Gotta love traditions...

This week we have midsummer holidays. Well, we call it differently but..whatever. 

I just love these holidays. There are several traditions and it is all just big bowl of fun. And I love fun.

The celebration goes on in June 23rd.  Family, friends get together and then the fun can begin. 

First, girls have to make their own flower crowns, and make oak leaf crowns for men.  And at houses and cars you have to stick oak tree or rowan tree brunch so that evil spirits can’t come in.

When that’s done, we have to make sure everything we need is on the table. In Latvia these holidays are nothing without cumin cheese, pie, beer and shish-kebabs. 

And trust me, in June 23rd, there will be all these things in almost every home. Cause it’s simply the tradition everyone sticks to.

And when everything is ok, the celebration begins. At first everyone just eat, drink beer, talk to each other, but after few hours it just gets so damn fun, no one can resist to join.  One of the best traditions is that you have to jump over the fireplace. Now don’t think OMG, IT’S CRAZY, WHO DOES THAT? Lol, but it is actually fun. That’s how we get rid of evil spirits. AND if a couple jumps over it together, they can’t let go of hands. If they do, it is for a bad luck, but if they don’t they’ll live happily ever after.

All night long people celebrate, sing, dance, eat, drink and enjoy life. But there is something special for the lovers. Right at midnight lovers go into woods to look for  fern blossom. Yeah I know what you think WHAT? THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FERN BLOSSOM! But as I said, it’s a tradition and it is fun.  And the ones who find it will live in happy and perfect relationships. :)

The funniest part of all this happens at night. At 3:00 am there is this thing called NAKED RACE :D all kinds of people (young, old, male, female) get together to run distance naked. And for those who want to judge – don’t do it. The tradition says that the one who is naked on June 23rd, will live healthy whole year :) and remember – it’s all about fun.

(I wanted to post a Picture of the race, but I kinda figured it’s better if I don’t :D )

Anyway, the party goes on until the last person falls asleep. It means long long time :D

So today all day long me and my mom were baking pies and everything else what is possible to bake from dough. And even though party will start tomorrow, I’m already excited and can’t wait for it to begin.

So take care everybody and have a great rest of the week :)

-B-