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Monday, July 31, 2006
Ancient Canary Islands in Google Earth
Well, I may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb, tilt at windmills and add fuel to another fire (and overdo the cliches in this post), but there is quite a ho ha brewing up over accusations of trickery going on, thanks to an agreement between Grafcan, a publicly owned local company, and Google, to show images of the Canary Islands that date back to 2002 (and older) in Google Earth.
Local green groups accuse the Canarian Government of the sort of censorship that you'd normally associate with China and say that the reason behind this is to obfuscate the extent of recent development on the Canary Islands - at least those bits that are of "special sensitivity" to the tourist market.
It appears that someone from Google came to the archipelago in August 2005 and one of their commercial directors reached an agreement, "free of economic exchanges", with Grafcan for Grafcan to provide the images. Apparently, Grafcan are the first European company to obtain such an agreement.
Although Google has up-to-date images, which, says the report, it has shown in Google Earth, obtained by NASA and DigitalGlobe, according to Grafcan, Google decided to change them to the ones dated from 2002 that the public company provided, being the most recent that Grafcan had available.
However, Bernardo Pizarro, managing director of Grafcan, says that they have received a lot of complaints from users who want to see up-to-date images.
He also says that Grafcan possesses images of the entire archipelago from 2005 and of El Hierro, La Gomera and Lanzarote from 2006. He has also told the local press that an airship will be flying within the next month to capture photos of the rest of the islands and that the company will be seeking guarantees from Google that they won't hang about over updating to these new images.
So, who knows who made the decision or why?
Meanwhile, during the last week or so, I had noticed that the images for around here had changed. I was wowed by the resolution, very evident here in this image of Garachico (Fly there), but they just seem to be better resolution versions of the same images that were shown before. I have never seen any more recent images for this area and, indeed, I can date the image that shows this house (Fly here) to somewhere between April 1999, when I moved in and November 2003, when the roof was painted - because this is the pre-painted colour. And, because there are various new buildings in the area, which simply do not appear.
Whilst I agree that there are plenty of cases where development here is definitely over-development. We don't need any more hotels, until we can fill the ones we've got, but "somehow" they just keep getting built, for instance, but thinking this through, there really seems to be no point in trying to hide the situation.
Because there are and always will be vast tracts of land on these islands that cannot be developed (until they figure out how to build on vertical cliff faces, which I'll admit, is not improbable that they would consider it), even if a casual tourist were to see vast urban areas on the coasts, as a whole, that will not seem like an alarming amount of development to the untrained eye. Besides, as soon as a tourist arrives, they will notice if there is a great discrepancy.
And, surely even the government has the intellect to realize that many people who visit the islands are regulars, that it is easier to keep the customers you've got and that conning them would be the fastest way to lose them.
Those of us who live here can see the rate of development for ourselves, so there is no point trying to hide the reality from us either. I'm with Victor Ruiz on this, who says he can see no evidence that the government is trying to "hide the numerous shameless urban developments and destruction."
Actually, I think this image gives a clue to the the real reason, that is if there is any reason at all - beyond bumbling inefficiency characteristic on these islands. The mystery white stain on that image, I understand, is a military base.
Someone, hopefully, will tell me what security it offers those bases to be be HIGHLIGHTED so clearly in white. Short of putting a bloody target image on them, I'd have thought that was the worst thing to do, but who am I to say? :)
Google Earth reemplaza las imágenes actuales de las Islas por otras de 2002
El Partido Verde acusa a Grafcan de "engañar al mundo a través de Internet"
Poca calidad de Google Earth en Canarias
El Gobierno de Canarias y los mapas de Google
Canary islands in a coalmine?
Cruises around the Canary Islands
Peter Deilmann Cruises is once again enticing Americans to sail its European ocean liner, the five-star MS Deutschland, with free air transportation and free shore excursions on 20 sailings in 2007.
The five-star Deutschland will sail three cruises around the Canary Islands and to the Portuguese Island of Madeira in March. The Azores, Casablanca and Agadir (Morocco) are destinations together with six islands in the Canaries: Santa Cruz (Tenerife), Las Palmas (Grand Canary), Puerto de la Estaca (El Hierro), San Sebastian (Gomera), Santa Cruz (La Palma) and Arrecife (Lanzarote).
Peter Deilmann Cruises announces free air
Tenerife tourists help migrants
There are people in Tenerife - it has to be said, influenced by the tone of some media reports, which echo the stance of the local authorities - who seem to be mostly concerned about the diseases that immigrants could bring and the effect that these arrivals could have on the islands' image, putting tourists off.
