El sol de migdia cremava Barcelona.

The midday sun was scorching Barcelona.

Marta i Jordi eren dos guies turístics que passejaven per la Rambla, plena de turistes amb ulleres de sol i mapes de paper.

Marta and Jordi were two tour guides strolling along La Rambla, filled with tourists wearing sunglasses and paper maps.

Els turistes tenien dubtes sobre moltes coses, però un tema es repetia sovint: la "siesta".

The tourists had doubts about many things, but one topic was a frequent point of discussion: the "siesta".

Un grup de turistes alemanys, amb les seves sandàlies de senderisme i la càmera penjada al coll, els van parar.

A group of German tourists, wearing hiking sandals and with cameras hanging around their necks, stopped them.

Estaven sorpresos.

They were surprised.

Perquè estaven tancades totes les botigues a la tarda?

Why were all the shops closed in the afternoon?

Marta va somriure.

Marta smiled.

Intentant trobar paraules senzilles, va començar a explicar.

Trying to find simple words, she began to explain.

En Espanya, especialment a l'estiu, fa molta calor a la tarda.

In Spain, especially in the summer, it gets very hot in the afternoon.

Moltes persones descansen en aquestes hores.

Many people rest during these hours.

Això és el que anomenem "siesta".

This is what we call the "siesta".

Però Jordi va voler afegir detalls.

Jordi wanted to add some details.

La siesta es una tradició antiga, continuava.

The siesta is an ancient tradition, he continued.

Les persones espanyoles refresquen el cos i la ment durant aquesta pausa.

Spanish people refresh their bodies and minds during this break.

Quan acaba la siesta, són més productives.

When the siesta ends, they are more productive.

Els turistes alemanys miraven a Marta i Jordi amb cara d'incredulitat.

The German tourists looked at Marta and Jordi in disbelief.

A Alemanya, la tarda és el moment més actiu del dia.

In Germany, the afternoon is the most active time of the day.

No podien entendre com era possible aquesta costum espanyola.

They couldn't understand this Spanish custom.

Marta i Jordi els van proposar una prova.

Marta and Jordi proposed a test.

Si volen entendre la siesta, haurien de provar-la.

If they wanted to understand the siesta, they should try it.

Podrien anar a Parc de la Ciutadella, a la fresca, i fer una petita dormideta.

They could go to Ciutadella Park, in the shade, and take a little nap.

Al principi, els turistes es mostraven dubitatius.

At first, the tourists were hesitant.

Però al final, es van animar i van acceptar el repte.

But in the end, they were encouraged and accepted the challenge.

A la tarda, es van estirar a la gespa del parc, sota els arbres, i van fer la seva primera siesta.

In the afternoon, they laid on the park's grass, under the trees, and took their first siesta.

Quan van despertar, es van adonar d'una cosa sorprenent.

When they woke up, they realized something surprising.

No només no estaven cansats, sinó que se sentien frescos i llestos per a continuar amb la seva ruta turística.

Not only were they not tired, but they felt refreshed and ready to continue their sightseeing tour.

Sota el brillant sol de la tarda de Barcelona, els turistes van comprendre la màgia de la siesta.

Under the bright afternoon sun of Barcelona, the tourists understood the magic of the siesta.

A partir d'aquell dia, sempre que tornaven a la calor de la tarda, recordaven aquella primera siesta i somreien.

From that day on, whenever they returned to the afternoon heat, they remembered that first siesta and smiled.

Tenien un nou respecte per la cultura espanyola i una nova perspectiva sobre el ritme de la vida.

They had gained a new respect for Spanish culture and a new perspective on the rhythm of life.

Marta i Jordi, veient la seva satisfacció, se sentien complaguts d'haver pogut compartir una part tan essencial de la seva cultura.

Marta and Jordi, seeing their satisfaction, felt gratified to have been able to share such an essential part of their culture.

Aquell dia, no només van guiar turistes, sinó també van obrir ments i van ajudar a crear nous admiradors de la siesta, un costum tan espanyol com la paella o la sardana.

That day, they not only guided tourists, but also opened minds and helped create new admirers of the siesta, a tradition as Spanish as paella or the sardana.

Satisfets, es van posar les ulleres de sol, van agafar el seu mapa i van continuar el seu recorregut pel cor de Barcelona.

Pleased, they put on their sunglasses, picked up their map, and continued their journey through the heart of Barcelona.