Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Halloween in the Canary Islands
An article in BienMeSabe says that "the streets of the islands see more and more children each year in costumes of horrible witches, ghosts, monsters, black cats, vampires with sharpened teeth and widows with huge wigs ... with blood stained clothes, drawings of spiders' webs, lips and nails painted black. The dear little children of the Canary Islands become a part of the dismal antithesis of the colorful and fun Carnaval. They don't have much idea of why they are celebrating it, but by the look and the result, it can't be anything good."
I'll spare you the history, here being described, obviously, for those who may not know, but the opinion is that it is just a commercial event. Well, it is, isn't it? And, worse that it really is becoming linked to the occult, death and truly sinister things. Meanwhile, this article in Canarias 7 describes how the Irish bars in the south of Gran Canaria are preparing to celebrate this Anglo-Saxon tradition. No doubt, those in the south of Tenerife will be doing likewise.
Here, although Halloween is a relatively new arrival, November 1st is celebrated as the Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints Day) and the following day is Día de los Fieles Difuntos (Day of the Dead), occasion on which it is customary to visit the tombs of one's departed, clean up a bit and replace the flowers.
Por qué no a 'Halloween'
Monday, October 30, 2006
Situation of Alert for Weather in Tenerife
The Canary Islands Government is declaring a state of orange alert from midnight tonight in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, because of forecast high winds that could reach up to 90 kmph and heavy rain, expected at a rate of 20 liters per square meter, per hour. They advise not going out, closing all doors and windows and storing away any object that could be blown by the wind. If you do have to go out, they say you should stay away from narrow or tree-lined streets, old buildings or constructions works, beaches and other low-lying areas where the sea can reach.
Declarada la situación de alerta en la provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife por fuertes vientos
Labels: Tenerife Weather
Just How Many Demonstrated in Santa Cruz?
The contentious demonstration yesterday, that took place in Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz, in favour of a Ley de Residencia (Residence Law) ended up as one of those farcically humorous events where organizers, police and authorities are unable to agree on the numbers who turned up. According to the organizers, there were more than 20,000 demonstrators. The town hall chipped in with an estimate of 8,500 participants. According to police sources, it was less than 2,000.
No, don't ask me who to believe: I wasn't there.
Banners, provided by the organizers, had pro-Residence Law slogans such as, "Enough, we can't fit any more in." Has it really got that bad?
Twenty demonstrated against the march with a banner saying, "Build bridges, forget barriers. Our race, human, our heritage, the earth", chanting "No human is illegal."
Others appear to wish to turn the clocks back more than 500 years - and presumably return to dressing in goat skins - with an interpretation of "My Blessed Guanche Land." Bringing up the rear of the march were representatives of an extreme right Nazi group, who had demonstrated a few weeks ago on the south of the island, flanked by National Police agents, whom the organizers had requested be separated from the event, but otherwise, according to reports, all occurred without incident.
Menos de 2.000 personas acuden en Santa Cruz de Tenerife a manifestarse por la Ley de Residencia
Eqyptian Artist to Design Carnaval Posters
ABC report that Egyptian artist, Karim Rashid (website), is to design the posters for Tenerife capital's Santa Cruz Carnaval 2007. Fiesta organizers announced that they have entrusted the work to the international industrial designer.
Rashid, who lives in New York, was born in Cairo in 1960 and educated in England, Canada and Italy. He's known for a style described as "sensual minimalism" (he also designs a line of upmarket "erotic appliances") and has worked with Giorgio Armani, Tommy Hilfinger, Prada, Lacoste and Yahoo.
Some of his most representative works are the decorations at the Marimoto Restaurant in Philadelphia, the Hotel Semiramis in Athens and the Hotel Nooh in New York. His recently published book called Design Your Self, explains how to improve all areas of life. (Now, even how to party!)
El artista egipcio Karim Rashid diseñará el cartel del carnaval de Santa Cruz
Labels: Carnaval 2006
Echoes of Tenerife Case in Corfu Deaths
Strange claims of suicide pacts after the mysterious deaths in Corfu have a tragically familiar ring for one gas safety campaigner. Kate O'Hara reports. Speaking to the Yorkshire Post last night, Mrs Maher, who is now a prominent gas safety campaigner, said: "As soon as I heard the news I knew what had happened. There were all these ridiculous stories about suicide pacts and even religious cults – but I knew straight away. "The circumstances are almost identical to what happened to my children. My son was killed and my daughter was seriously injured in Tenerife.
Echoes of Tenerife Case in Corfu Deaths
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez in Concert in Tenerife, Spain
CelebritySnap! have more photos (eight of them, in fact) of Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez from the concert - slated as the biggest ever concert in south Tenerife - at the Estadio Olímpico Playa de Las Américas in Tenerife on October 19.
Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez in Concert in Tenerife, Spain
Labels: Jennifer Lopez in Tenerife, Marc Anthony in Tenerife
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Pirates of the Canary Islands
Pirates are nothing new in Canary Islands waters. Over the centuries, many of them were English too, but I'll save that story for another time.
No, this story is about an altogether more 21st Century type of pirate. As this report states, it is estimated that 125,000 Canarians (roughly 6% of the population) are pirating music and movies via broadband internet connections.
According to representatives of the companies who produce music and movies, the the incidence of illegal downloads via P2P (peer to peer) platforms is on the increase and is as high, if not higher, than on the Spanish mainland.
The increase in this illicit market is evidenced also by the growth in the numbers of pirated films and CD's confiscated by the police. In 2002, they had seized 397 illegal copies of films: three years later in 2005, the number had risen to 7,718.
The number of pirated music CD's, in the same time span, rose from 219 to 10,433, although these figures are far away from the national numbers.
Downloading music and films is an offence that can carry prison sentences of 6 to 24 months, although, up to now, no end user has ever been condemned. Yet.
Unos 125.000 canarios piratean música y cine a través de la banda ancha de la Red
La Fiesta de la Castaña
La Fiesta de la Castaña en la Finca de Osorio
Tenerife Country Housing in 1910
Tenerife has the most symbols of the Franco Era
There is the post office in La Orotava and monuments in the capital, such as the Monumento al Ejército Victorioso (Monument to the Victorious Army) (pictured) in the Avenida de Anaga, the Monumento a los Caídos (Monument to the Fallen) in the Plaza de España. There are many more, if you include names of streets and plazas, such as the Rambla del General Franco, Avenida José Antonio Primo de Rivera and Calles Sanjurjo, Mola, Fanjul, Goded, Calvo Sotelo or 18 de Julio.
The question, in Spain at the moment is whether to remove or change them, or not. Personally, this seems like a good idea to remove any inferance of honour, where it is opined that none is due. It is not such a good idea if it is done to "whitewash" the events from the face of history as though they had never happened.
Tenerife es el sitio de España con más símbolos franquistas en sus edificios
European Union Airport security rules change
Charles Starmer-Smith, reporting in the Telegraph, says that passengers will be able to take liquids through airport security checkpoints from November 6, under changes announced by the European Union on Thursday.
"Liquids - including drinks, soups, syrups, creams, oils, perfumes, gels, shaving foam, deodorants, toothpaste, mascara and lip salve - must be sealed in individual containers up to a maximum capacity of 100 millilitres each. The containers must then be placed in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag (up to one litre capacity per passenger)."
Now, before you get too excited, please try to imagine what you will do with 100 millilitres (a squirt, basically) of drink or soup. They've got to be having us on, right?
Airport security rules change
Paulina Rubio visited Tenerife yesterday
The top Mexican female pop singer, Paulina Rubio, visited Tenerife yesterday to promote her latest album, Ananda, which has already achieved sales of 20,000 copies in the islands.
(English-speakers may recognize her from her 2002 hit single Don't Say Goodbye.) During the visit, Rubio spoke about the secrets and intentions behind the notes and words of the album's songs and, announced that, before August next year, she will offer an concert in the Canary Islands.
Also taking the opportunity to criticize George Bush - who, unlike Ms. Rubio, certainly doesn't have much of a fan club here - and clearly referring to the immigration problem; speaking of so many people crossing borders, Rubio said that, "when frontiers exist in a person's mind, they also exist in a country, between cultures and between people."
Paulina Rubio will start her next tour in February, visiting Australia for the first time.
La rubia mexicana critica a Bush
Tenerife Mountain Goats, Rabbit Stew and an inquisitive local
Here's a surprise: a place in Tenerife that I had never heard of, Afur, which says this report (with great photos), is in a radical location in a remote and steep valley of the Anaga mountains - on the "handle" that is Tenerife's north east tip.
"Unlike Taganana, there is no road access to the beach - one reason Afur is not as popular. The valley has a cosy, secluded feel to it, but it isn't as dark as Masca in the afternoon. This is one place on this island where you feel that mass tourism has not beaten you there."
Tenerife Mountain Goats, Rabbit Stew and an inquisitive local
Friday, October 27, 2006
The Channel Islands of the Atlantic
The British-dependent Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey - two separate self-governing countries that are NOT part of the United Kingdom - are, to put in simple terms, known to most as tax havens where you can set up non-resident companies, but not as places you can move to, unless you happen to be stinking rich.
This, unless I am seriously mistaken (and I know I'm not), is approximately the situation that many in the Canary Islands would like to see for these islands too: Further autonomy from Spain, further investment into the similar offshore tax haven of the Canary Special Zone (ZEC) and as few foreign residents as possible.
The Canary Islands are currently debating over the creation of a Ley de Residencia (Residence Law), proposed by the Coalición Canaria (CC) nationalists (currently in charge of the Canary Islands Government) and backed by the center-right Popular Party (PP), the object of which is to put the brakes on the massive influx of immigrants who come to the islands and who wish to stay and live here.
The law doesn't intend to keep foreigners out of the Canary Islands, merely to limit the annual numbers and, so far, doesn't seem to apply to members of the European Union, who are entitled to free movement within member countries. But try telling that to the man in the street. To them a foreigner is a foreigner, whether they come from inside or outside the EU, or indeed, even from different communities in Spain.
Canarians are worried about any outsiders taking their jobs (compounded by the fact that unemployment has risen in the Canaries, while it has dropped in Spain overall). They are, perhaps understandably, also concerned that they end up seeming like foreigners in their own land, in places where a lot of outsiders congregate, as is the situation in areas such as Playa de Las Américas in the south of Tenerife.
Whilst I might not use the same melodramatic terms as this article in EL DÍA, one does have to accept that the Canary Islands are an archipelago with physical limits that cannot support an unlimited population. That is pure logic, as by extension, are some sort of measures that prevent the islands becoming over-saturated.
After all, who the hell would want to come and visit lumps of rock, covered in concrete towers? It's bad enough that that is the (incorrect) perception many already have!
As this article reminds us, many precedents already exist of territories that have controls on the population within their geographical space. Among them, France with limits in Corsica; Italy in Elba and Sicily; Britain with the Channel Islands & Isle of Man; Denmark in the Faroe Islands; Greece in many islands in the Agean sea and Dodecanese and Portugal with the neighbouring Madeira y Azores. A Canary Islands Residence Law would not be an exceptional situation in the European Union.
Why it hasn't happened previously, even though there have been "rumblings" of talk for years, was that it had not become an acute problem in the public's eyes until this year's massive influx of Africans, which has managed to make such a measure palatable to the population at large and gain a lot of support from among them.
And if you don't think the discussion is frequent, just do a Google search for "Ley de Residencia canarias" and see that you get well over half a million results, many of which are discussion posts as well as the press coverage. Multiply that by maybe ten, to include all the rest of the population who are not discussing it online and, I think, you will get some idea of the level of importance the matter has.
The latest polls back this up, by showing that immigration has unseated terror and unemployment as Spain's top worry. In the Canaries, unemployment, as we have mentioned, is still a worry and goes hand in hand with the immigration problem.
Unfortunately, whilst there are some people capable of debating the situation in a peaceful and adult manner, there are also far too many more here, fired by these frequent discussions, who are merely capable of racism and xenophobia - as I have personally found out on various occasions lately, being on the receiving end of pointedly deliberate "nasty" remarks, to unintentional, though ignorant ones.
