Previously in Spain, I’ve seen flags, but never so many. Nationalism is never far below the surface on the Iberian Peninsula. Catalonian independence has become a crisis and tomorrow we arrive in Barcelona, heart of Catalonia.
Yesterday in Malaga and today in Cartagena, papers have been brimming with the latest developments.
You can bet it’s the main topic and cause of gloomy contemplation in bars ...
... and conversation on the streets.
Behind these gates (topped by 'British' lions) in Malaga, I find politics of a historical kind.
Surrounding the little Anglican Church is Spain’s first Protestant cemetery. Until 1829, only Catholics could be buried on consecrated land and Protestants had to be buried on the beach.
Here is the grave of Robert Boyd, a 26-year old Englishman involved in a failed 1831 liberal uprising against the repressive Spanish King Ferdinand VII.
Boyd's described as a ‘romantic hero’, although I suspect he wasn’t feeling very romantic when he was executed.
On a more cheerful note, Cartagena has a historical festival.
The Spanish Army preparing to deal with those irritating Catalans?
Future defenders of a unified Spanish State?
Forget Catalonia for an hour or two, Salsa Hot Girls and Carmen Snake are in town. That should be fun and a pity I'll miss them.
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Links to previous posts on Cartagena:
