Monday, September 26, 2005
Simon Bolivar's Noble Tenerife Links
Simón Bolívar (1783-1830), the South American liberator, has tenuous links with the town of Garachico in Tenerife. His statue stands in the Plaza de la Libertad, Liberty Place (naturally). But exactly what that link is, seems to be lost among myths and tales.
I was given to understand and, have read various accounts that his mother, sometimes the story involves both parents, was born in Garachico. Then I later came across an account that suggests his grandmother emigrated from Garachico after the 1706 eruption that devastated the town and destroyed the natural deep harbour.
Whilst the eruption was certainly a reality (and its 300th anniversary will be celebrated in 2006), neither of those tales regarding Bolívar's immediate family are true.
Referring to a documented genealogical study of the Caracas, Venezuela, branch of the Blanco family, we discover that it was much earlier ancestors (great-great-great-great-grandparents, if my calculations are correct), Pedro Blanco Gerardts who married Beatriz Ponte Rebolledo in Garachico (Tenerife) on May 6, 1589 and who left Garachico, first for the Island of Margarita and, then establishing themselves in Caracas, in 1603.
Clearly this was 100 years earlier than the previous account and, around 200 years before the Liberator himself was making a serious mark on world geography.
Interesting point is that Cristóbal de Ponte (a banker from Genoa) founded the town and port of Garachico (then the most important town and main port of the island) in 1496, after being granted land by the conqueror of Tenerife, Fernández de Lugo.
(The famous Malmsey wine, also known as Sack, mentioned by Shakespeare, and which typified the British taste of the time, was an important wine export that would have left from the prosperous port of Garachico during the 16th and 17th centuries.)
Cristóbal de Ponte y Llarena was made the first Marquis de la Quinta Roja in the 17th century. And Cristóbal de Ponte was great-grandfather to Beatriz Ponte Rebolledo. 
The Marquis' 16th Century Manor-Palace (pictured) has now been converted into Hotel La Quinta Roja, whilst the town's other historical Hotel San Roque was constructed by one of Cristóbal de Ponte's descendants in the 17th Century.
The statue of Simón Bolivar that stands in Garachico's square, to the side of Quinta Roja, was given to the town by the Garachico "colony" in Venezuela, in 1970. It is the work of local Garachico sculptor, Juan Jaén and was inaugurated on the Anniversary of Bolivar's birth, July 24.
So, whilst it wasn't his parents or grandparents that various legends would have us believe, Simon Jose Antonio Bolivar y Palacios Blanco "El Libertador", had even more important, influential ancestors, who were from Garachico's, founding, noble families.
Speaking of nobles ... Apparently, according to Garachico historian, Carlos Acosta, Garachico used to have a whole street made of Carrara marble (lost under the flows of lava from Teide's 1706 eruption), which only the nobles were allowed to walk on - except Fridays - when they let the poor people walk across it to beg for alms.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Record year for tourism in Spain
Figures released in August showed that the number of tourists coming to Spain reached an all-time high this year - a record 31 million foreign tourists - with the Canary Islands the third most popular destination in Spain for international tourists in July. However, this year's tourists spend less and stay for shorter periods than in previous years.
Record year for tourism in Spain
Cuarenta Y Tres
First there were 43 Things, then 43 Places and now, via a link on 43 Folders, we discover 43 People is next. What's with the 43? This is what the FAQ says. But I'll bet those "way too much coffee" drinking robots over in Seattle are not aware that here in the Canary Islands there is Cuarenta Y Tres Licor 43 "A sweet, bright yellow citrus/vanilla flavored Spanish liqueur made from a combination of 43 ingredients, including citrus and fruit juices, herbs, spices and vanilla."
This site (where you can order a bottle online, if you fancy trying it) even says that it "blends superbly with robust coffees" and, that is exactly what you'll find it doing here, most of the time, in the shape of a barraquito.
What's one of them, you ask ...
In a small glass goes half inch or so of sticky condensed milk. Add strong, Spanish coffee, frothed milk, the shot of Licor 43 and a small sliver of lemon peel.
Consume in moderation - you wouldn't want to spoil yourself too much!
Eating Canary Style
The traditional food of the Canary Islands is simple fayre with an interesting history, but this cuisine is not well-known outside of the archipelago. Canarian food is also healthy food (more so even than the much-acclaimed Mediterranean Diet), using simple ingredients to create dishes that are centuries old and steeped in tradition, yet just as fresh today.
Add to this many outside influences both to the gastronomy and to the culture in general; from Latin America, Europe, Africa ... and you arrive at what today is a very rich and diverse menu. Food is an important part of any culture and I don't think it's possible to get the real 'flavour' of somewhere without trying the local delicacies.
However, this isn't always easy for visitors.
The islands do have plenty of "international restaurants" and the usual selection of fast-food eateries, but that's not what you travel for, is it? And if you don't speak Spanish, you may not even know what to ask for.
The best advice I have read on this subject came in this article at Wine X Magazine, entitled, "Flyin South For The Winter Canary Style", which was:"Just point, nod your head and look hungry."
For those of you who visit the Canary Islands and find yourselves in this situation, I hope these pages will be of help. If you are just looking for something new and different to cook for dinner, with the added advantages of it being simple, easy, healthy AND tasty ... you are definitely in luck with what we have planned for this section.
(Oh, I promise, no small, yellow roast birds!)
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Bus Driver Saved From Deadly Bloodsucking Worm By A Cabbage
A BUS boss, who thought he was dying after being attacked by a blood-sucking worm, told yesterday how an old woman saved his life - with a cabbage. The parasite had apparently entered his body when he stood on it on holiday in Tenerife.
Bus Driver Saved From Deadly Bloodsucking Worm By A Cabbage
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Ceremony kicks off WTC project
"NEW YORK — The release of two doves representing the birdlike design for a transit hub at the World Trade Center site marked Tuesday's ceremonial groundbreaking for the $2.2 billion project. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava [who designed both the Auditorio de Tenerife and the Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos de Tenerife] was joined by the governors and U.S. senators from New York and New Jersey, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and Mayor Michael Bloomberg to mark the start of construction of the station, which will eventually handle more than 80,000 commuters a day between Manhattan and New Jersey."
Ceremony kicks off WTC project
