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The Iberian Horseshoe — A Journey

Part II. South West

Andalusian Day

Steve Porter

Global Fiction

First publication: September 2006

http://badosa.com/n250-24

Each of Spain’s autonomous regions has its own special day and February 28 is celebrated throughout Andalusia. Many of the things regarded as typically Spanish originate here—the bullfight, flamenco music and dancing sevillanas.

From the back balcony of our flat, I could see children parading with flags in the school playground below. They were marching up and down with green and white flags—the colours of Andalusia. These colours reminded me of my favourite football team, who had been relegated from the Scottish Premier League the year before. Hibernian were now on an incredible undefeated run and were set to return to the ‘big time’. I wanted to be there when they won the title and it looked like they would achieve that by April, with a whole month to spare before the end of the season. I thought of all the days stretching out between now and then. A walk would take care of the immediate future. So I left the children to their fun and games and took the lift down to the ground floor.

We were always checking for mail, even when we knew the postman had already been. But this time there was a postcard sticking out of our mailbox. On the front was a picture of Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. I was intrigued, as I did not know anyone in the capital. On the reverse was written:

Hope you and Mary are well and in work. I have long since left the school after a classic conversation with Kane, who wouldn’t even agree to meet me. Tell you more later. The job offer in Madrid has fallen through and the money is running very low. I may be in Alicante or Perthshire by the end of the week. You can call me in the evenings on 913631292. I’ll be here until Wednesday/Thursday. If not I’ll be in Alicante on 965183886. Take care of yourselves. Best wishes,

Hamish