The Civilities of Car Travel

 We are out, again, amid the wide open spaces and looking towards the south - through January bleached eyes.  The only item of interest - if we ignore the abandoned hotel - is the Guardia Civil Traffic.  So let's talk about them.





If you are of a certain age the image of the Guardia Civil is probably that of the Tricornio hat, appearing on the head of someone being either ‘typically’ Spanish or having a bit part in ‘Spanish for English Tourists’, shown on Sunday Mornings with no chance to video it.  According to an article on the eyeonspain website entitled ‘why do they wear that hat?’  I’m not sure they give a fully comprehensive answer on that, but it really is an excuse to talk about the Guardia.  https://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/iwonderwhy/11562/Why-do-they-wear-that-hat---Spains-first-police-force.aspx



The Guardia Civil was created as part of the attempt of the government of Isabel II to take control over policing, away from the local municipalities. The first Guardia Academy opened in Valdemoro, south of Madrid, in 1855.



The Guardia were initially put onto dealing with brigandage but soon took on the results of social unrest caused by Spain’s somewhat unbalanced approach to the distribution of land and opportunities. It was said that the Unholy Trinity of the Spain were the Priest, the landlords agent and the local Corporal of the Guardia Civil.



While the forces of repression may have won the Civil War, the Guardia did become the subject of a large number of jokes, including ‘Why do the Guardia go round in threes.  One can read, one can write and one can keep an eye on the two dangerous intellectuals.’

I think, to the British traveller, used to the unmilitarized police force, the idea of police in barracks is one of those ‘Spain is different’ moments.  We wandered passed a barracks when we were in Astorga and an only and falling apart one was up for sale a few years back in Colunga.



Times change and so do the needs of society.  Apart from, a wiki proudly proclaims, the Guardia being the first police force to accommodate same sex couples, the growth of traffic became an area which fell into their command.  At the end of August, every major highway has a presence to remind the weary motorist to stick to the speed limit and not to set Galaica on fire by chucking fag ends out of the car.



So, we carry on.









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