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Andalucia Strikes it Rich!

The big news this week is that someone - some lucky someone, or perhaps more than one someone - from the tiny town of Montefrio, Granada, has won the “Euromillones” lottery. At over 76 million euros, this is the biggest, fattest lottery prize yet to land on a Spanish town.

A town, you ask? Yes, a town, because a lottery prize in Spain is seen as a sort of common good. This is very difficult for outsiders to grasp, especially the most individualistic among us - mainly from northern Europe and North America.

But would you believe that yesterday I heard the mayoress of Montefrí­o interviewed on public radio, unashamedly suggesting that it would be nice if the winner invested in his or her home town? It was clear as the conversation progressed and follow up reports were made, that both the town’s leader and the reporter who interviewed her saw investment in Montefrio as not only a logical outcome, but practically a birthright.

Everyone - and it sounds like EVERYONE - in Montefrio is keeping an eye out for signs of a winner. No one is daring to schedule a holiday, says the mayoress - for fear of being a suspect. Woe to the one who stays home from work with a cold. The entire town could turn up to confirm the diagnosis.

Yes, the winner in Montefrio is laying low and probably with very good reason. Should he or she (or they) be found out, there would be no end to the hoopla this would create in a tiny town like Montefrio where everyone knows everyone… and no end to the expectations from old friends and even old, old, old friends?

Those of you who know the Andalusian way of purchasing lottery tickets in groups will know something about this group winner mentality. When the big prize monies are announced at Christmas there is always the hope that they will be “muy repartidos” (shared among many).

And it would be unthinkable to keep a lottery winning for oneself without spreading the wealth far and wide among the family network.

So what would happen if the Montefrio winner were discovered and it so happened that this person didn’t feel the town was fit for investment? What if he or she preferred to spend it all in the Bahamas?

Good question.

As it stands, whoever bought that winning ticket is staying well out of the picture. A savings bank in Granada was entrusted with the job of receiving the prize money on behalf of the recipient and, according to the legend so far, the lucky man or woman is handling the news in a sensible manner and has all the professional help necessary for managing the winnings, thank you very much.

Congratulations Montefrio… or not.

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Raising Kids in Andalucia

How often do we hear of yet another family that has moved to southern Spain because it’s such a great place to raise children?

Families from northern Europe and North America are especially charmed by the warmth of this family-centred Mediterranean society. It’s hard not to notice how children are accepted wherever we go - at restaurants and other public venues - at all hours of the night and day. Many of us feel like we’ve taken a trip back in time to a friendlier era where things were “different”… better perhaps?

The truth is that while modern Spain is a nice place to bring up kids and society is still somewhat “old fashioned” in its values, young people are definitely speeding ahead to keep up with the times and they are not so different from their counterparts across Europe.

The results of a recent University of Huelva survey of 2,560 young people aged 12 to 16 shows that their number one favourite past time is spending time with friends, followed by listening to music at home and then either watching television, spending time on the Internet, playing video games or participating in sports (the order of importance varies depending on the age). For all ages, reading is at the bottom of the list with the percentage of those reporting they spend their free time on books dropping as age increases.

The study “Los Adolescentes Andaluces y La Droga” (Andalucian Adolescents and Drugs) looks at various aspects of young people’s lives in order to see how these might correlate with rates of drug use.

We learn, therefore, that the number one drug of choice is Alcohol with nearly 70% of this age group reporting they’ve tried it and just over 24 percent indicating they are regular consumers. Tobacco is next with nearly 48% having tried it and 15 percent recognising they are smokers. Cannabis comes in third place with around 19 percent having tried it and over 5 percent regular users. Drugs like amphetamines, tranquilisers, cocaine and heroine are much less represented, hovering between one and three percent having tried them and less than one percent reporting regular use in any category.

These figures are worth taking note of if you are raising kids in Andalucia. Yes, this is a wonderful place for them to grow up and in many ways the area seems to offer such a wholesome environment. Parents still need to be on guard, however, as unsupervised youth will of course find they have at their disposal everything they need to get in trouble.

On a positive note, studies like this show the deep concern such statistics generate on the part of researchers, organisations like Proyecto Hombre - an organisation working to prevent drug dependency and also involved in carrying out the study in question, as well as teachers, and government policy makers.

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Who’s the best?

Lately I’ve been studying the way festivals are celebrated throughout Andalucia. It’s often interesting to see how one single festival is celebrated differently from one town or city to another.

To be honest, at first glance, all the carnivals looked alike to me, as did all the ferias or semana santas. But I’ve long known that locals don’t see it this way - people of each town or village believe they have their own, entirely unique take on the observance of each special day or festival.

This point really hit home when I was comparing holy week processions throughout our region. From the start, I was amazed at the amount of detailed information available in Spanish on the Internet even for small towns in the “middle of nowhere”. The passion for Semana Santa that I had always known existed (and had marvelled over in the local press every spring) took on new meaning as I realised just how dedicated some people are to each and every detail of their local processions.

