Cadiar

Hey guys,
So its been all almonds the last few days, so I thought I'd tell you a little about Cadiar, the closest village to Tara's house.  Its a pretty average size for this region, with one supermarket, a butcher, bakery, and post office.  It is also, in keeping with most towns around here, extremely corrupt.  Tara has told us that she needs approval to build on her property (a strange concept coming from America), and the only way to get it is often to buddy up with an official or two.  This usually means employing specific people for the construction, and it is basically the standard operating procedure around here.
The other day we heard booming sounds coming from the mountains, much louder than the gunshots we have been hearing since hunting season started last weekend.  Tara said that they were fireworks, and that there had been a big controversy because the local government spent an enormous amount of the tax money on them.  We couldn't get over how bizarre it was that the government could get away with spending municipal funds on shooting off fireworks.  During the middle of the day.  On a Thursday.  The mentality here is just so different: Stu told us that the main consideration concerning the mayoral elections in Cadiar is the success of the incumbent's fiestas.  If this is during a crippling financial crisis, what do voters mull over during times of plenty?  Perhaps the brand of chorizo favored by each candidate.
The area is comprised of about 30% English ex-pats and 70% Spanish.  When asked why the region has so many English, each person will give you a different answer.  Tara notes that its one of the cheapest places to live in Western Europe.  Her neighbor Mark believes that many of the English here are running from something, a spouse, debts, a run in with the law, etc.  In any event, there is a considerable separation between the Spanish and English in the area.  The Spaniards hire other Spaniards to work for them, and the English do the same.  There are English and Spanish bars, and overall, very few forums for mixing between the two groups.  However, we are headed to one today, an amateur horse race that takes place annually on a mountain top across the valley from Tara's.  Her friends Mark and Nikki host it, and villagers of all backgrounds come for the race and after party.  It will definitely be a lot of fun, we'll let you know how it goes.
lots of love
luke