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

Not really good news for all of us . . . Spain’s visitor numbers hit new highs, as tourists avoid the Middle East.

What!? 90% of Spaniards suffer from ‘imposter syndrome’. So are: Individuals who, despite their achievements and success, maintain a strong belief that they are not intelligent or capable and feel they have tricked others into thinking otherwise. See here. Hmm. I’m not that sure many (US)Americans suffer from this. At least, not superficially . . .

Not something to be proud of . . . 70% of the speedboats used for drug trafficking in the Strait of Gibraltar are built in Galicia and nearby north Portugal. In theory, not so hard to identify when being taken southwards by road.

Yesterday’s flea market in Pv city was junkier than ever and also saw some new traders – the Africans (Senegalese?) who normally confine their activities to street-hawking. I won’t be surprised if all genuine (licensed) stallholders abandon the event eventually. At which point the police will banish the sellers of rusty agricultural rubbish and old clothes and the process of setting up a real flea market will start again. If we’re lucky.

The process of reporting the theft of the lady’s handbag yesterday afternoon – to the national, not local, police – was as time-consuming as I’d expected. As ever, the personnel were very pleasant, if not outstandingly efficient. And the lady who compiled the denuncia even spoke enough English for the task. Which certainly wouldn’t have been the case only a few years ago. Far more foreigners in Pv city these days of course. Interestingly, the police were able to quickly identify the thief, so the real challenge now is to get her to say where she threw the 2 bags she stole in less than 10 minutes.

En passant, the unfortunate Oz lady was already very disenchanted with the ‘very overcrowded’ Camino Portugués and, understandably, hadn’t enjoyed walking through Vigo on the coastal variant from the Portugal border to Pv city. My (totally objective) recommendation is that anyone thinking of doing this Camino should choose a less-patronised option from the 40+ available to you, many of which are detailed here, in Spanish and English.

Which reminds me . . . Next year is a Holy Year, when the number of Caminoers always shoots up. So, far more than 350,000 walking through Pv city.

Portugal

Good news for those arriving at the country’s airports this summer.

Europe

I wonder if Vance and Hegseth understand that few in Europe take at all seriously their comments on how European governments should deal with immigrants. Least of all the Spanish government. In fact, few believe a word they – and their pathetic boss – say on anything. The USA is now a (very) bad joke to the vast majority of Europeans. A perception that will increase if Vance becomes president. The USA, of course, will pay a price for this, in a number of ways. How this will affect global stability is hard to say. As it always does, time will tell. This subject, for example, is getting more attention.

Meanwhile . . . This is a comment from an eminent British historian: This is a special kind of loathsomeness: a blend of historical deafness, grotesque stupidity, and comically ludicrous self-importance.

What is so visible from Europe is that the USA is being run into the ground by these imbeciles. And that they can’t be stopped. With global consequences.

The Middle East War

The latest update from Naked Capitalism. Iran fires more missiles, as Netanyahu humiliates Trump.

The United States of Trump America

A big moment. The tide is turning. You might well have seen this – Trump’s most epic meltdown, after an interviewer finally does her job and challenges his endless lies and bluster. And this is an analysis of why it happened., ending with an excellent question and advice.

A step toward the inevitable end of US dominance, helped along by Trump and US voters.

Spanish

• A gran escala: On a large/massive scale-
• Bandera: Flag. But can mean – in a political context – cause, stand, or platform.
• Mover ficha: To make a move.

Why Spanish is wonderfully ‘weird’. Well worth a viewing. [6 Ws in that line. Ironically, not many in Spanish . . .]

Did you know?

MAD magazine began in 1952 and effectively ended in 2019. For several generations of young readers, it had been a training manual in skepticism, teaching them that advertising was ridiculous, movies were ridiculous, politicians were ridiculous, TV was ridiculous, and adults were often ridiculous but with more serious expressions. Possibly helped a minority to develop critical thinking.

You Have to Laugh

The infamous Russel Brand has published a book entitled How to Become a Christian in 7 days. An unimpressed reviewer writes that: Brand ends with the comment: ‘If it comes to a choice between the Bible and this humble tone, then stop reading and chuck this out of the window’. You don’t need to have a copy of the Bible to do that.

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

The Usual Links . . .

Each of these US commentators issues at least one podcast a week, usually 2, sometimes 3. All available on Podbean and most on YouTube for free. So, take your pick. I’ve asterisked those new to me today. You should get the latest episode when you click on the link, though YouTube videos seem to come out a bit earlier:-

• The Daily Beast    Podcast or Video 
• Inside Trump’s Head* Podcast or  Video 
•  The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent Podcast 
• The Rest is Politics US Podcast or  Video 

• The DSR Network Podcast 
• The Politics Girl   Video. Amusing 

There are also the excellent late-night shows, of course. And SNL.

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 no longer post on Facebook. But I can be readon X at Thoughts from Galicia. And on Substack here

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.

Finally . . . Finally . . .

The Usual Links . . .

USA links

Each of these US commentators issues at least one podcast a week, usually 2, sometimes 3. All available on Podbean and most on YouTube for free. So, take your pick. You should get the latest episode when you click on the link, though YouTube videos seem to come out a bit earlier:-

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

There are also the excellent late-night shows, of course. And SNL.

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 X at Thoughts from Galicia. And on Substack here. I no longer post 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 there.

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