The clincher for me though, has been that just about every description of Semana Santa (again, in Spanish) begins by informing the reader that the particular celebrations of the town or city in question is truly unique and THE BEST in Andalucia, THE MOST worth visiting and seeing.

I fell for this the first time I read it, especially because the processions in the town in question had been declared of “National Touristic Interest”.

“I’m on to something here,” I thought to myself, sure I’d found the Andalusian Semana Santa of all Semana Santas…

…Until I came to the next village with the same national stamp of approval, and the next and the next…

I’ve come to conclude that it is definitely worth getting to know the different expressions of Holy Week - and Carnival and the ferías and the San Juan celebrations and so many other curious festivals that take place in this region. However, it’s best to be prepared for the fact that everyone in every city, town and teeny, tiny village, is sure they have the best of the best.

What’s more, there are people working hard throughout the region to earn special stamps of approval that attract tourists. These stamps are probably well deserved, but that doesn’t always mean that one particular event is actually better than all the rest.

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Land of the Olive

Would you believe that there is a GPS co-ordinate on record for every single commercial olive tree in Andalucia?

That’s right.

That’s how serious the olive production industry is in southern Spain. And with EU subsidies funding this industry we should hardly expect less than tight control (which is why a group of farmers who recently tried to fool authorities by planting sticks and then filing for subsidies, didn’t get very far).

Right now - and running through the end of April there is an amazing series of exhibitions and activities in the Province of Jaen called “Lands of Olive Trees” (Tierras del Olivo) that looks at the past and present of olive oil production around the world. It will include perspectives on industries as far ranging as Peru and Tunisia, from Jordan to New Zealand - 30 countries in all.

If, therefore, you are a fan of olive oil, this is your big chance to get on over Jaen to taste the world’s olive oils - not only in special tastings, but also in dishes from around the world that depend on this liquid gold as a main ingredient. This will also be a chance to learn more about the industries of this ancient crop around the world today.

The Tierras del Olivo exhibition series will take place in four cities: Jaen capital, Baeza, Úbeda and Baena. You can find out more by ringing 902 195 195.

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Andalucia at FITUR 2008

Madrid

Another year, another FITUR - Ferí­a Internacional de Turísmo, 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 presence at FITUR and Andalucia - the country’s number one destination - stands out. Our region fills two of the Trade Fairground’s enormous pavillions with flamenco, olive oil and images of sandy dunes, sunny beaches, almond groves and glimpses of quaint villages.

In fact, I believe Andalucia’s outstanding feature at the fair is what the organisers leave out… shhhh! (overbuildling). Anyone walking around “Andalucia” at FITUR would come away with the idea that this is one vast natural area, almost untouched by mankind. Thanks to expansive video screens and photo murals that portray only the occassional whitewashed pueblo and a few lone horseman crossing desolate plains and virgin beaches, no one would suspect that one of the prime tourist destinations - the Costa del Sol - is fast becoming a concrete jungle.

On the bright side, I must say I’ve been inspired by the amazing growth of cultural tourism opportunities throughout Andalucia. The science museum in Granada is mushrooming at an amazing rate (and by the way, through June 2008 you can visit the “Poisonous Animals” exhibition), the province of Jaen is featuring a fascinating look at the past, present and future of olive oil over the coming months. And it seems like new routes, tours, music and dance festivals and all manner of events are springing up in every single province.

Never fear! I’m gathering plenty of information in order to bring you fresh ideas throughout the year!

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SOS at the Supermarket!

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” - especially for use in the infamous “paella”. According to the official SOS group of companies’ website, most of the rice exported from Spain leaves the country under their auspices.

I recently learned that Andalucia produces 60 percent of the rice consumed across Europe. That’s according to our regional public news service, Canal Sur. The same source has just revealed that researchers right here in the south of Spain have developed two new varieties of rice, which they’ve named “Carmen” and “Manuela” (why they’ve both been given female names, I have no idea). And they say it takes eight years for researchers to develop a new line of rice!

The great thing about these new varieties is that they promise abundant, high quality crops that will thrive in the heat of an Andalusian summer.

As might be expected, crop research is a big thing here in the south of Spain. This new rice was developed by the Andalucian Agrarian Research Institute (Instituto de Investigación Agraria de Andalucia), but there are also many scientists working for the national government at CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientí­ficas) centres across the region.

I had the great pleasure to meet with scientists at one such nationally funded centre in Nerja where researchers are trying to create genetically modified crops that would do well even in the driest regions of Andalucia - tomatoes, for example, that would need little water and could perhaps depend on salt water.

Imagine that!

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Good news for drivers

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 vehicles are travelling on the roads across this country and it is well known that many of them are owned by drivers who are irresponsible in other respects as well.

The Traffic Department in Spain is very active in taking one measure after another to do their part to ensure our safety on the country’s roads. Now, in addition to radar meters that are being installed along motorways throughout Andalucia and beyond, civil guard agents have a little device that inputs a vehicle’s number plates and then reports (by voice) the status of that vehicle’s insurance.

Spaniards know only two well that their country ranks number three in Europe for most accidents on the roads and they seem to be accepting the multiple new measures rather well. In spite of the fact that we still have very high figures in terms of fatalities on the road, numbers are in fact going down - especially when you take into account that there are more drivers on the roads every year!

