Month: July 2005

The “We’re not afraid” website is a great idea. Apparently there has been irritation amongst some Spaniards about the fact that the English have not been more emotional in response to the London bombs. After the march 11th attacks here last year over 1,000,000 people took to the streets of Madrid two days later, whereas Londoners just knuckle down and get on with real life again. Both responses are equally valid in my opinion.

One thing that I think we should not forget when we are shocked and repulsed by attacks like this in the west: Attacks on this scale are almost a DAILY occurence in Iraq. Imagine living with that…

What a wonderful city, and only around 1.30 hrs from Madrid on the wonderful AVE high speed train. Such a world away from the capital – quiet streets, a real siesta city, a new kind of 40 degree heat, flamenco festivals, incredible monuments, amaaaaazing food – another racion de salmorejo please!

And, a place where around 1000 years ago Judaism, Islam and Christianity all lived peacefully together in one place… it’s a different world today. Well, a podcast coming very soon from Cordoba. Not sure how it’s going to turn out, this travel-cast business is a whole new kettle of fish.

What the hell are we going to do about this. Governments need to start thinking now about how to avoid this happening again, and again. Horrible shades of March 11th bombs here in Madrid, the same feelings of shock and revulsion for me. What are we going to do?

Wow. We all thought it would be Paris. The first comment by most Spaniards was, obviously, how much did London pay to get that? And what on earth to the French think? Well it certainly provides a lot more fuel for their English-hating fire. Oh well, as my friend Rafe pointed out, at least we will be spared seven years of non-stop public works. Practically every street in the city has been taken apart in preparation for the Olympic bid – goodness knows what would happen if they had actually won… They might have tried to rebuild whole sections of the city from scratch.

Still, it’s a shame, I was looking forward to an Olympic Madrid. I still think it should have been Paris….

Will we (Madrid) get the Olympics? Today’s the big day – my money, unfortunately, is on Paris…. Watch this space!

… go and see War of the Worlds at the cinema. It’s crap. Good first half hour, then crap – Independence Day was much better. You have been warned!

And here it is in American – Happy Independence Day!

And look at the temp. now, 31/89 degrees, at 11 p.m. – ouch!