Mis fotos

Tribute to Grandmother in Spain

2013-06-15T19:11:29

Today has been cellebrated the World Day of Awareness of Abuse in the Elderly; but I want to do a special tribute to Grandmothers in Spain, because thanks to them, many men and her sons and daughters and grandchildren can move forward, in the middle of this hard crisis --although they always were generous--.

This is my musical tribute to those wonderful women:

"Ella vive en mí", by Alex Ubago.

Note: If you want to buy the album to which this song belongs, it is: MENTIRAS SINCERAS (LIES SINCERE).

This is the lyrics:

Ella vive en mí
como una canción
que alimenta los oídos
de mi corazón.
Ella vive en mí
en cada despertar
en mis sueños y secretos
aún sin revelar.

Y yo me pierdo en su sonrisa
y ante su abismo me dejo caer...

Y es ella, la me que lleva al cielo de la mano
la que me quiere tal y como soy
esa que llena el mundo de alegría y fantasías.
Ella, la que desata toda mi locura
esa que me acompaña en la aventura que es la vida
la que cura mis heridas con sus besos
a donde siempre regreso.

Ella vive en mí
como la pasión
que acelera los latidos
de mi corazón.
Ella vive en mí
en cada poro de mi piel
y no hay nada que mis ganas
[ De: http://www.dicelacancion.com/letra-ella-vive-en-mi-alex-ubago ]
pueda detener.

Y yo me pierdo en su sonrisa
y ante su abismo me dejo caer...

Y es ella, la me que lleva al cielo de la mano
la que me quiere tal y como soy
esa que llena el mundo de alegría y fantasías.
Ella, la que desata toda mi locura
esa que me acompaña en la aventura que es la vida
la que cura mis heridas con sus besos
a donde siempre regreso.

Porque ella vive en mí
Ella vive en mí...

La que me quiere tal y como soy
esa que llena el mundo de alegría y fantasías.
Ella, la que desata toda mi locura
esa que me acompaña en la aventura que es la vida
la que cura mis heridas con sus besos
a donde siempre regreso.

Porque ella vive en mí
Ella vive en mí...

In English:

She lives in me

like a song

feeding ears

of my heart.

She lives in me

each awakening

in my dreams and secrets

yet unrevealed.

And I get lost in her smile

and before I drop the abyss ...

And is it, leading me by the hand to heaven

I want the way I am

that which fills the world with joy and fantasies.

She who breaks all my madness

that accompanies me on the adventure that is life

that heals my wounds with kisses

to which I always return.

She lives in me

as passion

that accelerates the beat

of my heart.

She lives in me

in every pore of my skin

and there is nothing that my desire

can stop.

And I get lost in her smile

and before I drop the abyss ...

And is it, leading me by the hand to heaven

I want the way I am

that which fills the world with joy and fantasies.

She who breaks all my madness

that accompanies me on the adventure that is life

that heals my wounds with kisses

to which I always return.

Because she lives in me

She lives in me ...

The one I want as I am

that which fills the world with joy and fantasies.

She who breaks all my madness

that accompanies me on the adventure that is life

that heals my wounds with kisses

to which I always return.

Because she lives in me

She lives in me ...

I hope that you have enjoyed with this song.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.

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Japan in Spain

2013-06-15T12:55:48

By the way of my last post, about older people, I want to talk about Japan, in this post, because there older people are highly respected.

Yesterday, the Crown Prince of Japan ended his visit to Spain, going to Coria del Rio, a spanish locality very important for Japan, because there came the first Japanese to Spain.

"Coria del Rio desde el aire", by EMASESA, at flickr.com

Coria del Rio belongs to Sevilla and in Sevilla there are 600 people with the surname Japan. For example: The Rector of the International University of Andalucia (Juan Manuel Suárez Japón) or the ex-Soccer Referee ( José Japón Sevilla) or, President of the Hispanic Association Tsunenaga Japanese Hasekura (Juan Francisco Japan Carvajal). Yesterday, some children of the public school Vicente Neria sang a song to the Prince. The song was named “Hanawasaku” and it talked about hope (it said: “The flowers bloom…..”); the Prince and his team were excited.

Talking about the President of the Hispanic-Japanese Asociation, I can tell you that 400 years ago a Japanese Embassy Keicho, headed by Samurai Tsunenaga Hasekura, in 1614. They came from the Japanese locality Sendai. They were coming to ask permission to King Philip III to start trade relations among Japan and Spain. They did not succeed, but 10 people from the expedition stayed in Coria.

Yesterday in the morning, the Prince Naruhito went to the Park “Juan de Mesa”, beside the river Guadalquivir, in order to plant a cherry tree, whose flower is a symbol for Japanese culture.

In the evening, Naruhito went to enjoy an spectacle of the Spanish famous woman dancer of Flamenco, Cristina Hoyos.

The Prince Naruhito with Cristina Hoyos in an Exhibition in the Archive of the Indies.

I do not know which spectacle was offered by Cristina Hoyos; but I want to show you a spectacle of her.Please click down here:

Cristina Hoyos dancing in Barcelona

I hope the the relations among Spain and Japan follow in a good way for always.

And I also hope that you have enjoyed with this post and, of course, that you can come to Spain as soon as possible.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.

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The Grandparents in Spain

2013-06-14T16:22:51

For the most people, think that old age is that overtime, in which, we met almost our goals, we look back and enjoyed the memories.

Old age is also that time in which we become moral references and sources of advice for new generations.

Usually, we think of old age in that way; but, unfortunately, the reality is different: the abuse of older people exist. In Spain, the abuse takes the lives of 22 older people, each year. And 60.000 are abused continuously.

But it does not happen only with physical abuse; many times it happens with abuse, neglect, coercion……..and many times neither the own old person notes the abuse. We can note a physical abuse; but it is very difficult for us to note daily events like to Isolate an elderly from his daily activities, from his friends or treating him like a child. For example: Cashing checks without his authorization, coerce him into signing a document or make improper use of his money is also abuse.

The next June-15, will be cellebrated the World Day of Awareness of Elder Abuse in the Elderly. We all must think about this problem.

A difficulty is that the most of the cases of abuse are into the own family; therefore these cases are usually hidden.

Old people feel alone themselves and we young people have to be very close to them. One of the reasons because they feel alone is because they are living alone or, if they live with their offspring, they also feel alone, because the offspring use to be working out of home.

Therefore, I take this news to make a tribute to our elders. Because, in this time of such a hard crisis, many old people are helping to their offspring, who have no job. Our old people are spending their few money, in order to raise their family. They take up a lot of their grandchildren –the grandparents go to school, in order to pick up their grandchildren--.

"Abuelo con su nieto en el parque", by Liberatore, at flickr.com

I think that it is an injustice to abuse of old people.

I hope that the abuses disappear as soon as possible.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.

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The first wet, a man from Spain

2013-06-13T23:37:26

Yesterday, I came back from Madrid; I was in a hotel named “NH Balboa”, in the street Nuñez de Balboa. The, I thought I should like to tell you thes story of the Spanish Conqueror, Vasco Núñez de Balboa.

In 1513, he was the first European man, who arrived to the named “Mar del Sur” (Sea of the South). This fact changed the Geography and the History.

When Vasco and his sailors arrived to the coast, the low tide was bad aspect to the beach; so, they waited for going down when the tide was high.

At the end, the tide was high and Vasco went down and walking in the water, and with his armor and the helmet, he took a banner with the right hand and a sword in his left hand, he said the following: “Vivan los muy altos e poderosos reyes Don Fernando e Doña Juana, en cuyo nombre e por la Corona real de Castilla, tomo e aprehendo la posesion real e corporal e actualmente destas mares e tierras, e costas, e puertos, e islas australes” (Long live the very high and mighty kings Don Fernando and Doña Juana, in whose name and by the Royal Crown of Castile, take and apprehend the real and corporal possession and currently these seas and lands, and coasts, and ports, and southern islands).

