Max travels to Poland to experience their celebration of St. Andrew's Day called "Andrzejki". He participates in traditional fortune telling activities with students like pouring wax and shoe races. Max finds the customs fun and is given the prediction from his fortune cookie. He sends photos and a fortune cookie recipe to his friend before departing for his next destination of Finland.
1. Introduction
The alarm went off and although he had only slept a couple of hours he
jumped out of bed, leaving the pleasant warmth of it to embark on the adventure
that awaited him.
He had spent the day before packing. He was going to make the most exciting
journey of his life, he would tour Europe visiting some schools and knowing
firsthand how some parties were held in those countries.
What clothes had he to wear? The destinations were Spain and Poland during
the autumn, Finland and Romania in winter and finally Ireland and Ukraine in
spring. He chose not to carry much luggage and buy typical clothes in every
place.
He lived in the Rue de Treves at number 81 near the "Classroom of the Future"
in Brussels. Indeed, he was Belgian and his native language was French but
he could defend himself in all countries because he had a good grasp of the
English language and knew that in all the places where he would go,
English was studied as a second language.
When he was ready, his friend Marc drove him to the airport and stood
there, watching as the plane in which his best friend was now seated in took
flight. They were going to be separated for many months but Max had promised
to send him many letters describing everything that he saw and experienced in
detail. He would also enclose photographs and drawings from the students.
2. Chapter I. “Chaquetía Day”
In Merida, October 28th, 2016
Dear Marc!
How are you? I hope you are well.
I am already in Merida, at last. It's my first destination and it's been incredible.
Teresa Sanchez, one of the English teachers of the school, came to meet me at
the airport and took me directly there because they were going to celebrate "La
Chaquetía" that same day. You are probably wondering what Chaquetía is? it is
the festivity that they celebrate in Merida coinciding with Halloween.
It's amazing to arrive in the city Marc and see its imposing Roman buildings.
We will both have to take a leisurely trip when I finish my travels across Europe
and enjoy the architectural wonders of the place. Antigua's school is tiny, no
more than 200 students and about 20 teachers, but it's a place where you feel
good because it's like a big family where everyone knows each other and cares
for each other. And now it's time to go and celebrate "La Chaquetía". The entire
educational community and I head towards an esplanade where there is a
medieval hermitage called "Ntra. Sra. de la Antigua ", yes, yes, like the school
and something curious has happened, the students have adopted it and take care
of it with much affection. For example, they share some festivities with her, like
this one today.
- I'll tell you how I celebrated the event. La Chaquetía was very funny, Flor,
the director had made quince candy and we mixed it in a piece of bread with
cheese. She gave me the recipe, I am also sending it to you because it does not
seem difficult to make and it tastes delicious. The students sat in groups
forming circles, in the shade of the hermitage and shared their "Chaquetía", that
is to say, they all ate everything, because it encourages sharing. La Chaquetía is
composed of ingredients such as walnuts, almonds, chestnuts, hazelnuts ... and
also grenades, figs, mandarins, grapes and quinces.
3. But they did not just share with each other. A few meters from the hermitage
there is a center where the elders of the city meet during the day, and can you
guess what is called? Exactly, La Antigua. Many of these elders are the
grandparents of the students and it was very emotional. The grandparents had a
fire where they were roasting the chestnuts that the children brought but first the
professors split them because if they did not do they said that the chestnuts
may explode. Then they made small, little packets with paper and put several
chestnuts inside them, they were delicious!
I made an incredible discovery Marc. One of the elders told me that The
Procession of the Souls was a widespread tradition in Extremadura in the XIX
during the night of the dead, on October 31. The souls, who were people dressed
in black or white, walked the streets of the village asking for money while going
from house to house. And it used to end up in the cemetery. I deduce that
Halloween was already celebrated here before the Europeans arrived in
America and took with them the Celtic Halloween celebrations. It really shows
that in this area there must have been Celtic settlements and its culture still
survives.
