Bit of a one-off experimental-cast this one… Books about Spain and excerpts from my book ‘Errant in Iberia‘. The other books mentioned in the podcast, Orwell’s ‘Homage to Catalonia’, ‘Voices of the Old Sea’ by Norman Lewis, and ‘South from Granada’ by Brenan, can all be found on this page at Notes from Spain’s sister website Books on Spain.
Details of the sponsored ride across India can be found here. Please consider sponsoring me if you enjoy the podcasts!
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…
A wonderful trip to Zarautz in the Basque country, where we are shown fantastic hospitality at a traditional Basque Gastronomic Society right in front of the beach… Don’t miss it!
In February 2006 I will be joining 100 other riders to cross 2,500 km of Southern India on a Royal Enfield Motorbike.
The total cost of the trip is 3,500 UK Pounds, half of which, 1750 UK Pounds, goes to charities (see link below). It is this half that I need to raise with your help, with your sponsorship. The rest of the trip, flights, accommodation, spending, etc, is paid for by me.
All the details of the trip, and how you can help by sponsoring me to raise the charity money, are here:
http://www.benjamincurtis.com/enduro_india/
Marina, my wife, says that the Spanish don’t really get the idea of sponsored charity events – I don’t know how this works in the US or other countries, but back in the UK we spent our childhoods doing sponsored walks, runs, bike rides.
The charities which benefit from the ride are:
Mother Teresa Educational and Charitable Society – Funding for literacy projects, and HIV in children awareness programs, in the Southern Indian state of Kerala.
Rainbow trust – Founded to provide respite and support at home to children with a life threatening or terminal illness and their families.
WWF – Worldwide Fund for Nature. Funding projects that benefit the well-being and survival of India’s forests, tigers and people. This charity basically gets the bikes.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can make a donation. The podcasts will always be free, and I will not be asking for money on a regular basis – maybe just a charity event like this once a year. This trip is a way of fulfilling a long-term dream for me, whilst being able to help some charities out at the same time. And of course I’ll be podcasting the trip all the way!
Saludos,
Ben
Notes from Spain by Ben Curtis 