Web Log Archive
Postings 76 to 80.
Log #80. Heart Warming Story
¡Hola! ¿Qué Tal? Lovely story in today's papers. One of those feel good pieces that makes the heart glow kind of thing. Apparently, a pooch called Snowy, a Jack Russell terrier from England, had escaped his temporary kennel in Barajas airport during a stopover when he was being flown home after his owners relocated. For 11 days Snowy had evaded all attempts at capture and had been living wild in the woods close to Terminal 1. A specialist team had laid traps - Snowy avoided them. They tempted him with treats - he ignored them. The owners offered a 10,000 Euroweenies reward for his return and three people made claims but all proved false. Suspicions now arose that Snowy had met a sexy señorita doggy and was enjoying some Spanish intercambio lessons, and if that was the case that he would never come back. However, finally an animal rescue team got on the job and used their super-animal friendly powers to find and retrieve the wandering hound. The local TV news had reporters on hand to record the reunification and some very delighted owners were also relieved that the rescue team refused the 10K reward. This is very Spanish - taken as a whole they are a generous nation.
Log #79. Proverbios
¡Hola! ¿Qué Tal? Sabrina has emailed a list of English proverbs and their Spanish equivalent. Here's some of the most interesting:
Log #78. Hartley's Good Book Shop
¡Hola! ¿Qué Tal? Once a week Madrid-Uno likes to treat himself to a McDonalds. Despite being surrounded by a wealth of tapas bars and cafes offering cheap and scrumptious nosh, sometimes a Maccy D's is called for. It's comfort food. Something that links back to home. In the same mode, Madrid-Uno also likes to frequent Fat Tony's occasionally down at Sol (calle de la Cruz, 11), which serves Fish and Chips with proper batter. Anyway, the nearest franchise in Ronald's empire is over at Diego De Leon barrio and during the walk Madrid-Uno came across Hartley's Good Book Shop (calle Padilla, 74), offering a wealth of English reading material such as magazines, periodicals and first or second-hand books. Popped in and picked up one of the Orson Scott Card Ender trilogy (sci-fi, if you were wondering) and had a good poke around while there. Two floors of goods - upstairs for new releases and downstairs for second-hand. Looks like they host occasional special events too since there were ads for kids storytime sessions and publisher readings. Owner was friendly and the pace was modern and light. Nice!
UPDATE: Shop now closed. shame.
Log #77. I Need A Wii
Nintendo Wii is sold out in Madrid. Madrid-Uno has tried everywhere and it's the same message: we have no stocks, we're sold out (Agotado) and there's a waiting list. Come back in April. Grrrrrr.
Log #76. Should the UK Adopt the Siesta?
Some interesting comments at the Speaker's Corner section of the Daily Telegraph website today when it asked its readers about their views on the effectiveness or otherwise of the Spanish / Meditteranean siesta. Some of the best comments are reproduced below but Madrid-Uno would like his readers to know that he's all in favour. The mid-afternoon kip adds hours to your evening stamina quotient and besides, it's definitely the best time of the day to 'make lurve'. Madrid-Uno also vaguely recalls a funny moment in a 1960s film where a Yank is at a hotel reception desk banging away at the counter-bell for attention in the early afternoon. Eventually, a groggy Italian receptionist answers his call and sorts the chap out. Then the following conversation takes place. "I mean, what the hell do you guys do during this 3-hour break anyway?" - "Well, sir, we a relaxa some, we eat a nice a meal, and we makka the love." - "But what do you do in the evenings then?" - "In the evenings, sir, we a go home to our wives."
Selection of best comments from Telegraph thread:
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