Castelleros

[catavino]

Gabriella and I have been in Spain for almost 2 years. In the beginning one of the main reasons we came here was for a sense of community and the "festivals". In the past 2 years, we have seen very little of each as we have been fighting our way to make a living and figure out our place here in Spain. Well we are now in Terrassa and we think we have found it. This weekend in Terrassa there was a Castellero competition. Stacking of bodies 6, 7, 8 stories high and we saw it first hand. Infact we were up against the piles of bodies literally inches from them, staring up and knowing that if they fell we would have had a very close meeting with our new neighbors. After the first tower was built and came down(safely) I turned to Gab and we knew we both had found our home. The Energy here was incredible and alive. I felt invigorated and everywhere you looked people were smiling, and happy. I've heard people say Catalans can be cold, this may be true but yesterday nothing could have been further from the fact. It was amazing. I thought back to Minnesota and the fact that here you had a bunch of people hanging out doing something completely irrational, wtihout a beer garden or food tents or music other than the occasional drum and horn as a tower neared the top, and in the end everyone was happy, laughing, and joined together. In Minnesota, the order is beer first, food, then activity, here Activity reigned surpreme! It was amazing and a time I won't forget soon.
Anyways, three teams competed, Reus, Vilafranca and Terrassa, and I think Reus won, though dont' quote me on it. While I was swept up in the moment, I still don't fully grasp the sublties of the human tower "competition". Here are some pics....Enjoy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/obis/sets/72157594289178534/)

[Ben]

Great pics and a great post. I'm glad it is all coming together at last!

[Brian]

Wonderful news, Catavino. Thank you for the amazing pictures. I still don't understand how they can build those towers 8-9 people high and not crush the poor people on the bottom.

[Pepino]

Great post and pics. I watched a TV show about this just last night and had my heart in my mouth throughout! If you're quick, you can sometimes spot the person who's knees are wobbling more than the others, and then suddenly they buckle under the strain and then the whole thing collapses. It's frightening stuff, but I can't wait until I get an opportunity to see it with my own eyes. It's incredible how the little kids make their way up the tower too. What must their parents be thinking! ;D

Unreal :o

[catavino]

Pepino this sunday you should have a chance to see the Castelleros. It's Mercé and there is supposed to be a big competion somewhere in barcelona, My parents are going to be here, so we´re going to try to find it. Should be a good time.

As far as the faces, being up so close you saw people almost in tears with I can only guess pain as people climbed up their backs. But the two most amazing parts is the little kids climbing like ants to the top, so fast, and then when they slide down! They literally slide down and it looks like they have grease on their hands as they slip towards the bottom. Really fun to watch

[Pepino]

Excellent! I'm so glad that I insisted with my UK boss that I followed the Spanish holiday calendar otherwise I'd be sat in work on my own next Monday. I'll talk to my guru of all things Spanish (pocket-sized Jaume ;) ) and see what info he knows about what events are on and where.

Thanks! :)

[Pepino]

Got it. It's in Placa Sant Jaume. Don't know the time it all starts on Sunday yet, but I'll definitely head down there and see it for myself :)

[catavino]

Pepino, awesome, If you do find out the time let me know, maybe we can arrange to run into each other. I think we're going to try to be down there for the afternoon at least on Sunday. thanks for the research!

[catavino]

Awesome site with history of the Castelleros (http://www.castellersdebarcelona.org/eng/index.htm)

[Pepino]

Cool, will do! Thanks for the website, and I hope to catch up with you on Sunday.

[catavino]

Allow me to chime in a moment and say that I have been in the United States for over a month now, arriving back to Spain last week to my husband Ryan. However, this time, back to Spain meant back to a new apartment, new language, new pueblo, new job and overall new experiences. Hence, this past weekend seeing the Castellers in Terrassa was just about one of the most moving experiences I have had in quite some time.

The very first demonstration included all three teams coming together to construct three separate 1 of 4 (1 person stacked on another, 4 tiers high), complete with traditional music and cheers. After all three were successfully completed and deconstructed with individuals literally slithering off of the top to the bottom, I felt my eyes water. The fact that we have arrived in a pueblo so full of life, culture, joy and tradition has meant so much to us that is quite difficult to put into words. More than anything, this tradition has exemplified what teamwork and community really means when people from competing teams come together to support another team's effort. Incredible.

In short, I highly suggest anyone who has the free time to see this event. It is absolutely an afternoon well spent!

*Editors note: gabriella my wife forgot to sign out and resign in as herself. Thus her response under my name!

[Marina]

Hi Gabriella and welcome back to Spain.
I'm very glad that both of you are adapting so well to your new life in Barcelona.
You can almost make us feel the good energy that your posts transmit.

[greytop]

Fiesta de la Mercé

http://merce.bcn.cat/castella/home.shtml

follow links to the programme - there's a lot going on!

For general What's On (http://www.whatsonwhen.com/scripts/query.asp?month=9&overview=0&loc_id=131563&categories=5926) in Barcelona info

[catavino]

Ok so the first minute is boring, but the idea is there. You can see a tower being built and coming down. For now this is me playing with editing and it's my first attempt. But I thought some of you might like to see it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sHrOktcVLo

[Opacita]

I agree that our new found energy feels very present in everything we do and say recently. When you find a place that resonates as your home, there is nothing quite like it. For me, Madrid and Barcelona are completely different creatures. We're talking here about the difference between an elephant and a slug - although they both breathe oxygen, for me, they have very little in common. My question to your readers is if they too have seen or found this same difference, or whether I am sailing in a ship by myself?

After teaching in Madrid for a year and a half between both families and business, traveling up to 11 hours (half this time by metro), I feel as if I truly got a good feel for the city. I have been in Barcelona for only a week continuously, more if you count the several pre-trips, and have already felt a tangible difference. I don’t know if it is the grittiness of the city, the odd eclectic statues or bars I find around every corner, the international flavor or the incredible nature, but something pulses throughout this city that is so unique that I just can’t put my finger on it.

Has anyone else had the same experience?



Gabriella

[Ben]

Has anyone else had the same experience?

Totally, but when I moved from London to Madrid. Life and energy replaced grey skies and (my) gloom!

Glad you are having such a great time in your new home!

[Marina]

I think is not only the city itself but also the opportunities that it is opening.
Keep enjoying!!!