So,
Spain is going for a 'virtual rescue'. Well, why not? We have a
virtual European union, a virtual currency union, and a
soon-to-arrive virtual banking union. And over at The Hague, we have
a virtual saint in the form of Radan Karadzich, who says he's
'tolerant and kind' and that there would have been a lot more Serbian
slaughter but for him. He's not bad as a comedian too. Though of the
sick kind.
My
favourite quiet – only quiet – café in town is now
patronised by so many talkative matrons, it's become rather like the
Women's Institute. The other problem is that, for some unknown
reason, it closes at 2pm. Which is not good when you've arrived at
1.45. But preparing to leave today, I did have the compensation of an
insight into differing – not necessarily 'right and 'wrong' –
cultural instincts. When Brits answer their phones, their instinct is
to whisper. For Spaniards, it's to shout. And, when it comes to the
newspapers, my instinct is to put them back on the rack as I leave.
Whereas the woman with the irritating ring tone of a squeaky toy left
hers on the table, for the waitress to pick up. As I say, there's no
question of right and wrong here. But that doesn't stop me feeling
superior.
Readers
may recall the appalling saga of the oil-slick from the Prestige
along the Galician coast in 2002. Well, the trial of three people
finally came to court this week. And will continue for at least a
year. As the Director of the Institute of Marine Studies at La Coruña
University remarked - “Justice in Spain is not noteworthy for its
speed”. Indeed not. I guess it's lucky none of the accused died in
the interim.
I
read somewhere weeks ago that the big bonanza for phone companies
would be advertising on our mobiles(cell phones). Perhaps this has
now begun, given that this morning I received a message about the
whatsapp app. At least I think that's what it was called.
Way
down in the (extra)lawless south, keen observer – and fellow
blogger - David Jackson reminds us that a 35% unemployment rate isn't
necessarily all that it seems and that, as predicted, the black
economy is growing rapidly, as people seek to avoid the taxes they
fear are going into the pockets of corrupt politicians. As David
says, it all helps to avoid the social unrest you'd expect from the
official level of joblessness.
One
of the money saving measures of the Spanish government has been the
removal of 417 medicines from the items
available on prescription. Most of these are OTC products and, in
other countries, they'd be available from supermarkets. Here, though,
they'll continue to be available only from pharmacies. Who tend to
have higher prices. It's hard to see any liberalisation taking place.
Which reminds me . . . Parapharmacies are a common site on Spanish
high streets. When I first came here I thought it would be here I
could get things like analgesics, if they weren't available in
supermarkets. But, no, you can't. Frankly, I wouldn't know why
parapharmacies have this name, since sun creams, perfumes and the
like don't seem to justify it. Even if the shop assistants do wear
white coats. Perhaps it's a Spanish joke.
I
really much knuckle down to at least a page or two of my new car
manual. If only to find out why my key sometimes locks or unlocks
only one door and why all four windows sometimes open a fraction when
I unlock the door(s). Can this really be a feature?
Finally
. . . A joke. The European Commission is seeking approval of a 26%
increase in its budget for Salaries and Pensions. Well, why ever not?
That's our future government and it has to be of the right size and
quality for the challenges ahead. But can anyone get on board the
train? Or is it First Class passengers only?
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