I was wrong about one aspect of yesterday's events in Arenys, and it does change the tone of the entire event.
The Catalans got the permission for the referendum first, and then the falanges chose to come and march.
Less menacing it seems to me.
It went off very peacefully....music, festa festa festa.
41% voter turnout. 6% more than for the European Parliamentary elections.
96% voted for independence.
Very peaceful.
Only 50 falanges showed up (400 mossos showed up though).
Nice.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Arenys de Munt
You probably don't know who the Falanges are, but they are fascists. Spanish fascists. Franco's party.
They are alive and well and demonstrating here in Catalonia. Coming in by bus.
Lovely.
Seems they decided that they wanted to come to Catalonia to tell the people here what they think of their language, culture and beliefs.
They don't think they should exist. Just letting you know.
They came here rather than the Basque region presumably because they are afraid of the Basques.
Catalans are planning to have bands playing, a festa...music maybe even bouncy castles...who knows.
(Let's hope Eta doesn't show up)
The really historically amazing part of it all though is that the Catalans in that town, Arenys, got permission for the first ever referendum (symbolic, it contains no real power) to vote that Catalonia has the right to be independent, democratic and socially integrated in the European Union. The right to separate from Spain.
Organisors in Arenys have had police protection for the last fifteen days as a results of threats they have received.
Nice.
400 Mossos are scheduled to arrive there. The town has a population of about 8,000. These are the same cops that were beating up students and bystanders along with causing the riots in BCN last spring at and near the University.
Nice.
The falanges are going to march wearing the uniforms they wore from the civil war. That'll make all the older folks really comfie.
Nice.
The really alarming thing about the falanges is that they are not just a bunch of right-wing skinhead disenfranchised yahoos....though there are some of them as well, there are lots of folks in suits with minivans.
Nice.
I declined the opportunity to go and watch. I was actually tempted. History literally in the making. All too often history is not all that pleasant when it is being made.
More later.
They are alive and well and demonstrating here in Catalonia. Coming in by bus.
Lovely.
Seems they decided that they wanted to come to Catalonia to tell the people here what they think of their language, culture and beliefs.
They don't think they should exist. Just letting you know.
They came here rather than the Basque region presumably because they are afraid of the Basques.
Catalans are planning to have bands playing, a festa...music maybe even bouncy castles...who knows.
(Let's hope Eta doesn't show up)
The really historically amazing part of it all though is that the Catalans in that town, Arenys, got permission for the first ever referendum (symbolic, it contains no real power) to vote that Catalonia has the right to be independent, democratic and socially integrated in the European Union. The right to separate from Spain.
Organisors in Arenys have had police protection for the last fifteen days as a results of threats they have received.
Nice.
400 Mossos are scheduled to arrive there. The town has a population of about 8,000. These are the same cops that were beating up students and bystanders along with causing the riots in BCN last spring at and near the University.
Nice.
The falanges are going to march wearing the uniforms they wore from the civil war. That'll make all the older folks really comfie.
Nice.
The really alarming thing about the falanges is that they are not just a bunch of right-wing skinhead disenfranchised yahoos....though there are some of them as well, there are lots of folks in suits with minivans.
Nice.
I declined the opportunity to go and watch. I was actually tempted. History literally in the making. All too often history is not all that pleasant when it is being made.
More later.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Kitchens
The man and I went down to the house again today...it was good we went together, we had a chance to talk things over without interruptions. I had been trying to solve the kitchen puzzle, and had to go over and see it...too visual....I need to actually see the space....
Getting going with it...Geez it is slow and the man doesn't love talking about it....
Ho hum
I might just add that I am in a PURGING mood!
Too bad we aren't going to be able to move into the house for a while...we need a roof that stays up if nothing else. Must continue on the hunt for an architect. The first one was slow, patronising and does little design work (???), the second the man didn't like...she of the quote for less than a year. Not good with communication, nor with providing info, asked some folks with a lovely house for their architect's name....great...only speaks Spanish.
Ho hum.
Still looking.
When we aren't in BCN seeing the Kees Van Dongen exhibit at the Picasso Museum.
Sweet.
....later...I found these great photo resources for kitchens...I got so tired of the Architectural Digest type giant semi-professional kitches. They're so...shiny. Check out here for Historic Ontario Kitchens, and here for a flickr group of world kitchens.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want THOSE kitchens...but something a little less shiny would suit the house better.
I'd say that more than two thirds of the world's population uses their dirt floor as the major work surface in their kitchen.
