Santiago Webcams.

Hey, look! It's still pissing it down :D

Plaza Quintana is where I normally work. You may see me here if the sun ever shines again.

2010 is a Holy Year. Extra brownie points for pilgrims. The camera is pointing at the Holy Door - an entrance that is only open during Holy Years apparently. You can watch all the soaking wet, miserable pilgrims arriving and being forgiven for their sins. Watch them enter in sadness and then leave with loads of cash and happiness. It's miraculous.

Despite the rain, I am still hoping to leave Santiago on Monday and find a place in Laxe to finally start my next project. Hoping(?)!

Did I mention the rain? Did I?

Sigh. More wet, cold and windy stuff.

On the plus side, I've been sketching a mural in a warm, dry bar.

Next weekend maybe. Perhaps next weekend will be the weekend?

Whilst in the mountains of Anceres Natural Park, I made this website for a friend. I like his work much...

www.tom-morely.co.uk


A very wet, and quiet Semana Santa so far. Just about making enough to cover costs. Oh well.

Semana Santa?

I think it starts tomorrow.

Everyone told me today would be busy. It's no different to any other weekend I have known in Santiago so far this year. Wet, cold and a distinct lack of art buying tourists.

"You will have trouble finding a bed" they said. Cheaper this weekend than they were last weekend.

Worst of all, the wind has switched. It's a very cold North Easterly that suggest no change in weather for days.

FFS! JUST ONE SINGLE FUCKING DRY WEEKEND IS ALL I FUCKING WELL NEED! I'VE BEEN HERE ALMOST THREE MONTHS NOW, AND NOT HAD ONE FUCKING SINGLE WEEKEND WITHOUT RAIN.

I'm close to praying and going to church. If anyone reading here hadn't worked it out; I'm not a believer, but, hey! You know what? If prayer, and hanging onto hope is an easier option than actually dealing with reality I may well give it a go. Can't do any more harm than taking drugs to escape for a while. Can it?

Nah. Fuck it. I'm gonna buy a bottle of wine and find some pills instead. I will deal with reality tomorrow.

Will I ever get to Laxe?

The Bats are Out!

Well TFFT!

Winter is over, blossoms are blossoming, insects are insecting and the sun is shining. Aaaaachooooo! The bats can either smell the pollen, hear the insects, or, more likely, hear me sneezing.

I see I've lost a blog follower. Never mind.

Santiago.

I do like it here, and I've met many very good people. Many. Lots of offers of help. I like it lots, but, but, but...

Here's my problem (rain aside). Policia Local. The 'authorities'. Not all of them. Just the couple of small pricks who tell me I can't work. All I'm trying to do is raise enough cash to get my next charity project rolling. I'm no threat to anyone. Not the public, not businesses - no-one. When Policia Local threaten me with a denuncia I can't afford to pay just for sketching in a public place, a public plaza, a space we all pay for I have a big, big problem.

Some reading here may think I should just shut it and live within the 'rules'. Well, I do live within the rules. That is what annoys me. I have just as much disrespect for those who choose to stay quiet. These are very liberal times we live in. They are worth preserving for future generations. May seem like a small issue to some. Not to me. I've been writing this blog 'on the fly' since I started. Only once have I felt the need to edit/delete posts. I see no need here. I'm getting more support in Santiago for being honest than I would for just keeping quiet.

There are very few people here from ethnic backgrounds (unless you include Gauls as ethnics ;)). There are geographical reasons for that as well as political. Still, after Three months, I only know One black guy to speak to!

After Three months I am finally getting regular work. I DO like it here. But...

On the same day that Policia Local threatened me with denuncias if I didn't stop sketching for charity, some guy (who regularly did) let his dog walk all over my sketches. "Excuse me, it's my work". His reply: "This is my city and my floor - fuck off". Nice! So, perhaps you can understand why I vented so much steam here?

To focus on the good...

There are far more good people here than twats :)

I'm off to the mountains for a few days break. I deserve it. Back on Thursday. Spring has started smelling. Bats are flying and my nostral tissues are about to take an almighty beating. Yay! It's been almost a year. Mosquitoes will be next :)

OK. Let's forget about yesterday.

2 arguments with Policia Local. 2 ripped up sketches. 1 ripped canvass. Things can be very frustrating at times. Very frustating.

Today was better. Much better.

Santiago - Fascist Hell?

I may have to run quickly after this post ;)

Not many coloured people in these parts are there?

I'll give One, or Two exceptions, but, on the whole, this is Fascist hell. I am close to hating this city and all the people that reside here. Twice today Policia Local told me I wasn't allowed to work. Illegal to sketch in a public space! What? Why?

In all the time I've been here (on this last visit), I have only spoken to One single black person! Conservative isn't quite the right word. 'Backward' is possibly closer to the truth. It stinks here. Really, really smelly.

Fuck it. I could rant here forever. I hate this stinking, racist, fascistic little city.

Going to take the first bus out of here :)

Onwards and Upwards. I need a little break.

That was a shit week. Despite the good weather, good people, free food (Thank you very much to La Crepe in Praza Quintana - absolutely delicious. I shall return with friends someday. Seriously good food, beautiful service and relaxing ambience. Would have been worth every Centimo if I had paid). All the focus on the food and service. Exactly the way it should be. Subtle flavours with no distraction.

Illness, temporary blindness. Not worth blogging about really. I'd sooner forget it and move on. So, that's what I'm going to do.

I'm going to write about someone called 'T' (that'll be you!). I've enjoyed every minute of your company. Good conversation. Yesterday, you commented on how forgiving I am. I'm afraid I'm not. I always hit back if anyone crosses me. You are confusing forgiveness with tolerance. If people walk on my art because they didn't see it, then there was no intent. A simple accident. Nothing to get angry about. If someone spoils my art on purpose, I'll probably burn their house down before seeing them hung, drawn and quartered very publicly :)

It's possibly just a language thing, but... the Two people I have enjoyed the company of most in Santiago have both been from Estonia. Sana - hope to share a coffee and chat another time. And, 'T' - I'll keep in touch and see you later in the year. Both very interesting people who I would like to know much more about.

Santiago didn't click this time and I'm itching to move to Laxe and start my next project, so a huge change in plan. Heading to the bus station for a little break before coming back to Santiago with a bit of my own cash to get the next charity ball rolling.

That's the plan at least. But, a work offer in Berlin, and a curiosity about Estonia could change things! Heading South initially. East is tempting.

Sunshine.

Sunshine since Sunday actually. So, why can't I make money still?

Summer is coming. Sooner, or later, it will happen. Probably later.

My Language!

I shouldn't really do that. School children and the easily offended may be reading.

Forecast was wrong. It's bright and sunny. Almost spring like weather.

Fucking Cunts Changed the Weather Forecast Again.

Why do they do that?

Build up your hopes, then go knocking you down.

Another week of rain then :(

Jebus fucking wept!!!

Take a Step Back...

... and look at what is actually happening.

Well, it's fucking well raining all of the time. That's what is happening and spoiling my plans.

But, today it didn't rain all of the time. Pay day. 1st of the month. A bit of sunshine, and hoorah! I only need 1 day a week like that in Santiago and I'm singing. Hence, a gamble on a flat for a month. Maybe.

Tonight I'm in the 'funky' part of town. A room above a Chinese restaurant for just €15. The locks on the doors have been kicked and smashed as many times as Bruce Lee's midrift. Pretty sure whoever left on my account will be knocking a bit later, but I would actually kill for sleep and a shower tonight. No! Seriously!

4 dry days since mid December! It's been a wet winter for sure. Day to day survival really. It ain't fun. Something has to change. I'm still thinking.