tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456371192846310724.post8033001876447191080..comments2024-03-21T16:54:26.883+01:00Comments on Not Hemingway's Spain: Los Reyes Magos, and then Rebajas: The Three Kings, a Day of Gift-Giving in SpainAn American Spaniardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05357043835365025522noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456371192846310724.post-13232032162468139292015-01-20T15:41:07.185+01:002015-01-20T15:41:07.185+01:00Congrats on getting mentioned in El Pais! way to g...Congrats on getting mentioned in El Pais! way to go http://smoda.elpais.com/articulos/que-pasa-con-baltasar-por-que-la-costumbre-de-pintar-de-negro-a-uno-de-los-reyes-magos-se-resiste-a-morir/5759Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456371192846310724.post-69908065649108976052012-01-09T18:55:28.028+01:002012-01-09T18:55:28.028+01:00Kaley, I chalk this one up as one of those irresol...Kaley, I chalk this one up as one of those irresolvable cultural confusions. Kind of like the cultural equivalent of "false friends" in language. Another example might be Americans' discomfort with images of the Seville penitent outfits in Semana Santa: <br /><br />http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/school_patrol/university/photo-sparks-student-protest-at-udAn American Spaniardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05357043835365025522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456371192846310724.post-36881480556386651772012-01-09T17:53:22.906+01:002012-01-09T17:53:22.906+01:00I find the blackface thing disturbing. However, I&...I find the blackface thing disturbing. However, I've learned not just <i>assume</i> racism, as it's not nearly as stigmatized in Spain. Nonetheless, I don't really think I'd endorse it. Ever.Kaley [Y Mucho Más]http://ymuchomas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456371192846310724.post-40734672570069532262012-01-09T08:49:42.322+01:002012-01-09T08:49:42.322+01:00Sorokin, that's interesting. If true, I'm ...Sorokin, that's interesting. If true, I'm not sure if it is adorable or diabolical in how it fools the kids. It would give a new meaning to the American Christmas carol classic, "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus," that is the Three Kings.<br /><br />Mr. Grumpy, sigh. It's these little indignities that make parenthood so priceless.An American Spaniardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05357043835365025522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456371192846310724.post-10196789205103156432012-01-08T21:40:44.320+01:002012-01-08T21:40:44.320+01:00For years I managed to avoid the parade, but now m...For years I managed to avoid the parade, but now my daughter is old enough to 'enjoy' it I am forced to spend the everning of the 5th of Jan picking boiled sweets from HorseshitMr Grumpyhttp://www.tumbit.com/blogs/1579-shopping-in-the-shop-that-shall-remain-nameless.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456371192846310724.post-34997817301593155392012-01-08T12:14:00.252+01:002012-01-08T12:14:00.252+01:00I have been told that in Alcoy, close to Valencia ...I have been told that in Alcoy, close to Valencia takes place the oldest King's parade in Spain. Apparently all parents take their gifts to the Town Hall, with thier addresses on them, of course, and the kings really go house by house placing the gifts on children's shoes. No surprise that Alcoy's children believe in the Reyes Magos until being almost teens.Sorokinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07435785507435856333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456371192846310724.post-11075120242678704592012-01-07T19:36:37.455+01:002012-01-07T19:36:37.455+01:00Once again, you've got me in stitches. (No fal...Once again, you've got me in stitches. (No false advertising in your name, eh?) Though your friend has a point. Not everyone wants to be Mr. Representative for Racial Identities. Where's United Colors of Benetton when you need them? (I'm still waiting for the PC police to fine me on some racial stereotyping technicality.) But I wonder whether you can truly understand the utter astonishment blackface causes an American like me. My wife even commented to me today, "You guys even have a specific word for it!"An American Spaniardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05357043835365025522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456371192846310724.post-59885400970958193052012-01-06T23:53:09.419+01:002012-01-06T23:53:09.419+01:00One of my best mates here in Spain is Black and ge...One of my best mates here in Spain is Black and gets sick and tired of being chased through the streets of village by kids chanting 'Balthazar, Balthazar !' as early as November. He can't leave the house on the 5th of January for fear of being dragged onto a processional float as the honorary Village Black GuyMr Grumpyhttp://www.tumbit.com/blogs/1579-shopping-in-the-shop-that-shall-remain-nameless.htmlnoreply@blogger.com