Madrid hoy

This episode of the chilli world tour - the Spanish, Portuguese, Moroccan bit - is starting slowly.

Partly because this blog itself  won't be paste for a day to, when I have local SIM card and account to connect the iPad.

I find it surprisingly hard to relax without any news of the world, distressing Australian politics or internet connections. Easter Day today, while scandalously full of open shops and businesses, appeared  rather light when it came to Internet and telephone connection services.

I try to turn it to my advantage by  focussing a bit extra on mindful breathing. But somehow  the lure of this agitated disconnection and the unfulfilled desire of listening to the sports reports, watching television of any kind, and checking my emails - is stronger than the world of the momentary breath. I'Ve got no doubt there's an opportunity for me there.

Today in Madrid, (Grette's and my first day) after watching a spot of traditional Easter competitive community drumming,  we ate a very satisfying menu del dia ( menu of the day) which had no sign of chilli. Im not surprised . but i noticed. im going to have a look around over the next week or so to see if where the chillies show their face.  I am anticipating our visit to Portugal so I can compare. On a strictly menu del dia basis of course.  

Of course it was the Portuguese who managed to spread the Chilli, in a few short years, right across the world, to almost no economic advantage that I am aware of. Whereas the Spanish claim responsibility I think for chocolate, vanilla and cochineal. All very profitable in their day. Anyway, the Spanish people I know are proud of their role in international chocolate marketing. So I am looking forward to testing out the comparative Portuguese knowledge and pride in the chilli.

Finally I hear the president of Ecuador was recently in Spain inviting recent medical graduates or come on over  to Ecuador where they are needed and wanted. Given the economy here in Southern Europe, Latin America probably looks very appealing.maybe the is a kind of  reverse colonisation, where the growing newer countries can now foster a brain  drain in their direction to suit themselves.