Back in the People's Republic of Andalucía

I've been back in Alora for nearly 3 weeks. My friend Antonio has died and I am still expecting to see him up in the Plaza de la Fuente Arriba (The Top Square). Who am I going to tell bad and badly translated jokes to now? I will never know the gist of the one he told me about a bird which he delivered completely in whistles. He always thought I got it and I hadn't the guts to tell him I didn't.

Spain, apparently is still in the shit and sinking deeper. Andalucía, 'the only socialist autonomous region' is holding out against massive cuts in public services. Some people still have jobs but construction was by far the biggest employer and it's stopped. When I see a cement lorry anywhere near town my heart leaps in the same way it used to sink during the 'big building boom.'
The foreman of the job to pave our patio and convert the stable is working as a waiter in Los Caballos Dos. He's got a job. He's lucky.
Tomorrow there is a march and demo in town  to collect signatures to try and stop 'desahucios' (evictions) of families who can not pay their rents and mortgages.

I'm going to try and upload some photos in order to make this blog more visually entertaining.

That was easy. This me with Terry Durham who is an artist that lives in Alora.  His stuff is beautiful and mysterious. Terry is on the left.
http://www.terrydurham-artist.com/

He's done a few hand painted t shirts and I'm showing mine off here outside El Madrugon, a small bar on the 'Square' which opens at 5.00am. Madrugon means 'the crack of dawn'. Manolo is the boss and he growls.