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

Fires hit the Camino Francés and the Camino de Invierno. Note: Astorga and Ponferrada are not in the Picos de Europa. These are further north, in Cantabria. And, as far as I’m aware, the Camino Inglés is not threatened. Otherwise, very accurate . . .

Tourism in Andalucía keeps soaring despite sky-high prices . . . While the domestic market has been in decline, international tourists have come to the rescue. “If it weren’t for foreigners, the situation could have looked pretty grim as Spaniards are tightening their belts,” says a travel consultant, citing rising prices as the culprit. But flights are packed, with Malaga and Sevilla airports seeing record-breaking arrivals. The increase in American and Portuguese tourists has particularly helped fill hotel rooms, with Brits maintaining steady numbers.

Be warned . . .Well-intentioned British politeness often backfires spectacularly when visiting Spain. What might sound respectful in English can actually come across as confusing, overly complicated, or even sarcastic when translated into Spanish. . . . Spanish culture operates on a completely different politeness system from Britain. [I’ll say!] While Brits soften requests with phrases like “I’m terribly sorry to bother you” or “Would it be at all possible”, Spanish speakers prefer clear, direct communication. In Spain, being direct is respectful, not rude. When you ask for something clearly and simply, you’re showing consideration for the other person’s time.  [Hmm. Respect for others’ time. Not sure I’d see that as an outstanding Spanish quality. Still less for their ears . . .]

Cousas de Galiza

50,500 hectares – Ourense now has the 3 largest fires in Galicia’s history: Yesterday, there were a dozen out-of-control fires in Galicia, but the 3 largest were the ones that most concerned authorities due to their virulence and the areas they affected. The Larouco fire, with 18,000 hectares, surpassed the number of hectares burned in Chandrexa de Queixa (17,500 hectares), becoming the most devastating in the history of the region since records began. Ten percent of Ourense province is now ash. During the extinguishing efforts, in which Army units are participating, 4 more firefighters were injured, one of them with serious burns.

Six firefighters have died across Iberia, as Spain and Portugal grapple with these and other devastating wildfires.

I drove past the public Caminoers’ hostel (albergue) today, where more than a hundred of them were waiting for it to open at 13.30. And then clocked hordes of them walking past the railway station into town. I can’t explain why this still astonishes me, unless it’s the stark comparison with how the Camino was back in 2009, when I did the first of several enjoyed in far less company.

For the past 2 weeks, I’ve taken my sister to Mass each day, meaning I’ve had to get closer to the city than I usually do, using the ring road. And I’ve realised that there’s one great plus arising from the universal habit of Galician/Spanish drivers to use only the right hand (outer) lane of every roundabout, even when there are large arrows on the road indicating that you can use the inner lane to either turn left or go straight ahead. . . . For, when there’s a long stretch of road with several roundabouts on it, said habit means the left-hand lane will always be empty. So, you can piss past a very long line of almost stationary cars, whether you’re turning left or going straight on. But you do have to remain alert to the fact that some of the cars on your right will be turning left across you, usually without signalling.

THE USA and THE MAGA REALITY TV SHOW

Trumpisms

• I believe Vladimir Putin wants to see the war end. He wants to make a deal for me. I think he wants to end it for me. [It’s all about him]
• I used to get great publicity. Now I get the worst publicity anyone’s ever gotten in office! [I imagine that, even if he ever asked himself Why, he’d be incapable of answering correctly. And no one around him will ever speak truth to power.]
• I know Putin and I know myself. [Some folk would argue that both sentiments could not be further from the truth.]
• I thought this was going to be an easy war to stop but it turns out to be one of the most difficult. [For which he never blames Putin, of course]
• No other country uses mail-in votes. [A outright lie, of course. 35 countries do so]
• An exemplary post, from a very sick man with enormous power – seen by some as massive projection:-

Trump uses the high-stakes Ukraine meeting as a pity party.

A longish profile of Pam Bondi, Trump’s Attorney General and the sycophants’ sycophant. Ironically, from a Democrat family.

Quotes of the Day

As Trump is tightening his grip on power, he’s losing his grip on reality.

Russia v Ukraine

Trump really wants a ceasefire. And then he doesn’t, after he’s failed to achieve it. .

Spanish

• Melenudo: Hairy, long-haired. Hippy.
• Predicamento: Predicament. Prestige, standing.
• Fito: Phyto (related to plants).
• Especisto: Species-ist. So . . .
• Fito especisto: A lettuce hater, for example.

English

• Jacked: 1. Physically or mentally stimulated from the effects of a drug or stimulant. 2. Having very well-developed muscles.
• Ripped: No. 2 of those.

You Have to Laugh. Or csry

I pass a little cul-de-sac near my house several times a day. There’s always at least one car parked like this one is – facing the ‘wrong’ direction. For which I was fined €100 a few months ago.

Clearly no one in the street has ever been fined, possibly because it’s off the beaten track of the patrol cars/motor-bikes. Or they’re all relatives of the Poio mayor.

Finally . . .

It was my turn to trip, fall over and be besieged by helpful locals today. And this mini-bollard was the culprit, which I failed to see, as I rushed to get the card of a disappearing taxi driver:-

So, another pair of lightweight trousers ripped and a grazed knee. But at least no broken bones. I suspect my Spanish expletives shocked at least one of my helpers.

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.

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.

If you´re thinking of moving to Spain, this link should be useful to you.