Friday, November 13
Thursday, November 12
Good Scot Bad Scot
Although a strong wind blew across the island, the November sky was cloudless with a clothing order of shorts (and little else) required…the Fuerteventura norm ….He would have remained at the poolside for longer but the plastic sun loungers were so very uncomfortable coupled of course with a flu which threatened to take over his life…”Its been around so long it should be paying rent.” Was the sardonic thought process meandering through a dull ache in his head.
Naturally, there was seldom poolside peace. The plague of flies always buzzed around him…human and insect …often difficult to discern, despite repellent sprays, lotions, and any other combative measure which could be dreamt up. The human version, only discernable as they were without wings, but equally repugnant, continually appeared, with a further distinguishing characteristic, a “HELP REQUIRED” logo writ large on larger bodies.
“How much is the bus to Corralejo?” Always pronounced incorrectly to “Where can I get a camel ride?”
This last question frightened the good Scot and amused the bad Scot, a grotesque and un-natural image jostling for position in a dilated minds eye.
But Christmas was fast approaching along with a new passport, likely to be his best and only gift with 10 more years of travel and adventure the prospect, perhaps an introduction to flies of a different size, hue, buzz even. The timbre and resonance of say Latin wings could well be different, perhaps there are reggaton flies…..? If the Dominican Republic proved to be the destination…could we expect a bachata buzz?
Looking through the departure neon of airports and the exotic far flung destinations offered, he often wondered why people did not take more advantage of adventure, opting instead for a safer package all inclusive - vacuumed off the plane, onto the bus and straight to an all inclusive fortnight where a day glow wristband bought all the blandness required, unless of course they were foolhardy enough to actually want to explore the alien streets and discover that life was not so very different from Liverpool, Llandudno or Largs. It was simply lived in a more pleasant climate, with a different language….
Oh sorry, yes sorrrreeeeeeee, you thought everyone spoke English…of course yes…they do…apart from those who don’t. That’s Spain for you, just wont play the English speaking game…..
Hold that thought.
Naturally, there was seldom poolside peace. The plague of flies always buzzed around him…human and insect …often difficult to discern, despite repellent sprays, lotions, and any other combative measure which could be dreamt up. The human version, only discernable as they were without wings, but equally repugnant, continually appeared, with a further distinguishing characteristic, a “HELP REQUIRED” logo writ large on larger bodies.
“How much is the bus to Corralejo?” Always pronounced incorrectly to “Where can I get a camel ride?”
This last question frightened the good Scot and amused the bad Scot, a grotesque and un-natural image jostling for position in a dilated minds eye.
But Christmas was fast approaching along with a new passport, likely to be his best and only gift with 10 more years of travel and adventure the prospect, perhaps an introduction to flies of a different size, hue, buzz even. The timbre and resonance of say Latin wings could well be different, perhaps there are reggaton flies…..? If the Dominican Republic proved to be the destination…could we expect a bachata buzz?
Looking through the departure neon of airports and the exotic far flung destinations offered, he often wondered why people did not take more advantage of adventure, opting instead for a safer package all inclusive - vacuumed off the plane, onto the bus and straight to an all inclusive fortnight where a day glow wristband bought all the blandness required, unless of course they were foolhardy enough to actually want to explore the alien streets and discover that life was not so very different from Liverpool, Llandudno or Largs. It was simply lived in a more pleasant climate, with a different language….
Oh sorry, yes sorrrreeeeeeee, you thought everyone spoke English…of course yes…they do…apart from those who don’t. That’s Spain for you, just wont play the English speaking game…..
Hold that thought.
Wednesday, November 11
What’s Your Name Again?
Although in many quarters it appears not replying to email messages appears to be the norm, good manners preclude me from joining this unhappily impolite band, so this is an open email, the addressees will know who they are.
Since my return from Latin America I have been the victim of flu bug and have not been doing a great deal apart from appraising my position here on this little island. which has been my home for almost three years.
I find things do not improve.
Whether it’s the expensive and poor quality internet service provider or just the basic greed of many.
For some time I had considered that the not so well off were entitled to grab what they could in order to survive but more recently I have seen with first hand disappointment the machinations of the multi house brigade, whom, if anything, have an appetite for the € which is more voracious.
Greedy? I am not, and indeed struggle to equate quality product with payment…I take pictures and I write and although fiscal reimbursement is not high on my list of priorities I now discover that individuals…are adding the continuing financial crisis to their list of excuses with which to justify withholding payment for work submitted and invariably published.
Mmmm
“We will credit you in the usual way, what’s your name again?
Since my return from Latin America I have been the victim of flu bug and have not been doing a great deal apart from appraising my position here on this little island. which has been my home for almost three years.
I find things do not improve.
Whether it’s the expensive and poor quality internet service provider or just the basic greed of many.
For some time I had considered that the not so well off were entitled to grab what they could in order to survive but more recently I have seen with first hand disappointment the machinations of the multi house brigade, whom, if anything, have an appetite for the € which is more voracious.
Greedy? I am not, and indeed struggle to equate quality product with payment…I take pictures and I write and although fiscal reimbursement is not high on my list of priorities I now discover that individuals…are adding the continuing financial crisis to their list of excuses with which to justify withholding payment for work submitted and invariably published.
Mmmm
“We will credit you in the usual way, what’s your name again?
Tuesday, November 10
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The Land Of Kisses . La Republica Argentina
It was a delinquent moon which challenged the lazy dawn to rise and shine over my rented seat on the Iberia Airbus, as we floated over Brazil and Paraguay before turning left, to fly south , ever south, toward La Republica Argentina and destination Buenos Aires. As if bidding Latin America good morning, the giant jets feathered vapour trails stroked the shapes of paper mache landscape and toy traffic scuttling toward destination unknown - unknown to us ...or them?
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