At
least 10 years after it became essential, the airport managment
group, AENA, has put forward a 'coordination' plan, aimed at taking
passengers from Oporto airport, for the benefit of Galicia's 3 small
and uncompetitive facilities. The headline suggestion is that taxes
be reduced, presumably those levied on the likes of Easyjet and
Ryanair. There's no hint that one or even two airports should be
closed down, so that the one remaining (Santiago) would be able to
compete effectively with Oporto. Maybe in 2023's report.
As
I sat taking a tiffin outside the Savoy Café on the edge of
Pontevedra's main square yesterday, I noted the waitresses were all
stepping over a dog lying in their way. The place being full of
Medieval Fair revellers, there was a lot of this stepping-over going
on. But the waitresses said nothing and the owner seemed oblivious to
the problem she was causing. An example of (unpunished) Spanish
inconsiderateness? Or just live-and-let-live? The only thing I know
is that I'd have been bloody annoyed at having to step over a dog
when carrying a tray of drinks. Or even empty glasses.
Every
year - it seems - the relevant Spanish ministry announces it's going
to change the schedule of driving offences and their respective
fines. The latest one introduces the 130kph limit on autovías and
zero tolerance for drug-taking. In the latter case, you'll get hit by
a 1000 euro fine for the least trace of usage. For most of us,
though, the important detail is what we'll have to pay if we exceed
the speed limit and how many points we'll lose on our licence.
Basically, there's a 300 fine for exceeding the limit by between 100%
(20 - 40) and 23% (130 - 160). And the fines rise steeply after that.
I feel safe in forecasting that revenues will rise.
Talking
of safety . . . If I've got this right, there'll also be a new law
making it illegal for cyclists not to wear a helmet in towns, but only
for the under 18s. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be anything in the
new bill about above-18 cyclists riding on the pavement like maniacs.
Nor about shooting them.
Ignoring
the LL which is pronounced as a Y, there aren't many words in Spanish
which include double letters. And when they occur - as with the
double C - they serve a function. But not in innovador.
And others I can't think of. So, how, I wonder, do they come to
exist. Are they just anomalies or did they once serve a purpose?
Talking
of language . . . A survey reports that 35% of Spaniards know nothing
of English and that the remaining 65% have the ability to speak it of
a primary school kid. Worse, the authors of the report point out that
most people lie and exaggerate their ability.
Phrase
of the Week: Insanity
is genetic. You get it from your children.
Finally
. . . A new English word - Sofalising:
Interacting with people through the internet.
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