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

The Galician Xunta is offering 2,476 jobs in nursing and ‘general services’. Exams (oposiciones) for these take place next month, for which 17,000 applicants have been registered. A ratio of almost 7 to 1. Higher, if applications were limited to 17,000.

Both the North of Spain and Portugal have many castros – hill dwellings generally believed to be Celtic in origin. BUT: How “Celtic” are they? Many features link the castros to the wider Celtic world, especially the Atlantic and Hallstatt/La Tène horizons. However, the Galician Castro culture grew out of Atlantic Bronze Age communities. So, it’s a mix of indigenous Iberian traditions with varying degrees of Celtic influence, rather than a simple copy of Central European Celts. Some scholars [though very few Galicians] are cautious about applying the label ‘Celtic’ to everything pre-Roman.in Northern Spain.

Levels of cocaine use in Pv city are more the double the European average. Possibly a reflection of how much of the stuff comes into our bays and inlets. Contributing significantly to the local economy.

In support of my Ferrol friend’s view that only stupid folk get hit on crossings, a woman was hit on one by a competitor in a bike race in La Coruña. She’d removed the barrier to get on to it . . .

Europe

The French are reported to be the most pessimistic country in Europe as regards their future. Plus ça change? The Brits might now be a close second.

The Middle East War

The latest update from Naked Capitalism.

The United States of Trump USA

It’s been said that, given time, we all become caricatures of ourselves. Given how much of a caricature Trump was 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years ago, it should surprise no one how he is now. Which is what this video is all about. And the implications thereof. The podcast of it here, if you prefer that format.

Trump has been right about one thing – It’s another Golden Age for the USA. Though not in the way he meant. See here

J D Vance gave a speech yesterday to a huge stadium that was c.90% empty. And was heckled by some of the few present. I think I’d have booed the illogical references to god being on the side of the US military. Does Vance not understand that some Muslims think god is on their side when they kill Christians who share Vance’s god? In the past, both Christians and Muslims used to attribute defeat to god’s anger with them. Does Vance still believe this? One thing is clear – Vance, like his insane boss – has no idea what motivates Iranians. And his (alleged) support of ‘Trumpian-style bargains’ tells you exactly why he can’t negotiate with Iran. Or many other countries/cultures, where money is not worshipped. Is Vance really so dumb he doesn’t get why Iran will never trust Trump or his arrogant ‘negotiators’?

Relevant podcasts/YouTube videos

• The Daily Beast Podcast/Video
• Inside Trump’s Head Podcast/Video
• The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent Podcast
• The Rest is Politics US Podcast/Video
• The DSR Network Podcast
• The Politics Girl Video. Amusing
• The Daily Show Video. Very amusing

The Way of the World

Has the Iran war created new geopolitical reality?

Spanish

• Hurto: Theft
• Atragantar: To choke
• Atrincherar: To entrench

English

Non-college whites: US euphemism for ‘working class’. Once a major voting cohort for Trump

Did you know about?

Bizarre hidden foto subjects.

You Have to Laugh

Another uncomfortable Finn . . .

Finally . . .

An interesting table of male/female percentages in the largest countries.

Excluding special case (one-child) China, the standout is Russia. Alcohol, war fatalities and conscription-avoiding emigration?

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

The Usual Links . . .

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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.

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