"Vasco Nuñez de Balboa", by Zagarbal, at flickr.com

They were 26 men (included Nuñez de Balboa and Pizarro –who discovered the country Perú--. They tested the water and confirmed that it was salty. Their names were wrotten by the notary Andrés de Valderrábano. Balboa took several saber to the waves and went to burn crosses on trees –it was made by all the men, while the priest sang the song “Te Deum Laudamus”.

So it was how the September-29-1513, the first European man had the first contact with a very big sea, that later was named “Pacific Ocean”. This one was the second important discovery –after the discovery of the American continent. It was a result of a coincidental and a great effort, of course. It made Balboa the get a very great fame.

Balboa was born in Jerez de los Caballeros (Badajoz, Southwest of Madrid),in 1475, but his parents were from León. His parents were the Lords of the Castle of Balboa.

Nuñez de Balboa had much value and it showed when he enlisted in 1501, in the expedition of Rodrigo de Bastidas, who runs the coasts of Panama and Colombia. When you finish this adventure, rest and profits of the expedition, the Spanish land purchase.

Later, Vasco hid in a barrel of a boat of the expedition of Martín Fernandez de Enciso. Vasco hid in a barrel of a ship of the expedition. This sailed from Santo Domingo to aid Alonso de Ojeda and his 70 men, threatened by the poisoned arrows of warlike Indians in San Sebastián de Urabá., Colombian Caribbean garrison. Soon the stowaway to be discovered and the punishment of being marooned on a desert island was saved by the knowledge that proved to be the coast.

Which along with his charisma, quickly made him popular among the members of the crew.

Balboa met to Francisco Pizarro, that in this moment was only a brave solder, who had taken charge of San Sebastian de Urabá, after the departure of Ojeda to Santo Domingo.

Balboa arrested to Enciso, the Mayor, and assumed the Municipality, beside Martin Samudio.

Balboa also became to the Governor of Vergara, substituting Diego Nicuesa, which appeared in the port of Vergara and was rejected by its people and put on a ship adrift at sea.

At the end, Balboa was sentenced to death and beheaded, along with several of his men. Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo was a witness of the executions of Balboa, in 1519.

This is a summary of the life of Vasco Nunez de Balboa.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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Important Boards in Spain

2013-06-07T23:32:22

The famous “Tablas de Daimiel” (Tables of Daimiel) (Ciudad Real, Central Spain) marks 40 years, as a National Park; and it is happening in a very good time.

Tables of Daimiel, Ciudad Real, Central Spain.

"Eyes of the Guadiana"

With the surface completely flooded and the recovery of one of its sources of supply: the river Guadiana. The water returns to bring life to this place unique in Europe.

Sprout again the named “Ojos del Guadiana” --Los Ojos del Guadiana is located in the municipality of Villarrubia de los Ojos, and are traditional sources or historic main upwelling point where conventionally considered to be born the river Guadiana, at least in its middle, as there is another section called Guadiana Alto, born at much higher levels (1040 m, near the Lagunas de Navalcudia), and then passes down from the Lagunas de Ruidera, once the reservoir Peñarroya, by what is considered, in a mythical or legendary, this Guadiana Alto reappears in the Ojos del Guadiana (as if the river was a worm or snake again see the light)--. The “Ojos del Guadiana” have been missing during 26 years; they have been recovered thanks to the “Acuifero 23”, that was overexploit during several years. The problem was as big that the UNESCO said that this place could no longer be “A Biosphere Reserve”.

8 kilometers of the river have ben recover.

Around that huge sewage tank, there are 50.000 wells are legal and 10.000 illegal .

Extractions abuse threatened the survival of the Tables. They were about to succumb to the underground fires. But again nature has again surprised and abundance of rain has encouraged the rebirth of the park.

Proof that the aquifer has recovered, people from La Mancha have themselves in their homes. Pedro Rodriguez has a small farm on the outskirts of Daimiel .. …

Proximity of the aquifer also seen in the collapses that in recent months have appeared in several farms in the area. They are a geological phenomenon which causes land subsidence revealing the proximity of water.

Long ago, even centuries, the Guadiana ran through the area. In the time remaining water mills but most are in ruins because they stopped operations in 1950.

In the vicinity of the protected area live July, the last fisherman, the sole survivor of a way of living of the Tables. She is 84 years old and still hanging out with your basket. It is one of the most knowledgeable of the flora and fauna and their "box" come often guards and former directors of the park.

Another love of the area was the painter Ignacio Meco. He spent the last years of his life in his home workshop located in the bend of the river.

If you want to watch the program that I have watched, please click down here:

http://www.rtve.es/television/20130530/esplendor-tablas/675942.shtml

Till son, kind regards,

Luis.

Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.

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Rural Entrepreneur Fair in Spain

2013-06-06T21:43:01

The Second Edition of the Rural Entrepreneur Fair will be held next June 15 and 16, in The Escorial, out of Madrid, 300 meters from the Train Station. It will be organizated by the School of Entrepreneurs. The last First Edition had more than one thousand assistants, 20 speakers and twelve cases of successful rural entrepreneurs.

EMPRENDENATURA offers help to everyone, who wants to leave the city and go to a village.

Their offer is:

n If you have no job or….

n You have a job, but you do not like it…..

n If you note you have not enough energy for doing everything you have to do…..

n And your pocket does not arrive to the end of month….

Come to the Rural Entrepreneur Fair, named “Undertake time and leave town”.

In this Fair, you will get:

n Rural Business Ideas that work. Dynamic Exhibitors who will be willing to give you a taste of their good work.

n Free Advice. From hand EMPRENDENATURA team and entities such as Foundation Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente, Embrace the Earth, Emprendae and CEPAIM.

n Presentations to motivate entrepreneurs. Get keys to get going on your own by hand of experts as Ruben Turienzo, Roberto Closed, Nacho Muñoz, July Echavarria, Alberto Sanchez-Bayo and Daniel Martin.

n Incredible shows. Spend an unforgettable day with the show of the mentalist Javier Luxor, biodanza dancing with Laura Serrano; magic by Rafeek Albertoni; comedy by Fanny Tangerine; Juanma really enjoying "The Optimist Provocative"; walking on glass with Celia Perez; moving with Eva Jog; Revs of good concerts and more!.

n Rural Workshops. You will learn about the wonderful world of biobuilding, eco-villages, transition towns, sustainable economy, the wines!.

n Networking, to meet other attendees and to exchange favors, generate synergies, reach agreements, find partners, friends, etc..

n Stories of rural entrepreneurs. And besides, you can learn from others who "have already achieved" during interviews the two days will you be able to contribute.

And all of that will be completely FREE, if you book now at the following link:

http://es.amiando.com/tiempodeemprender.html

Enter (click here): www.emprendenatura.com website to see all the information, forward it to your contacts and sign up now to the event of the year to encourage entrepreneurs to live better for less!.

From EMPRENDENATUA, the City of Aguelo Alberto special collaboration (www.comunicaya.com) have organized this show with much love to see you make important decisions that you will change your life!.

I hope that you can visit this Fair and enjoy it.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.

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Game with spanish words

2013-06-05T22:50:32

Top lay with words is a good recourse, for example if you want to tell someone anything, but you do not want to say it directly --If you want to make fun of someone, but do not want to be noticed--. One anecdote, by the Spanish writer, Quevedo, is that he said a verse for the Spanish Queen, Isabel de Borbón; the verse was this one: “Entre el clavel y la rosa, su Majestad escoja”. It seems to want mean: “That….the Queen choose, among the carmination and the rose”, because “Escoja” comes from the verb “Escoger” (To choose). But, really, Quevedo meant: “Entre el clavel y la rosa, Su Majestad es coja” ( “Among the carmination and the rose, Your Majesty (the Queen) is lame”). The anecdote happened so: Francisco de Quevedo bet with his friends that he could make fun of the Queen, without she knew it. Then, he bought a bouquet of white carnations and other one of red roses; he approached the Queen, who was in a public square and told her: "Between the white carnation and the red rose, choose Your Majesty".