Personally, neither of those has ever concerned me. One, as I have said before, legal immigrants, tourists and locals could all already be carrying diseases.
Secondly, any tourist worth having on our shores would not be put off, they would want to help. These reports seem to bear out both of those points.
"Tourists on a beach in Tenerife have come to the aid of 88 exhausted African migrants - among 205 who reached the Canary Islands on three open boats. Some tourists drove their off-road vehicles onto La Tejita beach [near El Medano on the south of the island] to help migrants who were too weak to walk."
Foreign sunbathers, especially Germans, were among those who helped while Red Cross units and the local police made their way to the beach.
"We handed out surgical gloves to people in case the immigrants had illnesses, but they didn't really care about that," Mr Melián said. "I was especially impressed by the young people, who gave them their things and helped, even though they could not understand a word they said."
The Daily Hate & Fear Mail, has the photos, but much as I might expect from readers of that newspaper, some who have commented appear far less generous than their German counterparts. And, if you think I am deliberately highlighting that to shame anyone who might think likewise, you would be right.
Tourists rescue boat migrants in Tenerife
Tenerife tourists help migrants
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Summer Sale ends 31st July- Book Now!
Gatwick - Tenerife: 15 September 2006, 7 nights. From £244 *
All good things have to come to an end; hot weather in the UK and the Airtours Summer Sale! If you were thinking of coming to Tenerife, why not take advantage of this sale to get yourself a real holiday bargain ... but hurry, ends 31st July - so book now.
Last Minute Summer Sale
* Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Full details can be found here
Friday, July 28, 2006
Four Africans die near Canaries
Four Africans have been found dead in a small open boat packed with migrants, intercepted off the Canary Islands. The Spanish authorities said the boat, carrying 26 other migrants, was escorted to a port on Tenerife. Almost 300 people have been intercepted off the Canary Islands in the past 24 hours.
Four Africans die near Canaries
Tourists return but profit gap widens for hotels
Just over 60% of hotels in the Canary Islands reported an increase in occupancy levels this year compared with the same period last year, but the increase in guest numbers has not been sufficient to improve profit margins, despite which the seemingly unstoppable increase in new hotel beds continues.
Tourists return but profit gap widens for hotels
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Tourist Remover Removes Unwanted Objects from Photos
Living on a tourist island, I could immediately see lots of applications for this toy tool and you've got to admit that the name is amusing. Only removes tourists from photos, not from "real life" though. We should make that clear! :)
Anyway, should you find yourself snapping away at Mount Teide, or any other of Tenerife's attractions on a busy day and find that there are just too many other tourists getting into your shots, have no fear. Just take several photos of the same view, then process them through the tourist remover.
The unwanted objects will be removed, leaving you a clean shot of the scenery.
Tourist Remover Via: Quick Online Tips
A hundred merry men visit Las Americas
Robin Hood from the 1973 Disney movie
The borough of Arona hosted the most important archery competition in the Canarian Archipelago last weekend. Around a hundred archers from eleven different archery clubs participated in the “Campeonato Absoluto de Tiro con Arco de Canarias” which was held in the Olympic Stadium in Playa de Las Americas on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July. Archery is a growing sport in the islands and the Canarian archery Federation is the fastest growing such group in the whole of Spain.
A hundred merry men visit Las Americas
(If they got the archers together with the "Juego de Palo" (Stick Fighters - a la Little John) and the Historical Reenactment crew, that would be exciting! :)
Golf sector looking good!
This is a matter of opinion, of course, because there are those who strongly criticize the island for having 25 golf courses and with more planned, goodness, they'll probably just turn Las Cañadas del Teide into a giant bunker.
Nevertheless, a study commissioned by the island corporation's Department for the Investigation of Tourism has revealed that there are 7,000 tourist beds on the island of Tenerife associated with golfing holidays.
The crux of the matter, naturally, is that golfing tourists tend to be in their mid forties and have a higher income than the families who visit the island for their holiday break and choose to stay in more traditional accommodation.
Golf sector looking good!
New Emergency Plan for the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands have a new protection plan, published yesterday, the Plan Específico de Protección Civil y Atención de Emergencias por Riesgos de Fenómenos Meteorológicos Adversos (PEFMA) - Specific Plan for Civil Protection and Emergency Attention for Adverse Meteorological Phenomenon Risks - which will enable the authorities to respond more rapidly, coordinated and efficiently to adverse weather situations, such as Tropical Storm / Extratropical Cyclone Delta, high winds, torrential rains, snow, etc.
