"Spanish-isms"

Emily, Sara, Katelyn and Julia came up with this hilarious list of "Spanish-isms" that I just had to share because they are just all so true. I also added a few of my own . Enjoy:

• Ikea is the gold standard of furniture
• No fresh flowers in homes
• People "invite" each other for meals and drinks
• Flip flops for beach only
• No baseball hats
• Must show ID with credit card
• Servers don't refill your drinks
• Red wine is always refrigerated
• Napkins are made of wax paper
  
• Exaggerated gesticulation, so it's hard to tell from afar if someone is talking about the weather or their firstborn child
• All basic medicine is behind the counter
• People stand in doorways and saying excuse me to get by is useless
• Pushing is acceptable touching a lot in general is acceptable
• No concept of personal space, especially in lines
• Kids pee in parks
• Food is left on the counter, unrefridgerated, overnight
• Napkins are crumpled up on the table
• All time tables for buses are different based on what website or bus map you are looking at
• People say ¨hasta luego¨ in passing instead of ¨hi,¨ like we do
• No bare feet... ever
• Sports clothes are never to be worn outside
• No going outside with wet hair, even if its hot out
• TV is on during all meals
• Yogurt and fruit for dessert
• People share salad bowls
• People will cut the last piece of food into small pieces so as to not take the actual last piece
• Kids are out at all hours of the night
• After siesta people eat churros with chocolate
  
• Pizza is sometimes cut with scissors
• People don´t drink water on a regular basis
• People are baffled by water bottles (nalgene, aluminum, etc)
• Siblings all have matching outfits, even if one is 9 years old and the other is 2
• Not covering mouth for coughs or sneezes
• Spanish women always link arms walking down the street
• Milk and eggs aren´t refrigerated (!?!?)
• If you look remotely presentable you will be hit on by every man on the street
• Mixed drinks are made with 75% alcohol, 15% ice and 10% mixer
• Dogs aren´t leashed, or cleaned up after
• Girls don´t dance at bars
• Restaurants charge you for bread
• Waitors glare at you when you ask for tap water
  
• Fruit has to be weighed at grocery stores
• You are obligated to say that the food is ¨buenismo¨ within the first two minutes of every meal
• Spaniards don´t type with two hands
• Flan is sold everywhere, next to basics such as milk, eggs, and butter.
• Groups of spanish friends are ususally not co-ed
• People take one sip of their cafe con leche and then chug the rest when they are about to leave the bar
• Spanish women don´t exercise
• Every woman is "guapa"
• Old women wear lots of fur
• No fear of smoking or motos, two things that are considered extremely dangerous back home
• Staring
• Spanish women mother everyone
• Kids are named after parents and then nicknamed with diminuatives, but never with seemingly random names
  

Madrid vs. Barcelona

Before this past weekend with my mom I had been to Barcelona twice. Once with my dad when I was about 9 years old on a 17 day euro trip that was 17 days too long for my attention span. The second one was 2 years ago while I was studying abroad and went to visit CB and her motley crew. During this last trip I did not see the light of day so I really consider this past weekend to be my first real (memorable) visit to Barcelona.

So after this first "real" weekend I feel like I need to talk about Madrid vs. Barcelona, and no I am not talking about Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona. I consider myself to be extremely knowledgable on soccer, excuse me, "football," however I am not a close follower of the Madrid/Barcelona football rivalry. I can enthusiastically recount everything I learned playing this sport competitively for 10 years, but cannot tell you the last time these two teams played each other or who is really better and why. What I can tell you is that in my mind, there is very little competition between the quality of life in these two cities.

After living in Spain for a full 12 months of my life even tho I cannot fully call myself a Spaniard because I lack a !@*&@#%^ EU passport, I have a pretty good idea of what Spanish life is like and the factors that contribute to a quality city. Something that I tend to do when I travel is to imagine if I could live in the city that I am visiting. I know that many people will disagree with my opinion, but here is how I would grade the different cities:

1. Nightlife
There is no doubt that Barcelona has some of the most unbelievable nightlife on the planet (big plus). The DJs are world reknown and the nightclubs blow other clubs out of the water. Pacha and Gabana are two of Madrid´s most fun clubs. There are also great bars/lounges such as Fortuny and Moma, but nothing can beat Shoko, Oshum, Opium and the other clubs in Barcelona. Like honeslty, if you can get Jacomino to play at my 50th birthday party (or even my upcoming one this summer) we will be BFFAE.
Winner: Barcelona

