Wednesday, November 03, 2010

A Contest To Win

Surely you have read about the national siesta championship in Madrid. I should have entered the contest. As an avid sleeper, I can take an afternoon nap for three hours and still be in bed by 10 p.m., sleep 8-10  hours more. So this contest was made for me. The purpose of the contest was not only to find the best napper but help revive the tradition of taking a snooze after lunch. We've always associated Spain and Mexico with siestas, haven't we?

 Here are the highlights : Contestants lie on  bright blue sofas in the middle of a shopping mall with their choice sleeping clothing; pulse monitors attached to their bodies. The winner is the one who manages to sleep for the full 20 minutes.  Eight rounds are held daily with five participants each on sofas parallel to each other. Awards go not only to the longest napper, but to those with the most original sleeping position, loudest snore, and the most eye-catching outfits (yes, you could wear your PJ's.).

 The National Association of Friends of the Siesta began the competition Oct 14 and ends Nov. 6. According to this organization "The mission of the championship is to spread the idea that the nap is something of ours that must be defended and practiced, because it is healthy and good for everyone."  Yea!

 I've been a proponent of naps since childhood when my parents insisted Saturday and Sunday afternoons were for rest. This has been a  part of my life I cherish. Didn't some scientists recently state that those who nap live longer? I'm for that, too.


  

3 comments:

June Calender said...

This is my first visit to your blog, Vivian, so I don't know your usual tone of voice. As I read about the napping contest I thought, She's pulling our virtual legs. Then I began thinking, maybe it's real. Now I don't know, but I'll have to come back tomorrow to see if you comment on my comment and defend the truth of this post.

Viv said...

Oh yes, this I read online and had to comment about the article. I usually do this very thing. I write fiction, but I adhere to non-fiction in my blog. Welcome, friend. Visit me often.

June Calender said...

I came back to see your comment. Yes, sometimes I read things on a blog and comment - I must say you did a really good job with that contest. I had no idea the Spanish would do such a thing, they seem such a staid country -- but then the only time I was in Spain was eons ago about 2 years after the end of the Franco era. I guess they've loosened up. I'm glad I've found your blog.