If you’ve ever been in a bar or a cafe in Spain, you’re probably still trying to get the smell of smoke out of your clothes and hair. As bad as the smoke was anywhere, it was magnified in Spain by the prevalence of the black tobacco used in cigarettes like Ducados. Well, Spain’s lawmakers …
Category Archive: Spain Today
Oct
16
La Semana: Spainiacs.com reduces diabetes risk: study
Forget the wacky headline. This is serious stuff. And the important point is that a new study claims that a Mediterranean diet can cut the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 50%. So, make sure to check back for health tips each Friday as I explore Spain’s healthy cuisine. Something tells me to avoid …
Oct
13
Hillary Sends Spain Some Love
Last week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement to “congratulate” Spain as it celebrates el Día de la Hispanidad, or its National Day, which was yesterday. Not sure what Spain did to be congratulated, but it was a nice note and seemed rather routine. Until I looked for previous statements from her marking …
Oct
09
La Semana: Spain declares war on American treasure hunters
Spain has declared war on American treasure hunters and has dispatched its Navy to protect the nation’s heritage. “Where some see loot, we see our history,” Spain’s defense minister Carme Chacon said in a speech. “Where some look for gold, we find our heritage. Where others would seek to pillage, our calling is to conserve.” …
Oct
04
Spanish Royal Academy wants you to be part of history
The Spanish Royal Academy, that watchdog of the Spanish language, has divided Don Quixote into 2,149 fragments to be read by people around the world and posted to its own YouTube channel. Readings are based on the 400th anniversary edition of Don Quixote, which was published in 2004. The effort is meant to promote the …
Oct
02
La Semana: Strike chaos! Spainiacs stranded!
As expected the strike in Spain on Wednesday caused massive confusion and headaches for tourists as most of the country’s transportation sector observed the work shutdown. I don’t fully understand why so many tourists were trapped. The government and the unions had been warning of the effect the strike would have on transport for weeks. …
Sep
25
La Semana: Labor Strike Imminent
This week: Julia Roberts honored, labor strike imminent, 2011 budget approved and a tourist digs himself into a hole. Spanish Politics Government rejects ETA’s call for mediation Spanish Business & Economy Labor strike to begin next week Once booming, energy sector in trouble Google, YouTube win copyright ruling 2011 budget revealed to boost confidence Union …
Sep
18
La Semana: Good Economic News
It’s a time of uncertainty for the Spanish economy but there were some hopeful signs this week (a successful bond offering — but, hey, we’ll take it). Also, deadly storms (and Irishmen) hit Spain and El Greco comes to the U.S. Spanish Economy At Long Last, Some Good Economic News Zapatero Heads to NYC to …
Sep
11
The week in Spain: Soccer angst, hunchback dinosaurs
Spanish Sports Mark Cavendish wins second straight stage in Tour of Spain; Igor Antón holds onto lead. Click here. The man behind Rafa Nadal’s success, on and off the tennis court. Click here. Spain battles Argentina for fifth spot in basketball world championships. Click here. Angst sets in after soccer loss to Argentina. Click here. …
Sep
08
Apple Speaks Catalan!
Apple has built a reputation of being smart and innovative. But who knew the company was also fluent in Catalan? The first Apple store in Spain opened this week in La Maquinista mall in Barcelona after months, maybe even years, of speculation and rumors. The locals were thrilled and not just because the store uses …
