Spain's beach bars

Michael Moffett - GlobalPost June 18, 2009 09:57 ET

A bulldozer with your sangria?

Spain's iconic beach bars face demolition in the name of coastal protection.

By Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - GlobalPost
Published: June 19, 2009 06:55 ET
Updated: June 19, 2009 08:08 ET

ALICANTE, Spain — It's not the grandiose architecture of Granada’s Moorish Alhambra Palace or Seville’s Cathedral that is sparking a full-out defense of a "cultural asset." Nor is it flamenco dancing or Spanish guitar playing.

Rather, beach bars and restaurants have become the cause celebre.

These chiringuitos — the local lingo for the bars...

Recent on Spain:

Just when you thought it was swimming season ...

Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - Spain - June 14, 2009 12:34 ET

Jellyfish invade Mediterranean beaches, alarming scientists and sunbathers.

Villains of the world beware

Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - Spain - June 8, 2009 09:10 ET

Spain's courts have sought justice for victims from Argentina to China — but some governments aren't pleased with this do-gooder attitude.

Taking advantage of EU apathy

Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - Spain - June 3, 2009 18:17 ET

UPyD hopes its non-professional candidates connect with voters in a way politicians can't.

Quaffing in the Canary Islands

Cathy Huyghe - Spain - May 21, 2009 10:33 ET

You have to go to Gran Canaria to taste the wine made there.

The mysteries inside Columbus' casket

Michael Moffett - Spain - May 21, 2009 06:35 ET

Spain and the Dominican Republic are still arguing over who has the explorer's real remains.

The Great Recession of 2009

Thomas Mucha - Commerce - May 16, 2009 07:45 ET

One step forward, one step back?

Spain's immigration petri dish

Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - Spain - May 6, 2009 16:52 ET

Lavapies is praised for successful integration — but will second-generation immigrants upset the balance?

Selling to survive on Madrid's streets

Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - Spain - May 3, 2009 10:33 ET

Campaign calls for end to prison sentences for street vendors selling pirated music and movies.

Take my car, please

Karoline Durr - Germany - April 21, 2009 21:43 ET

Even in crisis, Germans know a good deal when they see one.

Spanish court considers prosecuting Bush officials

Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - Spain - April 18, 2009 13:42 ET

A group of lawyers accuses them of devising legal framework to allow torture at Guantanamo.

It's open season for bluefin tuna

Michael Moffett - Spain - April 15, 2009 12:58 ET

How the world's appetite for sushi could outweigh concerns about overfishing.

Spain considers revamping abortion law

Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - Spain - April 7, 2009 09:48 ET

Most women currently allege mental health problems as reason for aborting — a subjective diagnosis driving much of the debate.

Obama: "America is changing"

Mildrade Cherfils - Diplomacy - April 4, 2009 09:39 ET

In Strasbourg on Friday, the American president danced delicately, diplomatically and decisively.

Monstrously molecular

William Echikson - Spain - March 28, 2009 13:03 ET

Innovative cuisine stuns, but does not satisfy, in San Sebastian.

Meat for lean times

Michael Moffett - Spain - March 24, 2009 17:14 ET

Sales rise for Spanish vendors of lesser cuts of meat, such as intestines and pig feet.

Spain tries to move on

C.M. Sennott - Worldview - March 11, 2009 16:35 ET

Five years after the Madrid train bombings, the country is healing, but the politicians remain divided.

The Spanish invasion

Michael Moffett - Spain - March 5, 2009 10:02 ET

In business, politics and culture, Spain sets out to re-conquer America.

Spain's religion debate

Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - Spain - March 2, 2009 17:45 ET

Spaniards have a complex relationship with Catholicism and other religions.

The War Hotels: Introduction

HDS Greenway - Worldview - February 28, 2009 12:11 ET

A five-part series on where war correspondents have stayed throughout the decades

Global Blogs:

Every Meatball Has Its Price

South of Watford - Spain - July 1, 2009 16:57 ET

One of the more entertaining aspects of the Gürtel corruption case comes from the documentation detailing many of the illegal payments made by the organisers of the ring to various politicians in the Partido Popular. A few weeks ago we learnt that Valencia's Francisco Camps had...

Oil on Malvarrosa Beach?!

Hola Valencia - Spain - July 1, 2009 03:50 ET

Earlier this week, Juergen and I celebrated my 14th birthday with a trip to Malvarossa beach. It was a beautiful sunny day, I was away from my computer and I had just turned 14!! Full of a youthful zest for life, I squealed and ran into the water, completely ignoring the red...

Don't Let Them Eat Cake

Spanish Shilling - Spain - June 26, 2009 04:27 ET

Do you remember ‘the Twinkie Defence’? This was the story of some mad bastard who ran into the mayor of San Francisco’s office many years ago and shot several people to death, including Hizzonor. The Californian police, failing for once to shoot the ‘alleged perpetrator...

Michael Jackson dead – breaking news

Nicholas Mead - Spain - June 25, 2009 18:31 ET

Jacko This is breaking news from LA but the news is that Michael Jackson is dead at age 50. TMZ and the LA Times are reporting him as dead after having a heart attack while CNN are only reporting he is in a coma. No details have emerged but I bet this was suicide not least...

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