There are four basic levels of alert: green, yellow, orange and red. Green level means there is no meteorological risk present; yellow activates a pre-alert condition and, while no risk exists for the general population, some risk exists for certain activities. Only from orange level will the population be advised and a full alert activated. The forth and ultimate level, red, is reserved for maximum alert in exceptional circumstances and non-habitual weather conditions.
This plan provides the answer to "The boy who cried wolf" syndrome: recent criticism that one of the reasons why the severity of the tropical storm was not taken fully into account was that it came after too many other alerts.
Canarias tiene nuevo Plan de Protección Civil y Atención de Emergencias por Fenómenos Meteorológicos Adversos
Labels: Tenerife Weather, Weather
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Santa Cruz Celebrates Victory Over The English
The Tenerife capital yesterday celebrated the 209th Anniversary of its famous and proud victory over English Admiral, Horacio Nelson, whose failed attempt on Santa Cruz, on July 25th, 1797, cost him his right arm.
Among the acts to commemorate this important date in the city's history was a mass in the church of La Concepción and afterwards, a procession of the pendant around the area of the Calle de la Noria and a floral offering to the statue of General Antonio Gutiérrez, who led the troops that defeated the British Navy.
Historian, Daniel García Pulido, a member of the "Association of Friends of July 25th", also announced that the group has been asked to collaborate in an investigation over the whereabouts of the wreck of the British ship, the cutter Fox, which was sunk off Santa Cruz during the battle.
According to this report, Fox was carrying a reserve store of arms and ammunition and went down with 180 men, 97 of whom were lost.
It is certain that the remains of the ship lie between Paso Alto and the Plaza de España. A private initiative aims to discover the exact whereabouts.
Another of the questions which the group has been studying is over the number of British losses during the battle. The number that the Canarian troops had boasted was 800, nevertheless, the historians have so far confirmed, after combing the records, that the true number was 124.
On being asked what would have happened if the Tenerife troops had not defeated Nelson, García Pulido responded that two theories exist. "Thanks to documentation, we know that Nelson wanted to stay in Tenerife and use it as an exchange." While British history claims that the admiral's only intention was to destroy the ships, loaded with a large quantity of gold and silver, which were anchored in the port of Santa Cruz and would have bankrupted Spain.
Two aspects of the battle are certain: one, the capital increased its prestige after this development. The other: that there is much still to study and resolve.
Intentan localizar en el puerto un barco de Nelson hundido en la Gesta de 1797
The real cost of carefree camping
Taxpayers are picking up the tab for illegal campers who show no respect for the environment many of them profess to love. Thousands of kilos of rubbish left behind by campers who invaded the Punta Blanca area of the Guía de Isora coast have cost some €24,000 to collect, carry away and dispose of.
The real cost of carefree camping
Canary Islands one of the lowest regions for Unemployment benefits
Tenerife News reports that "Unemployment benefits in the Canary Islands are among the lowest in Spain. Recently released statistics show that in this region the payout is €862 (£589) a month. The benefit rate in most cases is way above the official minimum wage which currently stands at €541 (£370) a month."
What the report does not say, of course, is that the unemployment benefit figure is an average for the region. Unemployment benefit is paid out - entitlement depending on the number of years of contract worked - as a percentage of the salary on one's last job contract. Therefore, individual benefits can never be more and, are always less, than what someone was earning while in work.
The fact that unemployment rates are low in this region, on average, does mean that salary rates in the islands must also be below the national average.
Pays to work?
Immigrant illness fears spark war of stats
"As the tide of illegal immigrants continues to rise, with figures of between 11,000 and 13,000 being quoted for Tenerife in the first six months of this year alone, depending on sources, concern over the possible spread of infectious diseases is beginning to be raised, albeit timidly in the face of the ever-present PC threat of being labelled racist.", say Tenerife News.
My own experience, from talking to locals, is that there is nothing at all timid about the manner in which they voice this concern. What does strike me as logical, however, is that if these diseases are spread, statistically, it is more likely from any one of the 10 million perfectly legal visitors to the islands each year, or indeed, by residents themselves. You can't tell me that there are not already drug abusers with hepatitis or AIDS, for instance, among the local population.
Immigrant illness fears spark war of stats
Big city future in South Tenerife
Cabo Blanco and Buzanada are on course to become a major conurbation. The once quiet south Tenerife villages are, if planners get their way, set to rival or even outstrip eleven Spanish provincial capitals in size and population.
The plans for the new city, which include 16,000 newly built homes, have triggered a storm of protest from residents. Thousands of objections have been lodged and it looks as if the authorities are in for a rough ride.
