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

The Spanish PM is visiting China to reaffirm Spain’s relations with the Asian country, saying that the partnership ‘should only grow stronger between our nations’. Sanchez, from the Socialist Party, is known to be an outlier among many European leaders, because he wants to improve relations with China, and has asked the EU Commission to ‘reconsider’ the tariffs that the EU wants to place on electric vehicles produced in China. 

I wouldn’t have thought possible for the police to do more against speeding but I read that a huge crackdown started on April 7. On the other hand, Cataluña is hosting an experiment on AI-controlled speed limits that could be as high at 150kph. Or 0kph, I guess.

An unholy row has erupted over cheap imitations of religious robes. The expert embroiderers of Andalucía, famed for crafting the elaborate vestments for Semana Santa, are up in arms over ‘poor quality’ imports from Pakistan. [BTW: Unfair competition is competencia desleal in Spanish]

Talking about Semana Santa . . . I am ambivalent about religious art in all its forms. The divine themes – to say the least – do nothing for me but I admire greatly the human craftsmanship that goes into the works. This comment is a prelude to the news that . . Spanish baroque is enjoying a national reappraisal. After 400 years, Spain is falling back in love with the baroque. Religious polychrome sculptures have long been wheeled out only for Holy Week. Now a series of exhibitions is restoring their prestige.

Talking of art . . . A new exhibition in Madrid is inviting visitors to look past the cliches and stereotypes of the past century and to reflect on the myriad ways in which Latin women, their bodies and their stories have made their way into popular culture.

Some readers might find this amusing. . . A starter pack for foreign tourists.

Walking in and out of town today, I saw at least 30 tiny dogs, many of them miniature poodles. Spaniards, at least here in Pv city, now seem to be madder than Brits about pooches. Back home, I possibly shouldn’t have given my opinion on small dogs to my visiting daughter, as she’s thinking of getting one. Despite living in a small flat in the centre of Madrid. For her son’s sake. She will regret it.

The USA

It’s reported that Trump’s closest advisers are finding him ‘unmanageable’. Were they all living in a cave last time round? As well as during his more recent election campaign? Or did they simply – and arrogantly – believe they could control a power-mad ideologue?

In Trump’s parallel universe on Truth Social . . . We are doing really well on our TARIFF POLICY, Very exciting for America, and the World!!! It is moving along quickly. DJT.

He’s not alone in that world, of course. His nauseating Press Secretary inhabits it too . . . Trust in President Trump. He knows what he’s doing. This is a proven economic formula. There is great optimism in this economy.

Some of Wall Street’s most influential figures are said to be unconvinced

Just how bad are things? Make no mistake, this is a genuine tragedy. . . Trump’s vandalism has already ruined the American economic miracle. US voters elected a leader whose protectionist fanaticism will only leave them poorer. . . The only uncertainty is how bad the hit will be. . . .

Policy errors almost always stem from a misunderstanding of basic economics. And on the issue of trade, Trump is dangerously ignorant. a leader with a poor grasp of economic fundamentals and a penchant for recklessness. . . . Beyond the near-term hit to economies and markets, Trump’s fateful policy mistake has badly harmed America’s reputation and standing in the world.

Here’s a turn up for the books . . Trump’s tariff war is being ­described as America’s Suez crisis — the moment when long-held global perceptions of a reliable superpower and its mighty currency were shattered in a single week.

Healthcare . . . A question for Mr Kennedy: ‘How is it possible that you have this job?’: RFK Jr.’s incompetence becomes too glaring to overlook.

China

A woe-ful prospect . . . China has just shown it can defeat America in a trade war. Donald Trump has almost certainly started a battle he cannot win. Free trade is a win-win, so the escalating tariff war between the US and China will be a lose-lose for both parties. Nonetheless, China is more likely to come out on top.

Spanish

A Spanish friend assures me that Canada got its name from a designation on the earliest maps of the North American continent – Acá nada. I quite like this claim, so haven’t checked its veracity.

Finally . . .

Ignoring the bull, Shanghai’s seafront looks very like Liverpool’s.

No coincidence, I believe.

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

The Usual Links . . .

Getting a mortgage in Spain: Some advice on this challenge.

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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. But see here on this. 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.