h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just a brief journal because by the time I get back home it will be after midnight. Evenings run on late here, 2am is not considered unusual, we have siesta during the afternoon. I'm not 'going out drinking' so much as going to meet a group of friends and we do so in a bar.

A lot of people drink water, or coffee. People come, people go. The bar staff come by the tables regularly and check we're all happy, bring little olives and so on, and replenish our drinks with a smile and a few jokes. However, they only ask you to pay when you're leaving, and even then they don't press. How do they do it? No idea, because it's a busy world in there. I suspect I'd be useless at tending bar here, as I have a poor grasp of faces.

So lots of kissing**, lots of laughter and not actually that much alcohol. It's rare to see anyone drunk, in fact I can't remember the last time I did. You might notice a few tourists drinking more heavily - but then they are on holiday.

**I should qualify the kissing remark. I don't mean smooching, but when anyone arrives or leaves, we all stand up and give each other a kiss on both cheeks. Even if you've never met the person before that evening, it's just what you do. You don't shake hands, you kiss when being introduced. And I don't mean air kissing, this is the real McCoy. Actual proper kissing. And often hugs if you *are* good friends.

If I don't reply, it's because I won't be here and tomorrow I have an early start. Yet more lovely Spanish conversation, and tomorrow we meet for coffee in a Tapas Bar in a little square a few minutes stroll away. We start with coffee, and depending on how long we natter for we might end up with a lunchtime glass of some delectable wine (this place serves quality wine) and some tapas. If I'm really hungry before that, the German bakery next door sells fab cakes and bread, which work really well with the coffee earlier on. The owner of the Tapas Bar is happy to provide a plate, knife and napkin for the cake.

You don't really have to guess very hard why I like it here.

Sounds like heaven!

It's a tough life but somebody's got to live it

Deb

There's a German bakery next to a tapas bar, and you can bring the cake into the bar too .

When I was in Germany [not to mention Austria and Switzerland], I loved the pastries. I've never been to a Spanish-speaking country, so I don't know if they have lavish desserts as well. Maybe having Spanish tapas and German pastries is the best of both worlds?

I quickly became used to staying up till 1am (sometimes even 2am or 2.30) after I retired. But would I be able to stay sober or even awake for so long in a Spanish bar? The s they pour in Spain are ginormous to the ones thy serve here

[Amy P]

I is back.

I type more sense in the morning. But tonight I have learned that I should not go to the ferreteria tomorrow and tell them that I have an urgent need for a bombero.

< smirk >

Mind you *I* might be happy


Vocab: ferreteria = DIY store

bombilla (what I actually meant) = light bulb

bombero = fire fighter

Oh, at the risk of being I have to tell a story.

I have been in San Juan, Putro Rico a few times on business. near the centre of the city there is a large building with the sign ' Casa de los Bomberos' on the top, somehow i figured out that it was the local fire house. A few years latter I was on a trip with my wife, and while travelling though the city my wife saw the sign, and in fun I told her that was where the put terrorists (bombers) as a joke.

The wife of the couple we were (who had been born and raised in San Juan) with told her that it was the fire department, but she did not know why it had such a terrible sounding name.

It was a few years later I bought a small air pump with a bi-lingual label - then I realized that 'bomba' was Spanish for 'pump' - They pump water on the fire

F S

The French word is very similar "Les pompiers". Easier to understand there about the connection to the word "pump". For some reason they are laughed about in France, perhaps because of the rather silly-sounding name. Perhaps because in the old days they might have looked a bit ridiculous, working those hand-pumps. Someone from any other country would surely find that disrespectful, as the firemen are valuable members of society and no one would want to wish them well.

Especially when the best-looking ones are on calendars looking sooo sexy in their uniforms with their hoses.

Glad you translated "ferreteria", Lanza. Some might have thought it was a shop where you buy ferrets.

"...the firemen are valuable members of society and no one would want to wish them well"

Que?

You know what I meant

Is it are that the French fire service are also the ambulance service as well. If so sounds a very good service all round

re 11:

Of course I knew what you meant, TC. Which is why I instantly made a typo myself

Instant karma if ever I saw instant karma

It's a blessing we can both about it and brush it off

That is indeed the case. If you are involved in a traffic accident, the Pompiers are the first there and they are fully trained and equipped for life saving.

I buy their calendar every year, so far they have always been fully kitted. And yes, they do have lady pompiers (pompierettes?) around here.

Ferreteria? What a gorgeous word!

The direct translation would be ironmonger, I presume.

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