BREAKING NEWS: Paul the Octopus has announced his retirement from soccer prognostication following his string of winning picks in the World Cup, including correctly picking Spain over The Netherlands in yesterday’s final.
(Just between you and me, I think he’s holding out for a reality show deal with Discovery Channel.)
And, just because you knew SOMEONE had to do it, here is the Paul The Octopus Song:
The Economist has published a “Democracy Index”, which considers the relative level of democracy in the governance of all the countries in the world along five crtieria: electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture.
They conclude that there are 28 “full democracies” in the world today, and the most democratic country by their measure is Sweden, with an index of 9.88 on a scale of 0-10. (Full report in PDF format)
The United States ranks 17th, in between Spain and the Czech Republic. But, hey, we still beat the U.K. (#23) and France (#24). And that’s better than our ranking on that other linchpin of American liberty, freedom of the press. Our press freedom ranking is #22, where we’re tied with Belgium, right after that bastion of freedom, Bosnia.
What a country!
…and don’t pet the sweaty things. — George Carlin
Keep that in mind if you happen to visit the Andalusia Center of Contemporary Art in Seville, Spain. Because one of the exhibits you’ll find there is this globby bit of rubber sculpture that gets sweaty when you touch it. (via)
Eeeuww. Just eeuww.
Next year my wife and I will both turn 45. We’re already thinking about taking another trip somewhere overseas to celebrate, just as we did in 2003 when we went to Paris and London for our 40th birthdays.
One destination we’re thinking about is Barcelona, Spain. In fact, Bridget has already gone ahead and e-mailed the famous El Bulli restaurant for a reservation for their 2008 season — they only accept reservations for a brief period each year in advance of the season but accept requests in advance.
Since our chances of getting in at El Bulli probably aren’t very good, it’s worth looking around for other possible destinations as well. I’d really like to go to Iceland; “The Amazing Race” has sent its contestants to Iceland a couple of times, and it looks like a gorgeous place. It’s not a long flight from Boston, and they always have package deals.
But yesterday I stumbled across this website for a guest house in Morocco. It’s in the city of Fez, which was the traditional capital of Morocco for centuries. The photos make the hotel look simply beautiful, but in addition to the exotic locale and luxurious setting, the guest house is owned and operated by a Moroccan chef and you can do a day-long cooking program with him as part of the stay. He takes you shopping in the souk for fresh ingredients, and then you go back to the kitchen for a hands-on lesson in Moroccan cuisine.
Of course, if you go to Iceland you can eat some fermented shark, but I gotta think it would be enormous fun to have an authentic Moroccan cooking experience. If I can’t get to try some molecular cuisine in Spain, that is.
Comments:
Barcelona is high on my list of places to visit…particularly because of the very outstanding buildings by Antoni Gaudi…and Morroco is only a ferry ride away…well after a long train ride and followed by a long bus ride. But still, it’s closer than walking from Boston.
Posted by Karan [URL] on 05/31/07
Cooking in Fes _is_ great fun!
Posted by Liosliath [URL] on 05/31/07
Oooooo I’d be really, really torn! Basque food is my FAVOURITE Spanish cuisine bar none and even without El Buli the culinary experience would be fabulous. In fact I have been contacted several times by some ladies who own a sort of cooking school/resort type place in Spain.
Then again, Morocco is pretty damn cool as well, but I don’t think you would be eating the street food or dining in the open food markets. I think culinarily and artistically Spain has a lot more to offer.
JEALOUS.
Posted by jo [URL] on 06/01/07
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