A small rock in the Atlantic

All about the island of La Palma, in the Canaries.

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Thursday, 1 January 2009

Happy New Year

New Year firework display in Santa Cruz de la Palma

The Spanish celebrate New Year in a big way. A lot of people wear evening dress - the the sort of thing I associate with Glyndebourne Opera. I've usually gone to a big family party, but this year we went to see Santa Cruz.

At midnight, they have fireworks. (To be honest, this year it wasn't as good as usual. I think the town hall are worried about money just like the rest of us) Then the live music starts in the Plaza EspaƱa, and the dancing goes on until morning. I'm afraid I missed that, because we both have heavy colds and just wanted to sleep.

And may 2009 bring you whatever you most wish for. In my case, an un-runny nose, for starters.

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Sunday, 28 December 2008

Holy Innocents' Day

Today is Holy Innocents' Day, which commemorates the massacre of the innocents by Herod in Matthew's gospel (although according to Wikipedia, it's probably not a historical event). In Spain and SPanish-speaking countries, it's the Spanish equivalent of April Fool's Day.

Last year I got my friends in Franceses. This year they got me.

They came to visit on Christmas day, and poor Theresa got stung by a wasp, just below her eye. Of course it's a terrible place to get stung, and it swelled up like she'd been thumped by Mike Tyson.

So when I phoned up today and asked how she was, Helen couldn't resist it. She said the swelling was worse, and the eyeball itself had a faint tinge of green. I was just about to offer to drop everything and translate at the hospital when Helen got the giggles, and said, "Happy 28th, Sheila."

So now I can stop feeling guilty about last year.

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