There is more to tell you. When they finished sharing their "chaquetías" and
roasting the chestnuts, they began to play. They were traditional games, from
those of yesteryear. Even some grandpas and grandmas participated as well. It
was hot, very hot. I have been told that it has been a very hard summer and that
there have even been days of 45º C. and it was apparent that autumn had not yet
arrived. Luckily there was a very large fountain where we were and we were
able to quench our thirst.
After two hours the professors gathered their groups of students and we
returned to the school. Some children had kept their packet of roasted chestnuts
to share at home with their families. Marc, this celebration has been a real
lesson of sharing.
4. Before leaving I had been given drawings, photos, videos and letters ... For the
moment I am sending you this letter, some photos and also some drawings
where I will explain to you what they are doing.
When the time for the farewell came, there were hugs and tears. It's funny, the
Spaniards love to hug and kiss, I really felt at home.
I am writing to you from the plane that is taking me to Poland. I am loaded with
very good memories and with the hope of continuing to enjoy myself while I go
through the different European centers that I have been commissioned to visit.
Max
5. “Dulce de Membrillo" Recipe
Ingredients:
- Quinces
- sugar
Elaboration
The quinces are washed and covered with water in a pot. They
put on the fire the necessary time for the punctures with a fork
to be soft.
They are allowed to cool, peel and remove the seeds.
We added the same amount of sugar that we have of fifteen.
Example: For 1 kg of quince 1 kg of sugar.
From here there are two ways to do it.
The traditional one.- You pass through the mixer the fifteen
and the sugar and put the pot to the fire, it is spinning (with a
wooden spoon) until it acquires the desired texture. We must be
careful because it splashes and we can burn.
The modern one.- It is passed through the mixer and placed in
a microwave-safe container. At maximum power is put in periods
of 5 minutes and meet until it acquires the desired texture.
Delicious!
6. This is mine. A student from Poland who is a friend of the
Spanish students did the drawing and sent it to them.
7. “THE CHAQUETÍA DAY” PICTURE DICTIONARY
English
Spanish
Gaelic
Ukrainian
Polish
Finnish
RomanianSome photos and drawings of “The
Chaquetía Day”
10. Sharing “La Chaquetía” .
Compartiendo la Chaquetía.
comhroinnt
Використовувати спільно
Dzielenie się "La Chaquetia"
"La Chaquetian" jakaminen
Partajare "La Chaquetía".
Smearing the quince jelly and the cheese.
Untando la carne de membrillo y el queso.
ag leathadh an Glóthach cainche agus an cáis.
Розмазуючи айвове желе і сир
Rozsmarowywanie dżemu z pigwy i sera.
Kvittenihyytelön ja juuston levittäminen
A murdări cu jeleu de gutui și brânză
Slitting chestnust.
Rajando las castañas.
an cnó capaill scoilt
розкривати каштани
Rozcinanie kasztana
Kastanjoiden halkaisu
A sparge castane.
Packing roasted chestnust
Empaquetando castañas asadas.
ag pacáil an cnó capaill rósta
пакунок смажених каштанів
Pakowanie upieczonego kasztana
Paahdettujen kastanjoiden pakkaaminen
A împacheta castane prăjite.
Roasting Chestnust.
Asando castañas.
an cnó capaill rósta
смажені каштани
Pieczenie kasztana
Kastanjoiden paahtaminen
A prăji castane
12. Chapter II. St. Andrew‟s Day – Andrzejki
In Bialystok, November 29th, 2016
Dear Marc!
We haven‟t seen each other for over a month. How are you? I hope everything
is fine.
I am already in Poland which is my second destination. I have never been here
before and I haven‟t expected that it is such an amazing country. It‟s not only
because of its outstanding beauty but most of all because of exceptionally
friendly and hospitable people I‟ve had a chance to meet.
Once, I arrived in the city Bialystok, I was greeted by Dorota Zukowska and a
group of her students who were awaiting me at the train station. I spent with
them the whole afternoon. I was taken on a sightseeing tour of the city which
was really enjoyable! They showed me a lot of grand monuments and buildings
but for me the most distinctive and striking was the Branicki Palace, a
magnificent residence on the Biala River, encircled by a beautiful park. It was
an impressive sight!