This weekend will further show just how much support a Residence Law has.
Various residents' groups (with links to the nationalists) have called a demonstration that is to take place in Santa Cruz on Sunday. The organizers certainly expect a massive turn out from all over the islands. The CC themselves are split over it and there appears some attempt to be diplomatic. The president of the right-wing Partido Popular (PP) says he isn't going himself, but has "liberated his militants" so they can attend. Only the Socialist Parties (PSC-PSOE) have asked the government to put a stop to the demonstration against immigration, that they see as xenophobic.
They say and, I have to say I agree, that such an action gives out a message of "no to foreigners", that is highly unsuitable in a community that lives off tourism.
The islands need outside money to achieve that and to improve the standard of living for their citizens and, they know it. Up to now, we Europeans have been the "price" that has come with it, just as taxes are are merely a symptom of success (profits), but increasingly, we are seen with the same "enthusiasm" as the former. The "antidote" to that is encouraging non-European investment into the ZEC, which I think is demonstrated by the keenness (and success) in attracting US money of late.
The unions have expressed their rejection of the demonstration, calling it racist. As has the Platform for Human Rights. The latter also criticize the Coalición Canaria (CC) and the Partido Popular (PP) for not putting a stop to it and, accuse them of feeding the whole thing with party political and electoral messages.
But my forecast is still that the ink is already virtually dry on the Residence Law, creating, effectively, The Channel Islands of the Atlantic, demonstration or not.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Guy risks sleep over love of galaxies
Slooh ? a pun on the verb ?slew,? as in changing a telescope?s orientation, and the exclamation ?ooh!? ? is the brainchild of a dot-com zillionaire named Michael Paolucci, who made his mark in online video and advertising companies. He had the bucks to combine his love of astronomy with his knowledge of online commerce, so he did. Paolucci leased space on a 7,000-foot-high mountain on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, off the west coast of Africa, where an observatory has existed for three decades. He built five telescopes in two domes and an all-sky camera, then hooked them to a Web server in New York City ...
Slooh's 'primary software' guy risks sleep over love of galaxies
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Brian May to Write Music for Tenerife Telescope
Bet you didn't know that May binned a PhD - his thesis was on something called "zodiacal light" - to tour with Queen. (Somehow, I don't think anyone would ever accuse May of having made a bad decision there.) The Guardian also report that May has been invited to write and perform a piece of music for the grand opening of a telescope in Tenerife, which when completed will be the biggest in the world.
Canary Islands are Third in the World for the Number of Tourists per Square Kilometer
Nevertheless, it sounds like tourists are standing on each other's heads in a pyramid when the article talks about "levels of human pressure" and that the Canary Island archipelago packs in 1,409 per square kilometer. Against Malta's huge 3,446, this does not seem quite so sardine-like, until you remember that almost all the tourists in the Canary Islands are concentrated into small areas, but that the calculation of the average, no doubt, includes the 50% of the land surface that is not used.
The study did indicate that the majority of Canarian Beaches support levels of human pressure that are above European standards, which allows 6 square meters per tourist. (Despite which, it was difficult to find a picture of a really busy Tenerife beach.) The ratio of tourists to residents 5.19:1 is also only beaten by the Balearics, who have almost double that number. Another indicator of the pressure is building density, with resorts that have more than 19,000 beds per square kilometer.
What the Canary Islands can offer that differentiates them from other less visited and cheaper destinations, says the Government, are the health, transport and security that offer the European visitor a guarantee of modern assistance and quality.
Canarias es el tercer destino del mundo con más turistas por kilómetro cuadrado
Venezualan Fast Food in the Canary Islands
My local supermarket sells a variety of Venezuelan specialities, as do many others and there can hardly be a food store on the islands that does not sell the special flour for making Arepas. (It should be noted that I know Canarians who have never been to Venezuela, nor have close relatives who did, but who still make these at home.) When, a few years ago, there was a shortage of imported Venezuelan prepared arepa flour in the islands, it was considered to be a very serious matter indeed!
Because arepas are so "normal" here, I therefore found it quite amusing to read that the latest chic and trendy cheap eats in New York's East Village can be found at the Caracas Arepa Bar. Jaunted travel blog, who describe the experience here, as I do, labour under the assumption (and I have no intention of investigating its correctness) that arepas are a whole lot healthier than most other forms of fast food.
NB: If you can read the French description with the photo, you'll see that the author says they like the spicy sauce with the chicken (as shown) and the green avocado sauce with the beef (carne mechada). Perfect: I could not agree more!
Coffee Corner: Cortado Leche Leche
For those who read French, there is a full description with the photo. For those who do not, this basically, consists of a dollop of sweet condensed milk at the bottom of the small glass, onto which is poured the coffee (an expresso if possible) and then the rest of the glass is filled with hot milk. The concentrated milk stays at the bottom (unless or until you stir it). Leche is Spanish for milk and, thus, the repetition of the word in the name refers to the two types thereof contained in the drink.
Yeah, condensed milk on a regular basis can add to the waistline! Suggestion: When you fancy something sweet to complete a meal, as well as your coffee, but don't have room for a desert, order a Cortado Leche Leche and it will do the double duty.
High Winds Cause Rock Falls in Tenerife
A series of small rock falls onto the roads of La Palma and Tenerife have, so far, been the only incidences caused by the strong winds that began to blow in the islands yesterday and, for which they have been in a state of "pre-alert" since Monday when winds with gusts of up to 75 kmph were forecast. The falls have not caused the closing of any roads, nor has it affected traffic on the affected roads, mostly found in the areas of Buenavista del Norte and Santiago del Teide in Tenerife.
We also got a goodly quantity of rain overnight here too, but this is nothing untoward around this date. Apparently, or so I was told when I was chatting to natives in the town yesterday, this always happens when it is fiesta time in Buenavista. And, I'll bet you thought bad weather was reserved only for British Bank Holidays!
El viento causa desprendimientos en La Palma y Tenerife
Labels: Tenerife Weather
Goverment to Approve New Mortgage Law
The Central Government in Spain is to approve the new Ley Hipotecaria (Mortgage Law) before March next year to regulate the mortgage market and which will come into force in the first quarter of 2007. Among the provisions in the law are reductions in Notary and property registration costs (with approx 40% savings), along with limits to the amounts of the commissions that banks can charge. The measures will only apply to new mortgages negotiated after the law comes into force.
El Gobierno central aprobará antes de marzo la nueva Ley Hipotecaria
Canarian Industrialists Most Optimistic in Spain
The director of the Chamber of Commerce in Santa Cruz, Vicente Dorta, has announced that the level of optimism among enterprises in the islands this year is the highest in the country at 16.2%, almost five points over the national average of 11.3%. The two Canary Islands provinces show a marked difference, however, with optimism rated at 14% in Las Palmas, rising to a very hopeful 18% in Santa Cruz. Tourism is the sector with the most optimistic outlook, given the anticipation of good results in the last quarter of the year and confidence in an increase in both the number of employees in the industry, as well as in the value of investments.
Los empresarios canarios son los más optimistas de toda España
EU To Sanction Canaries over Energy Waste
One has to wonder how much notice will be taken of the EU's measures, however, La Opinión report that, "shortly, the Canary Islands will receive tough sanctions over their avoidance of energy saving and the imposition of policies of alternative energy in the islands." The European Union say that they are not going to permit the neglect in this area, given the climatic bonanza in the islands; the long hours of sun and the possibilities to harness both the wind and the sun to generate clean energy.
La UE sancionará a Canarias por incumplir en ahorro energético
More Roads and Housing in the Canaries
Wasn't it five minutes ago that the EU had insisted on a reduction in road building in Spain? Well, bugger that, it seems (though, thank you, yes, we'll take your hand outs), as the Canarian executive yesterday approved the budget for 2007 - an election year - and in which spending is to be increased by 6,320 million euros (8.6%).
The environment and education are where the least additional money has been allocated, while roads, transport and housing remain the government's "golden child", with an increase in investment of almost 25%. Justice is to get a rise of 14.6%. Tourism is the other large bet for 2007, with 12% more funds.
El Gobierno prima la inversión en 2007 e Infraestructuras crecerá casi un 25%
Santa Cruz: Capital of the Atlantic
Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz, has initiated the process, after an unanimous vote at the city council sessions, to develop an initiative to have the city included in UNESCO's Cultural Itinerary and the European Cultural Route.
The idea and justification behind this project, as well as aiming to revitalize the capital's economy, is to better promote alternatives to the "sun and beach" image of Tenerife, by highlighting the city's urban and cultural offerings.
Capital del Atlántico
Tenerife South Hospital Works to Re-Start
After the discovery of layer of volcanic ash in the subsoil of the land where the hospital is being built, which stopped work on the project at the end of August, works are expected to begin again next month. Multiple columns will be built to penetrate the ground until they reach solid rock, in order to support the structure. This will add another 4.5 million euros to the 31.5 million already approved for these works.
Las obras del hospital del Sur se retoman en noviembre con un sobrecoste de 4,5 millones
More Nautical Tourism for the Canary Islands
The Tourism Council of the Canary Islands Government have signed an agreement with the port authorities in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canary to to promote more cruise tourism in Canary Islands ports. (Being flippant, public conveniences and opening the shops in Tenerife's capital might be a couple of measures they could use to make the ports more welcoming.
Turismo firma un convenio con las Autoridades Portuarias para fomentar el producto de cruceros
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Bringing new meaning to the term "poop deck"!
Commenter, David Simpson, got it dead right and kindly provided the title for this post: It must be very inconvenient (though really, it's no laughing matter) that, apparently, the 1,500 cruise passengers on board Thomson's Destiny cruise ship - currently making a seven-day voyage around the Canary Islands and Morocco - were caught short without toilets for three days. Then other comments about budget priced cruises suggest that maybe people should expect to spend more than a penny! :)
1,500 cruise ship passengers without toilets for 'three days'
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Tenerife, the best Carnaval in the World
The magazine called our Carnaval "the most spectacular and safe" of all those celebrated and because it has become an important springboard for artists to launch their careers in Spain. The magazine awarded the prize to the councillor responsible for the Tenerife Carnaval, Bruno Piqué, at an event celebrated at the Betsy Ross Hotel on Ocean Drive on Miami's famous South Beach on Wednesday.
Tenerife, el mejor Carnaval del mundo, según la revista Fama
Labels: Carnaval 2006
Photos of Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony in Tenerife
As I am sure you've noticed by now, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have been in Tenerife this week where J Lo came out for some duets during his concert. Popsugar have photos of them both on stage and of J Lo and her mum on their patio at the Hotel Europe Villa Cortes.
Labels: Jennifer Lopez in Tenerife, Marc Anthony in Tenerife
Thursday, October 19, 2006
The Biggest Ever Concert In South Tenerife
Another hundred people have been involved in the production of the concert and the construction of the staging, to which must be added the forty or so people, including musicians, who travelled with Marc Anthony and his wife, Jennifer Lopez, to the island and the team of twenty who are here to record the event for MTV.
All in all, it is the biggest ever paid concert that has ever been held in the south of Tenerife and one of the most expensive in the history of the Canary Islands: an event that the local authorities are, perhaps understandably, calling "historical".
Tenerife singer, Nauzet (who will be performing next week in Buenavista del Norte), has been added to the lineup for the concert that now starts earlier, at 8.30 p.m.
Additional tickets seem to have been released on drip feed: on Tuesday, around 28,000 of the original 30,000 had already been sold. Today, Rider Promotions y Oye Producciones confirmed that, due to the huge public demand, another 2,000 were to be put on sale and, at this rate, they may well fill the 40,000 capacity stadium. The box office also was opening earlier than previously advertised, at 4 p.m.
Beware of Stolen Tickets
Nothing is ever without incident and, it is also reported that a group of four youths robbed the Music Line store in San Isidro (Granadilla) and made off with the contents of the cash register, which as well as money, contained 100 tickets for Marc Anthony's concert - numbered between 1.751 a 1.850. Music Line, as well as the concert organizers, believe that the thieves will attempt to sell these tickets. Music Line expect that the police will be able to apprehend the youths as the store has security cameras and film of the robbery shows the face of one of the robbers.
