Horses And Hairdressers

The news has changed yet again this week but more about that later, I thought I would share an old story with you today.

About 20 years ago when Eddie and I had just moved to Mallorca. We were just finding our way, what was what, and where things were. Our Spanish wasn't particularly good but we were trying our best and learning as we went along. 
One day we were sat in a bar in Alcudia Port, my parents were visiting and Eddie was in desperate need of a haircut. He was starting to resemble a cave man. The waiter came across and in his best Spanish Eddie asked him if there was a mens hairdresser nearby? The waiter chuckled a little and walked away. 

Moments later, Eddie began to laugh. At first it was a gentle giggle but it soon turned in an uncontrollable belly laugh. The sort that makes your whole body shake and you are unable to speak. Because he was laughing so hard, we began to laugh too, although we had no idea what we were laughing at. Its true what they say, laughter really is contagious. Eventually he was able to stop laughing long enough to explain what had happened.

The Spanish word for Gentleman is Caballero and the Spanish word for horse is Caballo, so Eddie, in his best Spanish had just asked the waiter if he knew if there was hairdresser for horses nearby. No wonder the poor waiter was tickled.

That wasn't the end of our Spanish / English blunders. We used to design and make menus for the local bars and restaurants and one time they wanted battered Cod on the menu. We took our work in for their approval and the staff fell about laughing. It turns out that the Cod that we had put on the menu had been beaten up to within an inch of its life and not battered as in the cooking sense! One time we went in to KFC and we were asked if we wanted mice with our chicken, the young girl behind the counter mean't maize, and another time a Spanish friend of ours was also in KFC in the UK and asked for six pieces of kitchen. I guess to a foreigner the words chicken and kitchen do sound a little familiar. 

Eddies Spanish is really quite good these days and our son Jack who was born on the island speaks Spanish like a native. Its not easy to learn a second language, so for those of us that are trying, keep going and don't give up.

Back to today's news and from tomorrow, Bars and Restaurants now have to close at 11 PM. Up until tonight it was midnight and I am slightly confused as to what difference one hour will make. 

I do feel that before Covid and lock down things were maybe getting a little out of control. You could buy and consume alcohol 24 hours a day if that was your desire. When I was growing up and going out with my friends, the nightclubs kicked out at 2 AM and the most we could do after that was grab a takeaway burger or a kebab, and either walk home or get a taxi. We had no need or desire to stay out until the sun came up the next morning. I do wonder if clubs will ever be allowed to stay open late ever again! Like I say, 2 AM was more than ample for us back in the day! 

Today we have been up to Santa Cruz and there are at least five cruise ships anchored just outside the port, its very sad to see. They should be carrying thousands of passengers to far away exotic places but here they are, sitting still and probably almost empty. There is one cruise ship floating around the islands, its full of German passengers. The restrictions are tight and passengers can only disembark on pre booked excursions in small groups. Its not ideal but I guess its a step in the right direction.

We found ourselves in the city center and it was quiet and many places looked closed up, never to reopen again. It was quite a sad sight and I wonder how and when we will ever recover from this situation. We just have to keep going the best we can and hope that this situation comes to an end sooner rather than later. Our opening hours at the bar will change this week to reflect the new rules, we will keep you posted on our Facebook page.

Until next time, stay safe, ride the storm and keep the cheese on the cracker!

H xxx