Getting going with it...Geez it is slow and the man doesn't love talking about it....
Ho hum
I might just add that I am in a PURGING mood!
Too bad we aren't going to be able to move into the house for a while...we need a roof that stays up if nothing else. Must continue on the hunt for an architect. The first one was slow, patronising and does little design work (???), the second the man didn't like...she of the quote for less than a year. Not good with communication, nor with providing info, asked some folks with a lovely house for their architect's name....great...only speaks Spanish.
Ho hum.
Still looking.
When we aren't in BCN seeing the Kees Van Dongen exhibit at the Picasso Museum.
Sweet.
....later...I found these great photo resources for kitchens...I got so tired of the Architectural Digest type giant semi-professional kitches. They're so...shiny. Check out here for Historic Ontario Kitchens, and here for a flickr group of world kitchens.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want THOSE kitchens...but something a little less shiny would suit the house better.
I'd say that more than two thirds of the world's population uses their dirt floor as the major work surface in their kitchen.
Friday, September 11, 2009
puff the magic dragon
The new neighbours downstairs are growing marijuana on our terrace.
Hm.
See:
I am not a happy camper. Youngest and her friends were playing up there when I discovered it. The Catalan kids recognised what it was....now there's a fun conversation to try to have with their parents....
There was a note to say that if it bothered us we should knock on our downstairs neighbours door.
I have now met one of my new neighbours. Said it was a "friend's".
Yeah, sure.
Ho hum
The Catalans would say that "tinc ganes de translladar-me a la casa nova." I am hungry to move to the new house.
Deal closes next Friday.
Hm.
See:
I am not a happy camper. Youngest and her friends were playing up there when I discovered it. The Catalan kids recognised what it was....now there's a fun conversation to try to have with their parents....
There was a note to say that if it bothered us we should knock on our downstairs neighbours door.
I have now met one of my new neighbours. Said it was a "friend's".
Yeah, sure.
Ho hum
The Catalans would say that "tinc ganes de translladar-me a la casa nova." I am hungry to move to the new house.
Deal closes next Friday.
Tea
Tea...
I love coffee in Spanish or Arabic speaking nations...
Tea is my normal morning hit. I love it, and the kids know I need it. If I am being particularly cranky in the morning they will even ask if I have had some.
I haven't had any tea all week.
Till today. *squeal*
Went into BCN yesterday to my favourite tea and coffee vendor and got three different types, a lapsang souchong....LOVE that, Bengal Fire, which is a chai, and an organic Earl Grey loaded with Bergmot.
Lapsang is steeping as I write and I am so utterly happy to be able to have some of this deliciousness to start my morning. Should have gone to the bakery for fresh bread as well.
I love living here.
I love coffee in Spanish or Arabic speaking nations...
Tea is my normal morning hit. I love it, and the kids know I need it. If I am being particularly cranky in the morning they will even ask if I have had some.
I haven't had any tea all week.
Till today. *squeal*
Went into BCN yesterday to my favourite tea and coffee vendor and got three different types, a lapsang souchong....LOVE that, Bengal Fire, which is a chai, and an organic Earl Grey loaded with Bergmot.
Lapsang is steeping as I write and I am so utterly happy to be able to have some of this deliciousness to start my morning. Should have gone to the bakery for fresh bread as well.
I love living here.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Who bought that for you anyway?
Chuck's leishmania seems to be surfacing again. Sucks.
We may have to go back to giving him needles again.
Ah well.
Went into BCN with the girls today, and as we were sitting outside of MACBA watching the skater kids and the tourists and everyone else going by...and eating sandwiches from THE BEST bakery in BCN, this guy goes by. He wasn't all that big, probably about 5'6"...about 18 or 19 years old, and he was wearing the BIGGEST t-shirt and the biggest baggy *ss pants you ever did see...kinda like this stuff. Anyway, hip buddy goes "swishing and flapping" past us as Eldest puts it, and she chews and ponders for a moment or two, then announces that some folks in those kinds of clothes simply look like someone put them through the hot cycle. You know, used to be 6 foot 7, but OOOOOPs, washed that boy in hot water, and now look at him.
So true.
Teenage boys; cold wash only.
We may have to go back to giving him needles again.
Ah well.
