Yahoo joins the podcasting world with a brand new directory. I think when all this started a year or so ago a lot of people thought that podcasting wouldn’t be around for long, but new directories from big players like Yahoo and Apple have shown that this new media phenomenon is going from strength to strength. As I’ve always said, if you enjoy the Notes from Spain podcasts, then there’s a very good chance that you too should be producing your own. So, go on, give it a go!
The biggest news in Spain this week is the onslaught (El Mundo graphic) on the North African Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla by thousands of African immigrants desperate to start a new life in Europe. Six were shot in the early hours of Thursday by Moroccan police who claim they fired in self-defence.
Spiegel reports that “Ceuta and Melilla are particularly attractive to migrants because Spanish law requires refugees to be released from detention after 40 days if they are unable to return to their country of origin. Since most African countries refuse to take them back, they are released into Spanish society”, and continues, “To keep the Africans from reaching Spain, Madrid now wants to build a third and even higher fence at Melilla.”
Evidently more fences are not going to make any difference and this is a situation that is only going to escalate. The problem is clearly related to appalling economic and political conditions in Africa, and what on earth can be done about that? More to the point, when are the powers that be going to start seriously trying to do something about that? Yes, happy G8 guys, that means you!
I was interviewed about the podcasts today on La Ventana, for Spain’s Cadena Ser radio station. Click here to listen.
It is slightly nerve-wracking being telephone-interviewed on the Radio in another Language, especially when your wife has spent all week telling you it’s the biggest afternoon show in the country! ¡Madre mia!
An evening eating in the mouth-watering pintxo bars in San Sebastian, one of my favourite cities in Spain. Pintxos are the Basque version of tapas, and one of the most refined and enjoyable culinary experiences on the Iberian Peninsular. Don’t miss out on San Sebastian on your next trip to Spain…
This morning at 10.56 there was a total solar anular eclipse over Madrid, leaving just a ring of sunlight poking out from behind the moon. Still impossible to look at with the naked eye, but sungalsses over the camera lense made these shots possible. The sky darkened a little, a bit like dusk on a summer’s day. Very bizarre to behold.
The Retiro Park, Madrid, this afternoon. Click here for more photos from the park and last week’s trip to the Basque country.
Just look at that water! This is Cala Saona in Formentera. One of the few crowded beaches on the Island but stunning none the less. The fisherman’s shacks on the left still hold working boats that are pulled up out of the water after every use.
Formentera is said to be in a magic triangle that also includes Ibiza. I’m not usually convinced by that sort of thing but the Island does have an amazing calming effect that I can still feel over a month later. Can’t wait to return…
Notes from Spain by Ben Curtis 