The story of Max across Europe

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. This is mine. A student from Finland who is a friend of the
Spanish students did the drawing and sent it to them.

8. “THE CHAQUETÍA DAY” PICTURE DICTIONARY
English
Spanish
Gaelic
Ukrainian
Polish
Finnish
RomanianSome photos and drawings of “The
Chaquetía Day”

9. “THE CHAQUETÍA DAY” PICTURE
DICTIONARY
Quince Jelly
Carne o dulce de membrillo
Glóthach cainche
Айвове желе
Dżem z pigwy
Kvittenihyytelö
Jeleu de gutui
Peanut.
Cacahuete.
pis tálun
Арахіс
Orzech ziemny
Maapähkinä
Arahide
Sweet fig.
Higo dulce.
fige milis
Солодкий рис
Słodka figa
Makea viikuna
Smochine dulci
Delicious!
¡Delicioso!
an-bhlasta
Смачно!
Pyszny!
Herkullista!
Delicios!
Almond
Almendra.
almóinn
Мигдаль
Migdał
Manteli
Migdal

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

11. Tangerine.
Mandarina
mandairín
мандарин
Mandarynka
Mandariini
Mandarină
Nuts
Nueces
le cnónna
горіхи
Orzechy
Pähkinät
Nuci
Pomegranate
Granada
pomagránait
гранат
Granat
Granaattiomena
Rodie

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

15. SOME PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT

16. FORTUNE COOKIES RECIPE
Ingredients
2 eggwhites
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.

17. “ANDRZEJKI” - PICTURE DICTIONARY