Archive for January, 2008
Thursday, January 31st, 2008
Madrid
Another year, another FITUR - Fería Internacional de TurÃsmo, that is. This is an event that brings together 180 countries from around the world. The colours, sounds, aromas and flavours that are mixing at Madrid's macro trade fair facilities are exciting, inspiring and almost overwhelming.
Not surprisingly, Spain has an overpowering ...
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, January 28th, 2008
SOS in this case is not a cry for help, but rather a brand of rice.
Anyone who has lived here long enough to search for rice at a Spanish supermarket will know that SOS (say "sos" to rhyme with "toast") is a favourite brand of rice "Made in Spain" - ...
Posted in Food | No Comments »
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
Still on the subject of traffic and driving in Andalucia, I must let everyone know that as of this week the Guardia Civil patrol cars are to be equipped with a computer that gives them instant access to information about whether or not a vehicle is properly insured.
Millions of uninsured ...
Posted in Driving | No Comments »
Monday, January 21st, 2008
Is it just me - or has driving on Andalucian roads actually improved over the past ten years?
Yes, I know that accident statistics are improving. But every time I see someone make an illegal pass, I wonder if people are really a bit more careful than they used to be ...
Posted in Driving | No Comments »
Thursday, January 17th, 2008
Earlier this week I spent half of one intriguing night at the local emergency room. Fortunately, for once, I didn't have to worry about whether or not I was guilty of abusing the regional healthcare system.
My youngest child had Chicken Pox and the doctor at the local health clinic feared ...
Posted in Healthcare, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, January 14th, 2008
Listen up everybody. Our regional blood banks are calling for donors to provide lifegiving blood after a holiday season that traditionally drains the accounts - due to traffic accidents among other things.
Every province throughout Andalucia has centres for donating blood, as well as mobile donation centres that make regular stops ...
Posted in Healthcare | 1 Comment »
Thursday, January 10th, 2008
All eyes are on the Mediterranean diet. As everyone knows, it is supposed to be one of the best and healthiest in the world.
How is it then that Spain is competing for one of the highest obesity rates in the world - with Andalucia topping Spain's list of heavyweights, ...
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 8th, 2008
Today thousands of children across our region go back to school after the holidays.
Can you believe that 37% of state school students in Andalucia quit school before receiving even their most basic credentials?
That is one of the highest drop out rates in Europe and something the Andalusian regional government is ...
Posted in Culture and Customs | No Comments »
Friday, January 4th, 2008
Travelling across Andalucia this holiday season - and yes, it is still officially holiday season until the last of the Three Kings has left the territory - I was reunited with my fascination for place names. Wherever I travel around the world I am intrigued, and often amused, with the ...
Posted in Culture and Customs | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, January 1st, 2008
It looks like Andalucia has seen the New Year in with style.
Would you believe that some 70,000 people said goodbye to 2007 around the Rocio Shrine in Huelva? It seems that the area's capacity to handle large groups has turned the pilgrimage trail and facilities into a popular place for ...
Posted in Culture and Customs | 3 Comments »
