Do you like horses? I've got a suggestion...

By Marc Vargas on Feb 13, 09 12:05 AM

Hard beginning last week, working from Sunday to Friday, every day 14:00 until 22:00. Monday 2nd of February was my birthday so now, one year older. Saturday off and I had my present last Sunday to certify that it's important the end, not the beginning (ask to Mr. Arthur Wellesley).
Great Sunday, I woke up early (that means 8 o'clock) because I was working 4 hours in a library and I wanted to be punctual. I'm collaborating with City Council when they need staff in libraries and I'm always enjoying that. But let's be honest, it was Sunday morning, I was tired and I wasn't really excited about finishing the week working BUT I absolutely had a great time there, nice people working and nice users (I prefer to say users than customers). Did you know in some libraries they have Play Stations 2 for the kids to play ? (and for those not so young ...). I don't know if a library is a right place for the PS2 but I have to admit that it works, kids were happy, quiet and of course, having a great time.

After the library I went to town, it was just two o'clock on Sunday so I was free. First, I have to say I never get lost and then I'll say that I missed the right metro station on purpose... I dropped on St. James Park. Walking down I arrived to Chinatown and what a show! Lots of people celebrating the Chinese New Year! They live on year 4706 I think, what an advanced society! It was great, dragons, firecrackers, happiness and of course... lot's of British tourists taking pictures.

First, I have to say I never get lost and then I'll say that I missed the right metro station on purpose... I dropped on St. James Park. Walking down I arrived to Chinatown and what a show! Lots of people celebrating the Chinese New Year! They live on year 4706 I think, what an advanced society! It was great, dragons, firecrackers, happiness and of course... lot's of British tourists taking pictures.

I was walking with no hurry thinking about the great idea of importing celebrations, what and how did they feel celebrating their custom far from home? What would I think or feel if somebody brings to Newcastle the "Mare de de Deu de Gràcia " or "Sant Joan" with the "Jaleo, the most important celebrations in Menorca? It's hard to explain in English what the Jaleo is but I'll shortly try.
Let's say it's a "Horse party" where thousands of people (most of them half or completely drunk) make horses stand on it's back legs. You probably have seen that on the TV show "Freaks foreign costumes" if that TV show exists...
Well let's do something, because I'm not a huge fan of "Jaleo", because I'm not really good describing (worst in English) and overall because you have to be there to feel the atmosphere let's make true the sentence that a lazy journalist once said: A picture is worth a thousand words. Obviously, in our era, "A youtube video worth a thousand words and pictures":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raCkpmSzpcE&feature=related

And that's from "inside":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smUFTcSI2-U

I said I'm not a fan of the "jaleo" but that video gives me the goosebumps. That's an "official" definition of the Menorca festivals and the "Jaleo": http://www.iknow-majorca.co.uk/tourist_information/menorca/menorca_festivals.htm

I hope now you have a vague idea about our summer celebrations so... can you imagine that in Newcastle? Let's say Northumberland Street or in Monument! Why not? Come on, it's a celebration like could be the Beer festival, St Patrick or when Newcastle wins: lot's of alcohol, music and lot's of people celebrating. Actually, alcohol, music and lot's of people celebrating that's every Friday and Saturday everywhere in the world so... The only small difference is about the horses but I know you love animals, don't you? I'm sure you would enjoy it, but because I know it will be difficult to bring that costume here, I invite you to come to Menorca during the summer to enjoy the local festivals. There is a universe after the beach, trust me, 8-10 hours of sunbathe every day is too much, just too much...

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