The Queen Isabel de Borbón.

This “Game of words” is named “Calambur”.

Another game of words is: “Yo lo coloco y ella lo quita” (I place it and she moves it). It seems to be so: “Yo lo coloco y ella lo quita”; but also it can be: “Yo loco loco y ella loquita” (I am mad mad and she is little mad).

Another funny game: “De Valencia, las naranjas; de Sevilla las maletas” (From Valencia, the oranges; from Sevilla, the suitcases).At the begining this is the sound that arrives to you, Is not it?. But, really it means: “From Valencia, the oranges; des-evilla (remove the “evillas”= the little part of a suitcase, where you pass the belt for closing the suitcase) the suitcases”.

Evilla of suitecase

Another funny case of game of words: a sir says: “Mi hijo está en el trabajo como pez en el agua” (My son is in his job, like a fish in water) and another sir asks the first one: “¿Y que hace?” (And what is he doing?). “Pues….nada” (But…..nothing), answered the first sir.Note: “Nada” can means “Nothing” or “Swims” (like a fish).

Also there are some words, named “Palíndromos”. They are words, that are read on the same way forward or backward. They are words or sentences.

The Spanish composer, Víctor Carbajo, have a very big selection of words “Polindrómicas”. For example, he talks about: “acurruca”, from the verb “Acurrucar”, that means: “Shrink, in order to protect against the cold itself”.

Another word “Polindrómica” is: “aerea” (of air).

Another one is. “alábala”, that comes from the verb “Alabar” (Elogiar, Praise).

But there is another game of words; for example: “Nosotros malgastamos el tiempo” , --we say “malgastar” (waste), as if it was money--. Also we say “Ahorrar” (Save up) time , as it was money.

Another linguistic concept is: “Acróstico” (Acrostic). This word comes from the Greek “Acros”, that means: “Extreme” and “sticos”, that means: “Verso” (Verse). It is a poetic composition, in which the first letter of each verse, if you read all of them, in a vertical way, you can read a message. One of the most famous cases, in the Spanish Literature is which you can find in the Prologue of “The Celestina”,, where the first letters of the Eighths, create the sentence: EL BACHILLER FERNANDO DE ROJAS ACABO LA COMEDIA DE CALISTO Y MELIBEA E FUE NACIDO EN LA PUEBLA DE MONTALBAN.

Another very nice case is a poem by Luis de Tovar, compiled in General Songbook, by Hernando del Castillo. This is the poem:

Feroz sin Consuelo y sañuda dama

Remedia el trabajo a nadie creedero

A quien le siguió martirio tan fiero

No seas león o reyna pues te ama

Cien males se doblan cada ora en que pene

Y en ti de tal guisa beldad, pues se asienta

No seas cruel en assi dar afruenta

Al que por te amar ya vida no tiene.

All the words in red are female names: Eloysa, Joana, Guiomar, Leonor, Blanca, Isabel, Elena and Marya. But also, if you read all the verses, in a vertical way, you will read the name “FRANCYNA”.

In Spain, we have a great woman dancer of Flamenco dancing, named SARA BARAS; if you read it from the end to the beginning, you will see that it is the same.

Another “Palindromo” is: “Yo hago yoga hoy”; if you read it from the end to the beginning, it will be read the same.

I hope that you have enjoy with this post.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.

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Manufacturing in Spain

2013-06-04T20:58:17

Despite de crisis, not everything is manufactured out Spain.

Of course, by the moment I can tell you about three things manufactures here: Cars, hams and tiles.

Spain is the fourth country in the world in number of vehicles per capita. And here, we manufacture the bodywork of many cars.

The first step for manufacturing a car is estirer a steel sheet from a roll.After that, each sheet is cut, to the extent necessary. So, they get each piece, depending of its objective; for example: doors, roof, reinforcements…..

If you want to watch the video of the tv program, from where I have gotten the information, please click down here:

http://www.rtve.es/television/fabricando-made-in-spain/

The Team Leader presses Line says that the steel plate is modeled by the center to create the car roof; the press applies a weight of 1000 tons. At the end, each roof will has a weight of 22 kg.

At the same time that the roof was manufacturing, other pieces, like doors, sides, hood…..were manufactured. All of that will be named “Carrocería” (Bodywork).

The Production Superintendent explains that, once you have the car floor, you have to solder all the pieces and move on to the stage where the floor meets the sides of the car.

So, you can see the result, that is: a floor, with roof and sides. Now is the time to put all the pieces, each other.

Now, the car is ready for being painted; but before that, you have to apply a coat of paint different. It is named “Fosfatación” (phosphatisation). The Phosphatistion is a protective anticorrosion treatment , applied to the bodywork; its aim is that color stay intact for many years.

The Production Superintendent says that the colors most in demand are: Black, Silver and White. The White is the most economic color, because the metallic colors have a plus in the final price; therefore, the White is the most color in demand .

The next step in the painting is to apply a layer with clearcoat.

After painting, the car goes into a furnace in which the car will be at 150 degrees for 15 minuts. This phase is called "curing", which is where the paint dries.

The next step is the assembly where you will put the car wheels, steering wheel, seats .....

Pedro Espinosa, Maintenance Operator, explain that inside the dashboard, you can find the radio, the air conditioning, the wheel…..To do that, the robot needs much free space; so, the workers have to remove the doors.

Now, they put the seats into the car.

After that, they join the motor exhaust.

An important thing is the “Par motor”, that means: the force of the motor.

The last phase is to place the wheels.

At least, the car is finished. Concretely, this one shall go to France. But Monica says: “What the owner of this car does not know is that I am going to brand the new car”.

The next “Repor” is about “Janomes” (Hams).

The video says that Egyptians and Romans enjoyed this part of pork.

One of the five hams that we produce in Spain, is sent out of here.

Ham is so precious that one day someone paid 4000 Euros for a ham.

At the beginning of the video about hams, you can hear in that room, there are more than a hundred of hams. In that room, the temperature conditions are very good. There are 4 rooms as we have 4 Seasons (Spring, Summer, Autum and Winter).

The live of a ham start here: in a pasture.

Again, about temperature of ham, we have to know that it must be among zero an seven degrees.

Hams must be without hair.

In the factory, there is a machine that take all the hams and let that each one fall down, depending of its weight and its fat.

The man responsible, who is talking about hams, says that the important thing, in an Iberian ham is the genetic and feeding.

Also it is said that in a room, they have to get that all hams have the same temperature, in order that they take salt very well. Salt is the only preservative that is added to the ham. Manolo is the responsible for salting the hams. He says that the hams are under salt, depending of their weight; he says that it is calculated so: “One day for one kilogram of ham”.

After that, they take the hams to brush them, blow them and wash them, in order to remove all the salt.

The salt is left is mixed with new salt for reuse.

After salting, they start the healing phase. Here they reproduce the 4 seasons.

In the room of “Winter”, the temperature is among 1 and 3 degrees. The hams have already the salt, but it has to go in to the bone. Here those hams will stay 4 months more or less.

Matías Castuera explains that hams have to beat them, so that the fat back into place, after losing form in "The tinillos." The tinillos are some metal crates, where they are put salt. Some of the tinillos are put top of each other and at the end the hams lose their shape, so they are battered. Here they take each ham, one by one.

The next room (Phase of Spring) has 8000 hams. The responsible explains that fat is falling down; therefore, the shoes are are hitting the ground. So, the hams are loosing their weight. Throughout the entire healing, the hams lose around 33 per cent of their weight.It is named “El Merme”.

This responsible says that in Spain are produced 47 million of hams, each year.

The last phase is the named “Cellar phase”. Here the hams are around two years old. When this phase has finished, Justi (El Maestro Calador” ( the man who penetrate the hams), in order to say how is the quality of each ham.