2. Language
Is Catalan real? Spanish is spoken in Barcelona, but the city is part of Catalyuna and Catalan is everywhere. So if you are really interested in learning and practicing Spanish Madrid is a much better option. I´ve also heard from malaguenos that a company will not hire a Spanaird unless he/she speaks Catalan.
Winner: Madrid

3. Weather
Barcelona is on the beach and everyone loves the beach, but it is probably the ugliest beach I´ve ever seen. It makes Malagueta look like a honeymon destination. The Barceloneta is surrounded by ugly buildings, a hospital and no landscape. You can tell they constantly have to add sand to the beach because it´s about 15 feet wide. However, Madrid lacks any body of water whatsoever- aside from the resevoir in Retiro- and during the summer it is blisteringly hot without a sea breeze.
Winner: Barcelona

4. Architecture
Does Barcelona have a style of architecture?? The narrow streets are cute, but that is nothing new in Spain. Due to French influence in Madrid, the architecture in Madrid is a lot like that of Paris. The buildings are gorgeous and classic. Buenisimo.
Winner: Madrid

5. Parks, Monuments and Museums
Barcelona is home to Antonio Gaudi´s abstract wonderland, as well as a Dali museum and Picasso museum. However, nothing can out due Madrid´s Reina Sofia, Prado and Thyssen.
Winner: Madrid

6. Food
When I studided abroad in Madrid I lived with a senora and did not really get to take advantage of the restaurant scene as much as I would have liked to. Luckily I´ve been able to do that this time around on my visits to see Rachael. This past weekend in Barcelona my mom and I ate at incredible tapas bars. While I believe some of the best fish in Spain comes from Andalucia, the restaurants in Barcelona were very authentic and unique.
Winner: Tie

7. People
There were definitely a lot of guapos in Barcelona, but there were just TOO many tourists! Was I there on international-Barcelona-tourism-weekend or something? The place was swarmingggggg with fanny packs, maps and tevas with socks. VOM.
Winner: Madrid

Many malaguenos prefer Barcelona because they think Madrid is overwhelming and too big, and Americans hear the word "beach" and are fishing in their pockets for their credit card, but I cannot put the word out enough about Madrid. Like can I please launch a serious PR campaign for their tourism sector? I was really disappointed to hear that Vanderbilt might have to terminate its study abroad program in Madrid, because every year less and less students want to go there, prefering to spring break style study in Barcelona. Madrid is a majestic, classy city, rich with Spanish culture and flavor and wants you to come visit!

Biznaga Malaguena

I recently found out that this is a traditional symbol of the city of Málaga! The biznaga is a handmade flower created by placing jasmine blossoms onto the indiviudal stems of the armazon plant. Thanks to the infuence of the arabs and the warm climate here there is an abundance of them. Most gardens/patios in Málaga are decorated with this flower because it is not only beautiful, but also gives off a lovely sweet smell. It is typical in the summer for men to sell these flowers in the street, leaving a trace of their wonderful smell wherever they go.

II Intercultural Festival

Málaga is currently celebrating the 2nd annual Intercultural Festival on Paseo del Parque. The government sponsors and organizes this cultural and social event which definitely has a lot to do with their nomination for European Cultural Capital in 2016. The entrance is free and it's so much fun!

More than 50 countries and 5 continents are represented in this festival. Each country is represented by a stand with jewelry/clothing/accessories or food from the specific country. There are also dance and music performances at the Recinto de Eduardo Ocón.

This weekend we were not able to enjoy it due to weather, but last weekend we walked around admiring all of the different trinkets each country had to offer. The atmosphere is great for during the day or at night. The food stands are by far the best part- hamburgers from Australia, empanadas from Mexico, crepes from France, beer from Germany and SO MUCH MORE!! For more information check out this website.

Festival de Málaga Cine

Calle Larios has been converted into a red carpet event. Literally, the ENTIRE street is covered in a red carpet! This is to celebrate the Málaga film festival that is going on this coming week. This film festival has been celebrated since 1998. There are short films, full length movies and documentaries, some of which are followed by a round table discussion. The films take place in the different theaters around the city. To check out a full list and schedule click here!

Above: Red carpet on calle Larios.

Above: On calle Larios there are posters from all of the movies being showed.

