Fish restaurants on the sloping crescent of Los Abrigos now have an even better view for customers to feast on.Michael Diaz and Natalia Real have been adding images of noted local figures to a 395 square metre concrete canvas that extends its protective arm around the secluded bay on the Granadilla coast of Tenerife.
Four months on and the work is nearing completion as friendly faces from the fishing community share their stage with the reassuring prescence of the Virfen del Carmen, the patron of the fishermen. It´s not just people immortalised in paint, the ginger cat that pads the promenade looks like the cats whiskers on the big screen.
The framework of the mural was outlined first like a giant jugsaw before colour and details were added. Michel and Natalia are experienced with such large projects and favour artists brushes rather than sprays. Old school rules with mixing performed on a hand held palate, and a paint spotted gladstone bag that keeps the creative mixtures ready to apply.
It´s a tough call to reflect the charms of the port and shine up a natural jewel like Los Abrigos but the couple have achirved it with a sprinkling of humour and lots of pride. Now the fine flavours of the restaurants opposite are complimented by the respectful insight into tradition.
Jumping out at me from all directions, Carnaval legends defied the gathering clouds high above Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava in the north of Tenerife. Two years of minimal carnaval celebrations meant high heels and hi jinks were straining to break through.
The steep winding road up to the small municipality of Los Realejos bajo and alto showed their concern for those with little to celebrate, at several of the traffic roundabouts. The modern sculpture of friendship towards the young had gained a Ukraine flag and a wish for unity, along with proclamations of hope and respect at the smaller traffic islands.
Los Realejos Carnaval theme was “Life Is A Musical” . The cut outs of key players in the history of the areas celebrations took centre stage in Plaza de San Agustin with many of their former costumes getting a roll call. A small ferris wheel was also being adjusted. The previous weeks rain had delayed some events but not dampened enthusiasm.
La Orotava squeezed in a three day carnaval a few weeks before, and the delayed biggie for Santa Cruz has been pencilled in from 2 to 26 June with hopes of thronging the streets once more to maintain its status as second only to Rio de Janiero in size and splendour. Fingers and painted toes are crossed for the explosion of colour.
Just below the Los Realejos plaza, was an ambitious project to restore and extend the short lived cinema. Teatro Cine was originally a convent owned by the Agustin monks but from 1930 to 1932 it became a beacon for entertainment. If all goes to plan, cinema, theatre, and culture will enrich the comminuty from 2023. In the meantime, free expression and music were being lined up for the night times celebrating up on the plaza.
Mario Gonzalez rose for a bullet header just before half time, only to be denied as Almeria goalie Fernando arched his back and at full stretch tipped the ball just over the join of post and bar. Nearly an hour into the game, Carlos Ruiz lent into visiting 15 goal hot shot Sadiq who collapsed for Ramazani to convert a VAR decided penalty. On such moments seasons can turn. Even at a time when promotion candidates are all dropping unexpected points, this 0-1 home defeat for CD Tenerife, effectively shut the door on top two automatic promotion.
For the opening 20 minutes Almeria shaded the play but once Tenerife had sussed out their tactics, the Santa Cruz team took control. Almeria built from the back with Akieme overlapping from a deep left back role to supply Sadiq. Tenerife were adjusting to the late loss of defender Pomares with Covid, Shaq Moore continued at right back with Mellot swapping to the other flank where he kept Sousa shackled.
Tenerife went in for half time with a growing feeling of confidence and it continued after the restart. Rodrigo Ely, one of the oppositions two free agent recruits in the week before the game looked rusty after sitting on the sidelines at Nottingham Forest. The central defender was fortunate to get away with a loose tackle on Mario in the penalty area. Shaq Moore shaped up for a header at the visitors goal but a defender got his own head in to steer the ball away.