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What’s up on the roads?

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 - or if my nerves have just turned to steel over the years…

The fact of the matter is that we not only have new improved laws regulating driving with a new point-based license, but now a new set of consequences for violators of the Spanish Traffic Law (Ley de Tráfico).

And speaking of this newest set of revisions to the penalties that drivers can incur, I’ve been involved in an ongoing debate regarding whether or not foreign residents in Spain need to have a Spanish version of their drivers license.

The logical answer is “Yes!” (with an exclamation mark). Clearly it does not make sense that foreign residents could drive about without any risk of losing points for infractions. However - and this is a big “however” - it so happens that certain reliable expats I know have visited their local Tráfico headquarters only to be told they do not indeed need to have a Spanish license. A Spanish friend rang the Guardia Civil and was given the same answer.

On another front, a very reputable Spanish lawyer together with a longtime property administrator (Administrador de Fincas), both of whom work extensively with the foreign community, have assured me that foreigners do need to have a Spanish license and that they could be heavily penalised under the new law should they - as legal residents in this country - be caught driving without it after the grace period ends, which is sometime in May.

At present the debate goes on. My next stop will be a consultation with the Tráfico press offices in Madrid, and I’ll be sure to post the response I receive. Do keep in mind, however, that it is only logical that we all be expected to have a Spanish license if we are living here as permanent residents (and don’t expect that Guardia Civil officer to believe you’ve only been here for a month if you’re showing him or her the Spanish insurance policy for that vehicle with the Spanish plates - that’s in your name!).

Another point to keep in mind is that it is not at all uncommon for our “funcionario” friends to be uninformed about matters that concern us. My guess at this stage of the game is that officials on the front lines of the battle (funcionarios who “greet” you on the roads and from the windows of their “información al público” booths at the Traffic Department) will receive definitive orders in May - once the grace period is over.

Anyone with information or questions, please feel free to post. I’m happy to include your queries in my “investigation”.

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Emergency Room

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 it could be affecting her eyes. She had therefore sent us to the nearest regional hospital for a more thorough exam, something that could not wait until morning.

As we sat waiting for our turn - at near midnight - I couldn’t help observing the jungle of children waiting at that hour of the night. And I couldn’t help speculating about how many really needed urgent care.

I’ve spoken with doctors who work in our regional hospitals and I’m aware that many blame the public (i.e. you and I) for mis-using emergency services. In the opinion of more than one, we rush in at the slightest fever or cough rather than wait to see our GP or visit the Paediatrician during regular working hours.

What they don’t realise, however, is the situation we face at so many public health clinics. Not all doctor visits can be scheduled in advance. A small child or an elderly person with a fever that has gone on for three days, needs to see a doctor now - not next week!

So, what are we to do? Is it our fault that local GP’s are under such great pressure to see so many patients in so very little time? Is it our fault that often the only way to see a doctor in a moment of need is to either stand outside the GP’s door at the end of the shift and beg for mercy or head for “Urgencias” at the risk of “abusing the system” or - as they say in Spanish - “collapsing the health services”?

I hardly think so.

However, I do advise everyone to have a reliable guide to first aid and basic illnesses on hand. This can help to evaluate situations involving fever and other common cold and flu symptoms in order to decide just how quickly someone needs to be seen. If you have access to a private insurance’s medical helpline, this can also be a huge help in deciding what to do. Additionally, it is probably better to try to squeeze in to see your regular GP at the end of the shift than to head to the emergency room, if possible.

Nevertheless, once in awhile the hospital emergency room might be the only option. If that’s the case, try hard to put yourself in the shoes of all those doctors and nurses who are spending the night under the pressure trying to meet everyone’s needs. It is a pity to think they actually need security guards to ensure their protection and - at times - keep order in the waiting room. They work hard, generally do an excellent job and deserve all the compassion and respect we can give them.

On another note, I think the best lesson I learned the other evening came from the “unintegrated” (as they call them) gypsy women who fill the emergency room clad in pajamas, bathrobes and slippers. A surprising fashion statement, perhaps, but definitely a good way to take the edge off those stiff seats…

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Giving Life in Andalucia

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 in towns and cities. If you don’t know where to go, stop by your nearest health centre to find out. You can also ask at the town hall or the local police station in your area.

In addition to donating blood, it is also good to know that we have a very professional organ donor programme in Andalucia. In fact, this region has one of the highest donation rates in Spain and Europe (in terms of the percentage of the population that agrees to donate loved ones organs in the event of death). You can read all about the organ donor programme in the Andalucia.com health section. Just to to Public Health and you’ll find some very interesting facts and figures as well as information about how to obtain a donor card.

Finally, in the decade or so that I have been living and working in the press here in southern Spain, I have had occasional queries regarding how to donate a body to medical science - something not everyone thinks about! If this is of interest to you, then it is something you must work out with the university teaching hospital or medical department at the university nearest your place of residence. This type of donation contributes to furthering the education of local medical students.

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