Easter Bonnet Parade; one of my first memories when living in London

If we live for a while with a British family, we'll discover that they are funny people, with some peculiar traditions. You'll love it because learning a language is also taking part into their habits, traditions and parties and eating and drinking what they do. As we say, "a donde quiera que fueres, haz lo que vieres".Don't try to eat "Spanish tortilla" or keep your own habits and traditions, but learn theirs.

My first visit to London was at Easter, lots of years ago. My British landlady acted with me as my "British granma" and I accompanied her to excursions, family parties and so on. So I went to her elderly people club, a Catholic club formed by the parish father. They celebrated the Easter Bonnet Parade: a funny party as they didn't have that sense of "this is ridiculous" that most Spaniards feel when doing something quite peculiar, or simply different.

What did they do and prepare? First of all they spent the previous days at home designing and making the biggest and most surprising hats. They had to include Easter eggs, little chickens, hens, chocolate, ... everything that they thought related to the topic. The day of the meeting in the club, they walked along as in the "Fashion Week" wearing their designs to choose the best one; of course, according to the criteria of "big, funny, peculiar, strange, ..."

Why is this related to "Food and Drink"? This was a party, so when they had chosen the First Prize, they were ready for an Afternoon Too, including cakes, Hot Cross Buns, Simnel Cakes, hot chocolate, tea and a lovely chat with the most marvellous old ladies I can remember. It was shocking while they weren't the old widows in black that I have seen in Spain many times.

But it is celebrated not only by old ladies. Festivities and traditions are learnt from the very beginning. You watch your relatives and continue these traditions and pass them to next generations. For that reason, these two boys have prepared their bonnets and are delighted to be photographed.
It was also taken to America, as many otherBritish traditions, so you can also find information in blogs, newspapers, and so on about the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival in New York.Now, begin to think about your bonnet, prepare your cake for the party according to the ideas shown in other entries and enjoy with your friends.