Justi (Jose María Justiniano) says that the ham has 3 critical points: “El Codillo” (the knuckle), la “Vena Femoral” (The femoral vein) and “El hueso de la cadera” (hip bone). The cove is a cannon bone of the cow. He click on the knuckle, smell and see that the smell is wonderful - it says -.

Now, the ham must be cut. The factory has a machine that let to cut 1200 slices in one minute. But before, they have to remove the bone from the ham. When the bone is out, they have to remove the fat. This fat is used in Cosmetics.

After that, you put the ham in a press, that will mold it. So, it will be abble to be cut in slices. All the slices will be with the same size. The machine, that cut the ham is abble to cut 1200 slices per minute. And it also put a little paper among two slices.

When the slices are cut, they are taken inside a little bag, where the oxygen is taken out and is put an inert gas, in order to better preserve the ham, in spite of the several changes of temperature.

Now I am going to talk about “Baldosas” (Tiles). It is thought that the first tiling appeared on 9^th century before Christ, in Babylonia.

Enric tells us the process to make tiles. He says the star of a production process of manufacturing tiles start in “Los Silos” (The Silos), where you can find the raw material. Here you can see “Feldespato” (Feldspar). It is like fine sand and it helps us to make a paste.

Also, there are many tiles, which were defective and, then, they are crushed before cooked, to be used, like new.

They store feldspar, waiting to be needed to make more tiles.

Feldspar mixed with water to make a paste, which they call "Barbotina”.

To grind the “Barbotina”, they use stones, rotating in the machine.

The factory is as big that some workers need to move on bikes themselves. For example, one of those workers is the responsible of preparation of compounds. This factory has a size of 35.000 m2, that is the same than 35 Soccer stadiums.

The liquid that result goes from the mill through a pipe to rafts where the liquid rests, for all well homogenize. Then, this liquid is sent, through another pipe, to the atomizer. It is very very big….here, they can evaporate 14.000 liters each hour.So, the water goes out.

We now turn to the press zone and glazing, where the tiles will be decorate.

Miguel Rubio shows us the press number 14, where the paste arrives.Then, the press make a charge and put the paste on the mold; the top of the press makes a pressing and so one tile goes out of the mold. After that, they have to dry the tile. The material go inside crude and goes out without humidity, dry and strong.

After that, they make the design and they paint and decorate the tile. The designer explais us how he start a design, from an image.He shows an imitation of sheet, rusty tin.

He also can show us a imitation of wood.

The next phase is to take the tiles to the oven, operating at 1200 degrees. This oven measures 109 meters long. But before goig to the oven, the tiles need to be wet, because if you do not do that, they can be broken, in the oven. The tiles should have some cracks. After being in the oven, the piece is glazed. That is what Manuel Fortuño (responsible of Glaze) tells us. He is 30 years working here.

When the tile is glazed, it pass under a roller, in order to be cleaned on its face.

After that, the tile goes to a printer.You can see the different colors: Cyan, Magenta, yellow, black….At the end, the tile goes out with the design that the workers tought , at the beginning. The result, in this case, is an imitation of wood.

Now, the tiles are taken to the boxes, where they will be taken to the oven. There are several special ovens, that have a great capacity of production. Here are the ovens which measures 109 meters long, and operating at 1200 degrees. When the piece goes out of the oven, it has a luster that had no prior. When the piece goes out of the oven, it is cooled.

Now, they go to the room named of “Tonificacion” (Toning). Here they will test that all the tiles have the similar color. When all is well, they do the last phase: Packaging and Palletizing. Here the warehouse has a capacity fo 100.000 pallets and around 5 millions of meters.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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All for one in Spain

2013-06-01T21:56:04

In this economic crisis, but also a crisis of values, a group of neighbors of the village Fuente Obejuna (Córdoba, South of Spain), have gathered in order to build another system different than the one we know through the political. This group think that “The union makes the force”; so, they say as the famous Spanish writer, Lope de Vega, said: “All for one, like in Fuenteovejuna”. “Fuenteovejuna” was a Theatral Work, wrotten by Lope de Vega and published in Madrid, in 1618. This work of social content and protest.

For example, the neighbors of Villanueva de Córdoba have got recover their money from the “Preference shares”, with Spanish banks. One day, Pedro Veras, a neighbor from Villanueva de Córdoba, quoted a group of neighbors in the Square of Spain, in order that they join him to a protest. There appeared around 40 persons. All of them thought that they were scammed. Then, they made several actions, like to share sausages, cakes, watermelons......., among all their neighbors.

Villanueva de Córdoba, Córdoba, South of Spain.

This people have got to go out ahed from their problems with banks, thanks to be united and help each other. This idea has been very good, because many of them were illiterates and they were deceived by banks. Then, other neighbors help them to solve these problems (the problems with “Preference shares”, I mean).

Step by step, almost all the neighbors get their money back.

Also the neighbors of village Fuente Obejuna achieved its goal, when, in 1476 , rose up against the oppressive power.Since that moment, that gesture became example of attachment. Since then, each 4 years, they represent the work of Lope de Vega “Fuenteovejuna”, in front of the Town Hall. The festival lasts 5 days.

Fuente Obejuna, Córdoba, South of Spain.

In this time of crisis, we should learn of that gesture of attachment, above all among Politicians.

But, if in the past the problems were solved in the squares of the villages, today the protest is in the red. Internet is the new tool for people. For example, exist a web, named www.change.org, where people can talk about their problems and their claims.

Another example of attachment is one company that went to close; but its members felt invest money in unemployment, to create a cooperative and thus continue the same work(.Mechanization of parts)..They kept the machines. The new cooperative is “NEIL 2010” and it is in Barcelona. Now, they are 13 heads.

In another village (Zarzalejo, Madrid), one of its initiatives is the “Community gardens”. Jose Luis is one gardener, who teach to other people, who help him in his garden, at the same time.

Zarzalejo, Madrid, Spain.

Also, some neighbors of Zarzalejo have houses ready with solar panels, in order to heat the water or start the machine……

Another village, out of Madrid, is Torrelodones, where the neighbors were united and they created its own Political Party “Vecinos por Torrelodones” (Neighbors for Torrelodones). They are governing in minority, but they are happy.

The Town Hall of Torrelodones, Madrid. Spain.

In 2011, Torrelodones had a surplus of 5 million of Euros.

They are considered a move from the village for the village.

I want to send my sincer congratulations to this group.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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Compliments in Spain

2013-05-31T14:46:14

A compliment in Spanish is a “Piropo”, “Lisonja”, “Halago”. But a “Piropo” is also named “Requiebro”.

The word “Requiebro” reminds me the group REQUIEBROS, who sing “Sevillanas” and I love it. Here you can watch them singing the song "Baila conmigo" (Dance with me).Please click down here:

"Baila conmigo", by Requiebros

This is the lyrics:

I
Al bailar por sevillanas
se me olvidan los pesares;
baila conmigo, gitana,
por la gloria de tu “mare”.

ESTRIBILLO:
Baila en esta Andalucía
con el sol del mediodía,
con la Luna y con el trigo,
y hasta que amanezca el día,
gitana, baila conmigo.

II
Al bailar por sevillanas
se me olvidan las duquelas;
baila conmigo, gitana,
que la noche es de canela.

ESTRIBILLO:
Baila en esta Andalucía
con el sol del mediodía,
con la Luna y con el trigo,
y hasta que amanezca el día,
gitana, baila conmigo.

III
Al bailar por sevillanas
se me olvida que he “sufrío”;

baila conmigo, gitana, que este mundo es tuyo y mío.

ESTRIBILLO:
Baila en esta Andalucía
con el sol del mediodía,
con la Luna y con el trigo,
y hasta que amanezca el día,
gitana, baila conmigo.

IV
Al bailar por sevillanas
se me olvidan los disgustos;
baila conmigo, gitana,
ahora que estamos a gusto.

ESTRIBILLO:
Baila en esta Andalucía
con el sol del mediodía,
con la Luna y con el trigo,
y hasta que amanezca el día,
gitana, baila conmigo.

