Moors and Christians

Guardamar and Orihuela celebrate Moors and Christians

THE MOORS and Christians fiesta is a major event in Spain commemorating the Christians’ victory over the Moors and the subsequent re-conquest of their land. The Moors, hailing from North Africa, invaded Spain in 711 in a bid to convert Catholic Spain into a land ruled by Islam.

By the 13th century, much of Spain was re-conquered by the Christians in the form of a united Spain, and the Moors had to convert to Catholicism, be expelled back to Africa or be killed for not doing so. However, it wasn’t until 1492 when Granada, the last Moorish stronghold, surrendered to the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, and the re-conquest was finally over.

This major piece of history is celebrated all over Spain with mock invasions, battles and the ultimate victory of the Christians.

The Moors and Christians fiesta can last for a whole week and will often see whole towns and villages participating in the traditional event.

Next week is the turn of Guardamar and Orihuela, celebrating the Moors and Christians fiesta from Saturday 16th July until Saturday 23rd July in Orihuela, and from Friday 15th until Monday 25th in Guardamar: both towns offer a varied programme of events on a daily basis for residents’ and tourists’ entertainment alike

NEW ADMIN

I would like to welcome Richard to our ever growing team, he will be running this site and is on hand to help.
A Spanish Life is now the fastest growing website in Spain and is raked in the top 150 sites in the Alacante area, so start adding your businesses and property to the site. If you need any advise as to how the site works then send Richard an email by using the contact link.

Playing The Piano Accordian..........

For Something Completely Different I thought I would post up here myself and my Step-Mum playing our Piano Accordians - we hadn't played together for over a year. Sorry I'm not glammed up but didn't know I was going to be famous he he
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJdBCant2Zw

RUFUS ROO - How Brilliant is this ??

Wacky way to beat airline baggage charges

I've just read the following - what a good invention (not that I would personally wear one), but I bet a lot of people will :

14 July 2011

By Orlando Parfitt
Rufus Roo

Here's one original way to beat baggage charges at airports, as long as you’re not a fashion victim…

It’s the Rufus Roo, a giant jacket that lets flyers wear a rucksack full of luggage – and skip fees for checking in extra bags.

The overcoat, which has six strengthened pockets and comes in five snazzy colours, apparently holds up to 15kg worth of stuff.

Inventor Andrew Gaule said the wacky product, which costs £29.95, was inspired by rising costs at budget airlines. “They are profiting even more from the charges and the hassle passengers are suffering at the boarding gate,” he said.

Just last month it was reported that Ryanair had upped their summer baggage charges again to £25 per checked-in bag. If you go over the 20kg weight limit or pay on the day, you'll be asked to pay even more.

Easyjet, Flybe and BMI Baby also charge for checking in luggage.

However, every airline lets punters bring at least one bag of hand luggage onboard for free, as well as a jacket or coat – which is where the Rufus Roo comes in.

Richard Ingram, Head of Sales and Marketing for the company, said: “Passengers may not be able to avoid some charges, but an inexpensive and stylish travel coat with larger pockets could prevent last-minute stress, embarrassment and cost when they travel”.

Happy Ending!

CURTAIN RODS --PRICELESS

On the first day, she sadly packed her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases.

On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things.

On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining-room table, by candle-light; she put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water.

When she'd finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimps dipped in caviar into the hollow center of the curtain rods.

She then cleaned up the kitchen and left.

On the fourth day, the husband came back with his new girlfriend, and at first all was bliss.

Then, slowly, the house began to smell.

They tried everything; cleaning, mopping, and airing-out the place.

Vents were checked for dead rodents, and carpets were steam cleaned.

Air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought into set off gas canisters, during which time the two had to move out for a few days, and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked!

People stopped coming over to visit.

Repairmen refused to work in the house.

The maid quit.

Finally, they couldn't take the stench any longer, and decided they had to move, but a month later -

even though they'd cut their price in half - they couldn't find a buyer for such a stinky house.

Word got out, and eventually even the local Estate Agents refused to return their calls.

Finally, unable to wait any longer for a purchaser, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place.

Then the ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for having the house.

Knowing she could have no idea how bad the smell really was, he agreed on a price that was only 1/10 th of what the house had been worth ... but only if she would sign the papers that very day.

She agreed, and within two hours his lawyers delivered the completed paperwork.

A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home ......

..... and to spite the ex-wife,

they even took the the curtain rods!

I LOVE A HAPPY ENDING, DON'T YOU?

I like this one!

Spanish Now

Are you looking to learn Spanish http://www.learnspanishtoday.com/cmd.php?af=265297
Pop in and have a look it is fairly easy this way.

Spanish Now

Are you looking to learn Spanish http://www.learnspanishtoday.com/cmd.php?af=265297
Pop in and have a look it is fairly easy this way.

Spanish Now

Are you looking to learn Spanish http://www.learnspanishtoday.com/cmd.php?af=265297
Pop in and have a look it is fairly easy this way.

Quote Of The Day

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. ~

Spanish Retreats Newsletter No.310 Properties For Sale & Rentals

Spanish Retreats Newsletter No. 310 with Properties that have just come on to our Books (Spanish Retreats Ltd) in conjunction with Daydream Villas. Please click the link for details.
Tel 0034 96-679-0844 or
0034 679-779-122 to view any of these properties
http://www.daydreamvillas.eu/ddvnews310.html