Con Marc Anthony llega el espectáculo
Rosario Flores y Antonio Carmona comparten escenario con Marc Anthony
Rosario y Carmona llegan "encantados" para actuar hoy junto a Marc Anthony
Un total de trescientas personas forman parte del plan de seguridad para el concierto de Marc Anthony en Tenerife
Labels: Jennifer Lopez in Tenerife, Marc Anthony in Tenerife
Jennifer Lopez Goes Shopping With Mother
The couple have been relaxing the hotel Villa Cortés since their arrival on Monday, hardly leaving their suite. Reports suggest that they have been dining, late at night, on anchovy pizza and Mexican food.
Meanwhile, the hotel Villa Cortés, is said to be very content with their new tenants and are reported to have said that Marc Anthony is very pleasant and agreeable. Amongst curiosities, it is said that the couple order around ten bottles of water a day.
Fans, who had waited in vain for hours over the last couple of days, were finally awarded a glimpse of Jennifer Lopez yesterday, who together with her mother, went shopping to the exclusive shop, Scada, in the Centro Comercial Bahía del Duque to buy an outfit she'd seen in a magazine.
Those who would have liked to have browsed with the star would have been unlucky though as the establishment was closed to the public so that J.Lo could indulge in her well known passion for shopping undisturbed. While they were out, they spent a few hours to have a manicure and pedicure, leaving a substantial 40 euro tip.
Afterwards, Lopez went with Marc Anthony to the stadium to supervise the rehearsals for tonight's show and for the MTV "Live in Tenerife" recording.
Photos of JLO Shopping in Tenerife
Con Marc Anthony llega el espectáculo
Rosario Flores y Antonio Carmona comparten escenario con Marc Anthony
Labels: Jennifer Lopez in Tenerife, Marc Anthony in Tenerife
How much do the Canaries rely on Tourism?
Tourism is, quite obviously, a very important factor in the economy of the Canary Islands, but just how much do the islands rely on tourism for their economy?
La Opinión report on a study of the economic impact of tourism and employment in the Canary Islands that tells us the tourist sector provided 30.4% of the archipelago's income in 2005 and, provided jobs for over 307,000 direct employees.
Tourist activity had increased in 2005, by 4.2% more than in 2004, according to the report. Tourism also provides 36.8% of employment in the Canary Islands, making the islands considerably more dependent upon the sector than the rest of the country, where jobs in the tourist sector average at 9.8% of the employment market.
Tourism is also responsible for 84.9% of the export of services in the Canaries, which generated 8,270 million euros of spending on goods and services by tourists.
In contrast to this, 21.2% (2,000 million euros) of both public and private investment made during 2005 in the islands could be attributed to tourism. Equally, tourism was responsible for 14.1% of public spending (1,184 million euros) during 2005 and for 34.4% of the taxes collected in the islands.
El turismo representa el 30,4% del PIB canario y genera 307.000 empleos
Improvements to Passenger Terminal at Tenerife
Terminal at Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia Airport. Photo: Guanxito2006Diario de Avisos report that next years budget includes almost 30 million euros - 29,973,000 to be exact, which is around 20 million pounds - for the enlargement and improvement of passenger terminal at Tenerife South's Reina Sofia airport.
The present arrivals area is to be increased, as is the departures, with a new building for departures, joined to the current one and that will provide space for a further 40 check in desks.
Other works include improvements to air conditioning, air traffic control, security and fireproofing. Tenerife South airport expects to handle over nine million passengers in 2007, a figure which ranks the airport as one of the top seven in Spain. If you add the four million who pass through Tenerife North airport, the island's airports are the 20th busiest in Europe.
The other 8,624,000 euros of the 38 million that the island will receive from the State in 2007, is destined to prepare for the construction of the port in Granadilla: the contentious project that is still awaiting a report on its environmental impact from the European Union and, which is rejected by many of the island's residents.
El puerto de Granadilla y el Reina Sofía recibirán 38 millones de euros
Improving Punta de Teno for Visitors
That would be despite the road closed notices, I suppose? Yes, it seems everyone ignores them, in various languages. :)
The works, which will use materials that integrate with the environment to preserve the virginity of the area, will take five months to complete at a cost of 346,115 euros that is being paid by the department of tourism of the Tenerife Island Corporation.
Comienzan las obras del proyecto de mejora de la Caleta de Bastián en Punta de Teno en Buenavista del Norte
New Visitor Center in Icod de los Vinos
The Tenerife Island Corporation is to complete the construction of a new visitor center at the Parque del Drago in Icod de Los Vinos; a project that has a budget of 2.2 million euros over two years.
The visitor center will have 300 square meters of exhibition space, a shop, restaurant, laboratory and library, amongst other facilities, including service areas, warehousing and rest rooms.
The land where the center is to be built, in Calle Las Angustias, is next to the passage to the old mill, the restoration of which is included in the project.
El Cabildo impulsa la construcción del centro de visitantes del Parque del Drago, en Icod
More International Promotion for The Canaries
The Government of the Canary Islands, together with Turespaña are to promote the Canary Islands in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the United States, Finland, Ireland, Holland, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland and Russia until the end of the year.
The campaign, called ¡Sonríe! Estás en Canarias! (Smile You're In the Canaries), will include promotions in magazines, internet and other media. The cost: 2.9 million euros, shared between the eleven countries and another 450,000 euros online.
Another 42,800 euros is being invested in in-depth studies of the demand, segmentation and habits of the tourist markets in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxemburg, Holland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Turespaña se implica en promocionar las islas en Europa y Estados Unidos
International Athletes in Buenavista Race
Four Spanish international athletes - who are as yet to be named - are to take part in the VI Carrera Popular Los Remedios 2006, the "popular race" in Buenavista del Norte, which is part of the events being held for the town's annual fiestas. All that is known about the runners is that two of them won medals at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia and in the last European Championships in Gothenburg.
For those who read Spanish, or who just want to be stunned by the length of the list of events for a fiesta in what is, basically, only a one-and-a-half horse town, Bienmesabe has the full Programa de Fiestas de Buenavista del Norte.
Cuatro atletas internacionales participarán en la Sexta edición de la Carrera Popular de Los Remedios en Buenavista del Norte
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Marc Anthony & Jennifer López Arrive in Tenerife
Marc Anthony and his wife, singer and actress, Jennifer López, arrived at Tenerife's Reina Sofia airport last night by private jet, accompanied by strong security measures and an entourage of around 100 people, report La Opinión.
Marc Anthony and Jennifer López arrived in Tenerife at around 9 p.m. to be met by two Audi's with tinted windows, which took the couple to the hotel Villa Cortés - a 5 Star hotel (naturally), built in the style of a Mexican hacienda - in Arona, where 50 rooms have been reserved for them and their entourage while they are here in Tenerife for the concert, "Live in Tenerife", which will be held at the Estadio Olímpico Playa de Las Américas, on Thursday.
The musicians, who had arrived at around 3:30 p.m., says the report, carried their instruments by hand and took taxis, private cars and busses to get to the hotel.
News released last week that Lopez would also perform at this, the final concert of Marc Anthony's Spanish tour, have certainly bumped up the ticket sales.
Almost all of the original 30,000 have been sold and organizers are studying the possibility of raising it to 35,000. Also on the bill are Rosario Flores, Antonio Carmona (of Ketama) and flamenco dancers, Barullo, El Farru y José Maya.
The concert starts at 9 p.m. and doors to the stadium open at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Marc Anthony y Jennifer López llegaron anoche con un séquito de 100 personas
Marc Anthony y Jennifer López llegan a Tenerife para cerrar la gira
Labels: Jennifer Lopez in Tenerife, Marc Anthony in Tenerife
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Autumn Comes to the Canary Islands
Canarias 7 say that cloudy skies will predominate in the Canary Islands tomorrow, according to the Meteorological Institute and they do not discount some occasional, light rain, most probably in the areas of the north and the west of the islands.
The temperatures will reduce, most notably in central and high areas. Temperatures of a maximum of 24 degrees centigrade and a minimum of 20 degrees centigrade are expected in Santa Cruz.
Winds will be moderate westerly with strong gusting on high ground, which could become very strong in Tenerife. Equally, westerly winds are expected in Canary Islands waters, force 4 and with a choppy sea of 1 to 2 meters in the north west.
The cloudy skies are forecast to remain over the islands for a few days, with localized light rain. The temperatures will drop to, later, rise again and stabilize.
Mañana cielos nuboso a muy nubosos, con posibles lluvias y bajada de temperaturas
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Buenavista del Norte de Fiesta
Not a week goes by without a fiesta somewhere around here, it seems, and events for Los Remedios 2006, the annual fiestas, probably the last of the "summer" festivals locally, in honour of the town's patron, kicked off last night. The main events are coming up on the 24th, the eve of the fiesta on the 25th.
Next Saturday, October 21st, is the night of the Gala Election of the Queen of the Fiestas. During this gala, dance troupe, D’Anitra, will perform, there'll be humor from clave de ja and performances by singers, Nauzet and Mayelin.
(There's some quite well known names there, if you are familiar with local TV, which is an impressive lineup for a pueblo of this size and, leads me to believe that most of these events will probably be televised on one or other of the local channels.)
On the 24th, Las Libreas, the unique dance from the El Palmar valley takes place at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. is the eve mass, followed by the procession of the sacred image of the Virgen de los Remedios through the customary streets of the town, at the end of which will be a grand exhibition of fireworks. This will lead on to the cavalcade of floats decorated by the residents of the town and the whole night will be topped off with a verbena - best translated as an all night street party with dancing.
On the 25th, the day of the patron, the town hall will receive the Queen of the Fiestas and her court at 11 a.m. After the reception, they will make a floral offering in the church of Los Remedios and attend mass for the patron of Buenavista. After, yes, another mass at 7 p.m., there follows a concert in Plaza de Los Remedios, by the municipal band. (They are very good actually.) At 9 p.m. the central scenery will be taken over by a Festival of Art, with a concert from The Original Big Band.
The seventh edition of the Buenavista Song Contest will also take place, where, they say, "music fans will interpret well known themes live." During this week and a bit of fiestas, there are other concerts, painting exhibitions, sports competitions, cinema, parades of costumes, festivals of folklore and of classical music and a day dedicated to kids and old folk - to round it all off with something for everyone.
Fiestas de Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios en Buenavista del Norte - Aurelio Abreu: “Sin el pueblo sería imposible realizar las fiestas de esta envergadura”
Archaeologist says Guanches Came from South America
Despite much evidence to suggest that the origins of the guanches - the aboriginal inhabitants of the islands before the Spanish conquest - were in the Berber tribes of North Africa, archaeologist, Pablo Novoa, has discovered, during 30 years of study, similarities between indigenous cultures in the Caribbean and the Canary Islands.
In his book about the pre-colombian culture in the Canary Islands, "Los Araguaco-Tainos, una cultura precolombina en Canarias", published by Benchomo, Novoa has tried to demonstrate that contact existed between these cultures.
They could have done it and, there is the fact that the chronicles of Christopher Columbus, tell us that the indigenous populations of Central America has an ample knowledge of navigation. Novoa's theory is based on the analysis of more than 600 items repeated in various locations and, the existence of around 100 aboriginal words that have a similar meaning to those used today by Canary Islanders.
For those who speak Spanish and are also fascinated by this subject, the matter is discussed, at considerable length at El Foro de Canarias. It is an ever repeating theme, but as the first comment in that thread begins, "There is an awful lot unknown about the Guanche reality, very affected by myth." And it is true that most Canarians themselves, know little of their true history, free of myths and legends.
Un arqueólogo afirma que los guanches proceden de Sudamérica
Vision for the Teno Rural Park
The Cultural Center in Buenavista del Norte, the Casa de La Viuda (Widow's House), recently held a meeting, organized by the council for the environment and attended by a variety of entities related with the direct or indirect management of one of the most important natural spaces in the Canary Islands archipelago, the Teno Rural Park.
