READIN

🦋 Spain, Gibraltar

I sort-of knew that Spain does not have sovereignty over Gibraltar. I would have needed some kind of prompt to remember it though. Saramago gave me the prompt today, when he had Gibraltar break away from the Iberian peninsula, remaining with Europe as Iberia floats away. Strikes me as hilarious, to have the supernatural tectonic forces in the novel respect political boundaries rather than just physical ones. (Taking the Pyrenees as a natural physical boundary.)

So: it was interesting to see the Spaniards celebrating the departure of Gibraltar. I got the sense this passage was intended in fun -- I am curious to know what the Spanish national attitude toward British sovereignty there is. (Another point of sovereignty I found out about in today's reading is the dispute over Olivenza in Badajoz, which Portugal does not officially recognize the Spanish claim to. Joachim Sassa's car is not interested in seeing Gibraltar, since as a Portuguese car, "his ancient grief is Olivença, and this road does not lead there.")

Work on the Stone Raft Map proceeds apace -- this is really fun and will make a useful companion to the book.

posted afternoon of Sunday, December 7th, 2008
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I've been on Gibraltar. It is totally insular and has nothing to do with Spain. Currency, food, language are all different. The really weird thing about Gibraltar, which I would not have believed had I not seen it for myself, is that there are monkeys in abundance.

I'm enjoying the literary conversation. I've yet to read Pamuk or Saramago, but Since they are on the Nobel scroll, I will.

posted morning of December 11th, 2008 by paledave

it is totally insular and has nothing to do with Spain

Right; but at some point (...looks it up...) like say, prior to 1607 and at some periods in the intervening time, it was Spanish. I'm wondering how big that is in the Spanish historical consciousness.

The monkeys (apes? ...no, not apes) must be a lot of fun.

posted afternoon of December 11th, 2008 by Jeremy

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