Nothing stops a Demo

Today I heard loud voices in the street.  At first I didn’t react.  I thought it is just some one having a fight but as the sound came closer, I realised this is a demonstration.  I looked out the window and there were as small group of people under their umbrellas walking down the street.

I couldn’t make out everything they were chanting but one phrase was clear, “Justice for Henry”.  I wondered who Henry was.  Was he a Galician nationalist being held as a political prisoner.

I put the question to one of the WhatsApp groups.  The answer is surprising.  Henry was a 34 year old Cuban who was going around La Coruña with a big metal bar smashing things.  When the police finally caught up with him, one of them shot him.  Henry is dead.  

If the newspaper report is to be believed, the case is not similar to unarmed and defenceless African Americans who have been killed by the police.

What is surprising is that so many people came out on a very rainy day to demand justice for Henry.

Algarve Charming????

In the beginning of January, I received a WhatsApp announcing a trip to go hiking in the Algarve at Carnival.  I signed up.  I had never been to the Algarve.  I thought the weather will be a bit nicer.  Everyone I mentioned the trip to said the Algarve is great.

I will let you draw your own conclusions about the Algarve.  You will, of course, know that the footage I have shot has my bias.  

This trip made me feel as if I should never travel again.  When an area becomes a popular destination, we either over build the area (Portimao) or make expensive instant towns (Praia de Luz). 

 In Portimao, we destroyed the old fishing village.  There is virtually nothing left.  Since there are lots of English tourists, I found anIndian vegetarian restaurant.  I wondered how the owner managed to make such wonderful food in that small kitchen.  On a cloudy day in February, there may not naturally be many people walking around.  Besides the large apartment buildings, there were enormous supermarkets, Pingo Doce, Continental and the usual multinational chain stores.

Praia de Luz is the instant town.  All the houses are very white.  There are no apartment buildings.  The walk along the beach is lined with bars and restaurants.  My companions were appalled because a beer cost €3.5 instead of €2.25.

Despite my not liking the atmosphere of the Algarve, I enjoyed my traveling companions.  They were cheerful, helpful and interesting.  We left the towns to hike.  Nature is always magnificent.  I appreciated the fogginess since it visually  softened the edges and prevented the sun from getting in my eyes.

Bells are Ringing

This morning while walking along the Sarela, I heard the Cathedral bells.  They were such a welcome surprise.  I didn’t know they could be heard so far away, maybe a kilometre or even less as a bird flies.

The Energy of Youth

The other day as I was walking through the plaza in front of the Cathedral, I saw these children dancing.  I thought the wonder of the energy of youth.  Then I tried to remember if I ever had that much energy.

Metro Bilbao

I was in Bilbao with two friends who very much wanted to see the Metro because it had been designed by Norman Foster.  I was not impressed.  It was another grey tunnel but you can judge for yourselves.

Almost 40 days, Rio Arenteiro

It has been raining daily for almost 40 days.  Yesterday, even after walking several hours in the rain, after lunch in Pazos de Arenteiro, the walking group went to see the river.  Pazos are large houses.  The town was founded by the Knights of Malta in the 1500’s.  It is very compact as towns were in those days.  Many of the original pass survive.  We ate in a pazo that was restored by the local government but only recently has been put to use as a restaurant.

The river Arenteiro which is usually not more than a large stream, is overflowing with water and energy.  I thought I would share some of its energy with you.

Handicapped Rights Demonstration

I heard drums as I approached the Corso in Rome. I walked until I caught up with the drummers. This was a demonstration for handicapped rights which ended in Piazza del Popolo.

Gloria’s Market

A neighborhood market where my friend Gloria shops. Notice the good selection of fruits and vegetable.

San Roque Festival, August 16, 2023

In 1518 there was a plague in Santiago.  The people prayed to San Roque. The saint was reputed to have cured people during the black plague 150 years earlier.  If the plague stopped, they said they would dedicate a church to him and make him the patron saint of Santiago.  That is what happened.

I begin and finish the video with the procession because the Saint is the reason for all the other festivities that occur. The ubiquitous procession master and the figure of the Saint start things off.  It ends with the archbishop who is the small man with the big hat and staff taller than him.

There was a traditional band from Estrada called the Daredevils. I not only enjoyed the music but also the way the musicians were enjoying themselves playing. I included the man talking so you could hear Galician spoken.  The glitzy group did not hold my interest so they do not figure prominently in the video.

Festival of St. Justus and the Shepherd, Compludo, Spain, August 6, 2023

The video is of the procession with St. Justus and the Shepherd, child saints. I asked why they were also carrying the Virgin Mary.  The answer was to keep the children company. Also notice that the Virgin is being carried by women.  I loved the lady who danced because until she started dancing she was hobbling around with a cane.