Representatives from Buenavista del Norte, Los Silos, El Tanque and Santiago del Teide; the Tenerife Island Corporation, various departments of territory management, tourism, conservation, agriculture and culture, met to discuss technical issues.
From the conclusions drawn from this encounter, the experts intend to create a project for the sustainable development of the park; reevaluating the agricultural sector as a means to conserve the current use of the land and, in the creation of a network of visitors' reception centers to attend to the tourists who visit the park.
La Mesa Técnica del Parque Rural de Teno (Buenavista del Norte) propone un modelo basado en el apoyo al sector agrícola y la potenciación de una red de recepción de visitantes
Perpetuating the poverty cycle
Paul Hazebroek, at Radio Netherlands, who had just arrived back from Mauritania where he interviewed impoverished Africans who were about to risk their lives sailing to the Canary Islands in leaky canoes - in search of a better life - makes interesting (and, I fear, correct) observations on the fact that EU countries "quite capable of paying their own way" get millions of euros in handouts and asks, "How many schools could have been built in sub-Saharan countries with that money, how many subsistence farmers could have bought themselves a piece of land, how many people could have got a small business off the ground with a little micro-credit?"
Perpetuating the poverty cycle
See The Canary Island Sea Bed in Birmingham
Los fondos marinos canarios se dan a conocer en Birmingham
NB: See more of Canary Jon's underwater shots here.
Visit the Tower in La Laguna for a Euro
For now access to the tower is free, but from January, "a symbolic price" of one euro will be charged that includes "the route of the churches and convents", arriving at the base of the tower, where groups of not more than 20 people can visit. Afterwards, access to the church is via the patio, when no religious services are taking place.
There are three tours per day, Monday to Friday and two on Saturdays, guided by professionals in tourist information, who will be able to tell you all you wish to know about the site. The money will go towards the upkeep of the town's important monuments.
Interestingly, doubty, whose photo appears (above) says that they did not understand why La Laguna had been made a World Heritage Site, until they entered this church. Sounds like it must therefore be worth a visit ... And cheap at the price.
La torre de La Concepción ya puede ser visitada y el acceso costará un euro
EU insists on reduction in road building
No more easy way out: chief of Regional Policy Management at the EU, Rudolf Niessler, said that, "Investing in motorways is much easier than investing in innovation." By reason of their ultra peripheral location, the Canary Islands get a supplementary EU hand out of 512 million euros.
Bruselas advierte a España para que use los fondos europeos en innovación
Killer Cables
Another reason to hate the spaghetti of ugly overhead electrical cables: blog, La misteriosa isla de San Barandán, report that for the Día Mundial de las Aves (World Bird Day) that was celebrated in Spain last weekend, volunteers from SEO/Birdlife collected 200 birds that had been killed by electrocution or collision with cables in the previous week.
Among them they found various species that are under threat of extinction. These cable inspections were carried out in the communities of Castilla y León, Madrid, Castilla La Mancha, Extremadura, Andalucía and Aragón.
The overhead cables are already vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather, dangerous to rescue helicopters and, in my opinion, pig ugly on an island that relies on its beauty to attract tourists as it's main source of income. There are also many overhead cables and protected species of birds here in the Teno Rural Park.
Cables asesinos
Related posts:
Buenavista does Underground Cabling
Residents want cables buried
Friday, October 13, 2006
Tenerife in December
Labels: Christmas
For more about Christmas in Tenerife, visit:
Canary Islands Christmas 2006 | Christmas in the Canary Islands | Santa's Tropical Grotto | Tenerife Christmas Images | Exclusive Tenerife Gifts ...
Lots of people are searching for Tenerife in December and, anyone planning a trip to the island then, most probably for Christmas, will want to know what the weather is going to be like. In the absence of a crystal ball to be able to give you the weather forecast for Christmas Day 2006 (sorry), I have done a little bit of digging into the historical weather conditions over the last ten years, on December 25th:
Tenerife South Weather: December 25th
Historical data, courtesy of Weather UndergroundTemperatures shown are centigrade: the maximum, presumably, at the hottest part of the day and the minimum looks to be the night-time reading.
Not much of a chill factor either in winds, all but once, well below 10 miles per hour and, the likelihood of rain ... Well, we won't tempt fate by outwardly saying it, but I think that the figure somewhat speaks for itself! :)
Add to this that sunset is around 6:15 p.m. - considerably later than it will be at that time of year further up the hemisphere - and that the length of the day is around 10 hours 20 minutes, with visible light for over 11 hours of the day, there is every reason to believe that you should find ideal conditions to beat the winter blues.
Not booked yet? What's keeping you? :) Winter 2006/7 Now on Sale!
Tags: Tenerife, Canary Islands, Canarias
The Water In the Canary Islands
Years ago, on a trip to the Jardin Del Atlantico - a park constructed from an old banana plantation in the Valle San Lorenzo in the south of Tenerife - I learned how water is obtained on this island from the underground galleries in the mountains, which was explained by the use of a working model of the island. Actually, it's fascinating and I thoroughly recommend a visit to this park for many reasons.
Here, in an article from locally "adopted son", historian and University Professor, Manuel J. Lorenzo Perera, we learn a little more about this process of obtaining water from these underground sources, with photos of the gallery here in the El Palmar valley in area of the aptly named Monte del Agua (Water Mount). This is also the area that contains and you can visit, some of the island's only last remaining bits of ancient laurisilva (subtropical cloud forest endemic to the islands).
Many people, including locals, do not know that there are no rivers from which to obtain fresh water on these islands, nor do they know from where the water is obtained. Nobody explains that you shouldn't fill the bath, nor run the shower or tap for a long time, out of respect for this scarce and difficult to obtain resource.
Perera calls the water trade "Un negocio doblemente subterráneo" (A doubly underground business), given that it is where it physically takes place and the manner in which, in days of old, that it was managed. The two men who are pictured in the article are amongst those who had worked in this dangerous business, wading about in water with no boots, no safety equipment, no work contracts, no health or accident coverage and in an atmosphere full of dangerous gasses.
Most of the galleries in Tenerife were opened during the 20th Century and are horizontal tunnels, orientated to extract what has always been a scarce and precious resource. The galleries vary in length, between 1,000 and 2,000 meters, which were excavated - with dynamite and hand tools - 3/4 of a meter, or a meter at most with an experienced worker, during the 8 to 12 hour working day. It wasn't until the 1950's, when any sort of mechanization was introduced.
For many young men in this area, working in these water mines was the only employment available to complement working the land for subsistence. It was an unknown world worked, in blood and sweat, in deplorable conditions, by these authentic hombres-topos (mole-men) down in the dark tunnels.
In those days, the water was not a matter for the local council either. Once it was excavated, it was channeled to a "trusted source" who then saw to distributing it, via private "shareholders", to the enclaves they considered convenient.
These labour conditions explain why throughout the history of the galleries, quite unsurprisingly, there have been numerous grave accidents: loss of limbs, loss of partial or total hearing from the blasts and even the death of some miners.
It is therefore unsurprising that when the gallery of El Carmen in Las Portelas here in the El Palmar valley was first opened, a niche was constructed to the right-hand side of the entrance, in which was placed a small image of the Virgen del Carmen.
Outside the gallery there is a rosebush of small roses and every day, the daughters of the miners would take roses to offer to the virgin, when they took food to their fathers, both to protect their ancestors and so that we never lack the water of life.
(With tap water still being declared unsuitable for drinking in various areas, including this, because of elevated levels of fluoride - something one can be a little more tolerant of knowing how lucky we are to get any water, under these circumstances - perhaps it's time to go up the hill and check that the virgin has enough roses?)
El agua en Canarias. Un negocio doblemente subterráneo
Shock as singer’s mum dies at holiday home
Marion Stansfield, mother of singer Lisa Stansfield, has died at the age of 63. She passed away in her sleep at the family’s holiday home in Tenerife on 27 September.
Shock as singer’s mum dies at holiday home
Never Better than Washed By Hand
Yesterday was the scene of one of the more unusual cultural events in the area of Los Lavaderos (The Laundries) in Santa Cruz, Tenerife. The Residents Association of Los Lavaderos, organize, every October 12th, an event which harks back to the time when women of the area spent their days doing their washing and that they took in to do for other families and, including the laundry for those who came into Santa Cruz port on ships - by hand in the public washing facilities. A tradition that goes back to the 19th Century, but which was still being carried out as recently as the 1970's.
Apparently, it was such a powerful memory in the area that the antique washtubs were reopened, as an exhibition, in 1982, since when the locals decided to make it into this annual event. Though this might seem decidedly third-world, say La Opinión, the women say that they prefer to wash by hand and that the results are far superior to those achieved with any modern automatic washing machine.
Nunca como a mano
Good And Bad News on Consumer Prices
Well, the good news, according to this article in Canarias7, is that the Index of Consumer Prices (IPC) dropped in the Canary Islands by 0.1% in September. The not so good aspect is that this drop was only half of the national average reduction of 0.2% in Spain as a whole. This has to be better than another rise anyway.
The Index of Consumer Prices in the Canary Islands is currently standing at 113.4 points, which means that the products that in 2001 (the base year for the index) cost 100 euros, now cost 113.4 euros, having risen 13.4% in those five years.
El IPC canario bajó el 0,1%, frente al 0,2% estatal
New Covered Sports Facility for El Palmar School
Whilst this may not be an item of major international news, it does have certain importance. In a press release from the town hall in Buenavista del Norte, we learn that the local council is to spend 127,000 euros to cover in the sports facilities at the rear of the local school here in the El Palmar valley.
That, in itself, is news, however, it's the reasons that somewhat amused me.
As has been mentioned on these pages before, there seems to be a state of denial amongst local populations that there can ever be extreme weather. I hear it here every winter and summer, "never been this cold / wet / hot / whatever before", they say.
Of course, the reality is that it has. Not in the areas tourists visit, of course! :)
Well, here's official confirmation from the town hall itself, who say the reason they are about to wall and roof in this pitch is because it is one of the "principal demands of the residents", "taking into account the adverse meteorological conditions in the area, mostly in the months of autumn and winter, when the climate does not permit the practice of any type of physical activity in the open air." (Emphasis added.)
There you have it. Sounds like it's a known and regular occurrence to me - regular enough anyway to construct this covered sports facility that the town hall says will become one of the most important centers of leisure and entertainment in the area for the, roughly, 200 people in the district of an age to partake in sports activities.
The fact is that the El Palmar valley, shaped as it is as a deep bowl, attracts and holds cloud at any time of the year. The reward for suffering these adverse meteorological conditions is, of course, the wonderful fruit and vegetables from the fertile land and the profusion of year-round spring flowers, wild birds, thousands of butterflies and other flora and fauna that are not seen in other parts of the island.
Whilst in the south it rarely drops below a comfortable in short sleeves 15 degrees centigrade at night, up here in winter, it can go as low as 10 degrees by day, which with the added humidity and the lack of heating, can feel bloody cold indeed, though I always doubted and, this news appears to confirm, that it is not, "every year for the past few generations has been miraculously colder than the last".
El Ayuntamiento de Buenavista del Norte prevé la creación de un polideportivo cubierto en El Palmar
Thursday, October 12, 2006
TV Review: Nova - "The Deadliest Plane Crash"
Blogcritics.org review Nova - "The Deadliest Plane Crash" that focuses on the collision of two 747 jumbo jets on the island of Tenerife in 1977 and which airs on PBS, Tuesday October 17th at 8PM ET/PT. They seem to think that the show deals adequately with the background and run up of events that caused the crash, but say that, "The show fails to delve deep enough into the psychology of the pilot." I'm sure I believe them, but perhaps it isn't possible to do that, in less than an hour?
TV Review: Nova - "The Deadliest Plane Crash"
Spain and Senegal agree to promote legal migration policy
More than half of illegal migrants arriving in the Canaries are Senegalese, and now Spain and Senegal have inked a preliminary deal to handle the illegal immigration by promoting more legal immigration. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos signed the accord during a visit to the Senegalese capital Dakar. The deal would discourage illegal migration and give Spain the opportunity to recruit a significant number of workers, Mr. Moratinos said. Full story from WorkPermit.com:
Spain and Senegal agree to promote legal migration policy
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Brits tipped to spend £97.3bn on holidays in 2006
Holidaymakers from the UK will spend a collective £97.3 billion on trips away in 2006. Research from Axa Insurance disclosed that over half of people (53 percent) will take between one and three breaks, while 2.1 million UK residents expect to go away more than five times. Though the largest percentage opt to stay in the UK, some 37 percent of people intend to go to Spain, the Balearic or the Canary Islands.