As I managed to find out, Bialystok is the largest city in north-eastern Poland
serving the function of the capital of Podlaskie province. It is the administrative,
economic, and academic centre of the region which, due to its exceptional
environmental assets, has been termed the Green Lungs of Poland. As an
interesting side note, I can add that Bialystok is also the place of birth of
Ludwik Zamenhoff, the inventor of the artificial language Esperanto.
On the day of my arrival, late in the evening, I was also invited to a traditional
Polish dinner. I will never forget the taste of Polish „pierogi‟, „bigos‟ and
„babka ziemniaczana‟. Everything was so delicious! I took some recipes.
13. The next day, early in the morning, Dorota took me directly to her school where
I was going to see the Polish celebration of St. Andrew‟s Day called
“Andrzejki”. Soon after we arrived at a place I was shown around the school
and got to know some interesting facts. The school is quite big, about 500
primary students and 45 teachers. It was named after Kazimierz Górski who
was an outstanding coach of Poland National Football Team. What is special
about this school is that it is sport-oriented and well equipped with sporting
facilities. I could see many students playing football and volleyball both indoors
and outdoors. They were enjoying themselves a lot.
Now let‟s come back to the celebration of „Andrzejki”. I learnt that the
tradition of “Andrzejki” fortune telling was noted in the 16th century and it is
still known and practiced in all regions of Poland. However, nowadays the
ceremony has lost a lot of its magical and serious character and has been
transformed into fun and games during St. Andrew parties arranged by young
people.
I will tell you how I celebrated this event with Polish students and their teacher
from Szkoła Podstawowa nr 37. It was a very special afternoon which brought
me loads of fun! The students showed me a lot of ideas of how to find out about
the future, namely the marriage, lucky or unlucky love and prosperous or poor
perspectives. The most spectacular was pouring hot liquid wax through a
keyhole into cold water. The shape of the solidified wax was supposed to
represent something that would happen to us in the upcoming year. After
unlimited interpretations of wax shapes, we took part in the shoes race.
Everyone took off their shoes and put them in a line one after the other. Then,
we moved them gradually one after the other in the direction of the door. The
owner of the shoe which reached the doorstep first would obviously be the first
one to marry. After knowing the result of the shoes competition, it was the time
for other fortune telling practices such as palm reading, horoscopes, astrology,
magic box or crystal ball. There were lots of laughing while students were
piercing the heart with either female or male names on the back. Girls and boys
stuck the needle into the heart from the other side, so that they couldn‟t see
what was written there. The little hole in the paper heart showed them the name
of their future spouse. I must say that I also
14. really liked the idea of the cups flipped upside down. Under three cups were
placed in sequence: a ring, a coin and a leaf. Then the cups were mixed and
students were supposed to choose one of them. Choosing the ring symbolized a
happy love, the coin would bring us money, whereas the leaf was the
announcement of the wedding. The last idea were fortune cookies. You will
never guess what prediction I found inside my fortune cookie! I will keep it a
secret till we meet!
Our St. Andrew‟s celebration lasted only two hours but I will always remember
this special party and I‟m very grateful for the invitation to participate in it.
I‟m sending you photos from my greatest memories and I also enclosed a recipe
for these amazing fortune cookies!
Tomorrow I‟m leaving for Finland. I know that it will be difficult to say
goodbye to Polish friends but I believe I will come back there one day.
I will write to you soon.
Max
17. FORTUNE COOKIES RECIPE
Ingredients
2 egg whites
75 g (⅓ cup) caster sugar
50 g (⅓ cup) plain flour, sifted
30 g butter, melted
14 paper messages
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180C. Use a pencil to mark two 8 cm circles on a sheet of baking
paper, flip paper over and place onto a baking tray.
Beat egg whites in a small bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
Gradually add sugar, mix until sugar dissolves. Add flour and butter and beat on a
slow speed until smooth.
Working in batches of two, place a teaspoonful of mixture onto each circle on the
baking tray. Use the back of the spoon to spread evenly to cover circle completely.
Bake for about 5 minutes or until golden around edges.
