In one of the Spanish lessons this
week we had to do a role play exercise. I was a journalist interviewing
Angelina Joley. At the beginning of the ‘interview’ I described her as “La
pierna de momento” – “The leg of the week”.
If you saw the recent photograph of her in a split skirt you will know what I
mean. The teacher had not seen the photo
and seems to have assumed that ‘…leg of the week’ is a regular English phrase. He will probably
use it when with his friends at his local taverna. At the end
of the ‘interview’ I accused Angelina of
stealing Brad Pitt from Jennifer Aniston - so the lady stormed out saying I was
"..muy grosero" - "..very rude".
On Friday after lessons, it was cloudy with a very cool breeze.
Not having done a long walk for a few days I decided to take the low route in
the valley below the gorge. I wore a fleece and took a coat. Murphy’s law kicked
in. While sauntering downhill it remained cold. As soon as the track turned up
hill the sun came out. After about an hour and a half I reached a ford. There
were stepping stones but a couple of the gaps were a little too adventurous for
this older guy not as agile as I once was.
I decided to add more stones. It took over half an hour but with true
British perseverance I eventually managed to add them in the right place and
stable enough to cross. If nowhere else, I have made my mark in Ronda!
I thought I knew where the track would lead me to. I passed an
equestrian centre where I believe horses are trained (similar to the Vienna
horses) for (only) one or two Ronda festivals throughout the year. It turned
out that the track took me further out of Ronda than I expected.
I have not been finding the Spanish language easy. My classmates
have suggested finding a Senorita. Most of them have Spanish girlfriends/boyfriends/wives/husbands.
So far I may have attempted to suggest a
persona of a slightly distinguished, financially inactive, slightly eccentric
chap but after this walk I trudged through the town heavily perspiring
(..gentlemen perspire) and met no Senoritas who might have been in the
slightest bit interested. My criteria anyway is that any young (or not so
young) lady must be attractive, unattached, financially independent and have
holiday homes on at least two continents…. If particularly attractive or
particularly financially independent I may forget the holiday home bit. Any
such need not necessarily be Spanish but willing to learn the language –
working as a pair may make progress easier. If anyone knows ladies fulfilling
said criteria I would be happy to conduct interviews during June and July at
Charters… or October in the San Francisco Bodega, Barrio San Francisco, Ronda.
I am still not sure of longer term plans but certainly
intend being back here October to March. During the next three weeks I shall be
viewing potential rentals. If I can find two or three suitable places at least
one will hopefully still be available in October. It would be good and better
for the Spanish progress to have a purpose. I have been investigating volunteer
activities but here they seem to be connected with wacky, maybe even slightly
or somewhat culty organisations.
I have not yet booked
my ferry back but should be on the Santander to Plymouth boat on 2nd
May, arriving in Peterborough on 4th May…… May the 4th be
with you! Star Wars fans may appreciate
the comment (or not).
It has become something of a fixture to meet up with some
friends on Saturday afternoon or evening. Yesterday I had a few beers and raciones at the taverna mentioned
above. Glorious day, a few wispy clouds
and 24c. Thoroughly enjoyable.
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