Above: The set up in front of Teatro Cervantes

Kupka exhibition

Today Alina and I started a new Sunday tradition: Productive and Cultural Sundays. For our first Sunday we spent four hours in a cafe getting organized with our job search. Then we went to the Picasso museum to see the Kupka exhibition. It was fabulous! Normally I am not a huge fan of abstract art, but I loved his use of geometric shapes and the abstract. My favorite paintings were from the 1920's collection: "Time Passes (or The Instant)," "Undecided," "The Shape of Vermillon," "Lines, Planes, Space III," "Idol," "Purple Turmoil," "Robust Execution," "Syncopated Bock No.1," "Animated Lines," "Vortex," "Flower."

La vista de una malagueña

When my fellow English teachers and I first arrived here there was a lot of complaining going on- our commute to work, rude people in the street, restaurants, slowness everywhere, not knowing who to go to for help etc. I figured that I would get used to it thereby becoming a "malaguena" who could not be phased by any bump in the road. Yesterday I learned that it is not just us foreigners who are frustrated and fed up with the way of life here...

It started in a conversation during my private English class. My student, who normally can be timid during our conversations, choosing to speak more Spanish than English was on the ball from the second I walked in her flat, "Hi!!!! How are you??? Would you like a coffee?" Our conversation started with a summary of our respective Semana Santa vacations and then there were three main important things we talked about that I would like to share:

She began by saying that recently she has been feeling very frustrated, disappointed and turned off by Málaga and wants a change for a while. First she told me about a man on her street who wears a green jacket and will put a big metal object in front of your car when you are trying to park so that you have to pay him in order to park. There is no one she can talk to about it and clearly it is illegal since the parking is supposed to be free. She says if she called the police they would think she was crazy and ask her why she was calling. They have no doorman or super in the building so they can't complain about problems on the street or in the building. I cant imainge not having a super. My building in New York is very safe, but small problems or even big ones come up every once in a while and you need a person to go to for help. The woman said the attitude here is (and she put her head in the air and started humming) that no one cares, people want to mind their own business because no one wants to be the person to complain about something. She said that the laweyer they have doesnt give a "mierda" either. Note: Spain could use some passionate and caring lawyers

Secondly, she is fed up with all of the doggy doo on the street. As I have mentioned before Málaga is a candidate for European Cultural Capital in 2016 and the other day some woman printed out signs saying "Málaga European Cultural Capital 2016" and stuck it in all of the dogg droppings she saw on the streets in Málaga. Pretty funny right?

Thirdly, she commented that women here are not equal to men like they are in other countries, that Spain is still very backwards in this regard. She said that instead of fighting for equal rights, women are extremely aggressive and rude especially when they drive their cars and constantly honk their horns and yell things our their windows.

And just today I was walking along the promenade towards Limonar to give a clase particular when three malagueños rode by me on their bikes and the last one pinched my butt. They kept riding, but would turn back periodically to smile and laugh at me and one even fell off his bike further up the road. It's like... really? What kind of education and upbringing did you have that you think you can ride by a woman on your bike and grab her ass. Give me a break Spain. Me da asco. Odio los malagueños.

So in conclusion, you are not being a high maintenance bratty American. People here ARE really rude, sleazy and inappropriate and the way of life IS extremely inefficient and frustrating to locals as well. And for those of you malagueños that this does not apply to, I did not mean to offend you, but PLEASE tell your compañeros to get their act together and start acting like a respectable society instead of a pack of barbarians.

P.D.A.

P.D.A., also known as "Public Display of Affection" is the physical demonstration of affection for another person in public, and depending on the context can be objectionable. Picture this scene: you are out at an intimate dinner with a group of your male and female friends. Although it is a friendly group dinner, your one girl friend will not stop making out with her boyfriend thereby making everyone feel uncomfortable. Something you might whisper to your other friends is, "God, they are soooo PDA" or "Can they quit it with the PDA??" usually followed or proceeded by, "Get a room!"

In Spain the notion of too much public affection does not exist. Two weeks ago I went to Madrid and on the bus ride there AND back there was couple directly across from me (different couples) displaying SEVERE PDA. A 6 hr bus ride to Madrid is long, crowded and hopefully quiet. These couples however had no regard for anyone else. There was kissing, laughing, heavy breathing, spooning (yes it is possible on a bus) and intertwining of legs. Give me a break.

Yesterday I was going for a walk on the beach and passed by a couple aggressively making out on a bench. 45 minutes later when I was walking back that way I passed by them and they were in the SAME position as 45 minuts before. EATING FACE.

Aside from the fact that it´s kind of funny/gross/innappropriate, this trend sheds light on to an interesting cultural aspect of Spain. In Spain it is the tradition for children to live with their parents until they get married. Therefore, most of the hanging out, hooking up, and dating takes place outside in the streets, or on public transportation. Spaniards are not encouraged to bring boyfriends/girlfriends over to their homes so all of the "D. A." has to be public.