Big city future in the south
Holidaymakers warned to know travel rules
Holidaymakers travelling to exotic locations across Europe are being encouraged to take note of a few handy tips before departing, because many people were unaware of restrictions such as duty free limits and banned goods, and genuinely do not realize they are breaking the law.
Revenue and Customs Northern Ireland has released a list of 10 tips to ensure travellers have a safe and happy holiday this summer, the first of which advises: Before you go on holiday make sure you check out your duty free allowances, especially if you are travelling outside the EU, including the Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands, obviously including Tenerife, are NOT part of the EU for Customs and Excise purposes. It is understandable, up to a point, that people may not know this, because they think they are coming to Spain, but ignorance is no defence and there are a number who knowingly try to abuse the system.
See HM Customs & Excise own website for: Travelling to the UK from outside the European Union (EU), which states what you are allowed to take into the UK, when travelling from a non-EU country (including the Canary Islands).
Holidaymakers warned to know travel rules
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Staying Cool on Hot Weather Walks
There are enough different microclimates in Tenerife that all of this advice applies to different areas in summer heatwaves. Here in this valley in the north of Tenerife, which is inland far enough to have a quite different climate from the neighbouring coast, for instance, it does indeed suddenly get much hotter around 5 p.m., when the wind seems to drop quite suddenly. This is a time to stay still, like the air and wait until the sun is lower, at around 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.
Staying Cool on Hot Weather Walks
The Average Tourist Comes to Tenerife
Do you take holidays in Spain have fish and chips for tea and there's a Ford Fiesta parked on the drive of your three-bedroomed semi? Then you might just be one of Britain's "Acacia Average". The typical resident of one of Britain's Acacia Avenues - yes one actually does take annual breaks to Tenerife with their three children - who lives in that image of sleepy suburban contentment: the tree-lined haven of middle-class, middle England. (Whether you consider that to be good, bad or indifferent, however, is a matter of taste, I guess!) But I suppose it does explain the plethora of fish and chips in Playa de Las Americas. :)
Meet The Acacia Average
New Probes into CIA Renditions in Europe
The investigation into the alleged use of European airports by the CIA in its transportation of terrorist suspects gained new impetus this week when Italy and Spain announced new probes. Spain has "categorically" rejected allegations in a report by the Council of Europe that it was one of 14 European countries which colluded in or tolerated the secret transfer of terrorist suspects by the United States. It is alleged that out of 1,080 European movements of planes allegedly chartered by the CIA between 2001 and the end of 2005, 125 went through 10 Spanish airports, mainly Majorca and Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
EU States Open New Probes into CIA Renditions in Europe
Monday, July 24, 2006
Canary Islands on Amber Alert Against Heatwave
Stolen from Terror AlertCanary Island health services today, are recommending precautions against a foreseeable increase in temperatures and have activated hospitals and emergency services to be prepared for possible greater demand.
After the National Meteorological Institute announced the foreseeable rise in temperatures, the alert level was raised to "orange". The effects of the rise in temperatures will be felt more generally in the province of Santa Cruz and, in the capital, temperatures of 26C minimum and 34C maximum are forecast.
Drink Lots
To avoid the effects of the heatwave, they advise, above all not to wait until you are thirsty, but to drink water at least once per hour and more, if you undertake any physical exercise or are one of the "high risk groups", such as the children, older people or those with pre-existing medical conditions. They also advise you to AVOID alcohol and to eat fruit and vegetables, but not to eat heavy or large meals or foods that can easily be contaminated, such as salad or mayonnaise.
Mad Dogs
Stay out of the noon day sun! In fact, the authorities advise against exposing yourself to the sun between the hours of 12:00 and 16:00, as this is the time when it can do you most harm and, they also say you should avoid going into the water after eating. Yes, just like your mum used to tell you. Mums know, you know!
If, despite following these preventative measures, you begin to feel overcome by the effects of the heat, it is recommended that you refresh yourself with wet sponges or towels or, take a bath or shower if you do NOT feel dizzy. If the symptoms don't resolve themselves, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Sanidad alerta ante una ola de calor
Sunday, July 23, 2006
The Canary Island Pine
Canary Island Pines in the Caldera de Taruriente, La Palma (España).
Photo: Luc Viatour
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The Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) is a common sight on the mountains of Tenerife where it manages to grow on very rocky ground and forms large areas of forest, but what is perhaps not so well known is that this tree has many medicinal properties.
