Playing the host
25 07 2008
How do you know who your true friends are? Well, a good place to start, apparently, is to contract a powerful infestation of mites or lice; those people who will even shake hands with you during such times can be counted on the fingers of that dubious limb. I was lucky enough to experience such an infestation recently and, other than the obvious advantages, it was a most illuminating experience regarding human nature, friendship and the local character in particular. There’s a temptation when you’re travelling to wander around thinking everything and everyone is simply wonderful. Read the rest of this entry »
Categories : Salamanca City
What’s your deepest fear? Well, apparently the majority of Spaniards are most preoccupied by the rising cost of petrol, with terrorism and climate change coming in 4th and 5th. Not much of a surprise really; a similar survey this time last year came up with more or less the same results. But of course these aren’t anyone’s deepest concerns. 
Nothing is more indicative of a country’s social health than the general attitude towards its young and elderly. It’s commonly believed in England that Southern Europeans live longer. But I’m not sure it’s true; the old folk of England manage to drag out more or less the same life span as their Spanish and Italian counterparts. 
One of the many things which strike you whilst meandering round a Castellano pueblo is the presence of so many recycling bins. It may surprise you, but the Spanish seem to be much greener than us Brits. It’s all relative of course; everyone needs to be doing a lot more; but the signs in this region at least are that awareness is growing. Salamanca appears to be particularly ahead of the game in some respects; its level of recycling rose 18% this year. Furthermore, the province now enjoys seven times the amount of solar energy than it did a year ago. 
