New Year's Eve 2010

The last day of the year has arrived. Touch us to take stock of how things went, how things have been done and what we have done.
Tonight, New Year's Eve in Spain is celebrated by eating grapes, while the 12 bells played before starting 2011.
Before the grapes, usually make a family dinner, and after 12, people usually go to celebrate (those without small children, or celebrate it at home) to large organized parties or bars, or, in the Murcia City: Santo Domingo Square. New Year's Eve Party. Starring Rusadir Orchestra. Cast lucky grapes. Free access. "
So enjoy the night, but carefully. See you next year!

Fontaine Factory. La Fábrica Fontaine.

As I mentioned on Tuesday, there are many things for children this Christmas in Murcia. On Tuesday I was lucky enough to go with my older son (3 years) to see a child play. The truth is that I loved both the staging, as the characters, story, songs. The title of the play: The Factory Fontaine (La Fábrica Fontaine). The theater company, Ribalta Teatro.
Exquisite selection of theatrical fables of Jean de la Fontaine, told by puppets and actors, with a very particular narrative thread. The story takes place in an abandoned, magical dream factory, where the best known characters of this author are emerging to give birth to myths and legends.
Very catchy songs that make children involved, and characterization of the most lovable characters. Purported special effects.
Highly recommended.

Dominó Canibal

From this, I should have said something, for several months but I have not found the opportunity until today.
In the hall of Murcia, Veronicas, from January to December 2010, is an exhibition called: Domino Canibal (Dominó Canibal). A contemporary art project where artists exposed. What has been done is that an artist setting out from those who had set the previous artist. So the last exhibiting artist, he does from what has been done by all previous artists. In the end, the exhibition continues until January 20, 2011.
Artists who have been or are still are: Jimmie Durham, Cristina Lucas, Tania Bruguera, Bruce High Quality Foundation, Kendell Geers, Rivane Neuenschwander, and Francis Alÿs.

Children Entertained.

During this holiday season, children are on vacation. I guess the leaders of the municipality of Murcia have children and / or grandchildren, and that is why in many places, from 14 December until 6 January, there are activities for children: theater, puppetry, puppets, parades, magicians, ...
It should be entertaining to children.
In the picture, animated puppet show, which move, tell a story, and sing. 15 minutes of entertainment in several sessions throughout the day. Located on the Avenida de la Libertad, in the facade of El Corte Inglés (a department store, like Galeries Lafayette).

Fashion Xmas Tree.

In a famous commercial center of Murcia (Nueva Condomina), you can see this Christmas tree designed by Vittorio & Luchino. I do not know if these fashion designers are well known outside of Spain, but here are famous. This is the formula used in this shopping center to attract more customers.

Christmas Parade

Yesterday, Christmas day, there was another parade. In the picture, I guess that some of the toys requested by children to Santa Claus.

Xmas Eve Parade

On the day yesterday, it took place on the Christmas Eve parade. The floats (all relative to known cartoon) share, above all, treats. The last carriage, where Santa Claus was, gave teddies to all children that waiting with great anticipation.

Have You Been Good?

The next night, Santa Claus will arrive at many homes. Both children and adults expect to receive the gifts they requested. Surely adults receive (in the case of men), socks, or pants, or ties. But where is the ipod, the playstation, or discs of music that we love?

Santa Claus House

Cold day at the home of Santa Claus.
When the owner is not at home, smal queues forms to visit inside it.

Santa's Stained Glass

This year we have reinstalled the home of Santa Claus next to the Santo Domingo square.
The picture is from inside of the windows.

Van Accident

Yesterday was a foggy day.
What you see at the background of the image, is a crane holding a large traffic panel, which was demolished after crashing a van into the pole that held it. It is right at the entrance of the tunnel that connects the Avenida 1º de Mayo, and Ronda de Levante. The time of the accident: four in the morning.

Dark Lighting

Already, we are in crisis, but I suppose that it could save on lighting for the rest of the year, not Christmas. This is the side of the building of the town hall of Murcia.

Novotel Murcia

Another 4-star hotels in the city of Murcia. I have not had the opportunity to enter into this hotel, but is located near the blue twin towers, near the palace of sports, and as the city of Murcia is not very large, it can say that is near the auditorium, and the old town, but, if you want to go to the old town I recommend, or wearing sport shoes (you have to walk a while) or public transport.

Joyass. Jewelss

A few days ago I said that it was a good gift to give away art. Another great gift, the gift of jewelry. Both gifts are expensive, and in times of crisis, it is more difficult to acquire any of those gifts.
What I have seen, is that in both sectors, the crisis has not been noticed so much, especially in the acquisition of gold because the precious metal is getting more value.

Militarization

Continuous state of alarm at Spanish airports. Today we vote in Congress if extended through January 15, 2011.
From this I commented on 5 December: here.

Art Gifts.

Now comes the time of the gifts, why not give something different. Offer art. Another thing is that you can afford to pay it. But you can ask to Santa Claus or the Three Kings.
The image is of a set of three sculptures that can be found at the craft center of Murcia (here, an old post).

Christmas Plants.

For these dates, florists, and shopping centers abound poinsettias. The rest of the year there poinsettias? Incidentally, in the garden of my house, I have a poinsettia planted, and is not put leaves in red. Does anyone know why?