But “Requiebros” is also the tittle of a music by the Spanish composer, Gaspar Cassadó. This is that music; please click down here:

"Requiebros", by Gaspar Cassadó

A “Compliment” is always only for one person, not for several persons at the same time.

In 1737, the Dictionary of the Spanish Language said that “Requiebro” is the word said or a sweet word, loving, attractive, with which to express the tenderness of Love. It thus keeping alive the loving affections, priming with markups and soft tender compliments the flames own and others´.

The current dictionary says that now the Society is not as prosaic as before.

In the Zarzuela, compliments are used widely.

An example of Song of Zarzuela with compliment is the tittle: “Piropo Madrileño” de Maria Manuela (“Compliment of Madrid” of Maria Manuela), by the Master Federico Moreno Torroba. Here you can watch the show.Please click down here:

"Piropo madrileño", by Federico Moreno Torroba

It is a pity but in Spain compliments have disappeared.I hope that they come bach again anyday.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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More funny phrases by spanish children 6

2013-05-30T16:46:32

Javier, 7 años:

Estaba su tio explicandole cosas sobre los gladiadores y, sin pretender una respuesta por parte del niño, le preguntó: "Javier, ¿Tú sabes quién es el César?". "¡Pues claro, el de Los Morancos!", contestó Javier, todo convencido.

Javier, 7 years old:

By explaining things was his uncle about the gladiators and, without seeking a response from the child, asked: "Javier, do you know who the Caesar is? ". "Of course, he is of Los Morancos!" , replied Javier, convinced.

On the left side: César.On the right side: Jorge.They are the couple of brothers "Los Morancos".

Raquel, 3 años:

Raquel estaba jugando con sus vecinos, que son un poco mayores que ella.Cuando le preguntaron: “¿Juegas en mi equipo o en el de mi hermana?”, Raquel contestó: “No sé, yo es que soy del Barça…..”.

Rachel, 3 years old:

Rachel was playing with her neighbors, who are a little older than her. When asked: "Do you play on my team or on my sister´s one?", Rachel said: "I do not know, I belong to the club of Barcelona..... ".

Verónica, 8 años:

Verónica estaba leyendo en voz alta el envase de una tableta de chocolate. Cuando llegó a la fecha de caducidad --“Consumir preferentemente antes de: leer el envase”--, exclamó,: “Jolines, mamá, ahora no puedo comérmelo…..ya he leído el envase!”.

Verónica, 8 years old:

Veronica was reading aloud a container of chocolate. When she reached the expiration date -- "Best before: read the package"-- she exclaimed, "Golly, Mom, I can not eat it now ..... I've read the package".

David, 4 años:

David salió de la consulta del oculista muy enfadado, porque él quería que le hubiesen puesto gafas, y le dijo a su padre: “Papá, ¿Ves aquel avión?”. “Sí, sí que lo veo”, contestó su padre. “Pues yo no”, dijo David.

David, 4 years old:

David left the eye doctor consultation very angry, because he had wanted him to put glasses, and told his father: "Dad, do you see that plane?". "Yes, yes I see", replied his father. "Not me", said David.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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Three new areas declared a Biosphere Reserve in Spain

2013-05-29T13:16:46

Spain becomes the second country in the world with more biosphere reserves.

Spain has 45 areas declared Biosphere Reserve by behind the U.S.A., which has 47 zones.

This has been possible thanks to the 3 new areas, declared Biosphere Reserve, in the heart of the United Nations Organization for Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

This is La Granja and El Espinar, in the Sierra de Guadarrama, (Segovia), the Mariñas Coruñesas and Terras do Mandaean, in Galicia, and the Ebro in Catalonia, which make up the global list of the International Council decision Coordination of the Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB).

These three new zones Spain ahead of Russia in the world rankings,

The Granja and El Espinar, which its promoters have begun to call before this declaration in Paris as Biosphere Reserve Sierra de Guadarrama, covers 35,414 hectares, is home to a population of about 14,000 people and is located in the province of Segovia, 50 kilometers north of Madrid.

La Granja, Segovia, Center-North of Spain.

El Espinar, Segovia, Center-North of Spain.

She belongs Valsaín mountain, which is one of the large wooded areas of the country, and that "of considerable value to both ecological, economic, aesthetic and social", said Unesco.

The Paris-based organization stressed that the glass industry, tourism and small-scale farming are economic activities that hosts the site and are installed in the reserve several research centers, which are principally engaged in forestry research.

For booking Galician (Las Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo), the new biosphere reserve covers about 116,000 hectares, has a population of about 190,000 inhabitants and includes the basins of two great rivers, the Mandaean and the Mero, with coastal and mountain ecosystems that give home to a rich biodiversity.

Mariñas Coruñesas.La Coruña, Galice, Northwest of Spain.

Terras do Mandeo, Galice, Northwest of Spain.

It also focuses a great cultural diversity linked to the use of natural resources, which

has made it possible, according to UNESCO, "the maintenance of communities and

conservation of indigenous breeds of cattle."

On the Land of the Ebro, the organization noted that this reserve located in Catalonia,

of 367.729 hectares, has a population of 190,000 inhabitants and covers the delta Ebro

Basin, the largest river in Spain.

Land of The Ebro, Northeast of Spain.

The area has "numerous interior and coastal ecosystems," said the organization.

"Most of the site is dedicated to livestock. Were also developed in him alternative energy (wind, solar or hydro), taking care to respect the environment and the landscape," said Unesco on the Land of the Ebro .

Deputy General Director of the National Parks Autonomous Agency, Montserrat Fernández Sanmiguel, who has attended the event in Paris, which approved the new reserves, said Efe her satisfaction and highlighted the "excitement" with which she has followed the act and that "incorporates 65 new municipalities" with this statement.

The Spanish of the biosphere reserves include such prominent places as Ordesa-Viñamala, the islands of Lanzarote, Menorca and El Hierro, the Sierras de Cazorla and Segura, Monfragüe Park, Picos de Europa, Sierra Nevada and the Upper Basin of the Manzanares , not forgetting Urdaibai Doñana.

Biosphere reserves are places, in consultation with local populations, are experienced innovative practices to reconcile human activity and conservation of the environment, according to UNESCO.

Activities in these areas are concentrated in particular ecosystems: mountains, tropical forest, urban systems, wetlands, islands and coastal and marine areas.

Launched in the early 70s, the program on Man and the Biosphere promotes interdisciplinary research, encourages capacity building and its main objectives to reduce the loss of biodiversity and treat their ecological, social and economic, as Unesco .

Nominations submitted this year, in addition to Spain, China, Ecuador, France, India, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Republic of Korea and Uruguay.

The World Red Man and the Biosphere has 610 sites spread over 117 countries.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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The language of the crisis in Spain

2013-05-27T13:03:08

Any season with exceptional circumstances is associated with a special language, with an increase of meaning of some words. For example: some years ago we thought that “Marea” (tide) was referring only to sea; but now –cause of the hard crisis that we are suffering--, a “Marea” is not referring to sea but a crowd of people, who is going on protest demonstration against the government, for example.In this case , “Marea” is (wave, surge).

Another word, that is being used in other context, is “Acampada” (Camping), that was a leisure activity.However, it is now another protest demonstration.

Therefore, it is true that exist a “Language of the crisis”.

Another word that has increased its significance is “Chiringuito” (a bar, with or without a restaurant, in a beach). We always knew that it was only that significance; but now, with the crisis, we know that is also “A financial snack”.

Chiringuito Bien-star, Playa de Tarifa, Cádiz, Southwest of Spain, by Chodaboy, at flickr.com

Other word: “Austeridad” (Austerity).In the past, it was not a negative word, because it meant: ·Savings”; but, now it is so negative, because it means: “Dourness, cutting…”.

Another word: “Preferente” (preferential). Some years ago, the word “Preferential” was positive, because, for example you could go by train with class “Preferential” –it was the best--.But now, “Preferential" is negative, because it means that you have “preference shares” in a bank.