Working quickly loosen cookies from tray using a spatula. Place a paper message in
the centre of each. Fold hot cookies in half, pressing edges together. Gently bend each
cookie over the side of a glass to form a crescent shape. Place onto a wire rack to cool.
Repeat with remaining cookie mixture.
18. „ANDRZEJKI” – PICTURE DICTIONARY
fortune-telling
wróżenie
adivinación
faistineacht
гадання
ennustaminen
ghicitul destinului
shoes race
wyścig butów
carrera de zapatos
Rais na broige
взуттєві перегони
kenkäjuoksukisa
cursă de pantofi
fortune cookie
ciasteczko z wróżbą
galletas de la suerte
brioscan feasa
печиво з передбаченнями
onnenkeksi
prăjitură cu răvaș
wax melting
topienie wosku
cera derretida
ag leaigh biol
танення воску
vahan sulattaminen
topire de ceară
19. wax pouring
lanie wosku
vertido de cera
ag doirt biol
розтікання воску
vahan kaataminen
turnare de ceară
candle
świeca
vela
coinnneal
свічка
kynttilä
lumânare
bowl
miska
cuenco
babhla
миска
kulho
castron
keyhole
dziurka od klucza
ojo de cerradura
poll eochrach
замкова щілина
avaimenreikä
gaura cheii
21. Chapter III. Max and Santa.
In Rovaniemi, December 26th 2016
Dear Marc,
How are you? I wish you Happy New Year 2017!
I decided to spend Christmas time in Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. The
Finnair Santa flight from the capital of Finland Helsinki to Rovaniemi arrived
on time. Rovaniemi is Santa’s official home town in Lapland.
The city of Rovaniemi was decorated for Christmas time. There were beautiful
Christmas trees with lights all around the city. The weather was freezing cold.
So I had to do some shopping. I bought warm winter clothes, e.g. woollen
mittens. I also bought soft reindeers as souvenirs.
In Rovaniemi I visited Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle. In Santa Claus
Village there were Christmas trees, snowmen, beautiful lights and ice
sculptures. In Santa Claus Village I crossed the magical Arctic Circle and had a
chance to meet Santa Claus. It was great to meet Santa Claus himself. I have
always wanted to ask Santa how old he is. Santa told me that’s something not
even he can remember exactly.
One of the most interesting places was Santa’s post office. Santa’s Elves were
sorting out letters from all over the world. I got a very special chance to see
Santa’s workshop. There were big and small presents waiting for delivery on
Christmas Eve.
In Santa Claus Village, there were reindeers with a wooden sleigh. I jumped on
the sleigh and rode like Santa through a snowy forest. For the first time in my
life, I saw The Northern Lights. In the evening it was fun to go to the sauna and
swimin the snow.
On Christmas Eve I was invited to a Finnish Christmas dinner. As a dessert I
tasted gingerbread cookies. I liked them a lot. I sent you a gingerbread mould
with a recipe for gingerbread cookies. So you can bake them, too.
I took videos about Rovaniemi city and Santa Claus Village. I hope you enjoy
them.
Best wishes
Max
24. GINGERBREAD COOKIES RECIPE
Gingerbread cookies
(makes about 45)
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes per batch
Oven temperature: 400°F (200 °C)
125 g margarine
3/4 dl dark syrup
1 dl granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp ground gloves
1 tsp grated orange rind
1 tsp cardamom
1 tsp baking soda
4 dl white flour
1 egg
25. CHRISTMAS TIME PICTURE DICTIONARY
Christmas
Navidad
Nollaig
Різдво
Boże Narodzenie
joulu
Crăciun
Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Athair Nollaig
Дід Мароз
Święty Mikołaj
joulupukki
Moș Crăciun
an elf, elves
un duende, duendes
Siofra
ельфи
elf, elfy
tonttu, tontut
un elf, elfi
a sleigh
un trineo
carr sleamhnáin
сани
sanie
reki
sanie
Arctic Circle
Círculo Polar Ártico
an tArtach
Полярне Коло
Koło Podbiegunowe
pohjoinen napapiiri
Cercul Polar
26. an ice sculpture
una escultura de hielo
dealbh reoite
льодова скульптура
lodowa rzeźba
jääveistos
o sculptură de gheață
Northern Lights
Auroras Boreales
Soilse Thuaidh
Північне сяйво
zorza polarna
revontulet
Aurora Boreală
a gingerbread cookie
Una galleta de pan de jengibre
Arán Sinséir
медовий пряник
pierniczek
piparkakku
turtă dulce
28. Chapter V . St. Patrick’s Day
In Wexford, March 17th, 2017
Dear Marc,
I left Romania last night and you’ll never believe what happened when I looked out the
aeroplane window, I saw an amazing rainbow over Ireland and the land was so green I was
hoping there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!! After I left Dublin I travelled to
Wexford to Our Lady of Fatima School.
