Holidays in Catalunya
Here is an excerpt from my latest Metropolitan column-
“A multi-cultural background is a blessing but it can be quite confusing around this time of year. At home, I talk to Nico and Luca about Santa Claus (called ‘Papa Noel’ in these parts), while in his class, Nico has been busy constructing Los Reyes Magos (the three ‘magic kings’ who leave presents for Spanish children on January 6th) out of Play-Doh. In the meantime, his Colombian grandmother asks him what he hopes ‘El Niño Jesus’ will bring him, and at school all the kids can’t stop talking about a pooping log.
This year, Nico has given into local pressure and has insisted we have our own cagatió. To be honest, I resisted the idea. I have enough trouble keeping up the pretense of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the almost bi-monthly appearance of either the Tooth Fairy or the Ratoncito Pérez, without having to also remember to feed a log every night. Also, at first I thought he was just using it as a ploy to get more holiday booty. But it turns out that he really believes. I mean he really, really believes that this log is real. He speaks to it in Catalan every night (worried that all the English around our house might induce constipation) and religiously leaves it prunes to snack on.
When I ventured to suggest that perhaps the log was just a fun tradition and not an actual living log, he exploded with indignation. “He IS real! At school last year I saw it! He talked and his face even turned red while he was making the presents!” Good lord! Am I going to have to hire a ventriloquist and a lighting technician for this operation?
At this point, I’m just thanking my lucky stars that the idea of the Three Kings hasn’t made much of a dent in Nico’s head so at least I don’t have to worry about a bunch of camels trouping through my house come January 6th.”
Happy Holidays!!
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Very funny post!