Another word so used now is: “Prima de riesgo” (Risk premium). But, at the begining it was the word “Spread” ; but the Mass Media, in Spain, thought that it should be complicated for people to accept that term and they tought to use “Diferencial de la deuda” or “Coste de la deuda” and at the end, they decided to use “Prima de riesgo”.

Another sentence is “Plan de saneamiento” (Sanitation plan), that means: “Despido”(Dismissal), in a company.

Another word: “Recesión” (Recession) is the zero increase of the Gross Domestic Product , in 3 months.

Perhaps you have hear another words about crisis.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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Tiny Words in Spanish

2013-05-25T00:09:28

In Spanish, we have a lot of words, which are diminutives, and a lot of the are used by us like diminutives, although we do not know that. For example: many people do not really know that “Pañuelo” (handkerchief) is the diminutive of “Paño” (cloth). Another word is “Mosquito”, that is the diminutive of “Mosca” (Fly).

We will see diminutives, in Spanish, when we see the terminations: “ito” or “illo”. Illo: for example “Bocadillo” (Sandwich; but not two slice of bread, with lettuce and tomato or ham and cheese, as it is known in England. No, , in Spain, a “Bocadillo” is composed by a piece of baguette or a loaf of bread, cut in half, with ham and cheese or sausage or roast or grilled chicken, or anything else). A “Bocadillo” is really “an small snack”.

Bocadillos del Kortaberri de Zumárraga, by chalo84, at flickr.com

With the same termination in “Illo” is the word: “Canastillo” (Small basket) or “Canastilla” (punnet or small basket. But also Baby gift basket. Canastillo and Canasto, both come from the word “Canasta” (Basket).

Other words: “Bombilla” (Lamp) is really a little bomb. “Cigarrillo” is a little Cigarette.

“Tornillo” (Screw) is the diminutive of “Torno” (Lathe) –because the “tornillo” rotates such as “torno”--.

Another sympathetic word is: “Manecilla” –about the hans of a clock--; it is the little hands of a clock.

The diminutive “Infiernillo” (Little Hell….) has to do with the Hell, where we alwys thought that “It is so hot”. Then, an “Infiernillo” is like a brazier, but more little.

Another curious diminutive: “Ardilla” (Squirrel); originally, this animal was named “Harda”, but time passed and it was named “Arda” and, much more time after, it was named “Ardilla”, till today.

Another interesting word: “Buhardilla”; it is the diminutive of Buharda, that comes from “Buf” –more than a word, “Buf” is a sound, because it is assumed that so is how wind makes into the smokestack. It has happened because, at the beginning it was “Bufar” and it changed to “Buhar”.

Other diminutive is “Camilla” (Stretcher), from “Cama” (Bed). Also: “Mesilla”(Small table), from “Mesa” (Table).

But sometimes, we use diminutives in a pejorative sense; for example: “Listo” is clever, But….”Listillo” is who wants to get more benefit other people, even cheating.

Another very Spanish word is “Castañuelas” (Castanets). Probably it comes from the tree named “Castaño” (Chestnut).

"Castañuelas", by Radio Patchanka

Another curious case: “Lentejuela” (Sequin); it comes from “Lenteja” (Lentil) and this one comes from “Lente” (Lens).

And “Aleta” (Fin) is the diminutive of “Ala” (Wing); it is used so in order to differentiate fishes from birds.

I hope that you have enjoyed with all of those words.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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More “Blue Flags” for Spain

2013-05-23T23:59:52

This year, Spain has 10 “Blue Flags” more that the last year, 2012, in its beaches and marinas.

A Blue Flag in a beach of Spain

Spain has got 648 “Blue Flags”; it is the best result in the history and it also means that Spain is in the first place between the countries of the Northern Hemisphere.

This summer, 551 “Blue Flags” will be flying in beaches and 97 in marinas.

The Blue Flag is a quality that rewards compliance with standards of hygiene, health, safety, accessibility, information and lifeguard.

The result means that one in six Spanish beaches has a “Blue Flag”. And one in six flags, of the total of the 3.729, given in the Northern Hemisphere, will be flying in Spain.

Spain receives 10 flags more than in 2012, thanks to increased 7 flags in Valencia, the increase in Cantabria (+4), Andalucia (+4) and Catalonia (+3). However, in the Balearics have fallen sharply (- 6).

"Beach of Xeraco", Valencia, East of Spain

"Playa de Laga", Cantabria, North of Spain, by Fernando Cuenca Romero, at flickr.com

"Beach Casarones", Granada, Southeast of Spain

"Beach of Los Boliches", Fuengirola, Málaga, Southeast of Spain

"Beach of Camposoto", Chiclana, Cádiz, Southwest of Spain

"Beach La Mora", Tarragona, Cataluña, Northeast of Spain

With its 551 beaches awarded, Spain maintains its global leadership, followed far behind by Greece (393), Turkey (383) France (365), Portugal (280), Italy (248) and Denmark (243).

As regards awarded marinas, Spain is, however, in second position, as Germany, with 108 ports winners, is imposed on the Spanish port facilities (97). Next, we find Holland (95), France (88) and Italy (62).

Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel Borrego, data held, considering that this record of 'blue flags' confirms Spain as prime vacation destination, while encouraged the municipalities and the Association of Environmental Education and consumer (Adeac) to continue in the "path quality".

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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Rural Angeles in Spain

2013-05-23T00:15:52

In Spain, there is special people who care for others.They really are like “Angeles”.They are for example the rural doctors.

One of these Angeles is Delio (a Doctor who lives and works in the area of the Bierzo, León, Northwest of Spain).He visit many little villages, which belong to four Councils. He says that they (the Doctors who work in little villages) have much more time to spend with their patients than their colleagues working in city.

A little village in The Bierzo

But another Doctor, who has more merit than Delio is Juanjo (a colleague who works visiting very little villages –for example, one of them, where only six persons are living there--. I think that these doctors are like “Angeles”, because they deliver their effort, their knowledge, their love, to heal people, especially older people. And they do all that, having a simple live: they have cars “all-terrain” –because they need them for mountain—and they have to pay those cars.

Another “essential Angeles” for the “rural world” are the Veterinarians. They care animals, but they really help so much to the people who work everyday with animals.

Cows in The Bierzo, León, Northwest of Spain

My most sincere tribute to them.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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Spanish mushroom croquettes

2013-05-21T20:56:30

A group of friends, named “Little tapas with friends” tell us about the spanish mushroom croquettes. And for doing it, they talk about Zugarramurdi.

The “Cave of Zugarramurdi” is in Navarra (North of Spain) and it is known cause of its history of phenomena associated with witches, and other occult arts.

Cave of Zugarramurdi

Zugarramurdi, by Bart and Co, at flickr.com

But, Zugarramurdi is also a famous place, thanks to its mushrooms. The group “Tapitas con amigos” (Little tapas with friends) say that mushrooms can be eaten alone, but also inside a croquette. And that is what I want to do now: to talk about “Mushroom croquettes”.

"Y ahora croquetas de queso y setas y empanadilla de morcilla", by Antonio Domingo, at flickr.com

For those croquettes, the group “Tapitas con amigos” propose us to use some mushrooms named “Senderuelas”, it means: mushrooms that you can usually find near a road or a trail. These mushrooms are very little and, therefore, they are perfect for cooking croquettes.

"Setas", by Carlos Pérez-Aradros Herce, at flickr.com

Here you have the recipe for cooking “Croquetts with mushrooms”:

Ingredients:

n -1 liter of whole milk

n -15 gr. Of dehydrated mushrooms

n - ½ onion

n - 3 tablespoon of flour

n -100 gr. Of butter

n - Salt

n - Pepper

n - Nutmeg

n - Eggs

n - Breadcrumbs

For this kind of dough of croquettes, we will not first make a bechamel roux of butter and flour, but incorporate the flour to the sautéed mushrooms, and then, little by little, we will be adding milk until getting a slightly thickened béchamel.

