La Mercè...Asian Style

So, although I love this picture I thought...hmmm this is probably quite inappropriate for me to wear. Since I'm not Hindu, not married, and well...yeah...We'll just enjoy the idea of the photo and leave it at that. :)

This past week was the festival of La Mercè which is a festival in Barcelona celebrating the end of the summer. There are tons of music festivals, light shows, fireworks, etc. all week. Yesterday was pretty much the grand finale and I went to a park near my house called Parc de la Ciutadella to enjoy the festivities.

Yesterday's event was the Asian Festival. I don't really have a clue as to how that is relevant to La Mercè or how the Spanish or Catalan people know anything about Asian festivals but...you know me, I'm always looking for the culture.


As Linda and I walked around the park, I noticed men, women, and children wearing the bindi which is in no way shape or form Spanish or Catalan but everyone had one on. I decided I would approach the Catalan woman who was applying them to everyone's foreheads to ask her what that meant to her, and what the purpose was for the occasion and before I could even get it out she nailed me with one right in the middle of my forehead. She told me that it was to keep the bad spirits away and give you strength. Although that's not exactly it I figured...I'll wear it and hoped that someone else that had a clue would be wearing one too. (Looks pretty cute doesn't it)

The guy below I think was pretty into it too + that lady is the bindi attacker who nailed me too

I told Linda that I thought this lady was trying to see how many people she could put the bindi on that have no idea what it is. I love this picture, and the guy's fun backpack :)

Here's me and LindaFer enjoying a refreshment during the events. After we walked around for a bit, we saw some little row boats in the park and decided that we would work out our 'guns' on the boats...turns out that I SUCK at rowing! I'm just NOT athletic, and Linda is a rowing BEAST! She really worked it out, almost threw her left shoulder out of socket rowing us around the pond. Either way, she managed not to go in circles like yours truly.

Even in this picture you can see how much better she is than me at rowing. I think she was row champ at camp.

Okay now, you're gonna want to check me out... this is my back stroke...watch it!

Okay this is me getting serious...trying to really move the paddles at the same time...

and then...

Yes, this is me...Looking SAD and pouty because I am the worst rower in the history of rowing. It is official. I got us stuck near this little island of smelliness and it was sad.sad.sad.

There was nothing left for me to do for the rest of the ride other than take pictures and look down at my feet in shame...

Allison Irby...the worst rower...but always with great and appropriate shoes ;)