The Almeria goal changed the shape of the game, they looked to defend their lead and run down the time. Tenerife resisted big changes as they were still pressing their opponents and Mario was creating plenty of half chances. Sam Shasoua replaced Bermejo after 77 minutes and was soon followed by Victor Mollejo who provided a late burst of pace and urgency. The 15,053 crowd willed their team on but there was no way back. Captain Aitor Sanz misses the next game after his booking protesting ro the ref over the penalty – but he still led his team over to the crowd after the game to stoke their passion with defiant words. With 10 games left of the regular season, anything can happen but a June extension to Tenerife´s season for the nerve shredding lottery of four team home and away semi finals and final are loomimg large.
I didn´t know that the first female driver for the tenerife bus company (TITSA) was Ana Maria Rodriguez Morales in 1989, but I was aware that 8 March was the International Day Of The Woman.
A smooth trip to Puerto de la Cruz was on my mind, but I did notice the information screen on my green chariot was featuring pics of the comapany´s female staff from drivers right up to the CEO Raquel Martinez Castillo.
Carnaval and many other upcoming events were on my tick list as the blue sky and fresh air eased me from the look out mirador of La Paz, down and beyond the beach to the Plaza of rhe Ayuntamiento (council) building. Violet flags fluttered and speeches were being rehearsed as I purused a wall of 20 profiles of women who were relevant to the history of Puerto de la Cruz. Poets, painters, writers, and public servants had all left their mark, even our own Agatha Christie was mentioned for her brief stay in the city in 1927 when she wrote a short story.
Even more relevance was added to the day at Castillo San Felipe near Playa Jardin. Their display of traditional crafts like weaving fitted in well with the theme of the day. It was also a good chance to admire the small but sturdy fortress from the inside. A few more calls in La Orotava and Los Realejos, kept the day ticking over before the last stop at Santa Cruz.
The Intercambiador bus station was paying its own homage to the special day on behalf of yjr Womens Sector of Canarian Transport. in the entrance hall. The milestones achieved by the ladies were remarkable. Maria Toledo Torres was the first taxi female taxi driver in the canaries in 1966, and only the 2nd in Spain. Maria Bernaldo de Qyiros became Spain´s first female to hold a pilots licence in 1928.
There was a nice sense of humour at work in the exhibition, with high heels and lipstick mixing with wing mirrors and wheels at the base of some stands. It was a welcome and unexpected finish to the trip.
Despite the best efforts of an 18,587 crowd, CD Tenerife slid to a 1-4 home loss to fast tracking Real Valladolid. The defeat leaves the Santa Cruz team six points behind the two automatic promotion places and six points ahead of the last of four play off positions with 12 games to go.
It should have been the annual Carnaval game but Covid has banished that to the margins until July. Positive midweek tests on regular starters Alexandre, Alex Munoz, and Sergio Gonzalez, and the suspension of captain Aitor Sanz led to a makeshift line up and a below par performance from the hosts. Valladolid exploited the disjointed defence, especially down the left where Pomares struggled. The ref tried to jolly things along with his VAR backed ruling of a 21 minute opener from El Yamiq via a free kick. Replays showed the strike to be offside but the damage was done. Sergio Leon and Vila were powerful spearheads for Valladolid and four first half home bookings including coach Ramis added to the frustration.
Just before the hour, vetern Tenerife defender Carlos Ruiz was turned inside out by Sergio as he dragged the stand in captain back to the goal line before teeing it up for Plata to make it 0-2. Alexandre and Mario Gonzalez took over from Bermejo and Gallego but Valladolid were flying and Javi Sanchez netted a third. There was a spark of hope as Mario´s shot rebounded off the diving keeper and was buried by Andres Martin. Their partnership is starting to deliver and takes some pressure of Gallego and Elady.
It was too little too late, Valladolid showed a killer instinct that rewarded them 10 minutes from the whistle as a breakaway was finished by former home favourite Luis Perez with a free header at the post. The home fans were defiant to the last with chants of Si Se Puede (yes you can) ringing around the ground. Leaders Eibar lost as well, surprises are becoming the norm at this stage of the season, pressure, nerves, injuries, and over confidence are just some of the pitfalls waiting to trip up promotion hopefuls. Tenerife are still well placed, the dream is alive and there´s much more drama to come.