From Dürer To Morandi

From Dürer To Morandi (De Durero a Morandi), this is what can be read on the back of the bus.
it is a journey through the history of engraving, from the first plates of the biblical theme of the sixteen. Etchings from the William Cuendet & Atelier de Saint-Prex foundatio ', which features 110 prints from the sixteenth to the twentieth centurycentury, to the creations of contemporary artists who have explored the possibilities of the etching press. Dürer, Rembrandt, Canaletto, Piranesi, Claude Lorrain, Francisco de Goya, Henri Fantin-Latour, Honoré Daumier, Edgar Degas, Eugène Carrière, Giorgio Morandi and Picasso are present in this selection, which can be seen in Murcia to the next 16 January 2011.

Saavedra Fajardo Market Hall.

Outside the market hall Saavedra fajardo.

Yard Within The Yard

This garden, which is inspired by the Arabs, is located in the garden of Salitre (saltpeter). This garden was part of military units here had.

Xmas Tree

Under pressure from residents and businesses, the lighting of the Christmas lights has been delayed until yesterday. What is the savings sought by the economic crisis.

Donativos. Donations. Jesús Abandonado.

In some areas of the city you can find these windows in which there is a "piggy bank", which contribute, anonymously, in Fundación Jesús Abandonado (Jesus Forsaken Foundation). (This is next to the Palacio de San Esteban, the seat of government of the Region of Murcia).
The movement J.A. originated in Andalusia. Its founder, Don Isidoro Carrasco, a secular priest, encrypts its home at Christmas 1972. Arises with the idea of giving shelter to the homeless.
The initiative aims:
a) Create and provide homes in which to host any kind of abandoned.
b) Provide a community-type experience, temporarily, when you want.
Murcia's work opens on Christmas Day 1978.
Since 1992, it becomes in the Jesus Forsaken Foundation of Murcia.
A hostel for Murcian born who were homeless, has become a place for foreigners, without leaving behind those people. In the 80's, the Spanish were attended by 94%, today, 27%.
In those pre-Christmas dates, start awareness campaigns and aims to raise money for a myriad of NGOs.
More about Jesus Dropped Foundation, here (in Spanish)

C-3PO

I want one of these for my house to serve me, and he did not ask for raises.

Xmas Shopping

For several weeks the stores were prepared for Christmas. I think every year It begin earlier. If not for Halloween, would begin in October.

Monument To The Spanish Constitution

Today marks 32 years of the current Spanish constitution. In the history of Spain, we had 8 constitutions, since the first was in 1812.
The current constitution, which came after the dictatorship of General Franco, was an agreement between the various political parties at that time, endorsed by referendum.
In the picture, a monument to the constitution, which reads: "In the Spanish Constitution, guarantee of coexistence in peace, democracy, and freedom. 12.06.1978, 12.06.1986"
The garden where the monument is located, is called: Garden of the Constitution (Jardín de la Constitución). Located next to the Faculty of Letters at the University of Murcia.

Airspace Closed

Since last Friday afternoon to Saturday noon, the Spanish airspace has been closed. The cause, a covert strike by air traffic controllers. I say hidden, because 70% of air traffic controllers have been sick.
The Spanish government has ruled the state of emergency. Thus, the military has taken the airport control tower, forcing air traffic controllers to return to work, because if they disobey, it became a crime, with jail sentences.
The cause of the alleged strike, on the one hand, privatization of the airports in Madrid and Barcelona (also, 49% of privatizing state-owned airport control: AENA). On the other hand, the change in the valuation of the hours worked by air traffic controllers.
Chaos, is what has brought this crisis airport.

Fountain And Municipal Statistics.

That fountain is pretty at natural, not photography (or at least in the photo that I have done). Behind, building of statistics, situated in the Jardin del Salitre (Garden of nitrate)

Sunrise

Dawn of the way to work

December 2010 Theme Day: Time.

The latest Theme Day 2010 has arrived. This month, by democratic vote, has chosen the theme: Time.
I have chosen this clock in the Murcia's train station. One way of looking to pass the Time while waiting for the train is coming.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Seventies Building.

In the seventies, the architects were more risky than later decades.

No Privacy 2

This is the second part of No Privacy. The first, here.

Pasos De Santiago Church

16th century. It is a Mudejar church, witch could be the oldest temple in all the Region of Murcia. It only has one nave with transversal arches and wooden ceiling. The church was part, along with other chapels, of the way of the Cross, but currently just a shrine located on the corner of Acisclo Diaz street and Pasos de Santiago still remains. The way of the Cross ceremony started from San Miguel church, and the Cofradía del Rosario (the Rosario Brotherhood) and the group Los Caballeros de Santiago (the Gentlemen of santiago) participated here. (Source: Municipallity of Murcia)

Iron Bridge.

That bridge was opened to traffic in 1902, but since 2003, is a pedestrian bridge (in 2001 it was closed to the public, and in 2002 began the work). It is known as the Puente de Hierro (Iron Bridge) or Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), because in the city of Murcia, until then, there was only one bridge, the Old Bridge.
Pedestrian it was decided, because the bridge could not withstand the current traffic since the early twentieth century, the number of vehicles had substantially lower.
The river, Segura.