No, weren't talking about low-IQ drivers behind souped-up hot bangers but the plethora of promises emitted by political parties; the elections are weeks away!

Actually, it reminds me of an old joke: the National Fibs Competition is taking place and only two competitors remain. There is a hush over the eager crowd as the first one steps forward and says, “On the way here, I leapt over a 10-storey building”

The crowds erupts, convinced that this porkie is unbeatable but then the other competitor steps up, clears his throat and announces, “Yes, I saw you!” and wins the competition hands down.

Every party, from the most powerful to the lowliest is pledging amazing projects; some practical and long overdue, and others clearly brought about during a session of illegal substances.

But this is no new occurrence, belonging to the return of Democracy because even during to the pre-Spanish Civil War republic, politicians would promises the impossible to gain a vote, plying the  most remote villages where the radio was considered black magic and the Devil’s work.

So, it should come as no surprise (especially if you already knew this) one unscrupulous politician (are there any other kind?) asked the gathered villagers in Pitres, up in the Alpujarra Granadina, what they wanted and he would provide it. “One village wag shouted, “A port!” As the village is well inland, standing nearly 1,300 metres above sea level, not even the village idiot would  have considered that possible (well, perhaps not).

The politician, held up his hands and boomed, “A sea port Pitres shall have!” adding that they might have to bring the sea water up in buckets. The answer was offered in the same vein as the proposal — in jest.

As far fetched as that might seem, the elevated village of Pitres uses this anecdote to further its tourism offer with its Seafront Promenade (paseo marítimo) thanks to its twinning with Motril a decade or so back – The Asociación Cultural Rebalaje de La Rábita even provided a fishing boat and a sailor’s costume.

So, beware of Greeks bearing gift horses and politicians bearing promises of Utopia!

(News: Pitres, Alpujarra, Granada, Andalucia)