Dawn

Dawn

Friday, March 25, 2005

The President of the Malaga federation of businessmen has suggested that the recent police operation against money laundering there – and the arrest of several leading lawyers – is nothing but a smokescreen designed to distract attention from ‘the government’s political problems in Catalunia’. Perhaps this sort of announcement plays better in Andalucia than in Madrid. Or even here in Galicia.

The final procession of Easter Week tonight was, as one might expect, a sombre occasion. And one watched in eerie silence. Until, that is, a young girl screamed ‘Grandma! Grandma!’ at one of the participants and was immediately stifled by three relatives. Just one would have been enough for this to have been the first time I have ever seen a Spanish kid being told to be quiet. Clearly, there’s something to be said for religious fervour.

Talking of money, it seems that more than 25% of all Europe’s 500 Euro notes are circulating in Spain. This is odd as no company uses notes of this size for salary payments and the vast majority of Spaniards have never even seen a 500 Euro note. Perhaps they’re all down on the south coast.

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