Amongst other applications, essential oil from the Canary Pine needles and twigs can be used as an inhalant, to treat bronchitis and heavy colds, externally as a remedy for arthritis and rheumatic pain, and to treat bruises and sprains.
The Canary Islands Pine tree is an endemic plant of the archipelago, wild only in Tenerife, La Palma, Gran Canaria and Hierro, which sometimes reaches great dimensions; there are some plants up to 192 feet tall with trunks over seven feet in diameter.
Commonly planted in California and other warm western parts of the US.
In its native habitat, Canary Island pine produces strong, dense heartwood (sinks in water), which is much stronger and more durable than that of most pines.
The native range has been somewhat reduced due to over-cutting so that only the islands of Tenerife and La Palma still have large forests. It is the tallest tree in the Canary Islands. Its closest relatives are the Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii) from the Himalaya, and Turkish Pine from the eastern Mediterranean.
Medicinal Properties of The Canary Island Pine
Canary Island Pine From Wikipedia
Canary Island Pine Tree in Arizona
Pinus canariensis at Arborday Tree Guide
Pinus canariensis: Canary Island pine (Pinaceae Family) Compiled by the Master Gardeners of the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension.
Pinus canariensis Encyclopedia of Stanford Trees, Shrubs, and Vines
Heartwood Cloisters at the Franciscan convent in Garachico
306 Immigrants Arrive in Just One Day
A total of 248 undocumented immigrants arrived in the Canary Islands in the 24 hours to Saturday evening, among them two who died in Tenerife. Four men had to be hospitalized, two are in intensive care in a grave condition.
Meanwhile hospital ship, Esperanza del Mar (the name of which, nothing ironically, translates as Hope of the Sea), put to sea to rescue another 58 people from a boat located 320 miles south of Gran Canaria.
In the first week of July, three corpses were on board a canoe which reached Los Cristianos. This was the first case of bodies actually being disembarked from a boat in Tenerife and was the signal for a larger than usual emergency service contingent to be scrambled in Los Cristianos. It is known that many would-be immigrants die in the attempt to reach the islands.
Dos muertos y 306 inmigrantes llegan al Archipiélago en un solo día
Immigrant boat arrives with three dead
Friday, July 21, 2006
Cheap Flights from Tenerife North Airport
Two low-cost airlines have declared their intention of commencing flights between Madrid and the airport of Los Rodeos, Tenerife North, this winter. In both cases the airlines have asked for slots, although this does not confirm that they will use them. This should be confirmed at the end of this month.
The second largest low-cost airline in Europe, Easyjet, is proposing three flights per day between the Spanish capital and Los Rodeos, Monday through Sunday. These 21 weekly flights will provide 6,552 seats on Easyjet's A319 aircraft.
Vueling Airlines, Spanish low-cost airline with headquarters in Cataluña, has also declared their interest in operating in Tenerife, although they have initially only requested four connections per week, two on Saturdays and two on Sundays.
Vueling has also asked for authorization to establish other flights between Barcelona and Los Rodeos, which will offer a total of 2,880 seats per week.
These options practically guarantee that the cost of tickets will reduce.
The airports' authority (AENA) previsions also note that Hungarian national airline, Malev, wish to establish a weekly flight on Fridays, between Los Rodeos and Budapest. While other airlines already established at Los Rodeos have declared their interest in increasing current services. Among them is Air Europa, who have asked to increase their routes to the mainland to 21 flights a week to Madrid, six to Seville and three to Bilbao. Spanair will increase their flights to Madrid to 27 weekly and eight to Barcelona. Air Berlin will increase their routes to Nuremberg to twice a week and, Canary Island airline, Binter Canarias, has also requested permission to fly five times a week to Brussels.
Easyjet quiere volar este invierno tres veces al día entre Madrid y Los Rodeos
Hotter Than The Canaries
Maybe, maybe not. Today was pretty warm here (at least 30C in the shade), even in Tenerife's (relatively) "cold" north, though for most of the week we've had enough of the usual low-flying cloud, accompanied by pleasant alisios (sea breezes) to keep temperatures well below those they have been suffering in the UK. It seems impossible that holidaymakers flying out from Bournemouth airport mid-week might have been coming to the Canaries to "cool off".
Hotter Than The Canaries
Alzheimer centre for Puerto de la Cruz
The Santa Rita home for the elderly in Puerto de la Cruz is all set to embark on a new challenge under the inspirational leadership of the indefatigable Padre Antonio, parish priest and fund raiser extraordinaire. The idea is to build a dedicated centre for the care of Alzheimer’s sufferers which will also combine a research unit, a centre of investigation for European scientists and a residential block for visiting experts.