Brits tipped to spend £97.3bn on holidays in 2006
Natural Catastrophes and Society
From October 16th to 20th, the town of Garachico will be the location for a Congress on "Natural Catastrophes and Society", as part of the Atlantis Forum.
President of the Tenerife Island Corporation, Ricardo Melchior, and representatives of Security and Emergency services of the Canary Islands Government, as well as Garachico's town hall and environmental councillors will meet to discuss planning and mitigation of risks against catastrophic situations.
The Congress will also hold parallel talks that are open to the public.
Garachico acoge el I Congreso 'Catástrofes Naturales y Sociedad'
Great escapes in Las Raíces
Tenerife News have more details on The Great Escape from the Las Raíces immigrant holding centre in Tenerife. Whilst it is understandable that knowledge of the ongoing deportations and repatriation flights are what motivates them to run, you do have to wonder at the news that one group of four escapees apparently entered a bar and "ordered sandwiches and, bizarrely, champagne." They have money for that?
Great escapes in Las Raíces
Greens challenge Teide Unesco quest
Greens challenge Teide Unesco quest
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
How to be a more responsible tourist
Holidaymakers sunbathing on beach at Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Originally uploaded by Alex Segre.
The ten recommendation for sustainable tourism are:
1. When you plan your trip, choose providers that offer guarantees of quality, respect for human rights and the environment.
2. Use natural resources, such as water and electricity, with moderation. Remember that these resources are scarce.
3. Try to minimize the amount of rubbish you produce. They are a source of contamination.
4. When you do have to dispose of an item, do so in the cleanest manner available at your destination.
5. In natural spaces, ensure that the only tracks you leave behind are the ones from the soles of your shoes.
6. If you visit fragile environments, such as coral reefs or forests, find out how to do so in the manner which causes the least possible impact and does not degrade them.
7. When buying gifts and souvenirs, look for products that are an expression of the local culture. These favour the local economy and cultural diversity of the places you visit.
8. Do not acquire flora and fauna that is protected by the Convenio de Comercio Internacional de Especies Amenazadas de Fauna y Flora Silvestres (CITES), nor products derived from those species. It is an offence and contributes to their extinction.
9. At your destination, take pleasure in getting to know the culture, customs, gastronomy and traditions of the local populations. Respect them and approach them: they have much to show you.
10. Try to contribute with your presence towards the development of a responsible and sustainable tourism, making a healthier and planet with more solidarity.
Following these ten recommendations the tourist contributes towards the conservation of the biological richness of the earth and improves the opportunities for many peoples' development.
Turistas más responsables
Typical Tenerife Products Online
Fortunately for me, this is the stuff I see growing around me in the El Palmar valley and that I, mostly, eat on a day-to-day basis. However, for those of you elsewhere, ABC report on a new website, La Despensa (English version), run by the Tenerife Rural Foundation, which describes itself as Tenerife's Food Product Portal.
Here you can find and purchase directly online, a whole gamut of products (ABC counted 251 articles, 206 of which you can buy from the virtual shop), including 50 varieties of Tenerife's internationally renowned wines, exquisite cheeses, unique honeys, traditional pastries as well as products so fundamental to the culture of the island, such as gofio, mojo sauces and our unique varieties of potatoes.
La Despensa explain, "The social and cultural enthusiasm for rural activities, alongside the combination of traditional, small-scale farming with new methods of production, provides us with high-quality - sometimes unique - products."
They have recipe books and some recipes online too. Oh and with Christmas coming (hint), they have some of the most unusual hampers you are ever likely to find.
La Despensa Via: ABC
Immigrants on Immigration
No, this is not Africans talking about their journeys in rickety boats, though it is easy to see the similarities in the cases. As Canary Island President, Adán Martín, makes an official visit to the so-called "Eight Island", Venezuela - escorted by 35 members of Venezuelan President, Hugo Chávez' own guard - to lay the foundation stone on a social and health center for Canary Islanders living in that country, it's the Canary Island emigrants there who relate their own stories of crossing the Atlantic - a journey that sometimes took 36 days - on illegal sailing ships to Venezuela.
They were young, brave and broke, says the article. This led many to embark, often on illegal ships, to later arrive at the port of La Guaira, to work.
One man, Bonifacio Morales González, left El Hierro in the dead of night on the ship the Nuevo Adán (New Adam) and 56 years later, he has not set foot in the Canaries again, but listened intently to the words of another Nuevo Adán - the President of the community he left long before it had democratically elected presidents.
Bonifacio spent 36 days at sea, although, he says, that it wasn't so bad because they did have food and water. The only documentation that he took with him were his birth certificate and the paper which accredited that he had done his military service.
He was accompanied by another 122 people on that boat, and relates that, "When arriving, it was illegal, but they didn't do anything to us." Those they did detain were the boat's patron and captain, because they had merely obtained permission to go fishing off the African coast and, "clearly, they deviated a bit."
Morales married a "pretty woman" in Venezuela and, together, they have educated their six children. This is why he has not returned to the Canary Islands, though he does still hope to "go and see how it has improved over there." He is well informed over the arrival of immigrants from Africa and sees this as a good thing, because, he says, "they are going to work, pushed by the situation, the same as we did."
Not all of the Canary Islanders in Venezuela share this opinion. One man called it "a silent invasion" and considers it negative, citing the reasons that the children of those who arrive will study and not want to work the land and that, being muslims, he believes, this will cause the same problems as seen recently in France.
Another, Eladio Segredo, who arrived in Venezuela 53 years ago from Agulo in La Gomera, said that immigration was a little more regulated. To enter the country, one only needed to have a letter from someone you knew, which said you were wanted as a worker. He says he later did the same thing for his brother.
At that time, in the Canaries, people were suffering hunger, misery and political persecution, which caused many to leave on these boats. Segredo's own father had tried to get on the Telémaco, a boat carrying more than 160 people, which became famous because it was at sea for months and documentation exists to say that they ended up eating human flesh to survive and arrive at their destination.
His father even got his suitcase on board the Telémaco, but was unable to embark at the last minute, because of problems with the police. Eladio's own 12 day journey was a lot simpler, though it did cost 6,000 pesetas - a fortune in those days.
Segredo's sister-in-law, who is also an emigrant, says she has a lot of pity for the Africans who arrive in cayucos, as tightly packed as "fleas on a dog" and stresses that they emigrate "too look for something better, just as we did."
Algunos isleños narran que navegaron 36 días en veleros ilegales a Venezuela
Happy 40th Birthday Playa de las Américas
Diario de Avisos tell us that the urbanization of Playa de las Américas was born in 1966, fruit of a partnership between the late Rafael Puig, his son Santiago and, Antonio Domínguez. In 1965, Luis Díaz de Losada, on Domínguez' orders, got in touch with Rafael Puig, a Catalán industrialist, with the object of seeking financing for the creation of a tourist center on land that Domínguez owned.
At first, recalled Santiago Puig, in an interview in 1986, "it seemed like a crazy idea". Only 20 years before, Playa de las Américas was virgin territory, without beaches, nor banana plantations, nor palms. Roads, water and electricity were nonexistent.
Why did they decide to go ahead and invest, despite this? The very same reason that the resort keeps on attracting holidaymakers - the marvelous climate. So, on June 21st, 1966, Playa de las Américas S.A. (S.A. is like Inc. or Ltd.) was formed.
The article also explains how the area, initially planned to cover 5,000,000 square meters, with a capacity for 50,000 hotel beds, was developed in stages.
The first and second phases, in the municipality of Adeje, started from where the hotel Gran Tinerfe is today and ran to the barranco de Troya in the center of the resort. The third phase, in Arona, ran from Las Veronicas to the Hotel Europe, then on to Los Cristianos and was, finally, to extend from the motorway to Chayofa.
Plans were passed in 1971, but later 1,000,000 square meters were declassified. The idea was to build a Garden City in that last area, which, says Santiago Puig, "is an ideal area for it and very necessary in the present day."
In 1966 Adeje's annual budget was just 500,000 pesetas (3,000 Euros / £2,000 roughly), while the budget in Arona was 1,500,000 pesetas. Forty years later, thanks to tourism, the combined annual budget of these two councils is estimated to be around 24,000 million pesetas (144,000,000 euros / £96,000,000).
Playa de las Américas cumple 40 años
Sunny outlook is a cracker at Christmas
LeedsToday report that, "Leeds families are set to enjoy Christmas Day on a beach this year instead of in front of the Queen's speech."
"Travel agent Apollo Travel on Albion Street in the city centre says that Tenerife is the top spot where families are heading for Christmas and New Year celebrations." Louise McPartlan, branch manager at Apollo Travel, told Consumerwatch: "We've taken a lot of bookings so far for Christmas departures and Tenerife is so far the most popular."
She also reminded us that, "Traditionally, on December 25, the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra also performs an open-air Christmas concert."
This concert usually takes place in the evening, in the Plaza de España in Santa Cruz. Since that whole area is being remodelled this year, I'll keep my eyes open for any changes in the venue as news of Christmas events get published.
(Oh, I don't suppose it will be long off now, but, thankfully, Christmas doesn't (yet) start in August here in Tenerife, as it seems to do in some places! :)
Sunny outlook is a cracker at Christmas
NB: For a rundown of what to expect in Tenerife over the Christmas Season, along with dates for this year, check out an earlier article on Canary Islands Christmas 2006 and our feature from last year, Christmas in the Canary Islands.
Monday, October 09, 2006
The Canaries: hot spots for cool cruises
In this article, Arline and Sam Bleecker say, "On a cruise a few years ago, Spain's Canary Islands lobbed a complete surprise to us. The region is a geological wonderland. We never had expected to ride camels on the rocky, lunar-like landscape of Lanzarote or discover a pool of blind white crabs in the island's labyrinth of caves, or slip so seamlessly from tropical to desert climate on one island to a snow-capped mountain on another. With each island so dramatically different from the other, the archipelago is like the entire planet writ small." That it most certainly is.
The Canaries: hot spots for cool cruises
Holiday delay cos passengers were too heavy
"Holidaymakers were told their plane had to make an unscheduled stop for more fuel - because they were too heavy. More than 100 passengers flying from Bristol to Tenerife were confused when they landed at Faro in Portugal on the way."
He, he, I thought this was going to be another article chronicling the effects of the world's ever rising obesity, but it seems that a combination of Bristol's short runway and the kids having gone back to school (leaving a plane full of adults) were the causes for the headline. My mother flies from Bournemouth and very often stops in either Faro in Portugal (once in Lisbon: she was sorry to miss the city) or Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. Ain't nothing unusual nor to worry about.
Holiday delay cos passengers were too heavy
Internet Usage in the Canary Islands
Tthe latest information from the National Statistics Institute, indicate that 41.7% of homes in the Canary Islands now have internet access, up from 34.9% in the last quarter and 34.2% a year ago. This percentage places the Canary Islands amongst the top ten "connected" regions of Spain, where the number of homes with internet access is above the national average of 39.1%. Considering that around 60% of British homes have internet access and, as long ago as March 2004, it was estimated that the figure in the US had reached 75%, clearly, despite this recent surge, there is still much room for growth in internet usage on the islands.
El 41,7% de los hogares canarios tiene acceso a Internet
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Complete Guide to Culture in South Tenerife
Residents and tourists in the south of Tenerife will have access, from November, to the first guide to culture and leisure dedicated exclusively that area of the island, which will be published monthly under the title, "Tenerife se mueve".
The 96 page color publication, which will be in two languages, Spanish and English, will include a cinema guide, shows, music, concerts, sports and cultural activities, courses offered by town halls and private associations, local fiestas, restaurant recommendations, walks, farmers' markets, important telephone numbers and articles of interest and events news from the south of Tenerife.
