In this Daily -- Slava, a Serbian Tradition, and Wake Day Spa
A sunny and breezy day today, with highs in the mid 80s, a firm breeze coming from the east-northeast throughout and some cloud cover in the morning. Temperatures will start in the high 7os and remain relatively steady throughout the morning, perfect for the morning's Functional Fitness Class at Casa Chameleon, before rising to the mid 80s around lunchtime and remaining in the mid 80s until around sunset. The breeze will be steady and consistent throughout the day, coming straight out of the east-northeast starting at dawn and remaining at about the same speed and direction until after sunset. Out in the cove, the offshore breeze will keep the surf breaking smooth and steady, with waves between 1-2 feet with a few larger waves during the day. On the trails, the morning was ideal for a bike ride, with some scattered clouds and a cool breeze, and the falling temperatures and clear skies around sunset will make for ideal conditions for tonight's Sunset Trailblazers hike.
For early risers tomorrow, there will be HIIT at 7am at the Yoga Pavilion, as well as Yoga up at Casa Chameleon at 9:30. In addition, all day tomorrow Wake Day Spa is offering a special 20% discount on all of their massages.
The most valuable piece of Las Catalinas is the people who live here and visit town, bringing with them new and interesting perspectives, traditions, and stories from all around the world. Today in the Daily we focus on one of those transplanted town traditions, the Serbian tradition of Slava.
Slava is an old Serbian tradition celebrated at specific times throughout the year, and draws its history from family names. Tracing their history back thousands of years, each family name is associated with a specific patron saint, whose holiday is celebrated when it arrives during the year. In large Serbian communities, each family hosts a dinner and celebration for their Slava day, most of them happening between November and February, which is essentially an all day open house for friends and neighbors to come in and enjoy special Serbian dishes.
In Las Catalinas, two of our homeowners, Dejan and Chrissy, hosted a small version of this celebration recently, inviting over family, friends, and neighbors and collecting flowers around town to celebrate their family's Slava day. To them, the celebration is an excellent way to connect with their roots and their family's history, and bring a welcoming and fun element of their culture to their new home.