I understand the culture, but I cant help blurting out "GET A ROOM" every time I see a couple like this.

This is creepy...

This past Wednesday I accompanied the students on a field trip to the Teatro del Carmen in Vélez-Málaga. Vélez-Málaga is a 5-10 minute bus ride away from Torre del Mar and where Clay and Emily work. We saw a concert with the students which included music from Indiana Jones and several Disney movies. After the concert, a teacher said she would give me a little tour of Vélez. We walked to the school that she attends at night (Clay is her teacher) and to a few churches nearby. On our walk I saw this statue pictured at the left. I was extremely freaked out to say the least. The teacher explained to me that while yes this is in fact identical to what the "KKK" wears in the US, in Spain these are the processional costumes worn during Semana Santa. Whatever, it's creepy.

On time

Spain is technically on CET (Central European Time), but I think it is worthy of having its own time zone. In Spain, when someone tells you to meet them at a cafe at 4pm, they really mean they plan on showing up closer to 4:45pm. I was warned about "Spain time" in a culture class during orientation, but nothing compares to first hand experience. Take today for instance, a teacher showed up to class not "on time." Meanwhile, I had arrived at exactly 11am and felt awkward just sitting there while the class turned into a zoo so I rallied everyone together to sing, "If you´re happy and you know it clap your hands" until there was NO WAY I was happy anymore. For an extremely anal New Yorker this has been... a challenge. It is my natural inclination to be "on time" because...well that is what I have done my entire life and I, as well as the person I am meeting most likely has overbooked their day and cannot afford to spare an extra minute. Given all of this, it is definitely a refreshing experience to have a lifestyle where I don´t feel the pressure to squeeze 36hrs of studying, errands, meetings and sleep into 24. Due to this I believe people here are significantly happier and healthier than they are in the United States, (or definitely at least in New York.) The long lunches, siestas, and lack of pressure to be out for the night before 10pm is something I would love to bring back to New York, but sometimes I wonder how things actually get done around here!

Thank you Facebook

I had not been out in Málaga for a while until this past weekend. Last weekend I was in Madrid and the two weekends before I was with my mom in the hotel or traveling. Here is a brief sequence of events from Saturday night after I came home:

2am: I call it a night and think I am totally not "aprovechar"-ing the nightlife here (this is generally the time people in Spain leave their flats to go out for the night, not the other way around.) Oh well.

5am: I would have to be half dead not to hear my French roomie and his friend who was visiting for the weekend return to our flat. They immediately head to the kitchen. Normally you'd think I would be lucky to have my room situated next to the kitchen, but in this case no. I can hear absolutely everything that goes on in there from the turning on of the gas to the running of the water to him opening a box of Pringles.

5:05am: I realize falling back asleep is not an option and am seriously cursing myself for not having already learned French. At least in that case I could eaves drop and see how their night was.

5:15am: Someone is banging on the front door incessantly.

5:16am: French roomie opens the door. Italian roomie has forgotten his keys. Italian roomie has THE deepest Italian voice ever, and I realize that when he's drunk it sounds like I am listening to a really bad opera.

5:17am: Italian roomie joins French roomie and friend in kitchen for some late night grub.

5:19am: I realize there are now 4 voices. Italian roomie has also brought home a friend with him.

5:22am: There is the most peculiar noise coming from the hallway. It sounds like they have spread newspapers all over the floor and are skating around on it. I think it will probably stop very soon

5:26am: The noise is just getting louder and I am starting to wonder if I should pull myself out of bed to make sure that my apartment will not be a graffiti covered, newspaper flooded alleyway.

5:27am: I decide to stay in bed. Since I can't decipher the foreign tongues coming from outside my room I am getting paranoid that they are discussing a strategy to make enough noise that it would be impossible for me not to wake up and open my door... or worse, barge into my room and pour cold water on me.

5:30am: Everyone must be too drunk and tired to continue the late night antics because the voices and sounds stop.

10:30am: I open my door. The newspaper covered floors were not there. There is no graffiti. The furniture is all in the same place.

10:31am: I notice the following new additions to our flat:

No one else is awake so I text Emily, laugh and forget about it.

5pm: I get a notification on my blackberry that the Italian roomie's friend has tagged me in a photo on facebook. I think it's probably an accident...

5:01pm: I check the picture...