On the Monday morning I met with the students in Middle 3 along with their teacher Glenda
and classroom assistant Patricia. I went to an assembly and met all the students and teachers
of the school along with the Principal Mrs Waters, at the assembly it was explained all about
the activities that would happen that week and that I was special visitor for the week.
I attended a craft workshop and the younger students were making St. Patrick Day badges to
wear on their Jumpers for their parade, I helped out during the work shop. Later on that day
I met two training assist dogs who would go on to help children with autism they were very
friendly and their training takes 18 months.
The following day we had two more workshops with the middle school students making
paper Leprechauns this was the best fun as I got to dance with the leprechauns to some Irish
music the whole class loved it. The older students went on to make St. Patrick’s Day Cards
for their families so I was certainly kept busy that day and so tired after my dancing!!
Wednesday we had another assembly where students talked about their Erasmus trip and
showed photos and how they met other students from Italy, France and Germany. This was
a great experience for all the students involved, they got to know new cultures just like me on
my trip.
That afternoon I did some Irish games and had to learn some more Irish Dancing for the
following days Ceili which is when we will all get to do some Irish set dancing called the
Walls of Limerick.
29. Thursday was a very exciting day we had the school St. Patrick’s Day parade when all the
students dressed up in something that represented Ireland, they wore Irish Jerseys, dressed as
St Patrick and leprechauns and wore silly beards and hats and coloured the Irish flag on their
faces. We marched around the school to some Irish music and then Middle 3 class judged
for the best costume for 1st
, 2nd
and 3rd
prize, it was hard to pick because everyone looked
great and of course I had a few photos taken with the winners.
That afternoon we had the Ceili and got to taste some Irish food, I had some famous
Colcannon which is Potatoes, Kale, Cabbage, onions and ham all mashed together it was
delicious. I also tried Soda Bread with cheese it was amazing so light but filling, the best of
all was famous Irish Crisps called Tayto and the refreshing Club orange drink which I needed
after all of my dancing.
I had a great experience where I went home to a student’s house for the weekend so I could
get to see the big St Patrick’s Day parade in Wexford Town the excitement was electric. I was
on the local radio talking about my trip and eTwinning explaining why I was there. The
parade itself was full of colour and characters, it had bands playing from different parts of the
world, there were all sorts of clubs marching (Karate, kickboxing, hurling, football, Irish
dancing schools, Wexford Scouts and Girl Guides the best thing of all was a massive
inflatable Snake it was huge this was to represent St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland,
the parade went on for 2hrs and I enjoyed every minute with my new family.
On my last day Middle 3 students travelled to Tramore a town about an hour away from
Wexford to hear the story of ST. Patrick told by the author John Willmott. We met John for
a walk first on the lovely beach, the weather was a bit on the cold side but we all still enjoyed
the walk and watching some surfers on the Atlantic Ocean. John was so funny telling us the
story of St. Patrick he liked to add little antidotes, he told us the story while having lunch in a
Typical Irish Pub but as I’m underage I didn’t get to sample the famous Irish Drink
GUINNESS.
Well Marc I will be so sad to say good bye to my Irish Friends as they were so welcoming
and some day I will be back to visit this Lovely Emerald Isle, Slainte which means goodbye
in the Irish language and I hope you enjoy my video and photos.
Looking forward to my next adventure in The Ukraine..Bye for now
Your Friend Max