Alzheimer centre for Puerto de la Cruz
(Let's hope I haven't forgotten where it is when I need it. :)
The mummy returns
A very special meeting took place in Madrid last month when Cabildo president Ricardo Melchior visited a museum and came face to face with a Guanche mummy for whose return he has been tirelessly lobbying for months.
The desiccated corpse of the aboriginal, a male of some 35 to 40 years of age, has been in the possession of the National Museum of Anthropology, Ethnography and Natural Sciences in the Spanish capital since the end of the eighteenth century and is said to be unique for its unparalleled state of conservation.
The mummy will eventually be housed in the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (Museum of Man & Nature) in Santa Cruz.
The mummy returns
Carrefour goes for convenience
The big French supermarket chain Carrefour, already well established in the Canaries with its hypermarkets, is now trying to gain another and perhaps even more lucrative foothold with express convenience stores.
Carrefour goes for convenience
Gold star for the Red Cross
Los Cristianos took centre stage on the first day of the month when, in the singularly appropriate setting of the port, the Spanish government’s gold medal of merit was awarded to the Cruz Roja Española, the Spanish Red Cross, in recognition of that organisation’s humanitarian work in the face of the immigration phenomenon which is gripping the islands.
Gold star for the Red Cross
Green mission to Brussels
A green party delegation is in Brussels on a mission to try to convince Eurocrats of the problems posed by “urban development gone mad” in the Canary Islands and request they consider a reorientation of European funding.
Green mission to Brussels
Whoops, too big …
The long and winding road to renewable energy in Tenerife received yet another setback last week when it was revealed that new and more powerful wind turbines ordered in for the south are too large to pass through the Güímar autopista tunnels. (Laughable already, but worth clicking through just to see the Canary style DIY cartoon that Tenerife News have provided next to the story. :)
Whoops, too big …
British Consulate in Tenerife accepts credit and debit card payments
The modernisation of the services provided by British Consulates throughout Spain is continuing apace. The Consulates are spending considerable time reviewing the services that they provide to their customers. The latest area to be reviewed was the way that payment is accepted for services.
British Consulate in Tenerife accepts credit and debit card payments
Garachico Proposes to Substitute Street Names associated with the Franco Era
The Socialist group in the town hall of Garachico presented a motion this week calling for changes to the names of streets in the town reminiscent of the Franco era, such as Calle 18 de Julio (July 18th Street) and Calvo Sotelo, substituting them with the names Torrente and Calle de Norte, respectively.
A similar proposal was recently approved in La Orotava.
They deliberately chose to use the date of July 18th for the formal presentation - the 70th anniversary of the start of the military uprising (which, as history recounts, began from the Canary Islands), which heralded the start of the Spanish Civil War and later submerged the country into 40 years of obscurity.
For my own part, I think it probably is a good idea to change the street names where these might appear to infer some honour where it is not due.
On the other hand, I am in full agreement with Miguel at Canaria Bruta, who says that, "Things such as this must be remembered and not hidden by those [he actually said "subnormals" and he's probably not wrong to do so] who wish to cover up an ominous era of the history of Spain (forgetfulness causes things to be repeated), or rewritten by other subnormals to surround an era, in which everyone [1] should be a little ashamed, with glamour." 18 de Julio.
[1] And when Miguel says everyone, that does also include us Brits. Another shameful part in these events is that the privately owned DH 89 De Havilland Dragon Rapide, (still referred to in Spain as the Dragon Rapide) that took Franco to Africa on July 18th, 1936, was chartered in England on July 11.
Therefore, neither should we forget that, had he not have had that rather key little piece of British support, history might have been very different.
Proponen sustituir los nombres franquistas del callejero local de Garachico
Sunday is Harvest Day in El Palmar
Buenavista town hall, in association with local farmers, are organizing the Día de la Siega (Harvest Day) in El Palmar this weekend, an annual event which aims to rescue and revitalize ancient and traditional customs in this rural area.
The fun starts from 10 a.m. in fields around the finca of Los Pedregales.
It's a chance for everyone to muck in and help with cutting the wheat: a labour made that much less difficult when the task is shared and there is good music and food laid on - described as "a tasting of typical products of the land."
This is one of several events in the agricultural calendar locally that have been turned into festivities, though they are not mere exhibitions. This is a way of getting the real work done and not just a kind of ethnographic Disney Park.
After the wheat has been cut and had a chance to dry, in September, at the end of the valley's main annual fiesta, is the Día de la Trilla (Threshing Day).
Other events are the sowing and the ’recogida de la papa’ (Potato Harvest).
