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/Galiza

Trouble in the hen-house . . . La caída de Maduro y la intervención de Trump en Venezuela abren otra grieta en la política española; La detención de Nicolás Maduro por Estados Unidos enfrenta al Gobierno, al PP y a la izquierda sobre el reconocimiento político en Caracas, el papel de la UE y el respeto al derecho internacional.

A public service – Hidden gems along the Camino de Santiago.

I don’t know what happened with the Three Kings parade in Pv city last night but, when I walked through the main square at 8, there were 3 cars parked there, each with a large crown on its roof and a richly-dressed King inside. Not long after, the 3 cars passed the café-bar in which I was taking a preprandial, with each King waving monarchically to the place’s denizens. Was the night too cold for them to brave the elements by walking, perhaps? Or had they strutted their stuff and were now en route back to the changing room.

Portugal

It’s reported that waits of several hours at Lisbon airport have led to suspension of the new EU EES system. With not-quite-so bad delays at Malaga airport, where machines failed and personnel were few. New measure due this month have raised concerns re even longer delays. But it is a ‘trial period’, of course. So, that’s OK.

The USA

Bernie Sanders tells us here how it really is.

I guess you can believe that 60% of Republicans back Trump’s invasion of Venezuela. After all, it was more than 80-90% for Hitler’s incursions into his neighbours’ lands after almost 10 years of non-stop propaganda and downright lies under a one-party state system.

I might have already posted this Guardian article . . The US seizure of Maduro has turned the world’s superpower into a rogue state. The illegal abduction of Venezuela’s president, and threat to ‘run’ his country, is a dangerous act. Its repercussions will be felt far beyond the region.

St Dickolas – Jimmy Kimmel on the weekend’s events

Russia

Naturally enough, Russia joined China and other members of the UN’s permanent council in condemning the USA for illegally invading another sovereign country. With fingers crossed behind their back, of course. And their best poker face on . . .

The Way of the World

• From a right-of-centre UK paper: We will regret the dawn of a ‘might makes right’ world.
• Trump’s raid on Venezuela will drive even more countries away from the Western system.

Spanish

• Picotazo: Peck, sting, bit, nip.
• Verdugo: Hitman, executioner. Also a river in nearby Pontecaldelas. No idea.
• Casino: A private members club, not a gambling place.

English

The word ‘tabby’ (think cats) comes from the Arabic attābī, named after al-ʿAttābīya, a neighborhood in Baghdad known for manufacturing many-coloured luxurious silk taffetas with a wavy, moiré pattern, often striped. In Frecnh, tabis and in Italian and Spanish, tabi.

Did you know?

Moiré means: 1. A watered fabric. 2. Originally, a fine textile fabric made of the hair of an Asiatic goat; afterwards, any textile fabric to which a watered appearance is given in the process of calendaring. 3. A watered clouded or frosted appearance produced upon either textile fabrics or metallic surfaces.

Finally . . .

I asked Perspective for a description of the standard female influencer’s face. This was the response:-

Female influencers often have faces described with symmetrical, idealized features like high cheekbones, full lips, and a sharp jawline. Common Traits

• Typical descriptors include a heart-shaped face, almond-shaped eyes, small neat nose, dewy glowing skin, and golden ratio proportions for an “Instagram-ready” look.
• Clean girl aesthetics emphasize fresh, hydrated skin with subtle makeup, slicked-back hair, and minimalist glow.

Descriptive Examples

• Symmetrical oval face with lush lips, chiseled jaw, and radiant complexion.
• Almond eyes, high cheekbones, and glassy, hydrated skin for effortless allure.

Which I guess they don’t look like first thing in the morning.

Reminding me of the old joke:-

• Have you ever slept with an ugly woman?
• No. But I’ve woken up with a lot.

Finally . . . Finally . . .

I once flew on Concorde, from New York to London – on business, of course – and was mistaken for the famous English conductor – Colin Davis. So, I was naturally interested in this article on the latest really fast plane.

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 . . .

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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.

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