The Art Of Seduction - Salvador Dalí Style

Here's a tip for any male having difficulty with the opposite sex... it is a quote from Luis Buñuel describing Salvador Dalí's style of seduction:

"Salvador Dali seduced many ladies, particularly American ladies, but these seductions usually consisted of stripping them naked in his apartment, frying a couple of eggs, putting them on the woman's shoulders and, without a word, showing them the door."

Could be effective boys, but watch out for salmonella.

Bluefish Attack at Alicante Beach

Bluefish Attack at Alicante Beach

San Juan Beach in Alicante is closed today following a bluefish attack on a seven year old girl earlier in the week.

The girl was bitten on the hand and wrist (quite seriously it seems) and was rushed to Alicante's Hospital General, where it was thought she may have been the bitten by a shark. This theory was dismissed after doctors consulted with "marine experts" who suggested that a Bluefish was the culprit.

So what is a Bluefish? Wikipedia describes it thus:

"Bluefish are voracious, predatory fish [...] they should be handled with care due to their ability to snap at an unwary hand."

Bluefish attacks on people in open water are extremely rare... indeed I've never heard of a Bluefish before let alone a Bluefish attack. I guess it's another thing for me to worry about when I go swimming in the sea - I grew up in the Jaws era!

Anyhow, on a related subject, I came across an article about diving in Spain earlier today while researching diving holidays in Tenerife. It might be worth a look if that floats your boat (or sinks it I suppose).

The Spanish Civil War

I had intended to make this post to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Spanish Civil War.

For those of you that speak Spanish, there is a very interesting series of interviews on the el Mundo website highlighting the experiences of several people who lived through it. You can find the interviews here: La Guerra Civil Española.

If you are interested in reading an overview of the key events of the war, there is a potted history on our main website here: Spanish Civil War.

Many Spanish films have been set in (or revolve around) the Spanish Civil War. Such films can help to provide us with an insight into this incredibly important time in Spanish (and world) history. Below are a few of my favourites:

Vacas
Belle Epoque
El Espíritu de la Colmena
El Espinazo del Diablo

For non-Spanish speakers, Land and Freedom (directed by Ken Loach) is a very good introduction to this complicated period in Spain, not to mention a worthy and moving film in its own right.

Costa Tropical Suffering From Urban Speculation

The Costa Tropical, in the province of Granada, is suffering from too much construction says Greenpeace. According to the environmental group, towns and villages such as Almuñecar, Salobreña and Motril are the most worrying examples of such "urban speculation".

Greenpeace cites Almuñecar as being the worst case. It currently has a population of 23,000 but plans have been approved to build a staggering 28,000 new homes in this relatively small town. I’ll say that again…. 28,000! On top of this a further 6,000 new hotel rooms, 4 golf courses and 2 marinas have also been approved.

Just what the current residents need!

I guess there are two main impacts as a consequence of this. Firstly, the human impact: a potentially large influx of European house buyers who may not contribute to the culture of these developing towns. Secondly, the environmental impact: the destruction of land and subsequent disappearance of natural space, increased requirement for fresh water (not to mention water for nice greens to putt on) and increased problems with sewage and pollution and its effect on wildlife, agriculture and fishing.

I’m no Luddite (I’m certainly not against development to improve depressed areas), but I suspect that the approval of plans for mass development such as this has little to do with improving a depressed area and more to do with lining the (possibly already fat) pockets of one or two individuals….. who I suspect do not live in towns under proposal for development.

Sex Change Operations To Be Made Free in Aragon

Sex Change Operations To Be Made Free in Aragon

The Aragon Health Service (Servicio Aragonés de Salud) looks set to pay for sex change operations following a ruling made by the Aragonese Parliament following a motion from the Chunta Aragonesista (a regionalist, social democratic party from Aragon).

The cost of such an operation is between €12,000- €25,000: therefore out of reach for most people who want it. Aragon will be picking up the cost of all stages of treatment (hormone treatment, psychlogiocal evaluation, actual surgery) should the recipient meet certain criteria after several consultations and evaluations.

Currently, only two other regions in Spain offer such financial aid. The Governments of Andalusia and Extremadura finance sex change treatment at the Carlos Haya Hospital in Malaga for transsexual residents of these two regions of Spain.

Fairly progressive don't you think?

Flights to Spain Hit By Strike Action

Flights to Spain Hit By Strike Action

A strike has been called by the pilot's union SEPLA (Sindicato Español de Pilotos de Líneas Aéreas) beginning today, Monday 10th July, in protest of Iberia Airlines investment in CATair (a low cost airline), which many pilots fear will lead to job cuts. The strike action is set to last for a week, during which time 240 flights will likely be cancelled each day, costing Iberia a whopping €35m. Sadly, many hundreds of unlucky passengers will affected.

My heart goes out to all those poor souls who have waited many months perhaps to go on holiday. However, my heart also goes out to anybody who works in an environment of uncertainty where profits come before people.

Juan de Ávalos Has Died

Juan de Ávalos Has Died

A name that will probably not mean that much to many people but Juan de Ávalos was the sculptor responsible for the huge figures in the tomb of General Francisco Franco at el Valle de los Caídos (the Valley of the Fallen).

Franco claimed that el Valle de los Caídos was built as a monument to all those who fell during the Spanish Civil War. The reality is that it was more likely built to commemorate those who died in support of Franco during the Spanish Civil War and to commemorate Franco's triumph over the Republicans. In this light, it isn't really a monument to all those who fell during the war but a monument to Franco himself.

Juan de Ávalos suffered some ignominy throughout his life as a supporter of Franco when was he was actually an active member of the socialist party. Prior to beginning work on the sculptures at the monument he was summoned to Franco's "court" for an audience with "el Caudillo". Years later Ávalos said "I was a little shocked. Why did I have to go and see him? A decent person like me who had not killed anyone?"

Don Ávalos was 94.

The Fiesta de San Fermín Starts With Six Injuries!

The Fiesta de San Fermín Starts With Six Injuries!

Okay I guess San Fermín may have been a little upset: Six people have been injured at the first running of the bulls. Without wishing to get too gory, three unlucky individuals have been quite seriously hurt (one was gored badly, one received a serious head trauma and the other suffered a serious chest contusion). The other three unfortunates all suffered less serious wounds.

Surely there must be less dangerous pursuits on offer in Navarre!

The Fiesta de San Fermín

The Fiesta de San Fermín

Today sees the start of the famous Fiesta de San Fermín (the festival which sees hundreds of ardent Iberians and several boozy foreigners legging it infront of dozens of angry bulls throughout the city of Pamplona in the Spanish region of Navarre.

It appears that Javier Eskubi (the councillor of Aralar) who initiated this year’s festivities in Pamplona has caused a religious storm, by declaring "Viva la Fiesta de San Fermín" (Long live the San Fermín Fiesta ) instead of the traditional "Viva San Fermín" (long live San Fermín).

The mayor of Pamplona, Yolanda Barcina, took the microphone shortly afterwards and attempted to right Councillor Euskubi’s error by correctly celebrating the saint whose name has been given to the famous fiesta!

The actual bull running begins on Friday 7th July (tomorrow) so let’s hope San Fermín does not take offence and protects all those brave enough (or drunk enough) to take part in the main event!