Los Indianos

The biggest night of Carnival on the island is Los Indianos parade. In the 19th century the island was very poor, and many people emigrated to Cuba – the Indies. Some of them came back rich, so that the arrival of a boat from Cuba was quite an event, even though there were more boats to Latin America than to mainland Spain. So we have a pretend boatload of nouveau-riche…

February 5, 2008
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Los Indianos

Today was Los Indianos, which is usually my favourite night of Carnival. It’s the night when people dress up in white, maybe have a suitcase full of Monopoly money, and for some reason throw vast quantities of talc at each other. By vast, I mean tons. Literally tons. My son spent last night with my friends on Franceses. The plan was for them to bring him home this afternoon, then…

February 4, 2008
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The Ambassador’s Parade

Last night we had a diplomatic procession through Santa Cruz, where the representatives of any nation you care to mention graced us with their presence. And I missed it. (We had a family birthday party at midday, and I still couldn’t drive that evening.) So here are some photos from 2006.

February 3, 2008
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Money

As most people know, the local currency is Euros, just like the rest of Spain and most of Europe. Here’s a jigsaw of 200 euros. Just click on it to play.

February 2, 2008
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Carnival

The kids' carnival bus, Breña Baja, La Palma
February 2, 2008

Spain celebrates Carnival in the week before the season of Lent. I always say people are making sure they have something really juicey to repent, but these days most people just regard it as a darn good excuse for a party. It wasn’t always that way. Franco banned Carnival. It’s always been a time when people could say and do things they wouldn’t normally get away with, and perhaps he…

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A Small Rock in the Atlantic

For some time now, I’ve felt that this blog is a right dog’s breakfast. So I’ve created a new blog about the island of La Palma. The rest of the dog’s breakfast is staying here, for those who like dog’s breakfasts. Dogs, presumably. Well maybe serendipity would be a better word.

February 2, 2008
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