Thoughts from Galicia, Spain: 21.3.18

Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable.

- Christopher Howse: A Pilgrim in Spain. 

If you've arrived here because of an interest in Galicia or Pontevedra, see my web page here.

Spain

• It wouldn't be spring without a list from The Local to tell you how to enjoy it.
• But possibly not, if you suffer from alergic rhinitis . . .
• Or if you live in Lavapies in Madrid.
• If you've followed the (as ever) lengthy judicial investigation process into the business doings of the royal son-in-law – plentifully reported in the media – it's hard to believe he'd go in for anything but plea bargaining. To the contrary, Sr Urdangarin is reported to be insisting that he's totally innocent of the several corruption offences he's accused of. Vamos a ver.

Life in Spain

• Walking through our communal garden yesterday and noting the dog dirt there, I decided to advise the Presidenta of our community that someone was ignoring the rule that dogs aren't allowed in it. And then I realised who the owner was of the dog that had just run past me. It reminded me of a question I first articulated many years ago: What's the point of power if you can't abuse it?
• At this time of year, the mornings and evenings get lighter and evening activities are accompanied by the sound of distant bass drums. From the folk who are rehearsing for the Holy Week (Semana Santa) processions down in the city. At least a kilometre away from my house.
• Slaking your thirst in a Spanish airport could soon be cheaper than it is now. But still ridiculously expensive.
• Even better news. Or at least good news.
• On the other hand.
• By the way . . .Is it too much to ask that the police do something serious about the very many cars being driven around Spain without insurance, never mind an annual mechanical check?

The EU, Brexit and Spain

• The joy and the self-congratulations were perhaps a tad premature. Madrid has been súper consistent and thrown a spanner into the works. Or perhaps a big rock.
• Some expatriate Brits are not at all happy with this week's 'breakthrough'.

Spanglish

• El play off. Or, if it's really only Galician, O play off.

Social Media

• Facebook . . . It couldn't be happening to a nicer company.
• And here's a good question, which I (piously) endorse.

Galicia/Pontevedra

• Mexico and Venezuela can be dangerous places to do business. Especially some sorts of business. In the last 15 years, more than 30 Galicians have been murdered there. Many of them from a small, over-wealthy village in the hills between Pontevedra and Ourense which has its own airport and a hundred-year history in the Mexico's prostitution industry. An an annual Mexican fiesta. Not all our crooks are narcotraficantes!
• Talking of killing . . . Someone has been shooting wild horses up in our hills. Forty in the last ten years, in fact. It takes all sorts.
• And talking of deaths . . . My daughters' favourite beach.
• So far this winter, Pontevedra city has had 20 more rainy days than usual. Almost as many as in La Coruña and Santiago de Compostela, in fact. And this is despite the fact October to December was unusually dry. I say 'so far this winter' as if it had some time to go. But it officially ended yesterday, whatever the mercury is saying. This gives the Spanish permission to start wearing springtime clothes. Whatever the mercury is saying . . .
• The mayor of Ferrol (Franco's birthplace) has been indicted for corruption. He, too, says he's totally innocent and that his conscience is clear(tranquila). Which mental state isn't mutually incompatible with guilt, of course. I guess he's hoping that the judicial investigation and subsequent trial will peter out in a decision that the alleged crimes have been prescribed under the statute of limitations. It does happen here. Quite a lot.

Finally

• Did you notice that yesterday was International Happiness Day? I made a special effort.

Today's Cartoon

Bears repeating . . .

Footnote: Could I just advise readers who arrive via Google + that I will be quitting that site later today. But . . . There's now a option to get posts automatically via your email. See the box on the top right.

Colin Davies, Pontevedra: 21.3.18