Dawn

Dawn

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Pontevedra Pensées: 21.9.16

LIFE IN SPAIN

Spaniards themselves are wont to say that the education system here doesn't teach kids to think. Too much by rote, they insist. I thought of this yesterday when involved in this little scenario:- I'm going down into town but find the road blocked by a school bus trying to turn out of a side road. A problem has been caused by the parked cars of the parents leaving it insufficient space to turn without reversing a couple of times. There's a car in front of me and I assume the driver is as impatient as I am. The bus finally turns and drives off down the hill, to be followed by an emerging second bus. I expect the driver in front of me to quickly go on down the hill but, no, she drives into the already inadequate space, ensuring that the second bus has an even more difficult task in making the turn. And delaying me further. I rub my eyes and wonder if this is a sign of poor thinking or merely that trait - noted down the centuries - of Spanish individualismo. Me first, in other words. Or Fuck you!, in  even other words.

SPANISH SOCIETY

A Hell of a Load of Bull: Not what was planned. An expensive clash.

THE UK

The National Media: Can a once-great newspaper sink any lower? Clicking on the Daily Telegraph page yesterday evening, I found the top 3 stories on page 1 were on the divorce of the 'Hollywood Golden Couple”. By this morning, they'd belatedly reviewed their priorities and come to their senses. For now at least. No wonder Private Eye calls the paper The Daily Mailgraph.

ELSEWHERE

The bombing of the UN convoy: Would you like to know what Moscow's reaction is to the claim that Russia was behind this? Well, click here for the line that The UN is backing off from its claim the convoy was bombed. This, of course, is just one of the disingenuously implausible retorts to have come out of Moscow so far. Understandable, once you realise the Russians think the public is stupidly gullible. The RT TV News headlines are, of course, about US domestic problems. As ever. Nothing happens in Russia, as far as they're concerned. Unless it has to do with Putin.

LOCAL AND DOMESTIC STUFF

Here's a couple of fotos on display at the opening of the NASA beer factory on Saturday:-

This one is of the 3 principals:-


And this one is a fascinating chart of types of beers. I was surprised not to be able to find any Australian examples on it . . .


Camino walks: I did another yesterday – from Pontevedra northwards to Caldas de Réis. About 15km. As usual, I gained weight. Mystifying. As was this sign at the entrance to a village. It means what it seems to: The Castrated Guy.


FINALLY . . .

Islamic Dress: A researcher on Islamic and Arab culture researcher at Valencia at University says: Many Muslim women wear a hijab through personal choice. For them, it's a sign of freedom of expression rather than oppression. But this is misunderstood in Europe. I'm sure she's right. They're free to walk a metre behind their husbands as well. Or stay in the kitchen when his friends come round. The researcher adds that: Spain's widespread opposition to Islamic headgear is largely based upon feminism – believing that women should not be 'forced by men to cover up against their will' – but this is erroneous and born of ignorance. Well, maybe.

Cabo: This is a Spanish word which can, confusingly, mean:
  • Cape (as in of Good Hope)
  • Corporal/Sergeant
  • End
  • Stub
  • Strand/Thread
  • Line
  • Handle/Grip
So, good luck with it when you come across it.

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