Thoughts from Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain: 13.8.19

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

                  Christopher Howse: A Pilgrim in Spain

Spain

• El País gives us here a survey which says that Spanish drivers are nowhere near as bad as perceived by non-Spaniards. And in some ways are even better than Northern European trendsetters. The problem with the survey is that some of it is objective and some of it is subjective, relying entirely on Spanish drivers' opinions of themselves. As for objective data on road deaths, it is truly impressive how Spain has massively reduced these since 2000. As for subjective data, I have to admit that I'm sceptical that Spanish drivers are better than most others at taking regular breaks and - in particular - at planning for long journeys. It's widely - and accurately - felt that, in general, Spaniards are not sympathetic to planning, preferring to be 'spontaneous'. But I accept this doesn't rule out sensible, essential planning at times. After all, Spaniards are truly fantastic at planning for and executing fiesta programs.
• Sadly, no mention in the article how how Spanish drivers approach the challenge of roundabouts! But I'm sure they think they do this very sensibly.
• A possible solution to Galicia's wild boar problems? - Rome may have stumbled upon a solution to the invasion of wild boar feasting on overflowing bins — wolves that prey on them are also arriving in the city. Bring on the wild wolves!
• The police made over 400 tests over the weekend and came across several minors who were the worse for wear because of alcohol. And there were 8 ambulance cases and 2 arrivals at the Emergencies department of the hospital. But no stabbings.
• Pontevedra is regarded - especially by the residents of Vigo - as a gossipy, provincial place. Which it certainly is. And also a little old-fashioned. Or 'traditional', to put it nicely. Saturday night saw the annual ball at which debutantes come out into society, 'presented' by their fathers (patriarchy!), who all look to me to be much older than would have been the case 20 years ago. Logically, given trends in birth statistics. Anyway, there were 11 debs this year, all looking lovely in beautiful long, white dresses.
• If there's one area where region-wide strategy would make sense, it's airport management. Instead, Galicia has 3 small 'international' airports, none of which can compete with Oporto's rapidly growing facility. The Galician Xunta is trying to change things, telling the La Coruña, Santiago and Vigo authorities they can't do subsidy deals with airlines without their permission. The cities have responded with Vete a la mierda! Which means that the likes of Ryanair will continue to play them off against each other, and flights will continue to move back and forth between the 3 airports, to the inconvenience of passengers. Madness. Spanish 'localism' at its worst. But very unlikely to stop. If only because it's surely beneficial to municipal and provincial politicians, one way or another.

The UK

• Richard North today: 

1. We are seeing a widespread disillusionment with parliament, of which Johnson is the primary beneficiary. This is hardly surprising. The conduct of the Commons since the referendum has seriously diminished the authority and popularity of the institution, to the extent that it no longer holds the respect or the support of the electorate. 
2. One way or the other, there is that feeling abroad that we are at the end of our collective tethers. Even the perils of a no-deal are preferable to the purgatory of uncertainty. Let Johnson do the deed - seems to be the sentiment – and let him suffer the consequences. 

The EU

• France: As if English 'champagne' wasn't enough to have to contend with . . . There's also Ffart's ('stupid') tariffs aimed at making their ('superior') wines more expensive to US consumers. For the truly logical reason that US technology companies are going to have to pay some taxes in France on their massive revenues arising there. Which is shocking, of course.
• Portugal: A new law has been introduced to try to stop the rise in rental prices said to have been  caused by Airbnb and the like. Indeed to reduce rent levels. It doesn't seem to be working.

The USA

• Ffart has re-tweeted a conspiracy theory - from a 'right wing' comedian - about the Clintons arranging the murder of Jeffrey Epstein. Which might or might not be true. But the episode makes me wonder if there's a tool available which could hope to measure the further depths to which the US president might sink. To say the least, he's not a leader I could be proud of. Which might just have been shown by previous posts . . .

Spanish 

• Word of the Day:- Asar

Finally . . .

• Going back to that foto I posted of the bride and her mother and bridesmaids at an Islamic wedding . . .  A friend asked: Imagine how her mother will look in 20 years time. She won't be pleased. On the contrary, I replied, she'll be happy to look exactly the same . . .