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Caganer /Mr. P

Spain’s traditional Christmas decoration is not a Christmas tree but a Nativity scene (that’s Belen or Bethlehem in Spanish) . Some Nativities are small with just the basic figures, but many are large and elaborate, including a stream made of crinkly blue plastic, a windmill, blacksmith or chestnut seller: for me, together those seem to represent water, wind and fire. In addition to the obligatory Holy Family, shepherds and Three Wise Men, many large Nativities have entire village scenes, with a wide variety of everyday people going about their everyday lives.

In Catalonia (northeast Spain, around Barcelona) they have another character, going about his everyday life. This character is so traditional that after admiring the Nativity and complimenting the owner, the next step is to spot this little person.

Warning: If you are easily offended, stop right here. Really!

 

 

 

 

Still here? So what is this character and might it be offensive?

It’s the caganer, dubbed Mr. Poopy by my brother (from now on we’ll call him Mr. P to trick the profanity filters; one p-word might slip through but more might not). The traditional Mr. P is a little figure of a Catalonian farmer with his pants down around his ankles, crouched over and with a little brown pile in just the right place.

This might sound shocking, but there’s actually a good reason. As a farmer, Mr. P understands the importance of fertilizing his fields, and that’s what he’s doing, fertilizing his fields so the next harvest will be a good one. Mr. P brings good luck, so he’s present in all Catalonian Nativity scenes.

Let’s think for a minute about fertilizing the fields. Mr. P is a lighthearted reminder that we all need to fertilize our fields, if not in this literal fashion, in another way. Fertile fields grow new ideas, new friends, and fabulous adventures, a good harvest for the body and the soul. We all need to find ways to fertilize our fields, whether that means unplugging the computer, visiting a museum, coloring a mandala, or walking in the woods.

In that spirit, my own Mr. P stays out all year round. I did move him from my cluttered work space to another shelf, where he watches my back – and maybe over my shoulder as I write. Yes, I also walk in the woods, color mandalas and hope that in the new year I can sew and knit again, yet another way to fertilize the fields.

Happy New Year! May your fields be always fertile. Remember to do your part.

 

MrP

 

Want to see more caganers? Even if you made it this far without being too offended, think three times before clicking on the link. Seeing important people from politics, sports, the arts and other occupations in Mr. P’s position is a little disconcerting. But if you’re ready, click away (just don’t say I didn’t warn you!) http://www.caganer.com/es/

Usually some stalls at Madrid’s Plaza Mayor Christmas Market have figures like the one on the left – I’ve also seen them in a shop on the west side of the square, more or less behind the horse’s tail.

Blog

Hello! ¡Hola!  This blog is the continuation of previous blog at another site – that’s why there are so many posts on a few days in August 2014.

Read what’s here……  access by categories or archives below.

If you like what you see, check back soon for more, or sign up to receive notifications of new posts.

Hope to post more frequently, usually once / week. Lots of ideas, but not enough time to write!

Comments are off, until I learn how to manage spam (not you! but you cannot imagine….), so for now, please use address on contact page for feedback.

Unless specified otherwise, text and photos property of Anne Pinder. If you would like to use something, please request permission.

Links

ummmm.  True confession: I am not very good at social media, so my Facebook page and Substack are not always terribly active.  But I try…..       Also had MAJOR website mess with this site and my other site shown below, which is currently inactive, to be fixed as soon as I figure out exactly what needs doing.  For now, if you want a city walk please ask here. 

Facebook page:  Get flash updates and quick notes that complement the longer posts here.  “Like” to get the info in your FB newsfeed:  www.facebook.com/abridgetospain

Intermittent newsletter, Spain and ponder-ments:    https://diverge.substack.com/ 

Travel differently:  Get beyond the usual tourist visit!  Walking tours in Madrid city and surrounding countryside. Participate in scheduled walks September – June, or ask about private tours.  Website: www.apinderinspain.com

Reference and help sites for expats

Blog Expat:  blogs by expats:  http://www.blogexpat.com/en/directory.htm    This link takes you to their general page, where you can select a topic or a destination. Maybe research your next trip or your next home?  If for some reason you get Spanish, there’s a flag link at top right to change language.

Expat focus:  website with forums, blogs, expat stories from around the world. Learn about expat living in different countries.    http://www.expatfocus.com/

Thinking of moving to Spain?  this Facebook page is a good resource https://www.facebook.com/groups/americanexpatsinspain

Expat clubs in Madrid:  most nationalities have some kind of club, large or small. Some are social, some are service oriented, some are for networking, some are sports related. If you are a foreigner living in Madrid (or elsewhere in Spain or the world!) you really should think about joining – if you find the right group, it can be the difference between loving and hating your time abroad – meet people, learn about your new home and lots, lots, LOTS more!  A full list is beyond the scope of this page, but here are two Madrid clubs that are close to my heart:

– International Newcomers Club: English speaking social club, mostly women with a few male members. Many nationalities.  Monthly activities, some including spouses.   Website:  www.incmadrid.org

– American Women’s Club of Madrid: Open to all English speaking women, whatever the nationality. This club does fund-raising work for charity, and has a clubhouse in north-central part of the city. Monthly activities, some including spouses. Website: www.awcmadrid.com

That Other Part of My Life 🙂

Grinnell, Iowa:  Fabulous town in central Iowa, my other home! Website:  www.grinnelliowa.gov

Home

Welcome! Bienvenidos!

A word about the color green. Traditionally blogs about Spain are yellow or yellow and red, for the sun, for the Spanish flag, for the traditional colors of a flamenco skirt or a bullfighter’s cape.  Why use green here?

Spain is green as well as yellow and red. Pastures, trees, grain in the fields, even the coastal waters; sometimes Spain is very green and many shades of green, depending on the region and time of year.

So this blog uses green to remind us that Spain is not always what we first think or what we see at first glance. There are lots of  surprises waiting to be discovered.

Come explore. Cross the bridge to Spain!

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