a blast!
Why do we have to ruin a feast on behalf of stuff which is actually killing our happiness and welfare? We can complain and moan for rest of our lives, but friends, sometimes we need a goddam break, for Fuck’s sake! Let’s have some fun!
Ah, by the way! The cake was super awesome, and now I have this at home… Awsomeness!!!
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