Went into BCN with the girls today, and as we were sitting outside of MACBA watching the skater kids and the tourists and everyone else going by...and eating sandwiches from THE BEST bakery in BCN, this guy goes by. He wasn't all that big, probably about 5'6"...about 18 or 19 years old, and he was wearing the BIGGEST t-shirt and the biggest baggy *ss pants you ever did see...kinda like this stuff. Anyway, hip buddy goes "swishing and flapping" past us as Eldest puts it, and she chews and ponders for a moment or two, then announces that some folks in those kinds of clothes simply look like someone put them through the hot cycle. You know, used to be 6 foot 7, but OOOOOPs, washed that boy in hot water, and now look at him.
So true.
Teenage boys; cold wash only.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Buying property in Spain.
One of the weird things about buying a house here is how utterly unprotected you are. In Canada you have your own agent who looks after your interests and makes sure everything is in order. On top of that you need to have your own lawyer who looks over it all again.
Here?
Nothing.
There is only a selling agent, who is looking after his interests, and to some extent the clients. If you are getting a mortgage they do some research to guard their interest, and to some extent yours, and then there is the notary public who guards the government's interest, and to some extent yours.
We have a lawyer.
There are enough aspects of this to be a little hairy.
Another odd thing, though this is because it is a village I think, we already have a key to the house. Weird, no?
The bathroom-in-the-garden smelled bad when we went in today. It hasn't been used.
Ho hum.
Can I also just say that people who go on and on and on and on and freaking on at meetings are a drag. When they are doing it at a quarter to midnight it is intolerable.
On a good note, the money arrived from Canada! Yipee and a big sigh of relief.
Here?
Nothing.
There is only a selling agent, who is looking after his interests, and to some extent the clients. If you are getting a mortgage they do some research to guard their interest, and to some extent yours, and then there is the notary public who guards the government's interest, and to some extent yours.
We have a lawyer.
There are enough aspects of this to be a little hairy.
Another odd thing, though this is because it is a village I think, we already have a key to the house. Weird, no?
The bathroom-in-the-garden smelled bad when we went in today. It hasn't been used.
Ho hum.
Can I also just say that people who go on and on and on and on and freaking on at meetings are a drag. When they are doing it at a quarter to midnight it is intolerable.
On a good note, the money arrived from Canada! Yipee and a big sigh of relief.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The toilet
The older houses here used to have an outhouse out back. Literally, a plank with a hole in it, and once a year it would be emptied out, usually by a farmer who paid for the honour of carrying your crap fertilizer out through your house, bucket by drippy bucketful....
Seems that ten years ago when they built the new toilet over the privy the house used to have they didn't bother to empty it first.
A good heads up, or rather down, from a neighbour!
Seems that ten years ago when they built the new toilet over the privy the house used to have they didn't bother to empty it first.
A good heads up, or rather down, from a neighbour!
Met with an architect
Well, actually not an architect, a "technic" from his office, a skilled minion I guess you could put it.
Most of the visit was fairly predictable, show her around, find out what she has to say....blah blah blah....asked how long the reno would take.
"Less than a year"
Say what???
To replace the roof, put in a bathroom, run electricity and some gas????
We're talking 6 weeks MAX....(plus the inevitable overruns)
HUH?!?!?!?
I forsee rude comments about Spanish workmen.
Lots of them.
Most of the visit was fairly predictable, show her around, find out what she has to say....blah blah blah....asked how long the reno would take.
"Less than a year"
Say what???
To replace the roof, put in a bathroom, run electricity and some gas????
We're talking 6 weeks MAX....(plus the inevitable overruns)
HUH?!?!?!?
I forsee rude comments about Spanish workmen.
Lots of them.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Summer's over...
We're home, back in Spain. Flight was OK, good in fact, and we are staggering around fairly jetlagged, but good.
Love my local corner store, we had popets, baby octopus, with stuffed squid heads and ailloli for lunch.
cold beer for the man.
Going to the local bar for dinner.
Can't decide if unpacking is more like Christmas or a chore. We bring stuff back so that is fun, but there is no surprise, and there is the putting it back.....
Off to walk his Chuckiness. You shoulda heard him whining in the airport to get out of the box.
Like a cat in heat.
More later,
Cheers,
O
Love my local corner store, we had popets, baby octopus, with stuffed squid heads and ailloli for lunch.
cold beer for the man.
Going to the local bar for dinner.
Can't decide if unpacking is more like Christmas or a chore. We bring stuff back so that is fun, but there is no surprise, and there is the putting it back.....
Off to walk his Chuckiness. You shoulda heard him whining in the airport to get out of the box.
Like a cat in heat.
More later,
Cheers,
O
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