Merce

So there is a wild celebration in Barcelona -- Merce. It took place 23-27 of Sept. Everything in the city shuts down (surprise). Stores close, banks aren't open (again, SURPRISE). I swear, these people never work. Any excuse to close the stores and banks there is, they use it. Merce is a saint that protects Barcelona, so Barceloneses celebrate it. Plus, it's another excuse to exhibit their Catalonian pride.

These giants were crammed into Plaza San Juame and there are people inside them to make them dance. Each barrio in Barcelona has it's own giant to represent it. They play music and make the giants dance with each other. Kind of hoaky, but cool nonetheless. The giants are really detailed.

The last night of Merce was the best because the girls and I, along with the rest of Barcelona and remote parts of the world that decided to visit for Merce, went to Park Montjuic in Plaza Espanya. The huge fountains in front of Montjuic where all lit up and synced to music and fireworks. It was, by far, the best fireworks show I have ever seen in my entire life, even better than some Fourth of July celebrations I've been to. The entire show, which lasted about an hour, was like the finale.

You can see the fountains here and the big castle-esque appearance of Montjuic. So beautiful.

Colors!

During the end of the show they asked that everyone light their sparklers and they played the Catalunya national anthem. It was so cute, and I felt a weird sort of patriotism for Catalunya. It was one of those community moments where you feel united with everyone there, as corny as it sounds.

Barcelona knows how to throw a party which is a good thing since customer service is not its strong suit. I can't even imagine how expensive that firework show must have been. You know you're a pragmatic American when you see the most amazing firework show of your life and afterward you wonder how much money it must have cost. You then think about all the inextricable taxes and fees you encounter as a foreigner, and assume that you, and your fellow American compadres, probably financed the entire damn show yourselves, somehow.

There is no rhyme or reason in Spain. It is such an arbitrary place. At least in the United States, we pretend not to be arbitrary. We tell everyone that our decisions have purpose and that is why we can make them with such conviction. Spaniards don't feel the need to justify their decisions, or even make them in the first place really. They just do things... because they can. And that's enough for them.