We start chopping half an onion into very small pieces and we rehydrating the mushrooms, dipping about 20 minutes in warm water. After that time we will have a generous amount, equivalent to about 150 grams of fresh or frozen mushrooms.

If using frozen mushrooms, thaw them in the refrigerator, placing them in a colander over a bowl to drain water and not left flooded. This will require thinking ahead and do that operation the day before and so we get the best results. Drain well and chop into small pieces, which are the trips that we find in each croquette.

In a large skillet, melted butter and in it sauté the onion and mushrooms for about three or four minutes. Season and lower the heat to low and add the flour all at once. With a wooden spoon, stir to let the flour is distributed on the stir, covering every portion of onions and mushrooms, and forming a kind of sticky paste. We leave it to brown the flour stirring until dough begins to turn brown.

Added a stream of milk and stir the slurry, allowing the liquid absorbs it, until it virtually has disappeared. We continue to add streams of milk, and letting the paste dissolves gradually, it will not take more than 15 minutes have added almost three quarters of a liter of milk or a little more, until our cakes dough is perfect and to our liking .

The process of cooking "Croquettes with mushrooms"

We add a touch of nutmeg and turn off the heat, stirring to incorporate the flavor of the spice with the intense flavor of the mushrooms in the sauce. Having done thus mass, flour has been slowly eating milk to absorb, not dissolved in it, so we will not have even a single crumb. In addition, mushrooms have been all along in the bechamel, so have brought their taste for much longer. Try it and you tell me.

We extend the dough onto a platter and let cool and set. Finally, it only remains for us to form the kibble, this time round I did them, and fogging with beaten egg and bread crumbs. The last step is to fry the croquettes in hot olive oil, drain on absorbent paper and serve immediately.

Working time | 1 hour and rest.

I hope that you can come to Navarra so soon.

Kind regards,

Luis.

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Another Spanish sayings and proverbs, 47

2013-05-20T09:41:39

An expression so used in Spain is the following:

A ojo de buen cubero = A rule of thumb

You do by approximation, by trial and error, by simple visual estimation; it is the same way as when in the past did their job makers buckets of wood ("cuberos") or other hollow volumes artisans as blowers glass, pottery,and so on. Example: "Nothing theodolites or bagpipes, a rule of thumb we calculate everything."

"Cubos de madera", by Miradas de Andalucía, at flickr.com

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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Alájar, Huelva, Southwest of Spain

2013-05-19T23:05:44

The town of Alájar is located at 115 kilometers of Huelva and 102 of Seville. It belongs to the Natural Park of Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche. Its extension is of 41,9 Km2 and contains seven organizations of population: Alájar, El Cabezuelo, El Calabacino, El Collado, Los Madroñeros, La Peña de Arias Montano and San Bartolomé. Its altitude is of 577 meters, except the zone of the Rock with 700 meters. The population according to the register of the 2003 is of 813 inhabitants.

"Alájar", Huelva, Southwest of Spain, by SantiMB, at flickr.com

Alájar belongs to Huelva and it gives name to the mountain pass, that divides the towns of Alájar and Castaño del Robledo.

The “Peña de Arias Montano” is visited every year by many people, because there is a bust of the great humanist and theologian of the sixteenth century. He lived there.

Alajar seen from the Peña de Arias Montano

In 2011, a part of the movie, “Sólo se vive una vez”, by the Director Zoya Akhtar, was shot in Alajar.

The date of origin of the municipality is uncertain, the name is of Arab origin, means stone or rock. It was a village that comprised of the municipal term of Aracena, within the Tierra de Sevilla. Two villages existed: Alfajar de arriba (hermitage) and Puebla del Valle (locality). On 1480 each one it had about 10 neighbors, dedicated to agriculture, doing reference to orchard, fruit trees and cattle ranch. It had to be fitted in the Kingdom of Niebla before Reconquista. During second half of 16th century it acquires certain reputation due to the presence in the Rock of Benito Arias Montano and to the operation of lead deposits and silver. It obtained the title of town in 1702.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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More funny phrases by spanish children 5

2013-05-16T17:51:47

Ángel, 3 años:

Un dia llevaron a Án gel al cine, a ver “La Bella y la Besia”; y cuando apagaron las luces, dijo: “Oh, oh…….!, me parece que es de miedo”.

Ángel, 3 years old:

One day Angel was taken to the movies, to see “The Beauty and the Beast "; and when the lights went out, he said: " Oh, oh ....!, I think it is scary. "

Meritxell, 5 años:

Mientras cenaban, viendo las noticias, sus padres hablaban de la crisis.Meritxell se quedó mirando a su madre y le preguntó: “Mamá, ¿Estamos en crisis?”, “Sí”, le contestó ella.Entonces la niña se puso muy seria y dijo: “Ydespues de la crisis, ¿Qué viene?: ¿El verano?”.

Meritxell, 5 years old:

While they were eating, watching the news, her parents spoke of the crisis, Meritxell stared at her mother and asked: "Mom, are we in crisis?","Yes", she answered.Then the girl became very serious and said: "And after the crisis, What comes?. The summer?".

Eloy, 6 años:

Una noche le dijo su abuela: “¡Venga, Eloy, a dormer ya!”. Y Eloy respondió: “¡Es que si duermo mucho no disfruto de la vida!”.

Eloy, 6 years old:

One night, his grandmother told him: “¡Come on, Eloy, to sleep already!”.And Eloy answered: “¡Is that if I sleep not enjoy life!”.

Manuel, 4 años:

Su madre llevaba ya bastante tiempo sin trabajo, y un dia Manuel le dijo: “Mamá, ya va siendo hora de que trabajes otra vez.Yo necesito hacer mi vida”.

Manuel, 4 years old:

His mother was quite some time without work, and one day Manuel told her: “Mom, it's time for you to work again. I need to make my life”.

Dani, 5 años:

Estaba viendo una revista del Corazon con su madre y habia una foto en la que salia un niño con la cara pixelada; y dijo Dani: “Mamá, ¿Tan feos son que les borran la cara?”.

He was Reading a magazine of heart with his mother and there was a picture, in which appeared a boy with his face pixilated; and Dani told her: “Mom, So ugly is it that they blur the face?”.

To be continued……..

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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“La levantá” in Andalusia (Spain)

2013-05-13T22:35:42

From next May-14 till May-19, the “V Ruta del Atún 2013” (“Tuna Fifth Route 2013”) shall be celebrated, in Zahara de los Atunes (Cádiz, South-west of Spain).

This year, 36 restaurants there will be as participants. They will offer several “tapas” of tuna (Atún de Almadraba). This tuna is caught not far from the sea shore. Here you can see a photograph, made the last Saturday, in the evening, where you can see some little ships, that were caughting tunas, these last days, in the morning. When fishermen caught tunas, they name it: “La levantá”, because they “Levantan” (“Raise”) the tuna. This photograph was made in Atlanterra (five kilometers from the village, Zahara de los Atunes):

"La Almadraba", Atlanterra, Zahara de los Atunes, Cádiz.

La Levantá of the tuna.

When the fishermen caught the tuna, they take them off the wall of the village (Zahara de los Atunes). There, the tuna is cut in several pieces.Then, the tuna make a sound like human snoring and it is named "The ronquío" (snore) --because it remembers to that sound--.

This route is organized by the ACOZA (Asociación de Comerciantes de Zahara de los Atunes = Merchants Association of Zahara de los Atunes). If you want to have more information, please click on the next link:

http://www.rutadelatun.com/#!prettyPhoto[featured]/1/

In this web, you can see a photograph, up and right, where you can see how three fishermen are raising a tuna, in La Almadraba .

Down there, you can read: Premiación…. (it is the same than Awards….)

And you can read: “Certificado de los premios a los Ruteros” IV RUTA DEL ATUN 2012. “Certificated of the awards to the route-makers” Fourth ROUTE OF TUNA 2012.

