Festa de Sant Joan

  Today, June 23rd, is the Festa de Sant Joan (St. John the Baptist) in Catalunya and marks the beginning of summer. It's an official holiday so almost all businesses are closed. The schools let out last Friday and everybody is in party mode. Most towns have a fiesta to celebrate the occasion. It's very much like the Fourth of July (fireworks, parades, cookouts, etc.) except there's no Willie Nelson.
  Around dusk, I decided to walk through town to watch the children throw firecrackers at each other. It's a time-honored tradition and involves neither aggression nor disrespect. We used to use bottle-rockets in much the same way although at significantly greater distance.
  I was in Falset for Festa de Sant Joan several years ago but this was my first time in El Masroig. Montse told me this was our first town sponsored event so I was happy to take part. The festa was held at the futbol grounds just up the street from our old house. They had a pretty good crowd considering a lot of people travel for the holiday.
  Festivities began with some patriotic and poetic recitations by the local kids. One of the town ladies recited a very beautiful poem she had written to honor the occasion. An elderly couple had been selected to act as a kind of Homecoming Queen and King and were presented with flowers. The Queen was allowed to light the bonfire.
  When the performance part was over, they dragged out a bunch of delicious local pastries. Mistela and vi ranci from the Cooperativa were also served. It was great to see and visit with a bunch of our former neighbors.
  Apart form some computer work, I didn't do much today (when in Rome, etc.). Tomorrow, I'll get back to the vineyards and complete repairs to the irrigation system. Things are in much better shape at the vineyards since Marc Tost took over. The vines look really healthy and happy.
 Thanks for keeping in touch and please stay tuned!