Dawn

Dawn

Monday, June 24, 2019

Thoughts from Galicia, Spain: 24.6.19

Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable. 
                  Christopher Howse: A Pilgrim in Spain
Spain
  • More here on Sr Rivera's attempts to make the Ciudadanos party something it - allegedly - wasn't a couple of years ago - a right-of-centre party that attracts PP party voters.
  • Advice on how to approach the summer sales in the high street.
  • Back in 2006, we had devastating fires throughout southern Galicia and there was much talk of forcing landowners to remove undergrowth in their (particularly eucalyptus) forests. I read yesterday that laws were finally introduced last year and that prosecutions might take place this year. But can things really have been as dilatory as this?
  • There was a religious procession in Pontevedra city yesterday, in honour of San Juan, I think. When it was over, the table next to mine on a bar terrace could have been a parodic scene from the Franco era. Four or five men in blue suits, white shirts, and sunglasses, with greased back hair curling up at the nape. Plus a couple of over-thin and over-tanned women dripping in gold jewellery. For a moment, I felt I was at a mafia convention. Possibly local politicians.
  • Lawyers for the Pamplona rapists - La Manada - say they're considering an appeal against the increase in the jail sentences arising from the conviction for rape at the Supreme Court. I wonder if the same system applies as for motoring fines . . .  If you lose your appeal, the amount goes up. I hope so.
  • The ancient Universitat de Barcelona is reputed to be the best in Spain. Here's The Local on what you need to know about it.
  • Perhaps because rain was expected. many of the traders in Pontevedra's Sunday flea market didn't turn up yesterday. This mean that 75% of what was on offer was tat from the (illegal) gypsy 'traders'. But, anyway, here's a set of large 'candlesticks' that was available from an authorised seller. I can't imagine anyone normal wanting them in their home. But maybe in a casa rural:-


UK Politics/Brexit
  • I wonder how many Brits are losing the will to live.
The Way of the World
  • Glastonbury Music Festival: Camp Kerala is the last word in festival glamping* luxury. It sells itself as “the caviar of accommodation” and offers VVIP treatment that verges on parody. Once guests have paid £15,000 for their stay, they can enjoy 24-hour service, chauffeuring around the campsite by golf buggy and the use of a hairdresser and spa with “a comprehensive range of massages and facials”. They can also sample the extensive list of wines, featuring Dom Pérignon Rosé 2003 at £575 a bottle, while enjoying a menu of tempura squid with Szechuan and fennel salt, 35-day aged organic steak and a “power salad” of baby kale, wild garlic and caramelised lemon dressing.
The USA
English
  • Just to ensure you're up to speed, from this morning's reading . . .
  1. *Glamping: See here.
  2. Hopepunk: A new optimism movement, in which millennials reject dystopian dramas in favour of feel-good entertainment. See more here.
  3. Guyliner: Click here. Pretty obvious, I guess.
  4. More affordable: Less than ludicrously expensive. As in: Eyewear by luxury fashion house Kenzo for a limited time only. All glasses are priced from €199 for two pairs - making catwalk-inspired designer specs more affordable than ever.
Finally . . .
  • In the last few days, I've seen several references to a book by Boris Johnson's sister, called The Oxford Myth. The book, not the sister. In it, there's an article by him I'd like to read. The book's not available on Amazon.es but someone is offering a used copy on Amazon.co.uk for a mere £323.99. I think I'll give it a miss.

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