Awake, for morning in the bowl of night has flung the stone that puts
the stars to flight.
And, lo, the hunter of the east has caught the sultan’s turret in a noose of light!

Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable – Christopher Howse: ‘A Pilgrim in Spain.

Cosas de España

A Basque steel company is the first Spanish/European victim of Trump’s vainglorious rule-by-tariff.

Rich foreigners feel – like many Spaniards – that they’ve been duped by Spain’s Tax Office, the Hacienda. See here on this. The problem is systemic: poorly defined tax regulations, aggressive inspectors chasing bonuses, weak oversight, and a view of wealthy foreigners as easy prey. Who could forget the infamous Modelo 720? This 2012 worldwide-asset-declaration requirement came with eye-watering fines for non-compliance or even small mistakes. It was sold as a tool to fight corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, and terrorism financing. In reality, it looked like a shakedown, targeting foreign residents rather than dodgy local politicians. It took the European Court of Justice and Spain’s Supreme Court to finally de-fang it. [After 10 years and few fine repayments].

More here on the risk of being ripped off in tourist areas.

To be positive, this article highlights the 5 things that are cheaper in Spain. Also cited are a couple of things which aren’t cheaper, such as consumer electronics. I’d also cite analgesics and the internet, not forgetting computer repairs .

The odd Spanish custom of changing film titles.

Portugal

The country to go to if you really want cheaper things. Except for cars and anything to do with them.

Europe

More projection from the Trump camp . . . The Vice President of an oligarchic government headed by an authoritarian president who got less than 50% of the popular vote yesterday lectured Europe on its inadequate democratic credentials. If you wanted to make The USA unpopular with the rest of the developed world you could no better than put its Defence Secretary on a podium. Which is not to say that none of his points were valid. But his timing and manner of making them will have ensured they’re all disregarded

The speech was met by dumbfounded silence, followed by a strong rejoinder from the German Defence Minister. Asked what he thought of the speech, Trump replied: I thought it was excellent and I hear it was very well received. Not even he could believe that.

The USA

A model of democracy, being run by the biggest liar in history who clearly thinks he has a right to ignore the rule of law that underwrites democracy and to knock down the judicial pillar of the core system of checks and balances.

Where ‘freedom of speech’ means, for the tech bros who finance Trump, whatever they want to do. And where news agencies which don’t toe the administration’s line – or dare to question the president, or even just say something he doesn’t like – are frozen out and threatened with judicial proceedings.

And where the attitude of the ruling clique is: So long as you agree with us, you have nothing to fear. A not entirely unfamiliar phrase to Europeans, who have experienced the usurpation of democracy. \or, indeed, to Russians.

It’s getting harder and harder to avoid comparisons with 1933 Germany.

If there was still an irony meter anywhere in the US, it would be well beyond repair by now.

I recently mentioned the dreadful Paul White. She features prominently in this article, headed: The second coming of Donald J. Trump. To many evangelicals, Trump is not just a president but a messiah. How did he gain such mythic power, and where will it lead? The article confirms my impression the USA has regressed and is now, on balance, quite out of it mind. But, nonetheless, now lectures the rest of us. I’m very glad I no longer have reasons to visit it.

Quotes of the Day

• I told the Ukrainians it was not a good war to go into: Guess who.
• Peter Hegseth as Defense Secretary is what you get when you pick your cabinet members by watching Fox News.

Spanish

• The origin of the phrase De Madrid al cielo
• De pelo en pecho: “With hair on the chest”.  Manly

Did you know?

Despite various attempts to address the lack thereof, the Spanish national anthem remains wordless. Here’s why.

Finally . . .

My bilingual grandson – just 6 – is learning to read in school in Spanish but also gets a bit of home-teaching in English. Which presents a challenge or two. Hence his lovely Valentine’s message to me last night: HAPI BALAMS DEI.

My thanks to those readers who take the trouble to Like my posts.

The Usual Links . . .

• You can get my posts by email as soon as they’re published. With the added bonus that they’ll contain the typos I’ll discover later. I believe there’s a box for this at the bottom of each post. If you do this but don’t read the posts, I will delete your subscription. So perhaps don’t bother if you have other reasons for subscribing . . .
• For new readers: If you’ve landed here looking for info on Galicia or Pontevedra, try here. If you’re passing through Pontevedra on the Camino, you’ll find a guide to the city there.
• For those thinking of moving to Spain:– This is an extremely comprehensive and accurate guide to the challenge, written by a Brit who lives in both the North and the South and who’s very involved in helping Camino walkers. And this is something on the so-called Beckham Rule, which is beneficial – tax-wise – for folk who want to work here. Finally, some advice on getting a mortgage. And this article ‘debunks claims re wealth and residency taxes’. Probably only relevant if you’re a HNWI. In which case, you’ll surely know what that stands for.