Dawn

Dawn

Saturday, May 07, 2016

Ponters Pensées 7.5.16

Corruption: In an interesting observation, the US Government sees “the systematic corruption of government officials" as one of the 3 most significant human rights problems in Spain. I'm sure most of us living here would agree, as we note the latest early release of a senior politico, allowed out of (a luxury) prison after serving only 18m of his rather longer sentence.

Spanish Lists: Here's a couple more from The Local:-
Religious Beliefs: Can you imagine how this will read in 100 years' time? The University College of Barberán and Collán is requiring its 196 students to attend a theological conference focused on "the fields related to the devil, exorcisms, being possessed and hell". The college is connected to the public research institute Complutense University of Madrid, and is also funded by Spain’s Defence Ministry.

Which reminds me . . .

Urban Religious Symbols: I noted in the local Oviedo paper last week that this is the first Spanish city to contemplate the removal of all of these from the streets and to get shut of the swearing-in of politicians on a Bible. It also wants lay schools. Impressive, if a tad belated.

Canine Names: Someone passing my front gate called for a dog named Golfa. This rather surprised me, as this word is one of the many in Spanish which, in the masculine form, means something neutral but which, in the feminine form, means 'whore'. Here's a few more specifics from a 2007 post:
M: Whomsoever. A so-and-so. F: A whore
M. Man of the world: F. Woman of the world: A whore
M. Public man: A prominent person. A civil servant. F. Public woman: A low life. A whore.
M. Hombrezuelo: A man of insignificance. F. Mujerzuela: A whore
M: Dog. F: Bitch. A whore
M. Puto: A womaniser/binger. Puta: A whore
M: Intelligent/open-minded. F: A whore
M. Regalado: Past participle of the verb to ‘To give a present’. F. Regalada: A whore
M: Fox: Swordsman [Zorro]. Skilful. Audacious. F: Vixen. Yet another Whore.

Pontevedra: 
  • As the provincial capital, this is a city of funcionarios, or civil servants. So, is it any great surprise that most young people here would prefer that easy life to one of commerce or entrepreneurialism? More so than in any other Spanish city.
  • I've commented before that, ignoring the growing legion of beggars, there's little sign of Crisis-induced poverty here. That said, I read this comment yesterday: Spaniards have a long tradition of keeping up appearances. Many of Elsa's neighbours are too ashamed to admit to their growing poverty. “That's why you don't see it on the streets,” she says.

Pontevedra's Shops: I continue to turn up at places no longer open. But we do have the occasional new offering. I wasn't over pleased to see this one, though. Another place providing - for both kids and adults - a range of carts to race around the pedestrian areas in. Competing with the bastards on bikes.


It replaced an electrical goods outlet, by the way.

Finally . . . Here's an example of the 'fusion of rock and flamenco'. Make up your own mind as to whether it's a success or not. If you can get past the first 10 seconds . . .

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