My room is the door at the right. Until I can comprehend French and Italian I will have to rely on Facebook and its photographic evidence to help me piece together what goes on in my multi-cultural flat while I am sleeping.

Touché

I had a great conversation this weekend with none other than Rachael and her roommate Nicky about how there are some phrases/words in certain languages that simply cannot be expressed or translated into another language with the same effect. Anyone who is learning to speak a second language can attest that one of the greatest frustrations is learning how to translate idioms and slang. We came to the conclusion that everyone in the world (or everyone that we come into contact with) should know certain phrases, and they are thereby not considered "french" or "spanish" or "italian" they are just the only way to express that phrase. For example, the word "touché" is french, but Americans use it as if it were an English word because there is simply no English word equivalent. "Touché" essentially means "your point is more clever/wittier than mine," but HOW much better does "touché" sound??

Here are just a few examples of how French has influenced English. And how much better are the French words than using the exact English equivalent!?:

• art déco = "decorative art" (short for art décoratif)
• á la carte = "on the menu" (if you want something else (a side order) you order from the carte. Note that menu is a false cognate in French and English)
• au pair= "at par" ( a person who works for a family in exchange for a room and board)
• chic= "stylish" ( chic sounds much more "chic" than stylish)
• cuisine= "kitchen, food style"
• déja vu= "already seen"
• du jour = "of the day"
• en route = "on route, on the way"
• faux= "fake, false"
• fleur-de-lis= "flower of lily"
• hors douevre = "outside of work" ( an appetizer, something besides the main course)
• ménag à trois = "household of three" (sexual threesome)
• nouveau riche = "new rich"(disparaging term for someone who has recently come into money.
• papier mâché= "mashed paper" (used for art)
• petite= "small, short"
• protege= "protected person" (someone whose training is sponsored by a protected person)
• rendez-vous= "go to"
• risqué= "risked" (suggestive, overly provocative)
• RSVP= "respond please" ( comes from Réspondez si'l vous plâit)
• soirée= "evening" ( in english it refers to an "elegant evening")
• souvenir= "memory, keepsake"

There are many phrases in English that I love and use frequently, but have found a decent Spanish equivalent for. We determined that there is definitely no equivalent, at least not in English, to "aprovecharse." "Aprovecharse" means to make use of or to take advantage of, but the English translation just doesn't have the same effect as it does in Spanish! Anyway just how there are so many French words and phrases that we use everyday without even thinking that they are French I think it would be so cool if the world could collectively decide on a few words/phrases in each language that are arguably better said in that language than any other and then establish these as common words/phrases. ¿Me entiendes?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

This past week in school my lesson plans included a bit of history as well as culture on Halloween and how we celebrate it in the United States. What I learned from my fellow teachers is that many people in Spain do not celebrate or recognize Halloween. The students were all very excited to learn Halloween vocabulary in English and to color in vampire and pumpkin pictures I brought in. I explained to them that in the US people dress up as whatever they want, not necessarily something scary. Many people go as celebrities (I told the girls they could be Hannah Montana which needless to say got quite the reaction) or as cowboys, superheroes etc. I taught my students the following vocabulary:

Bruja: Witch
Brujo: Wizard
Caramelos: Sweets
Calabaza: Pumpkin
Fantasma: Ghost
Gato negro: black cat
Vampiro: Vampire
Escoba: Broomstick
Disfraz: costume/disguise
Truco o trato: trick or treat

My personal experience last night proved slightly different from what the teachers told me about Halloween in Spain. EVERYONE was out and DECKED. The streets were packed with groups of bloody doctors, nurses, goblins, witches, pumpkins and phantoms. Although I did not bring this up in my elementary school I would have to say a reason why young men and women love Halloween in the US is because the female population searches far and wide for the most promiscuous yet flattering and "cute" costume idea while the male race anticipates the findings and then a night of debauchery and role playing ensues. However, last night men went as vampires while their girlfriends were their victims-their faces painted completely white with red streaks all over their mouths and neck...not exactly "hot." So even though Spanish women don't use Halloween as an excuse to dress up as a man's ultimate sexual fantasy like they do in the US, they along with the Spanish men looked fabulous and I was thoroughly impressed by the turnout. Below is a picture of my American friends with some Spanish phantoms standing in front of the Cathedral.