Farming here in this valley is still carried out using mostly manual methods very similar to those described in this article about Bakhdida in Iraq. Ploughs here are mostly machine, but individually operated, or at best pulled by a small tractor, but cutting is frequently done by hand with sickles and threshing here is still done on the floor of stone circles by horses and oxen pulling a type of wooden sled.
It is impossible to fully mechanize methods here because of the geography. Field sizes have to be kept small as they are terraced onto some pretty steep terrain.
Indeed, the mill stone shown being used by these three girls is of exactly the same type used by the Berber tribes in North Africa and by the Guanches here in the Canary Islands. These have mostly been superseded by small mills, but their use carried on here after the conquest and well into the 20th Century and, I'll bet there is still someone around here who uses such mill stones in their home.
Buenavista del Norte celebra este domingo el dia de la siega en el Barrio de El Palmar
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Oriental immigration threat warning
The Canary Islands have become the most attractive European territory for illegal immigration and currently holds third place in the world ranking after the US/Mexico border and North and South Korea. Now there is growing evidence that a new route has opened up, aimed at bringing in immigrants from the Far East to Tenerife.
Oriental immigration threat warning
Canary Islands Fill with Immigrants
The torrent of illegal immigrants entering Spain continued with the arrival of about 700 people in the last few days, while criticism of local president of the Canary Coalition, Paulino Rivero, increased. Monday only, 295 illegal African immigrants arrived in four boats at the Canary archipelago, two of them to Tenerife, one to Gomera and another one in Fuerteventura.
Canary Islands Fill with Immigrants
EU plans emergency border squads
A plan to create rapid reaction teams of border guards to deal with European Union immigration crises will be unveiled in Brussels today, report the BBC.
In the Canary Islands operation, Spain will control the foreign border guards, but Frontex experts will provide support and assistance. Spain asked in May for help tackling an influx of migrants to the Canary Islands, but it has yet to arrive.
The Commission is also expected to approve a list of priority policies to tackle illegal immigration. These are expected to include a new system for registering the arrival and departure of non-EU citizens visiting the EU, and encouragement to member states to crack down on employment of illegal immigrants.
EU plans emergency border squads
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
634-5789 What's my number?
This is typical here. After all, it is impossible to distinguish the fact from the fiction in much of the island's history, so why should the house numbering system be any different? At least it creates quaint things to look at!
(With apologies to the late Wilson Pickett for borrowing the lyrics for the headline, but I grew up listening to soul music.)
Lighting the way
A program being tested at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport could help prevent deadly runway accidents. Many aviation officials consider it the most dangerous part of a plane trip: moving across a runway just as another aircraft is taking off. The worst runway incursion occurred in March 1977, when a KLM Boeing 747, attempting to take off from Tenerife in the Canary Islands, collided with a Pan Am 747 coming from the other end of the runway.
Runway incursions happen far more frequently than you might like to think about too - the U.S. had 324 incursions in the fiscal year that ended last fall, including three close calls between commercial jets that were deemed the most serious, according to FAA data. That figure had dropped from 424 incursions in 2000. The system uses a series of computerized lights embedded along a runway to signal pilots and, they say, "It's more useful than the way they now get information – by looking out a cockpit window or relying on controllers."
Lighting the way
Labels: Tenerife Disaster
The Canaries Nobody Knows
Gully Wells, writing in Conde Nast Traveller, in many senses follows in the footsteps of English explorer, Olivia Stone, who wrote, "Tenerife and Its Six Satellites", published in 1887 - a time when "... no other English people had then traveled through the archipelago." Almost hard to imagine that now.
I giggled at Gully's thoughts on Stone: "I tried to imagine her stumbling across this blackened wasteland in her long serge skirt, clutching her hat, and scribbling away, as the locals shook their heads in amazement at la mujer Inglés."
Mainly, because I imagine they are still shaking their heads at another far less intrepid one, who coincidentally shared the same surname (originally), and who writes internet her diary while stumbling around one of Tenerife's quiet corners to this day. I hasten to add that I do not own any long serge skirts.
It is pleasing, but perhaps unexpected, to those who think Tenerife is all about mass tourism, that a writer for such an upmarket publication, after visiting five of the seven islands, lists Tenerife as one of their favorites.
In Tenerife, after visiting the two stunning colonial towns of La Laguna and La Orotava, concludes that her absolute favorite colonial town was Garachico, of which, she says, "I started up a cobbled side street during siesta time, when every house was closed up tight, and the farther I climbed away from the cafés and shops on the seafront, the more the town seemed to sink back in time."