"Tenerife se mueve" will be available at tourist information offices and cultural centers in Arona, Adeje, Guía de Isora, Santiago del Teide, Granadilla and San Miguel de Abona, as well as TITSA bus garages and many four and five star hotels.
Una completa guía aglutinará toda la oferta cultural y de ocio del Sur tinerfeño
Wines On A Plane
While the rest of the world is banning liquids on planes, the Tenerife Island Corporation has started a new marketing initiative to promote Tenerife's wines on inter-island flights by the Canary Islands' airline, Binter Airways. The joint promotion between the corporation and the island's five wine regions will promote Tenerife's wines on a total of thirteen planes throughout the month of October.
Tenerife promociona sus vinos a través de vuelos interinsulares
Soul in the Sun Tenerife
Soul in the Sun is described as "the original, biggest & best Soul Holiday abroad." Though, I heard an ad for this event for the first time, while I was listening to Solar Radio online tonight.
Mind you, I know what they mean, when they say, "There are lots of bars, but they feel it compulsory to either put on an Elvis Presley impersonator or a Karaoke."
LOL, I used to work as a Karaoke compere (a girl's gotta eat) here in Tenerife and I remember going to an event one night with my mate Michaela Sydney (who herself did a Gloria Estefan tribute show) and there were no less than FOUR Elvis Presley impersonators in the same room! :)
So these folk did what anyone does when they can't find what they want, they created Soul in the Sun. Started in 1997 they say, "The first record played that first night was Martha Reeves - "No one there" which was later to become our anthem."
In 2003 they hired The Temptations tribute show. Things were taking off, and in 2004, "The November holiday was the busiest yet, The Temptations returned, we introduced another day time session. The fancy dress got even wilder ..."
They now run these events twice a year in November (sold out this year) and March/April, strictly advanced bookings only, but if you think you fit their criteria (soul fans and old and knackered!), I certainly think it sounds a lot better than "doing quizzes and listening to tossers trying to impersonate Elvis Presley."
Details and bookings at: http://www.soulinthesun.com
Golf Tournament at Buenavista Golf
Described as Tenerife's very own "Pebble Beach", Buenavista's gem of a golf course designed by the great Severiano Ballesteros was opened in the autumn of 2003. This coming Saturday, the course will be home to the III Torneo de Golf Solidario Afes.
The Asociación Tinerfeña de Familia y Enfermos Psíquicos (Tenerife Association of Families and the Mentally Ill) are organizing the tournament on October 14th, as a fundraiser to improve the lives of people with mental or sensory handicaps.
Inscription is 80 Euros. Details from 922 129034 or www.buenavistagolf.es
(Incidentally, even non-golfers will enjoy a virtual tour of Buenavista Golf's website to see the local scenery. We're typing from those mountains behind the course!)
Buenavista del Norte acogerá el 14 de octubre el III Torneo de Golf Solidario Afes
Tragic Day In the Canaries for Motor Sport
Yesterday was a tragic day for motor sports in the Canary Islands yesterday with the death of two drivers, one during yesterday's Subida a Tamaimo, in Puerto Santiago, close to Los Gigantes in Tenerife. This event is acknowledged as being the biggest mountain rally competition in the Canaries and regularly attracts not only the top drivers from around the archipelago, but a few from the mainland too.
Thousands of fans witnessed the fatal accident on the second kilometer of the Tenerife rally, when Raúl Javier de León (35), from Los Menores in Adeje, lost control of his red Citroën ZX on a curve and crashed into a concrete wall. Raúl was thrown towards the windshield and died immediately from the blow to the head.
Día trágico en Canarias, con un piloto y un copiloto muertos
Labels: Tenerife Rally
Security, What Airport Security?
This could, of course, have happened to a passenger flying to anywhere, but it is particularly worrying that it gives poor old downtrodden Tenerife more implied "bad press" that it happened to a holiday maker coming to the island. The Sunday Mail report that holidaymaker, James Paterson, had his wallet containing £650 stolen seconds after he put it through an airport scanner at Glasgow Airport. He's not the only one horrified to learn this could happen in a "high-security" area.
Fly Thief Scandal
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Climate Change and Extreme Drought
Gran Canaria Sand Dunes With Ocean In Distance, Maspalomas, Canary Islands, SpainIn one of the most dire predictions regarding global heating to date, British scientists at the renowned Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research report that severe drought as a result of global warming threatens to spread across half the Earth's land surface by 2100, turning one third of the planet into a desert.
Here in the Canary Islands too, the predictions are no better. According to this report in Canarias Ahora, some 329,000 hectares of the Canaries - that is 43% of the archipelago's surface - suffers an intense process of erosion from the rain and wind. Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria are the islands which suffer most acutely and these processes cause the loss of more than 12 tons of land per year.
In fact, these are just some of the conclusions drawn by a study carried out by the Council for the Environment and Territorial Management of the Canary Islands Government recently, diagnosing the process of desertification the archipelago and, which will serve as a basis for a plan to of action to fight against the problem.
The report warns that the Canary Islands have a high risk of desertification in all of the islands, except La Palma. Fuerteventura is in first place, with 59.4% of its territory exposed to intense erosion, followed by Gran Canaria (56.7%), La Gomera (47.1%), Tenerife (41.9%), Lanzarote (30.6%), El Hierro (15.8%) and La Palma (8%).
The council says that the ecosystems and agriculture of the Canarian archipelago are characterized by their fragility, which makes them extremely sensitive to the processes of environmental degradation. Man's intervention, together with severe climatic limitations, the topography and building on the islands add up to a progressive decrease in the biological potential of the land.
The study indicates that the worst problems in the western islands are in La Gomera and in Tenerife, where, as well as the effects of man's intervention, winds from the oceans, the proximity of the coast and alterations in very old geological material are causing large quantities of salts to be accumulated in the soil.
Other visible manifestations of the desertification in the Canary Islands are the increase of salination in irrigated areas, where low quality water is used to irrigate crops and by the abuse of non-organic fertilizers; the progressive deterioration of the soil; the reduction in forest areas (more than 70% less than 400 years ago) and the increasing abandonment of traditional agricultural methods. In the last 50 years, 10,000 hectares of previously cultivated land has been abandoned.
The next stage will be the identification and documentation of the areas that are most vulnerable or affected, so that special priority measures can be taken. The Council for the Environment also say that the key piece in the fight against desertification is the coordination of policies between different sectors. That it is. Unfortunately, that last is not something I have ever seen to work in practice on these islands.
El 43% de la superficie canaria está sometida a intensos procesos de erosión
Tenerife tram's missing ten million euros
Last year, the Ministry of Promotion refused to contribute, so Canarian Coalition councilors, headed by Ricardo Melchior, went begging to the Ministry of Economy. The formula agreed, as part of the budget for 2006, was to destine ten million euros to the tram, but as part of agreements for road transport made between central government and the Government of the Canary Islands. The former would send the agreed amount to the latter and the latter would pay it to the Cabildo.
Socialist sources say that the Ministry of Economy has transferred the ten million to the Autonomous Community, but that it has not yet reached the Cabildo. So, where is the money? This leads socialists to question whether the regional government has allocated the funds to their general transport budget or to other ends.
Meanwhile, Canarian Coalition sources also say that the money is not yet in the Cabildo's possession, but not because the Canary Islands Government hasn't sent it, but because it isn't possible yet and says that the reason for the delay is that there isn't "legal support" and doubts that the Ministry of Economy has transferred it.
Who knows? Personally, I am sure the money will turn up, safe and sound and I don't suppose the slanging match of veiled accusations is anything at all to do with the fact that there will be elections on the islands next year? :) I wonder, did anyone think to ask the Ministry of Economy directly, if they think they have sent it or not?
Ni Cabildo ni oposición saben dónde están los diez millones del tranvía
SOS Casa Felino: Sanctuary struggles while council fat cats sit pretty
The cats at the La Rosaleda cat sanctuary in Puerto de la Cruz are feeling the squeeze - quite literally, whilst their carer-in-chief Marleen Paterson Schabbehard is feeling a financial one. Because while cats and kittens continue to be dumped in ever increasing numbers on the sanctuary's doorstep (and environs as I know to my cost), the flow of cash to support them is drying up. Fast.
If you are an animal lover, here’s how you can help:
SOS Casa Felino: Sanctuary struggles while council fat cats sit pretty
Shopping, life and everything-Big decisions down at the supermercado
Amanda White shows us that even in comparatively under-stocked Tenerife shops where choices are mercifully fewer you can still be bamboozled into making the unethical choice. "Do you go for the organic (but all too often grotty) fruit which you know will be rejected by your kids or go for the pretty but pesticide-ridden “normal” stuff?" Fortunately, I don't have kids to reject reject, so I go for the ones without beauty and chemicals, but this article highlights how difficult it has become these days to do even the simplest things in life - the weekly shopping.
Shopping, life and everything-Big decisions down at the supermercado
Car crazy in Tenerife
In a week that saw the sobering revelation that one out of every thousand cars circulating on the planet are doing so on Tenerife roads, came news that a staggering 2,400 kilos of greenhouse gases are being pumped up into the blue yonder by those vehicles every single day of the week. These rather frightening numbers were revealed by Cabildo president Ricardo Melchior last week when he used them to impress upon his audience the need for a radical re-think on the island transport front.
Car crazy in Tenerife
Lou Reed cancels Tenerife gig
Lou Reed, who was scheduled to perform at the Auditorio de Tenerife on October 29, has cancelled the concert which clashes with a tour in California. The artist cannot plead prior commitment in this case as the tour was booked after the Auditorio engagement was confirmed and publicized.
Lou Reed cancels Tenerife gig
Rugby in La Laguna
Rugby is not a sport normally associated with these islands, but played it is. And anyone who’s suffering from scrum withdrawal symptoms can go along to the Tenerife season’s big match on October 14. Twickenham it ain’t, but the XV Trofeo Ciudad de La Laguna de Rugby (15th City of La Laguna Rugby Trophy) will be just as hard fought. Kick off time is 3 pm at the La Laguna University playing fields.
Rugby in La Laguna
Tenerife centenarian with an unusually liberal past
It must be a sign of the times and the aging population, but it seems that each week brings news of yet another islander – usually female – who has reached the grand old age of 100 and is still motoring on. The latest on the list of Tenerife’s centenarians is a lady with an unusually liberal past, considering the time she was born into.
I think this is a lovely story, proving that it's never too late for adventure.
Doña Paula, a centenarian who’s lived a life and a half!
Franco symbols on the way out at La Orotava
Since the Corpus Christi festivities, the façade of the Orotava post office has been hung with nets as restoration work progresses. An essential part of this work (a press release from the town hall informs us) is the removal of a symbol of the General Franco regime, that has irritated republicans in the town for years.
Franco symbols on the way out at La Orotava
Friday, October 06, 2006
The Great Escape, Tenerife Stylee (Take 2)
LibertadDigital report that, less than 24 hours after Spanish Minister for the Interior, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, had said, with satisfaction, that "Yesterday, nobody escaped," the Centro de Internamiento de Extranjeros (Foreigners' Internment Center) at Las Raíces, in Tenerife, was once again the scene of a massive escape between late night Wednesday and early morning Thursday. According to sources within the Confederación Española de Policía (Spanish Police Federation), residents of the said locality voiced the alarm after encountering numerous sub-Saharan Africans - between 60 and 100 - divided into groups and rambling around the area.
Cerca de 100 inmigrantes protagonizan una nueva fuga masiva de un Centro de Internamiento en Tenerife
World’s greatest telescope
The universe will be a bit closer to Earth within a few months. The world’s greatest telescope, the Great Telescope Canary Islands (Grantecan), is gathering momentum to “come to light” (this is, to be used for the first time to observe the firmament). The Grantecan Monitoring Commission, one of the greatest works of Spanish Science of all times, will be located at the Observatory of the Roque de los Muchachos of la Palma (Canary Islands).
