The evening of June 23, San Juan night, in Spain

The San Juan night coincides with the Summer solstice and it's the welcome to Summer. This celebration takes place during the shortest night of the year in almost all cities and towns of Spain.

San Juan's night is full of bonfires, fireworks, music, dancing, sardines and bread. It's the welcome to summer, and its celebration takes place during the shortest night of the year. Men and women, young people and children, all dedicate their days and afternoons to the preparation of bonfires. According to tradition, if people jump three times over a bonfire on San Juan's night, they will be cleansed and purified, and their problems burned away.

Thousands of Costa residents and tourists took to the beaches last night (Thursday) to enjoy the traditional magic of the Night of San Juan, the custom includes a dip in the Med and a daring jump over the fire embers - not to mention supper and a little (or a lot) of something to wash it down with.

...Another day to get drunk....

Spanish-style siestas to cut down on electricity consumption

Faced with an energy crisis as the summer arrives in Japan, one prefecture is adopting a habit that was previously anathema to hard-working Japanese - the midday siesta.

The town council of Gifu, in central Japan, has decided to adopt Spanish working hours in July, August and September, Staff are being told to turn off their computers, the lights and the air conditioning and go home for a nap or leave the building to go shopping or for a walk.

Why people still think of spaniards enjoy a nap everyday??  the usual work hours are from 9am to 7pm.. with 1 hour to have lunch.. have been years since my last nap..

Valencia - Grand Prix of Europe of F1 - ticket prices reduced

Thinking about spending some days in Costa Blanca.. for the fourth consecutive year, the  Grand Prix of Europe of Formula 1, to be held in this opportunity on this weekend from 24 to 26 June.

The head of the company organising the Formula 1 race in Valencia on June 26, Jorge Martínez Aspar, said this week that the price of the cheapest tickets for the event have been reduced from 195 euros to 130 euros.
Sr Aspar said that he is expecting in excess of 80,000 spectators for the event and this would more than compensate for the reduction in prices.

Prices are not too bad if you compare with the next race in Silverstone where to get tickets for three days you have to spend a fortune.

Fancy to write??

It's been a while since the last time I wrote something here.. Barcelona won the Champions League.. Oh shit!! why did i Have to remember that?? The conservative People’s Party (PP) won the elections almost all spanish cities (another bad new I am afraid) and the famous Spanish Revolution is still there but spanish politicans seem to be blind..

even English and others international newspapers are crying out about

• how the next prime minister will get the victory because the election will be lost for Socialist, not won for conservative
• how the media are so manipulative
• why Scottish Power chairman has pay package doubled
• why someone like Emilio Botin (Executive Chairman of Spain's Grupo Santander) is more powerfull than those who say they represent the spanish people
• why police has been continuosly beating protesters because they are asking for stopping the unemployment, corruption and welfare cuts

do you think after all this stuff I still fancy to write something?? as The Economist said "SPAIN will soon be a country for old men"

Anyway.. Summer is coming and my perspective is changing.. I love this time of the year where you always find time for meeting some friends and absorving intercultural exchanges.. I am sure I will be writing again so soon. Now I will let you with some articles I had ready to post.

Weather Alert For Eastern Canaries

 

 

if you are one of those privileged who is enjoying a break time in the islands take care of yourself in the sun, take care not to burn. Sun increases your risk of skin cancer.

The yellow alert, issued by the Met Office this morning for the eastern islands has been raised to orange.

Weathermen say Fuerteventura and Lanzarote can expect temperatures up to 37C today and that all three eastern islands, including Gran Canaria, will see temperatures top 40C by tomorrow.

Thanks Germany for blaming Spain

You has done very well protecting you financial interests.. but what now??
you think your apologies are going to fix the irreparable damage you have caused with no proof

ATTENTION BAR AND RESTAURANT OWNERS!

At least one staff member must speak Spanish.

Yes, maybe you think is unbelieveble but most of resorts bars or even restaurants in spanish coast don't have anyone who speak spanish.. how many english are living in there or how big are the english colonies in the coast??

It has been brought to our attention that in the Cabildo’s Tourism & Planning Department law regulating bars and restaurants, published as decree 90/2010 on July 22 2010, certain minimum conditions are stipulated, and failure to comply could lead to inspectors charging you an on-the-spot fine of up to €3,000.

The decree states quite clearly that you must have staff who speak Spanish. We presume that employing one Spanish speaking member of staff would fulfil this requirement.

MINISTER URGES BRITS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF LIVING IN SPAIN

Register on the Padrón to gain access to social services and cash savings
Take time to learn some Spanish, volunteer to help others
Tell visiting friends and family to take out travel insurance and avoid a potential headache

British residents can get even more out of living in Spain by taking a number of simple steps,  said Consular Minister Jeremy Browne MP.

Speaking at a roadshow for British citizens in Malaga, he underlined the importance of British Nationals registering on the Padrón system when they become resident in Spain, saying:

‘Registering on the Padrón gives you access to some benefits and social care, and can mean significant savings on certain community charges and inheritance tax. Unfortunately, if you don’t register, you can’t expect the Spanish authorities to provide social services or other help when you may need it in the future’, said Mr Browne.

Up to a million British citizens live in Spain for part or all of the year, and the experience is easier and more enjoyable if they can speak at least some of the language. ‘We don’t expect doctors or the police to speak Spanish in Britain, so we shouldn’t necessarily expect them to speak English here in Spain’, said Mr Browne. ‘Learning some Spanish can go a long way in making it easier to communicate.’

Many who move to Spain find they have some spare time on their hands, and volunteering is a good way of integrating further into Spanish society and helping others..  Mr Browne said: ‘Volunteers working with Age Concern, the Royal British Legion and many other organisations are making a big difference to some of the most vulnerable in the British community.  I am delighted that British Consulates are working in partnership with a range of charities to help those with health, financial and other problems.’

Malaga Consul Steve Jones led the roadshow at Alhaurin el Grande, where more than 100 British residents sought advice from consular staff and partners including the Royal British Legion, Age Concern Acción Social and the Pensions Benefits & Healthcare team. 

Residents were also urged to encourage visiting friends and family to take out travel insurance. Many fail to do so, making themselves a burden on their hosts when things go wrong. ‘Travel insurance costs about the same as a meal in a restaurant, but the bill can be far bigger when things go wrong.

Ask your visitors to take out a policy, and make sure a welcome guest doesn’t become an unwelcome one ’, said Mr Browne.

theleader.info Original source