To the right side, you can read: Comparte (Share it)

And down it, you can read: Share the V ROUTE OF TUNA with your friends, from the different social networking.

Down the pictures, you can read: Protocol agreement signed Caixa and Acoza and ceremony of the two TV Samsung 22 " awards at the V Route of Tuna, courtesy of the Caixa.

Down another three pictures, on the left side you can read: Ruteros Ganadores 2012 (Winners Route-Makers 2012) receive their awards, delivered by President Castro and Julian Gaspar Romero. in representation of the business association of Zahara, ACOZA.

Down the picture in the middle, you can read: FITUR 2013 (International Fair of Turism). And down it, you can read:. We were joined by the Artists: Marina San Jose, Rafa Reaño, Rafael Alkorta, and Pablo Carbonell on this occasion, to the presentation of the V Route Fitur Tuna.

Down the picture, on the right side, you can read: Vente a la Ruta (Come to the Route. And down it, you can read: In this year, 2012, Tuna IV Route was very busy for a figure that exceeded five thousand Route-Makers in 5 Days, from different parts of Spain and foreign tourists.

This year, the price for one “tapa of tuna” shall be 3,50 Euros.

The participating restaurateurs choose the prize for best cover (tapa), to be elected by popular vote. Consumers will be filling a passport that will do testing sealing caps as they come in different bars and restaurants attached to the route, and there is where you can vote for the caps they like. As always, at the end of the route, there will be raffles and gifts for those who deliver these passports duly stamped and refilled.

I hope that you have enjoyed; but, with this post.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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Another Spanish sayings and proverbs, 46

2013-05-09T00:18:33

A las tres va la vencida = At three time's the charm

It means that after two unsuccessful attempts, if you persevere in the effort with energy, the third is usually achieved. So it is used by Lucrecia, in "The Celestina", a very famous novel, by Fernando de Rojas, where Lucrecia wants to encourage to Calisto, who has tried to get the Melibea ´s love.

"Celestina.La tragicomedia". Almagro, Ciudad Real, almost middle of Spain, by Festival de Almagro, at flickr.com

I always thought that it was said: "A la tercera va la vencida"..."A la tercera" instead of "A las tres".

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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Fan in Spain

2013-05-07T23:26:03

A Fan (Abanico) is an instrument and a fashion, which was invented and manufactured in order that manually it could move air and facilitate cooling when you are in a hot environment, without ventilation.

Fan was originated in China. Its operation is very simple, just enough arm waving harmoniously supporting it with more or less intensity, but its manufacture is delicate because it incorporates artistic trims and quality materials.

These are the components of a fan:

--Baraja (Deck): Rigid and folding base of a fan.

--País (Country): The fabric that is attached to the “Baraja”. The fans which have no “país”, are named “de baraja” or simply “Barajas”.

--Varillas (Ribs): Wood that can be fretworked or painted.

--Caberas: First and last ribs, thicker than the rest.

--Calado (Fretwork): Holes made in the ribs.

The Flabélum or the high fan comes from the Egyptian and Asian antiquity, as manifested in the reliefs and paintings at least since the nineteenth dynasty in Egypt. But only used in the palaces.

The Greek civilization made use of the fan from the fifth century before Christ. The Greeks were followed by Etruscans and Romans and it is followed during the Middle Ages, such in civil life as in certain religious civilizations. Fan is to the very different ways and with varied materials, predominantly fabric and feather.

The folding fan was invented by a Chinese in the seventh century, inspired in the mechanism of the wing of a bat. In Europe it is known from the late fifteenth century, where it was brought by the Portuguese people, who opened trade routes to East. It was extended through all Europe and, at the beginning it was used by ladies of high society; but after for all layers of society. In the seventeenth century came to be the way it is now unfolding in recent centuries the whims of fashion and miniaturists introducing inventive fretwork, reliefs, inlays and precious materials. The Mores is a common motif in the design of the "país", where yet fit all kinds of images.

A fan with fretwork

In the eighteenth century Spain settled in the French craftsman Eugenio Prost1, under the protection of the Count of Floridablanca, making Spain one of the world's leading producers competing with French and Italian. That same century guild is created abaniqueros cited and late century, is based in Valencia, the Real Factory Fans.

Although fan was an instrument for ladies, some men also used little fans, in their pockets. And other biger fans, named “Abanicos de pericón” (“Fans of pericón”), specially for Flamenco dance.

However, their use becomes exclusive ladies early twentieth century up to these days, although today you can see men fanning. Apparently these ladies had such skill with the fans, who came to invent a "language of the fan", consisting of the position as it stood or the way as a lady grabbed the fan, it was transmitting a message type or another one.

The language of fan

I want to show you a nice videoclip, by a Spanish singer woman, who I love, named Diana Navarro.This is her song “ Mira lo que te has perdío” (“Look at what you have missed”), where she uses a fan:

Diana Navarro, in Live, with "Mira lo que te has perdío"

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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A tribute to a spanish lady with talent

2013-05-06T21:56:22

Ángela Ruiz Robles was a lady, who was born in Villamanín (León, North-west of Spain) in 1895, lived and died in Ferrol ( La Coruña, Galice, North-west of Spain), in 1975. She was a teacher, writer and inventor, pioneer of the electronic book. She left us an amazing "mechanical Encyclopedia", but it was never manufactured. She patented the mechanical Encyclopedia in 1949.

Ángela Ruiz and her "Mechanical Encyclopedia"

Ángela presented the Encyclopedia in 1972. The Encyclopedia was intended to lighten the weight of the portfolios of children going to school. It consisted of a metal box with interchangeable rollers for the subjects. It could incorporate sound, a calculator, a diccionary. On its way, it got ahead the e-book and even tablet.

A grandson of Angela remembers that she worked on the project at night, but she did not find funding, to see it come true. Therefore, now Angela's family and friends have wanted to pay a tribute, with a permanent exhibition at the Museum of Science and Technology of La Coruña (Galice, North-west of Spain).

Finally, Angela has the recognition that she always deserved.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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Popular words in Málaga, Spain

2013-04-28T23:19:56

In Málaga, a nice city in the South-east of Spain, there are still several expressions, based on several words used in the past.

For example, one funny expression is “Estar Aliquindoi (or Alikindoi)”, that means “To be attentive”.It comes from the English expression “Look and do it”.It is said that the English expression started to be used, when the first English people came to Málaga, through the port; but it was changed with the popular way of speaking in the Andalussian language.

Another expression, that I find curious, that is known, in Málaga, since the beginning of the last 20^th century, is “Canequi” or “Darse un canequi”.

As another words, “Canequi” was a word originating in the port of Málaga. This port has been through its history the main entrance to the city. Through it came bad and good things, currencies. One of the visitors were those “Bocoyes” (Casks) and “Toneles” (Barrels) of wine, which largely departed from the port to distant lands, but they also came from many parts of the world.

Our port was seen on many occasions invaded by large containers carrying Cuban rum. According feature there were two models of containers: some similar to the barrels and other thin ceramic with a capacity of 26 or 34 pounds, besides ceramic bottles. These large and heavy containers was given the name of "Canéis". The transport from the port to the carts that had to move this precious nectar to taverns or ethyl main wineries of our city, it was hard and heavy, plus fragile, so some trucks were available with rubber wheels instead of iron, carrying the "Canéis" to the main wagon, which was pulled by nags accustomed to working hard and heavy to haul barrels to wineries.

In those carts, pulled by hard men, are carefully placed those large containers, called Caneis. The children of the last century wanted to play, like those of any age, and began to climb on trucks and take a fun ride, next to that rum come from Cuba or Jamaica. The children knew that those containers were called Caneis, but for them it was easier to say “Canequi”, then began to ask the workers of the port to let them take a Canequi in the cart, that is a walk. From here, that word became so popular that it was used for any kind of ride; so much so, that we could hear as such other person was invited to take a "canequi" by the Lighthouse or in the field, etc.

Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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