The First Quarter Moon of 2012
Whilst everybody else was dancing the night away last night or watched the fireworks display or downed that midnight copa de cava here in Mallorca, I was out and about […]
How to Avoid Bad Luck in the New Year
New Year’s Eve is called Noche Vieja in Spain. In Mallorcan, that would be Cap d’Any. The end of the year is particularly significant this year, both in Spain and […]
The Festa de l’Estendard
One of the most colourful celebrations in Mallorca is the annual Festa de l’Estendard on December 31st (tomorrow), celebrating the conquest of Madînat Mayûrqa, now Palma, by the troops of […]
The Weather Man
You may have noticed over time that I have a thing for the weather in Mallorca. I love this island and I am totally smitten with the weather here. More often […]
Women in Red
Today is the day of the innocent pranks, Día de los Santos Inocentes (Day of the Innocent), Spain’s version of the Anglo-Saxon April Fool’s Day. Another three days, and it […]
The Església de Jesús-Maria in Sineu
The Església de Jesús-Maria in Sineu was built between 1793 and 1812, replacing an earlier temple dating from 1667. The church formed part of the convent of the Orde dels Mínims […]
The Day of the Innocent
May I remind you that the day after tomorrow, December 28th, Spain will celebrate the Día de los Santos Inocentes (Holy Innocents’ Day), a day for pranks, equivalent to April […]
Nit Sant and the Sibil·la Chant
Last night, Mallorca celebrated Nit Sant (Christmas Eve). A special church service is held on the Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) called Matines de Nadal. These masses are probably the most […]
Siurells as Nativity Scenes
I like Mallorcan Siurells or Xiurells, hand-made white clay whistles decorated subtly with green and red markings. During the Christmas period, we can find Siurell figures and animals molded into […]
Galets de Nadal
Whilst you and I may be thinking of roast turkey when we think of Christmas, the average Mallorcan family looks forward to Galets de Nadal or a Sopa Rellena which […]
Seaside Pleasures
I am not a friend of the fixation on Christmas decorations in the streets of our pueblos and towns, especially not those in Palma. It all seems overly commercial and materialistic, […]
The Lotería de Navidad Frenzy
Tomorrow, December 22nd, between 09h00 and 12h00, Spain’s Lotería Nacional (State Lottery) will hold the draw of the annual Lotería de Navidad (Christmas lottery). Spain’s newspapers will publish a second […]
The Winter Solstice Performance
I am very sorry if this blog entry happens to be an annual rerun but, there you go. We are coming up for another Winter Solstice the day after tomorrow (December […]
Modern Street Poetry
Sometimes, if luck is on your side and you are patient enough to look, you can encounter poetry or lyrics in Palma’s streets, and proverbs. Such outpourings might come in […]
This Year’s Nativity Scenes
It’s this time of the year again. Belén time, Betlem time, time of Nativity scenes. I have a number of personal favourites, as every year. In Palma, I would suggest […]
How Mallorca’s Highest Peak Was Robbed of 9 m in Altitude
In 1953, Spain’s dictatorial leader, Francisco Franco, signed a deal […]
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