The Virgin of Lithium

Celestial interventions in this week’s Camino a Ítaca. And Virgins? Did I forget to mention Virgins? Click over to read the originally published piece in Spanish in the HOY or read the English translation below. (PDF en castellano abajo) For the past few weeks the local papers in Cáceres have taken on a distinctly retro…

On Sale Today!

My new book Stories Left in Stone, Trails and Traces in Cáceres, Spain with the University of Alberta Press is now available at fine bookstores everywhere. If not, don’t be shy to ask them to stock it. ‘A fresh and engaging outsider perspective on life in Spain.’ -Kirkus Reviews

Number No Longer in Service

This week’s Camino a Ítaca asks whatever happened to good ‘ol fashioned miracles? It seems that the dead no longer walk and the seas no longer part. But hell, that doesn’t stop people from asking. All this and more is explored in my soon-to-be-published book. Stories Left in Stone. Trails and Traces in Cáceres, Spain.…

Ode to Reason

This week’s Camino a Ítaca asks if such a thing exists as fascist children’s literature. A few trolls came out their lairs and found me on this piece. Their comments are hallucinatory, if a bit frightening. Click over to read the originally published piece in Spanish in the HOY or read the English translation below.…

Saint George in Rafah

In this week’s Camino a Ítaca, a rebranding of the global icon, the dragon slayer, with an eye on a population that desperately needs someone’s help, anyone’s help. Even a mythical knight. Click over to read the originally published version in Spanish in el HOY or read the English translation below. (PDF en castellano abajo)…

Foreshadowing

In this week’s Camino a Ìtaca I use a word that I never thought I would in the newspaper. Click over to read the originally published piece in Spanish in the HOY or read the English translation below. (PDF en castellano abajo). I often wonder just how many times Maria Guardiola plays that crucial time…

A City Besieged

In this week’s Camino a Ítaca a look back at the summit of Culture Ministers from the EU that was held here in Caceres this week. Click over to read the original version published in Spanish in El HOY or read the English version below. (PDF en castellano abajo) The scene in the square looked…

Socks with Sandals

In this week’s Camino a Ítaca a look at an unusual fashion statement, complete with fearsome canines in tow. A Spanish comedian once said that the Spanish would rather give up a kidney before admiting they are wrong and there just might be a bit of truth to this. Click over to read the original…

Personas No Gratas

In this week’s Camino a Ítaca I walk the streets of my neighborhood and envision what will become of these barrios when tourism takes over completely. Click over to read the original version in Spanish in el HOY or read the English translation below. (PDF abajo) My neighbor is my street’s living memory. She was…

When Woke Went Weird

This week’s Camino a Ítaca explores how woke went from being a genuine movement for peoples to recuperate their dignity to some catch all phrase of every pet concern out there. Time to reset the word and bring it back to its original specs. Click over to read the original piece in Spanish in El…