Grantecan, world’s greatest telescope
Jennifer López to sing with hubby, Marc Anthony, at his Tenerife concert on October 19
Jennifer López will share the stage with her husband, singer Marc Anthony, during his concert on October 19th. This was confirmed yesterday by vice president of the Tenerife Island Corporation, José Manuel Bermúdez, who also said that it is 99% certain that the show will be recorded by MTV to later, be shown worldwide. There are just a couple of small agreements still to be ironed out on this, apparently.
It is not yet known which songs that Jennifer López will sing together with her husband, but it is known that she will me making an appearance at the Estadio Olímpico Playa de Las Américas (Olympic Stadium of Las Américas) in Los Cristianos to sing "two or three numbers." The concert is also being recorded by Televisión Canaria, who have the rights to the recording for the whole of Spain.
Authorities are expecting a crowd of 25,000 and say that never before has there been an opportunity to record a concert of this category and bring it to a worldwide audience, which is an incalculable value for the promotion of the Canary Islands. The Government hopes to include some tourist promotion images in the recording.
Bermúdez underlined that the authorities have been working for two or three years on making Tenerife the location for world class concerts. During 2006, he reminded that artists of the calibre of Shakira, Craig David and the Chemical Brothers had been brought to the island. Continuing this line, the vice president - who sustains that these concerts are not products of the pre-election period in which we find ourselves - mentioned future dates, among them, that on December 3, symphonic rock band, Electric Light Orchestra, will play the Auditorio de Tenerife.
Bermúdez believes that this year has been one of the most historically important years from the point of view of musical events on the island.
Jennifer López cantará junto a Marc Anthony en su concierto de Tenerife
Labels: Jennifer Lopez in Tenerife, Marc Anthony in Tenerife
Green Light on Dependency Law
Yesterday, Congress gave the green light to the project for the new Ley de Promoción de la Autonomía Personal y atención a las Personas en situación de Dependencia (Law for the Promotion of Personal Autonomy and attention to Persons in situation of Dependency), which aims to be the "forth pillar" towards well-being, along with health, education and pensions, by recognizing as a right, care and attention for those citizens who are unable to undertake ordinary, everyday tasks for themselves, with the creation of a system of attention, which will be fully implemented by 2015.
For those persons and the families who look after them, economic aid and services are being created, some of which could be available from January 1, 2007.
Over 1.1 million people in Spain are gravely or severely dependent upon others for their daily care and another 1.6 million require some type of help to carry out daily tasks. Nevertheless, only 6.5% of families who care for these people have help from social services. Also, only 3.14% of those over 65 years of age have any help in the home; 2% have telephone assistance and 0.46% have a place at a day center.
Of the 1,125,000 persons who need help with basic daily tasks, like getting up, getting washed and fed, amongst others, 80% are aged 65 and over. Old folk currently make up 17% of the Spanish population and this continuing demographic progression means this figure is set to increase considerably in years to come.
The dedication required from those who care for the old, the dependent and the infirm - 83% of whom are women - in practice means that they are unable to enter the labour market. Only 20% of carers have a job outside the home.
The project, which now passes to the Senate obtained the backing of both the socialists (PSOE) and the Popular Party (PP).
Luz verde a la Ley de Dependencia
Thursday, October 05, 2006
More Digital Images of the Canary Islands
ArchipielagoNoticias have an interesting report which says that the Council for the Environment and Territorial Management for the Canary Islands Government has signed an agreement with the main directorate of the National Geographic Institute, a dependant of the Ministry of Promotion, for the realization of high resolution digital images of all of the territory of the autonomous community.
The agreement which has been sealed by the autonomous councillor of the environmental department, Domingo Berriel, and the general manager of the ministerial organization, Alberto Sereno, contemplates an investment of 245,751 euros for the execution of the project during this year.
The Ministry will assume 66% of the costs and the Council, 34%.
The object of the agreement, which will conclude at the end of the year, although it can be renewed annually, is the realization and periodic updating of of high resolution aerial photographs of the 744,700 hectares that make up the territory of the Canary Islands, covered by the 148 sheets of the National Topographical Map.
The functions that the Council for the Environment and Territorial Management will assume in respect to this work are the realization of the precision, high resolution images obtained by the photographic flights, as well as modelling of elevations of the terrain, obtained through auto-correlation during the processing.
The autonomous department will deliver the digital copies, negatives and originals to the Ministry of Promotion, as well as the models of the elevations of the terrain.
Reading that, I am assuming that this is precision stuff that will be used by the Government (for planning, for military use, etc.) There is no mention of this becoming available to the public, although that does not mean that it will not, eventually. But it does leave me with questions: Isn't this somewhat of an overlap or duplication with the work being carried out by Grafcan (who are a publicly, i.e. Government owned company)? Are the public being served something different, and if so why?
As we read in this previous report, someone from Google came to the archipelago in August 2005 to make an agreement with Grafcan for the images that currently show for the archipelago in Google Maps and Google Earth. Those images do appear to be old and also appear to be partially censored, which led to serious criticisms.
It remains to be seen exactly why, but this report of yet another and, seemingly different set of images being made, I think, can only add fuel to this fire.
Canarias contará con imágenes digitalizadas de todo el territorio de la Comunidad Autónoma
Final confirmation: Marc Anthony won't perform in Gran Canaria and will perform in Tenerife
Finally, Canarias7 report, Marc Anthony will not be performing in Gran Canaria on October 19th, as had been announced by his record company (see this report).
The Puerto Rican singer will shortly commence his Spanish tour and, despite having originally been reserved for the date on October 19th in Gran Canaria, fans will have to "try their luck" in Arona, Tenerife, where - as reported earlier - he will be performing at the [somewhat grandly named] Estadio Olímpico Playa de Las Américas (Olympic Stadium of Playa de Las Américas), in Los Cristianos on that date.
The reason why the Gran Canaria concert is not going ahead, say Canarias7, is due to the "scarce institutional implication" that the promoters, MB Producciones, have found in the island. According to the promoters, the Gran Canaria Island Corporation had sought an agreement, in writing, for the concert to be celebrated in the Estadio de Gran Canaria and to be later shown throughout the world on MTV.
With a tone of some bitterness, they add, "Nevertheless, Tenerife have not only achieved the necessary assistance for the celebration of the concert, but also the Tenerife Corporation negotiated that it will be shown on MTV and, also that the the singer's wife, Jennifer Lopez, will perform, along with other international artists."
(Never mind Gran Canaria, think of all the money you've saved.)
Marc Anthony no actuará en Gran Canaria, sí en Tenerife
Labels: Jennifer Lopez in Tenerife, Marc Anthony in Tenerife
Interdisciplinary Art at the La Casa de la Aduana
Owing to the great success since it opened its doors on September 7th, the La Casa de la Aduana (Old Customs House) in Puerto de la Cruz is extending the Muestra Interdisciplinar de Expresión Artística (Interdisciplinary Artistic Expression) for the whole of this week.
The show, incorporates theatre, music and painting, as well as graphic design and video graphics and serves as a meeting point for people interested in all forms of arts. The aim has been to make it possible for artists to create, promote and develop their art, as well as to provide a suitable space in which to exhibit their works.
The activities include collective exhibitions, musical performances, video projections, theatre, dance, other performances and documentaries. Exhibitions, both inside and outside the La Casa de la Aduana can be visited by the public on any day of the week. Performances are on Friday and Saturday nights, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
La Casa de la Aduana amplía una semana más la primera Muestra Interdisciplinar Midea
The Cha Domitila Ethnographic Museo - Arguayo
High in the mountains, right at the end of the sleepy village of Arguayo, is a little bit of history that has been kept alive to the present day. Over 500 years ago, in the days of the Guanches, the original inhabitants of Tenerife, a group of potters was formed in the village. The seclusion of the area at 930 metres has meant that many of the traditional ways of life have been preserved, including original pottery designs.
The Cha Domitila Ethnographic Museo - Arguayo
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
The New Trendy Night Out, Bingo?
Well, it might be, if this catches on. Apparently, Prince William recently made a surprise appearance at a Mecca bingo hall - not in Tenerife, of course, however, if you are stuck for something to do on a rare rainy night (it is really rare here), well, it's a right royal idea, isn't it?
Joanne Leyland at The Royalist writes, "On arriving at the Mecca bingo hall in Reading, Berkshire, the Prince bought a £5 book of tickets after becoming a member of the club, before settling down with 10 of his friends for an hour-long session." I could imagine his grandma doing that ...
Not my usual cup of tea either, but here it can be double fun. There are British bars who run bingo from time to time, but that is just not adventurous enough.
If you're staying in Las Americas and want to indulge in such royal pursuits, there is a proper bingo hall underneath a shopping center on the front (whose name, obviously escapes me right now, but the Bingo sign will probably give it away).
Years ago, I went with a Canarian friend's mother and my parents, neither of whom could string more than two words of Spanish together. You learn Spanish numbers quick, it adds a degree of interest and difficulty and can be hilariously funny as you struggle to keep up. I can't remember if you shout "casa" for house or not.
PuntoInfo have a list of Bingo Halls and Clubs
British Navy's HMS Enterprise visits Tenerife
The president of the Tenerife Island Corporation, Ricardo Melchior, received the commander of the HMS Enterprise, D.C. Robertson, accompanied by the British Consul, David Gordon Ward.
The ship is making a stop in the capital's port during a tour of duty in the Atlantic.
During the visit, the route that the British ship will follow off the African coast and its collaboration with Frontex - the European Union initiative to coordinate external border and maritime controls on immigration - was discussed.
El presidente del Cabildo de Tenerife recibe a marinos británicos
Collymore comeback a joke
The BBC say that, "Stan Collymore is embarking on a three-week training regime in Tenerife as part of his grand plan to return to the Premiership - he might as well be pounding the pavements on Fantasy Island." (Isn't it one and the same thing? :-)
Collymore comeback a joke
Guide to preventing "surprises" when buying or renting a home in the Canary Islands
The purchase of a home is, without doubt, the most important decision in the life of a consumer. Under this premise, the Government of the Canary Islands and consumers' associations, Unión de Consumidores de Las Palmas (Uconpa) and Agrocan, yesterday, presented a consumer information leaflet to help consumers confront all of the necessary aspects when buying or renting a home.
The guide aims to be a useful tool against the "systematic breaches" made by promoters or estate agents when selling or offering homes and, speaking plainly, the authorities say that consumers need to be informed and not expect "Daddy State" (Nanny State) to solve everything with inspections. The manual will be at the disposition of all consumers at the offices of consumers' associations.
In Tenerife, I imagine this will be available via:
Dirección General de Consumo
Avda. de Anaga, nº 35 Edf. Usos Múltiples I,
Planta 8ª. 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Télf.: 922 47 50 00 Fax: 922 24 76 25
Consumo edita un manual para evitar ‘sorpresas’ ante la compra o alquiler de una vivienda
Canary Islands and back for the price of a coffee
In an article from Bernardo Sagastume in ABC, he explains that just a few coins can now buy a ticket from the Canary Islands to the British Isles.
For the price of a coffee in a bar, low-cost airlines are set to change the type of tourist who arrives in the islands, at the same time opening up possibilities for residents to visit many points of Europe that, until recently, were unimaginable.
This is all down to the business model of the low-cost airlines who sell direct to the passenger. Sales are not made in the traditional travel agent, but via the internet. Customers pay with credit cards and, without even having to leave the house.
Ryanair is the name we've heard most in the last few weeks, having confirmed that they will operate from Tenerife and Fuerteventura, but they're not the only company who offer international flights for less than what it costs to travel between islands.
Making a simple search at the time he wrote the article, Bernardo found a fare with British airline, Monarch, between Tenerife and London for 49 euros.
Scottish airline, Globespan, flies between the Canary Islands and various points in the United Kingdom, such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and London. At their website, he found that there were flights from Fuerteventura to Glasgow for November 7th, for 72 euros. From Tenerife, the price dropped to 60 euros.
English company, Jet2.com operates in Lanzarote and Tenerife, uniting those islands with Leeds, Manchester, Blackpool and Newcastle, as well as the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast, always with direct flights. A ticket from Lanzarote to Leeds at the beginning of November was selling for 59 euros and, between Tenerife and Belfast, in the middle of November, 89 euros.