It is a gorgeous article, which successfully imparts the real charm that the islands still possess, but which has, for too long, been missing from their descriptions.
The Canaries Nobody Knows
Canaries escape Spanish heat wave
Unlike the Spanish Mainland, which is currently suffering temperatures of 40ºC, the weather forecast for the Canary Islands is not predicting any sudden change. Experts say the climate in the islands over the summer is not expected to reach extremes, explaining that the famous ‘alisios’ or cool winds usually ensure that temperatures do not reach the forties by keeping the African heat at bay. Residents and the thousands of tourists who will spend their holiday in Tenerife are not expected to suffer the consequences of heat waves during July and August with temperatures remaining “normal” for this time of year.
Canaries escape Spanish heat wave
Plane crash-lands killing pilot and two trainees
A light aircraft crashed on Friday killing a pilot and two trainees on Tenerife. The plane came down in an open space in the town of El Rosario. The Cessna 172 had just taken off from the Los Rodeos airport on the north of the island.
Plane crash-lands near town killing pilot and two trainees
Canary Wharf hotter than Canary Islands
"Britons are basking in glorious sunshine with temperatures set to beat holiday resorts such as Ibiza and the Canary Islands.", say ITV.
Yeah, but not for long! Yesterday, my neighbour and I were discussing the fact that real summer is late here this year. We were joking that it probably wasn't coming until October, but then this morning, the swallows were out ducking and diving - actually they were dive-bombing the garden, much to the amusement of my cats - which, at this latitude, denotes that summer is arriving in earnest.
When it becomes too hot here, it's time for them to move north.
In the absence of air-con, it will soon be time to black out the windows and even avoid opening them so that the oven-heated hot air does not enter.
This time of year and especially in August, is when the north of Tenerife, particularly valleys at the intermediate altitudes, where the sea breeze doesn't reach, can be overpoweringly hotter than the south of the island.
Last year here, I had to terminate my attempt to find out what the temperature really was on my patio - at some point in the high 40's - because the plastic mount behind the thermometer began to melt and curl at the edges!
Usually, the islands go on alert if the temperature rises above 40C, but this year we have been promised some short heatwaves, but nothing like the extreme weather we all had in 2003 (2004 and 2005 were hot enough). We'll see.
Canary Wharf hotter than Canary Islands
Friday, July 14, 2006
Sex worker facts and figures
Almost 90% of all prostitutes who received medical assistance from the charity, Médicos del Mundo, in the Canary Islands last year were immigrants from abroad or from mainland Spain, a report has revealed. Their average age was between 25 and 35. The women came from Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, mainland Spain, Eastern Europe and North Africa, in that order. Most of them get into prostitution to resolve financial difficulties and do not take drugs.
Sex worker facts and figures
Maxwell movie in the offing
Fifteen years after the body of disgraced media tycoon Robert Maxwell was found floating off the south Tenerife coast, his larger-than-life story is to be given the big screen treatment. “Lies Have Been Told”, the play that was staged in the West End, is to be adapted and filmed in Hollywood.
Maxwell movie in the offing
Tenerife in Perspective
Click for larger view
As the story of yet another Bloodbath in Las Américas reaches the media, which will surely do no good at all for the island's already tainted reputation, I though I would take this opportunity to try to put this into perspective, graphically.
Despite many efforts to improve the island's image, sadly, Tenerife is still, mostly, sold in brochures and travel agents as "sun and sea".
Most of what is offered are package holidays, particularly in the area of Las Américas and Los Cristianos in a hotel packed resort. The result is that only those looking for a cheap holiday are attracted to the island and, among those with more quality and taste, the island is seen as somewhere to avoid, because they perceive that this concrete jungle represents the island as a whole.
Nothing could be further from the truth, of course. That would be like seeing Blackpool and thinking that it represents the whole of Britain.
On the map above (Click for larger view), I have outlined and coloured in, in blue, the area that most of this resort area covers. It should be noted that the notorious areas of trouble are but a mere spec in size within that area and, that not all of the resort area is actually a "bad neighborhood". In terms of it's relative size within the island as a whole, as you can see, the resort area is miniscule.
There are other resort towns on the island and residential towns, such as the island's capital Santa Cruz, but much of the rest is still rural. Much of the interior of the island, given the steep nature of the terrain, is completely uninhabited.
As such, it is easy to get away from the not so attractive resorts and, there is no need to find yourself stuck among the lower classes of tourist and all that surrounds them that are the sort of things that generally hit the media.
Thursday, July 13, 2006