Argentina's River Dancers: Malambeando

Last night I revisited Teatro Cervantes with my mother to see "Argentina's River Dancers: Malambeando." It was exhilarating. Argentinian dance is centered around three movements: tango, milango, and malambo. I have seen several flamenco, tango and drumming performances before and this blew them all out of the water. I want to say it was "Fuerzabruta"/ "De La Guarda", + irish riverdancing + tango + the movie "Step up." There was drumming, tap dancing, tango, and they used this jump rope type thing with an object attached to it and whipped it against the floor in unison (I really don't know how else to describe it.) They were so in sync and it happened so quickly that the ropes made a halo-type formation around the dancers. Overall the performance was diverse in content, extremely energetic and fun. They are coming to New York in 2010! Check out this website if you are interested in learning more about them.

2016

What does this number mean to you? It might mean a lot and it might not mean anything at all. Maybe 2016 is your building number or your pin# at the bank...Maybe you'e turning 50 in the year 2016... Maybe that is the year your children will be done with college...Maybe you believe 2012 is the end of the world so 2016 will never happen.... Maybe you dont even want to think about where you will be in 2016....

It is impossible to walk down the street in Málaga and not see a reference to the year 2016. Málaga is the candidate for European Capital of Culture for the year 2016. When I first arrived in Málaga I was overwhelmed by the amount of construction and renovation going on in the city. I now realize that this is to ensure that Málaga is looking its finest by 2012 (when the allocated winner will be awarded). Throughout the city streets, and especially on calle larios, there are blue footprints with the printed image below. This image also appears in newspapers, theater playbooks and in restaurants. Although it seems far away, this date marks the turn of a Spanish city to be unveiled before the rest of Europe and the whole world as European Capital of Culture for the year. This is a really big deal and I hope that Málaga gains the support and backing it needs to make this possible. Buena suerte!

White Pants

Memorial Day Weekend is by far one of my favorite weekends of the year for many reasons.
a. I generally celebrate it with Alice and her family in Shelter Island
b. It marks the beginning of the summer
c. It marks the beginning of when I can wear white pants.

We are all familiar with the rule: don't wear white after labor day (or before memorial day). I am not sure where this rule came from but I can only assume that it is to ensure that people only wear summer fashions during the summer months (I can see how wearing white open-toed shoes in January might be unwise). My new favorite thing about Spain is the ability to wear white pants all year round. Due to the lack of these holidays along with the amazing weather this rule does not exist in Spain. Above I am sporting my white pants in the end of October (total fashion faux pas in the US).

Hand + Bird

Passed by this today with Emily...it appears to be a hand, but also has a bird head... Remember in middle school when your teacher would give you different colored construction paper and you would outline your hand and then turn the thumb into a turkey head and give it to your parents to decorate the house for Thanksgiving? Maybe that's what this is...

"Los Guardianes del hierro"

Two days ago I was going for a run on Paseo del Parque and I noticed these huge structures set up across the street. It seemed that they were giant metal soldiers sitting down in a line. I went back yesterday to investigate further and saw that it is an exhibition by the artist Xavier Mascaró. It is called "Los Guardianes del hierro" and it is to honor the memory of a dead civilization and the passing of time. It has only appeared in Paris and now in Málaga.

Teatro Cervantes

Last night Emily and I went to see La Cena De Los Generales at Teatro Cervantes. Teatro Cervantes is a big beautiful theater near Plaza de la Merced. In the play the Spanish Civil War has just ended and Franco has called for a celebratory dinner for the generals that have led him to victory. Lieutenant Medina is in charge of making sure that the dinner goes over perfectly. However, all of the kitchen staff is currently nonexistent or in jail due to their political beliefs. Since there is such a shortage of good cooks he decides to break them out of jail in order to guarantee a delicious meal for Franco. The entire play takes place in the kitchen as the cooks are slaving away preparing the meal.

After the meal is over Franco makes a surprise appearance in the kitchen and stares at the Spanish flag hanging above the kitchen door. He mutters something to his guards and leaves. The manager of the hotel asks the lieutenant what Franco said and he says, "He says the flag is slanted." "Did he say if he liked the food?" the manager asks. "He didn't say anything about the food," the lieutenant responds. The play is very humorous but also highlights the corrupt and militaristic rule of Franco. The director Miguel Narros says that, "we have a need to and our condemned to understand ourselves. We are in charge of reconstructing our coexistence, which is why the kitchen represents a devastated Spain that must be put back in order." I am really looking forward to seeing other productions at this theater!

"Feria del Libro Antiguo y de Ocasión"

Right now on Paseo del Parque there is a cultural celebration of old books sponsored by the government of Málaga. There are several stands selling novels, short stories, coloring books, guide books, cook books etc. Everything is very well priced and I think having cultural events sponsored by the city is a great idea!