Every
person and every organisation in Spain has a patron saint. In
addition to hundreds of these to choose from, there are dozens of
Virgins as well. The Guardia Civil went with La Virgen del Pilar, the
Virgin of the Pillar. We all know this now because a court in Spain
has ruled that the (military) police force must stop taking donations
from a brothel (Eros) in Navarra towards its celebrations in honour
of the lady. Brothels, prostitutes, holy virgins . . . Only in Spain?
It's impossible to keep up with the major corruption cases going through
the Spanish courts. Or to remember all their names. I'm not even sure
I've read about the Púnica case before, even though its said to
involve a Who's Who of senior politicos in previous national and
regional governments of the right-of-centre PP Party. Plus an
"endless list of Town Hall" occupants. Strange to relate,
the government TV channel opts not to mention the proceedings. We
could be in Russia.
In the Bad
Old Days of a few years ago, the Spanish banks charged you
outrageously for everything except breathing on their premises. And
they competed by offering you such things as crockery, pots and pans
and cheap towels from Portugal. Then times got better. Charges and
fees disappeared and the lure for new customers was a gift of 4-5% on
moneys transferred to them. Things are now returning to normal, as
the charges and fees reappear. Trying to withdraw €600 from an ATM
yesterday, I was advised it would cost me €27, or 4.5%. So I tried
another bank and was told it would be a mere €2. Knowing I'd be
passing my own bank, I declined even this. What next? Something like
the huge amounts the Spanish banks used to charge for transferring your money to them from overseas? Or for closing your
account and moving your money elsewhere? Who knows? But they can get
very creative when they decide customer loyalty isn't something
they're interested in. As opposed to simple extortion.
Years ago,
my elder daughter told me Spanish reference books didn't go in
for indices. I didn't really believe it and I'm sure at least some
books must provide one. But not the Mitos, Ritos y Leyendas de
Galicia I just dipped into yesterday, prior to giving it to an
ex-beggar-turned-entrepreneur who now wanders the old quarter of
Pontevedra offering second-hand books. And looks a lot healthier for
it. Anyway, there's no index in said book and I'll now have to go and
check a host of others.
Talking
about Pontevedra . . . Since the main reason I go down to it is to
take a glass or two of wine and the accompanying tapas dishes, I've
decided to call the place Tiffintown. Some readers may recall that I
actually live across the river, in Chickentown. Or Poio, as it's
known locally. In the parish of Pijolandia. All hate mail should be
addressed accordingly. Which reminds me . . . I placed an order for
una tortilla de Sr Colin yesterday but they'd run out of ginger.
Impressive, no?
Finally .
. . There's been a lot of fuss about a lion killed by a dentist.
Unless you reside in a cave, you'll be aware of this and of the,
shall I just say, 'remarkable' reaction to this event. Personally,
I'm ambivalent about hunting. I've done it all my life. More in some
countries than in others. I've never been very successful but things
may be about to change. For I've bought this week a weapon which I
think will help me massacre large numbers of my usual quarry. I'm
pleased to say it's British made and not as expensive as I feared it
might be when I saw it in a shop. It's called The Buzz Clap-a-Fly
swat and consists of a pistol grip and two arms which end in two
large hands and which can be fixed open. You pull the trigger when
a fly is between the hands. Most pleasingly of all, I've just
determined that it works. Though I've had difficulty getting the head
off the fly, so can't show you it. You'll just have to take my
word. It costs €3.50 here and I'm thinking of buying a shipload to
take to the UK in September, to sell at 5 quid a throw. The only
drawback with this plan is that it's already sold there for 3 quid.
Or 2 quid even. Back to the drawing board then.
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