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.

Another every-day tale of Spanish politics . . . An ex minister accused of corruption is now said to have been gifted a luxury villa in Marbella’s Golden Mile, next door to a club de alterne VIP(i.e. an upmarket brothel.

Cosas de España

A religious organisation still powerful in Spain. A large percentage of Spanish politicians are said to be members.

Articles on getting residence in Spain:-

• How to become resident.
• Seven alternative ways now that the Golden Visa route isn’t available
• How to get the Beckham Law tax advantages as a resident – an income tax flat rate of 24% for up to six years – if you are a ‘qualified professional’.

María writes here on vaccinations. Or the lack of them.

Germany

This is an underrated city that’s full of fairy tales, it says here.

Those efficient/lazy Germans . . .

The USA

This certainly seems to be true. And possibly permanent. . . . Trump’s chaos has shattered confidence in America. The US president is unwittingly hastening the end of the dollar as the world’s only significant reserve currency.

Having said myself that Trump and his cronies seem ignorant of geopolitical realities, I naturally liked the comment that: The effects on economies and markets could be overshadowed by the geopolitical impact. Trump grossly underestimates the risks of what he is doing. I don’t think Trump has the slightest understanding of the Asian concept of ‘face’. China simply can’t concede to him. Dealing with the Chinese is a galaxy away from real estate dealing in New York. As he will find out.

True to form, Trump has created even more confusion around electronic items – making it clearer than ever that he’s never actually made or traded anything. He remains what he’s always been, a real estate bully with some insane fixations. And a genius for the performance art demanded by American voters.

Another fascinating podcast on the consequences of Trump’s mental health.

And a truly shocking one on the extent of of corruption among Trump, his family and his favoured oligarchs, raising the key question of how they can be stopped.

Russia v Ukraine

More slaughter of civilians. And defiance of Trump. Whose measure Putin surely has.

China

As anyone with the slightest knowledge of China would have predicted: We don’t back down to bullies. China steels itself for trade war with Trump.

Quotes of the Day

• For all the guff about wanting to make America wealthier, Trump doesn’t seem to understand where real wealth comes from – other than for those individuals who profit at the expense of others.
• It is difficult to imagine a post-American world. But imagine it we must.

Spanish

• Perder los papeles: To lose it, to take leave of your senses, to freak out.
• Montaña rusa: Roller-coaster

Did You Know?

In case you’ve never seen one . . . This, from last year in Pv city, is what a Semana Santa procession looks like.

You Have to Laugh

Finally . .

Something about a Netflix film partly shot in Pv city.

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 . . .
• I can also be read on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/colin.davies.752861 or on Substack at https://doncolin.substack.com/
• 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.
• Getting a mortgage in Spain: Some advice on this challenge.