Wind Mill Diaries

In winter, it's not uncommon that torrential rains fall on the island, creating flooding and apocalyptic scenarios. In the past few days rain and wind have dragged the sand into the sea, turning the water red and devastating the beaches. The sea has giant waves (to the delight of surfers), and the ship supplies are blocked. But Menorcan people aren't particularly alarmed. It just happens sometimes. Cala en Porter, the 20th of January Alcaufar, the 21st of January

The 17th of January is the day of Sant Antoni Abat, patron of Menorca, protector of livestock and farmers, celebrated in all the Balearic Islands.  I t's also the day of the anniversary of the liberation of the island from the Muslim domination by King Alfonso III in 1287,  and the consequent annexation of Menorca to the Catalan - Aragonese crown ( "Diada del Poble de Menorca" ).  In Sant Lluí s and Mahon is celebrated with a mass,   barbeque,  demonstration of trained hawks,  markets, parade  and, my favourite part,  the blessing of animals: everyone goes in the street bringing horses, pigs, goldfishes, chikens, to receive the blessing from the priest. The typical dish is the sandwich with  sobrasada frita ,  the typical Menorcan sausage, but fried . [Pictures from menorcaaldia.com]

Even though the amount of hours to dedicate to the voluteering work, we still have enough free time to do tours and excursions around the island. In this first two months I've explored a little around with the other volunteers and new friends from Menorca.  We went in   Ciutadella (the second “bigger” city, at the other side of the island), to Favàrixt Lighthouse and at the Natural Parc of S'Albufera des Grau; we went hiking at Cala del Pilar, Cala de Sant Esteve and Torre d'en Penjat; and we visited fews Talaiotic rests. In Menorca there are a lot of archeological sites that are represen­tative of the Talaiotic Culture of Menorca (CTMe) and that illustrate the Prehistory and Protohis­tory of the island. Everywhere there are amazing landscapes.  Menorca was declared a Biosphe­re Reserve by UNESCO in 1993. Port de Ciutadella Talaiot  de Trepucó Cala del Pilar  Torre d'en Penjat

To live as deep as possible the ESC experience I decided not to go home for Christmas holidays. I've been here for less than two months, it seemed too early to go back home. So I've spent the Christmas celebrations here, with the other volunteers living in Sant Lluís and Mahón.  On the 6th of December we went to see the lighting ceremony of the Christmas illuminations in Mahón. There is a wonderful tradition and story about it, and they do a very impressive show for the children with volunteers of the climbing centre, dressed up as  Llumets ,   fantasy creatures that brings the lights in town. In the night of the 24th, Nochebuena , we had a big dinner in our house and then we went to dance in the main square of Mahón, where a band was playing, and in the clubs of the port, till 5.00 o'clock in the morning. The 25 th , Navidad , we had a big lunch all together and we shared the hangover watching Woody Allen's movies. For the New...

My December song is surely Dance Monkey by Tones and I, because during this month I've sung it out loud a lot with my friend Fanny.