From Gerona to the rest of Europe
Irish airline, Ryanair, the leader in low-cost airlines, announced last week that they would fly from the Canary Islands to Ireland for just 2.99 euros.
Sagastume says that this is possible, however, to get that tariff, it is necessary to book at least five months in advance.
Without having to wait that long and only spending a few more coins, it is possible to obtain a ticket between Tenerife and Dublin for December 13th, for 14.99 euros. Around the same date, you can obtain the same price from Fuerteventura to the capital of the Irish Republic on a flight that takes a little over four hours.
Where Ryanair promises to revolutionize the market even more, is in domestic flights. From March, they will unite the Canary Islands with Cataluña for a price similar to that of a small coffee and a roll. On March 14, for example, there is a flight between Tenerife and Gerona for 2.99 euros. Once in the catalán airport, one can catch a plane for 3.99 euros and in two hours, land at Rome, or for 2.99 that bound for Charleroi, in Belgium, close to Brussels.
From Fuerteventura, the offer is similar, with flights to Gerona for 2.99 euros on March 20th. From there, you can take advantage of a ticket to Marrakesh, for the same price, and, two hours later, be shopping in the souks.
Ida y vuelta de Canarias a Europa, por lo que cuesta un café
Lottery Ticket Dedicated to Icod de los Vinos
Yesterday's ONCE lottery ticket sold in aid of the Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (Spanish National Organization for the Blind), was dedicated to Icod de los Vinos in Tenerife and carried a photo of the town's famous Drago Milenario (Dragon Tree).
The election of Icod for this edition was part of the charity's national campaign to link the draw and their social works with landscapes that define the image of different regions of the country. Each daily draw has 100,000 numbers, with 50 tickets of each number, meaning that five million copies are distributed and sold throughout Spain.
Mayor of Icod, Juan José Dorta Álvarez, who was presented with a commemorative plaque showing the special lottery ticket by the administrative director of ONCE in Tenerife, considered this as a great honour and an important tourist promotion.
Dorta extended an invitation to those who were fortunate to win the first prize, to visit Icod and assured that they "would receive special treatment."
El cupón de la ONCE de mañana, dedicado a Icod de los Vinos
Caritas Highlights Need for Just Policy on Migrants
Charity organization, Caritas, denounce the immigrant situation saying, "When this started happening, at first the authorities sought us out to help the people who were arriving," said Rosa Martín, secretary general of Caritas Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. "In February, we provided clothing, blankets and other basic items, but since then we've been largely shut out of the process," she explained. "We believe we aren't given access because the authorities do not want us to see just what is happening in these detention centers," Ms. Martín said.
Caritas Highlights Need for Just Policy on Migrants
Crash of the Century
Australian TV, it seems, is showing a documentary of the lead up to the world's deadliest plane crash (the Tenerife disaster: Collision between KLM and PanAm Boeing 747's at Tenerife. Sunday, March 27, 1977) in all its disastrous detail, today. Judy Adamson, who reviewed the documentary says, "The filmmakers don't overdramatise or veer into sentimentality as they interview survivors, but apart from wailing, "Oh, the humanity", you can't help wondering what anyone can gain by watching almost two hours of tragedy relived for the cameras."
Crash of the Century
Labels: Tenerife Disaster
Best Surfers on the Planet gather in Tenerife
The 9th O'Neill Trophy presented by La Caja de Canarias, kicks off today and will take place from Oct. 4th to 8th on the beautiful island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. The event will be mobile, between the perfect reef of Puntablanca to the South of the island (Main Venue), and the beach of El Socorro (Los Realejos) to the North (Back Up Location).
The 9th O'Neill Trophy is the first of the famous "Canarian Triple Crown" that will go from Tenerife to Gran Canaria, finishing with Lanzarote.
O'Neill Trophy WQS kicks off today in Tenerife Canarias Via: FUERTEVENTURA DIGITAL
New Episode of Tension Between Police and Army
The immigrant retention center at Las Raíces in Tenerife, yesterday, was once again the scene of events that show the lack of coordination between the Ministry of the Interior and that of Defence, says this report in Canarias7.
Around mid-day yesterday, says the report, two National Police vans turned up at the center as reinforcements, in what was to be a routine change of personnel. Defence turned it into a problem, by detaining the vehicles and asking the 15 police for their personal ID. For obvious reasons, police do not show personal ID, especially when they are in uniform, in clearly marked vans and have their professional badges.
Apparently, it took two or three phone calls to diffuse the situation and for the police to be allowed to enter the center in the second incident between the two security services recently. (And you'd have thought they were on the same side, too.)
Nuevo episodio de tensión entre policías y militares en Las Raíces
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Archaeologists discover major texts in La Gomera
Archaeologists from the Corporation of La Gomera have discovered the largest Berber texts in the Canary Islands.
A discovery, says the president of the island corporation, Casimiro Curbelo, that will change the whole archeological panorama. The discovery was made in a small cave, on the walls of which 105 alphabetical symbols have been found.
The text has been identified as Lybian Berber writing, which has it's origins among the population of North Africa - in the area that is now Lybia - since the fifth century BC and, will transform currently held views of the ancient population of La Gomera.
Both the size of the find - on a area measuring five meters in length and two meters in height - and the number of symbols, 150, surprised the investigators.
The La Gomera Cabildo is now working on the conservation of the find, named Toscas del Guirre, but they are not presently divulging its exact location.
Arqueólogos del Cabildo descubren el mayor texto líbico bereber de Canarias
Lack of Drinking Water Causes Confrontation
Tap water in twelve Tenerife districts is still off the menu for the under eights and, in some places, the recommendation not to drink water from the tap, nor even to use it in cooking because of elevated levels of fluoride, extends to all residents.
Town halls are those who are responsible for solving the trouble, but on Friday, the problem was to be discussed at the Island Corporation, whose representative (president of the socialist group for the said administration), Antonio Martinón, said, "This is the main problem of the Tenerifans", as he explained that the solution had become, "ask for more money to build more water treatment plants."
The corporation's councillor for water, José Joaquín Bethencourt, also says that the problem is not new in Tenerife and also claims that the quality of the water was much worse ten years ago than it is now.
According to Bethencourt, health services asked for the corporation's collaboration in a meeting with the various municipalities affected six months ago, so that they could revise the permitted levels for fluoride in the water. Previously, it was set at 2.7 milligrams per liter and was reduced to 1.5, although other sources say the rule has not changed since 1998.
Currently, the island has five water treatment plants; two in the south east and the rest on the north east, although the last of these - at El Reventón - is in the testing stage. Also the island's hydraulic plan is under revision currently, which contemplates for the construction of more installations of this type.
Bethencourt says that the councils are "doing what they can" and that the effort being made by the corporation is not appreciated.
Locals are wondering if the whole thing is just a way to sell more bottled water.
And the town hall never did ring me back to tell me which rule I should follow. Do you have any idea how inconvenient it is to have to lug huge bottles of water everywhere while we wait for them to decide whose problem it is and how to solve it?
La falta de agua potable enfrenta a oposición y Cabildo tinerfeño
Portakabin police station for El Médano
El Médano now has a police staion – of sorts. But after years of complaints and lobbying for a permanent police station in the town, what it has got is a bit of a joke: a Portakabin police station. The new “station” has prompted howls of derision and indignation from local politicians ...
Portakabin police row
The Great Escape, Tenerife Style
Six Africans escaped from the police station in Adeje on Wednesday of last week. By the following lunch time, only one had been located and recaptured.
El Mundo reports that 150 immigrants escaped from a reception centre on the Canaries. The paper says they took advantage of the lack of police at the Las Raíces centre on Tenerife to make their escape and try to avoid repatriation.
And, one hundred returned to the center for immigrant minors at La Esperanza. They initially escaped as a protest about not being allowed to use their mobile phones and were missing for several hours. However, the report indicates that they returned voluntarily (at meal time, I think), "repenting what they had done."
Fuga masiva de menores de Nivaria
Exclusive: Tenerife News talks with Wolfgang Kiessling of Loro Parque fame
Exclusive: Tenerife News talks with Wolfgang Kiessling of Loro Parque fame
Black Cats Are Lucky In the Canaries
On Sunday, the area around the lottery office was a fiesta as many of those who had won shares in the prize gathered to celebrate. Some tickets had been purchased by a local residents' association and others had been sold at a recent fiesta, so the first prize is being shared all over the Orotava Valley.
The manager of El Gato Negro, also appeared to be content, says the report, even though he did not win anything. Two members of his staff had better luck: they won 60,101 euros (somewhere around £40,000) each.
Second prizes were also won in Tenerife. Those tickets were sold in La Laguna.
El Gato Negro reparte diez millones de euros de la Lotería en Los Realejos
September: Worst Month for Immigration
The Canary Islands have just closed another, record-breaking worst month for immigration, with 7,535 arriving during the month of September - 6,159 of those to the province of Tenerife - and a total of 27,071 in the first nine months of the year.
We know these islands can only deal with so much, but these numbers do still pale into insignificance when placed beside the numbers who enter Europe by other means and, I can't help wondering where we would be today if poor old Homo erectus had met with such resistance to migration around 1.8-1.7 million years ago.
Canarias cierra el peor mes en inmigración con la llegada de 7.500 irregulares
Canary Island Fuel Prices Fall for Seventh Week
Petrol prices in the Canary Islands have been reduced again, for the seventh week in succession, bringing the cost down to almost the level it was at Christmas last year. The association of CEPSA service stations in Tenerife say they don't remember more favorable conditions for drivers in the last three years.
Unleaded petrol (95 octane) is now being sold at 0.702 euros per liter and the 98 octane at 0.773 euros. Diesel has dropped to 0,624 euros and 0.654 euros.
Los carburantes vuelven a bajar en las Islas por séptima semana consecutiva
Marc Anthony Live in Tenerife
Marc Anthony to promote Tenerife and his upcoming "Live in Tenerife" concert on the island on MTV.
A seemingly very excited Tenerife Island Corporation brings us up to date on the negotiations for Marc Anthony's concert that will be taking place in Los Cristianos, Tenerife on the 19th of this month.
It's confirmed that the event is to be recorded by MTV, which will later be televised around the world, at the same time promoting the island of Tenerife.
"Without doubt", says the Cabildo's vice president, "this is the best means for the island to become known outside." This hypothetical agreement, say EL DÍA, is to include an appearance by the singer's wife, Jennifer López, as well as other well known artists, whose names have not yet been divulged. The concert in Tenerife is to be special, by Marc Anthony's own decision and, "very soon the organizers will confirm notable surprises for a concert that will be historic in the islands."
Marc Anthony promocionaría la Isla y su concierto en la MTV
Labels: Jennifer Lopez in Tenerife, Marc Anthony in Tenerife
Monday, October 02, 2006
Chance in a lifetime holiday to Tenerife
A unique charity that helps disabled youngsters is looking to give more of them the holiday of a lifetime. Each year TEIDE, the Tenerife Educational tours for Infirm and Disadvantaged children's Exchange, takes children on a two-week holiday to the Canary Islands and, the charity was currently looking for youngsters to take.
Chance in a lifetime holiday to Tenerife
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Buenavista del Norte Adopts a Son
At a presentation on September 12, in El Palmar, during the village's recent fiestas, historian and university professor, Manuel Lorenzo Perera, was named "adopted son" of the locality in recognition for his immense work in the investigation and diffusion of information on the customs and traditions of the area. Much of the knowledge he has collected and recorded has been via oral accounts from local people.
Perera, who is a professor in the faculty of education at the University of La Laguna is the man, if you want to know anything (in Spanish) about the local traditions, including local arts and crafts, the water sources in the area, beekeeping in Teno and many more aspects of the traditions and cultures of the Canary Islands.
He has a long list of publications to his name, including those specific to Teno and to the Northwest of Tenerife, Estampas etnográficas del Noroeste de Tenerife.
El Ayuntamiento de Buenavista del Norte nombra Hijo Adoptivo de la localidad al historiador y profesor universitario Manuel Lorenzo Perera
