World Of Tourism

Have you ever seen something on the news and wondered "what the hell is the point of that?" I understand that life can be painfully boring but when I see an event that makes no sense to me whatsoever I can't help but wonder why we entertain ourselves with pointless exercises. This is purely my opinion and truth be told I haven't experienced this particular event for myself but I doubt if I would enjoy it.

I'm talking about Tomatina, in Valencia. The event that requires participants to throw tomatoes at each other, a messy affair. It's the world's largest tomato fight, I feel a pang of sadness typing that. 45 000 people from all over the world gather to hurl 120 tonnes of tomatoes around the streets. Again I ask, What is the point?

I suppose I will never truly understand why people find certain things to do fun. maybe I need to experience this for myself to understand the fun behind it? Although the thought of being covered from head toe in tomatoes is not something I'm particularly keen on doing but who knows, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised?

As I was driving to work this morning, thoughts rambling on in my head, do we have enough electricity? should I put my daughter in pre school and get rid of the nanny? Why is pay day taking so long to get here? I realised that by the time I reached my destination my fingers were white from clinging too hard to the steering wheel.

Life has become an impossible obstacle course, the economy is blocking our way to financial freedom and a life that is relatively stress free because I dont believe that money solves problems, it only makes them easier to deal with. We all need an outlet. Some people go to the gym and work off their frustrations, but that costs money. Some people go for a run around the block but sometimes that's not always safe and from experience I can tell you that running is not all it's cracked up to be, it's now a fashion statement. You can imagine my horror in finding that out while in a baggy shirt, a torn pair of shorts and socks pulled up to my calves. And to top it off, I was sweating like a race horse. It was neither flattering nor helpful.

I know that I'm the type of person that likes to scream and shout and wave my hands in the air for a good couple of minutes and then I feel better. For me, it's a good way of getting rid of the anger and frustration that so often consumes me. But the problem with that is that who do I scream at? and for what reason? I strongly believe that the stress of the economy is causing us to fight more with our partners because venting our anger makes us feel better. I cant afford gym, I hate running and I there are only so many times you can scream at your partner before it makes you go your seperate ways.

So I found an article this morning about a new pub in Cullera near Valencia called Casa Pocho that has a wonderful promotional gimmick. Customers can come in and have a vent at the barman and if it's original enough they get free beer and snacks, it's their way of drawing customers in as well as letting them let off some steam from the stress of life and the economy. Pretty good deal if you ask me. So I'm off, to have a good vent and then enjoy a beer and some snacks. Anyone care to join me? (Chuckle)

A scandalous sex survey handed out to schoolchildren as young as 11 or 12 has led to regional government education authorities taking up the issue.

Kids in the fourth year of a high school in Requena (Valencia) were asked to compile a questionnaire about sexual habits for a class project.

The survey had 77 questions on it and some were of an extremely scandalous nature, for example "what nationality of men last longer in bed?" or how about "Why do women's moods change when they are on their period?" excuse me? what is this all about?

Now I am definitely not a prude in any way and I'm actually pro sex education because I think we have a serious problem with children making decisions based on ignorance. But this is just ridiculous. There are certain things that an 11 or 12 year old should not be thinking about!

What I want to know is who allowed this to happen? Surely someone in an authoritive position saw this "educational sex survey" and that person should be reprimanded. The world is a sick enough place and now children must be exposed to this in the environment they are supposed to safe and cared for in?

The regional government’s ministry of education says it is taking the matter very seriously and intends to investigate. I hope so.

Today's blog is about Paella Valenciana. How to make it and just enjoy it! Paella is a traditional rice dish of Spain, it's usually difficult to make but if you follow this recipe to the letter, you should have no problem at all.


Ingredients:

4 cups rice
8 cups stock
8 - 10 each of prawns and mussels
200 gm shrimps
2 tomatoes chopped
3 -4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
Few strands of saffron
Olive oil

Preparation:

Sauté garlic in a pan with little oil. Add tomatoes, shrimps and saffron and cook till soft. Add rice and stock and salt and cook for about 20 minutes. Add prawns and mussels and cook for a few minutes more with a lid.

The rice you use in your paella depends on your preference - whole grain rice or wild rice or the short grained Spanish rice which is used for traditional Spanish rice dishes.

Now sit back and enjoy!