A big Holá to all my readers.
The last time I put pen to paper Donald Trump was just a bad mannered self-obsessed billionaire sex pest with a comedy name. Who'd have thought?.No change in the above but now he's The President of the United States of America too.
He's got it in for the Mexicans and anyone with a Spanish sounding name so that's our trip to Disney World Florida cancelled for a start. Mrs. Sánchez is a bit miffed but I've managed to get us a couple of weeks in Turkey for next to nothing. Result!
It looks like Great Britain is still European for the time being so I'm heading back to good old Álora for few days next week to spend some euros before they are worth more than Pounds Shillings and Pence.
Mrs.S and I can't come for our Spring sojourn until mid April this year because we've got to wait for our new furry friend, Monty to get his passport, rabies jab and learn a few Spanish barks.
Tommy is in charge of his indogtrination. Luckily he's a fast learner. He's already mastered the Andaluz raspy bark and the 'single shoulder shrug' which should help him to get down with the Plaza Barkja homies.
I've spent most of today trying to find a car to hire for a few days. I used to think that booking a flight with Ryanair was a minefield but after my last experience with Nazi Cars Michael O'Leary is a pussycat.
There's one site offering a week's rental of a 5 door Citroen for 0.75€. (65p. a week). There may be a catch but I'm going to give it a try. What can go wrong? We're all still part of the European Union so it must be kosher. The company is called 'Do You Spain' so a bit of 'Caveat Emptor' might be in order.
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Easter is late this year.
As usual, Easter Sunday will be held on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Northern Vernal (Spring) equinox which is the 14th. day of the lunar month which nominally falls on or around March 21st. Simple. (Unless you live in orthodox Greece where it is a week later sometimes but not this year.) They use a different calendar there, the Julian Calendar, invented by Julius Caesar, which is very very old).
Most sensible people moved on to the Gregorian Calendar a long long time ago but the Greeks and Russians never liked the new one. Mrs. Sánchez and I use the 'Our Favourite Dogs Calendar' which always gets the date of Easter right and has a different dog for every month.
Even though they made it later this year we shall miss the Spanish Easter which is called Semana Santa. We have only missed two in 17 years. I expect we will be missed. We have never been invited to join in any of the processions but they nearly all go past our door at all hours of the night and madrugada (early morning). We always give them a jolly wave as they struggle by under the weight of a crucified Jesus or a weeping Virgin Mary.
It must be thirsty work for all those young lads who have to carry the tronos (thrones) up and down all the steep streets of Álora so it's lucky that all the bars will open all day and some new ones will 'pop up' to take advantage of all the dry gaznates (throats) and full pockets.
I wish all the bar owners the best of luck with the weather, especially Casa Romero which has opened in La Plaza de la Fuente Arriba (top square). I am reliably informed that the churros there are de puta madre ( very good).
JuanitoSánchez
March14th. 2017
