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Flamenco dancers on Plaza de la Constitucion, Mijas

Every Saturday at 12pm there is a Flamenco dance performance on the Plaza de la Constitucion. It is preceded with some recorded good Spanish music, although a tad too loud to my taste.
Modern Flamenco musicians include distinct Jazz flavours (both in rhythm and tonalities) to their performances I notice, or has that always been there ?

This music is very passionate, and although also lively (and not sentimental at all) it brings tears to my eyes I can't hold back as I sit there listening to it. Something in my soul resonates strongly in recognition of this.
My sister Wivica tells me that, hundreds of years ago, I lived in Spain as a Nobleman during a former life. I am far too "straight" to go for such esoteric considerations, but with these weird discoveries in modern physics (in quantum mechanics etc.) one just can't rule out anything.
Anyway I live in the here and now and do feel this strong affinity, which I also discovered while in Northern Spain as a geological student some 60 years ago.

At 12 o'clock sharp four dancers start their performance which is very engaging and enjoyed by a large crowd of on-watchers every Saturday.
This weekly event has replaced the Saturday flower market which I enjoyed so much when visiting here 10 years ago. But perhaps this will come back on another day in the future.

The local council keeps strict control and watch over the visual appearance of Mijas Peublo (Mijas village). All buildings are white washed and kept spotlessly so. Roof tiles are all in the same (semi cylindrical) shape and coloured a faded red.
Iron balconies and window grills are all painted in glossy black. Cloth awnings in front of shops and restaurants are all in the same light buff (?) colour and names on it are printed only in black. Individual umbrellas in front of restaurants are all white in colour.
The overall effect (although perhaps not consciously recognized) is powerful, uniting and at the same time very restful to both eye and emotional mood.
One can observe this harmonious image especially when sitting on the Plaza Virgen de la Peña, where it contributes to this peaceful mood I mentioned a few days ago.

Tuesday, October 24 (page 321)

Many years ago a local farmer (Julián Nuñez Andreu) started to give the odd tourist a ride on his donkey. Other farmers quickly caught on and gradually the so-called Burro Taxi ride on a donkey around town became an iconic hallmark feature of Mijas Peublo.

This has grown considerably over the years with 30 or more donkeys now ready to take on customers from their specially prepared area on the Plaza Virgen de la Peña.
You can either ride on a donkey, or hire a donkey cart in which two persons can sit and enjoy the ride.

But it are no longer the farmers who provide these donkeys and concerns have been raised that some of the animals are poorly treaded, housed and fed by the commercial owners.
People over 70 kg in weight should also not ride on a donkey.

It is now proposed that donkey operators must be properly trained. They will have to pass and exam and acquire a certificate so that this unfortunate situation is remedied and the donkeys are treated properly.

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Wednesday - Tuesday, October 25-31 (page 321)

View from my balcony and lounge - Vista Mar 10 Mijas

I moved into my new apartment on Wednesday and found it even nicer than I remembered from my first inspection. Quality built and appointed with aircon in the lounge as well as the two bedrooms.
The sweeping view from the balcony and lounge include the Mediterranean sea and undulating countryside in front of it with numerous dwellings and hamlets all over the place.
This landscape is in stark contrast to the German Black Forest where building is strictly controlled and the countryside looks neat, tidy and almost manicured throughout. This perhaps shows the difference between a rich country and a poor one. And of course the different natures of the two peoples.

Unfortunately I contracted a bad stomach upset on Tuesday the 24th, so that when I entered my new property (Vista Mar 10, Mijas Peublo, 29650) I went straight to the main bedroom and stayed there for most of the following three days. I was out off breath, felt terribly, had a temperature and my energy and endurance were totally gone. At one time I even felt at death's door and would not have minded to walk straight through that.

It was a harrowing experience, for without a mobile phone and no Wifi I could not contact anyone for assistance if required. Besides the Real Estate agent, no-one would have a clue where I was either.
But things improved. Halfway through the 3rd day I vaguely remembered I might have some appropriate medicine in my suitcase, and after a few failed searches in the end found it there. Gradually I improved.
On Monday I met my neighbors, Kevin and Jane from England, who own the apartment next door. They kindly let me use their Wifi until I have found some permanent service provider.

David (from Mijas Rentals and Sales) also dropped in and fixed my hot water service, which I had been unable to start. So after a wonderful hot shower, and collecting and replying to my emails, life looks very good to me again.

Today, Tuesday this last day of October, the weather is overcast but there is no rain. In total we had about 5 days of overcast this month with only two of them producing some rain. Not bad for October.

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© 2017 Michael Furstner