When I came on the old boys trip to La Palma I had a couple of days on my own at the start which I spent in Santa Cruz. I thought it was great so suggested we have a few days in the city on this visit and I am pleased to say Gill wholeheartedly agrees with my view, it is a smashing city, not too big, little traffic, plenty of character and, as it is warm throughout the year, cafes and restaurants are all al fresco.
The buildings left and above are on the sea front, on the corner of each balcony is a boxed in area, this is the toilet, your deposit dropped straight onto the pavement below so those walking along the promanade could admire it.
We walked round the city visiting an exhibition of African art, a museum of art and local interest and a navel museum as well as taking rather a lot of pictures of the buildings. Most buildings are 18th & 19th century and a great many have been restored by the local authority who are then using them as offices or galleries. You get the feeling that they are the only ones who can afford to do this, there are many buildings which are in need of work but currently empty.
The exhibition of African art was quite interesting, it was mostly effigies and masks from central Africa. The effigy right was a little disturbing, most featured idealised models of men or women and there was no difficulty identifying the sex of each as either the breasts or penis were huge.
Tomorrow unfortunately we head home to the cold of England, I will write a summary of our thoughts on La Palma later, watch this space for further details.
Who on earth would think Fuck Shoes Wear Sneakers is an acceptable marketing strap line? This was all over a very posh shop selling trainers
All round the city there are these little cages. Gill tells me they are supposed to be presents but I know their real purpose, somewhere to lock away troublesome children.