Momentous occasions

Two momentous things happened this weekend:

1. Spain elected a new prime minister, Mariano Rajoy (I can't shake the feeling that someone named Mariano is destined for greatness)

Here are my sub-bullet points on this subject:

• Remember my Spanish election 101 post a few weeks ago? I correctly predicted that the conservative Partido Popular would carry the election. Which wasn't such a feat considering that everyone, even the other party, also knew they would cream the opposition.
• Turns out it was the biggest, most lopsided defeat for the Socialists since...well...ever. At least since this country has been a full democracy. The takeaway: when you preside over Great Depression-level economic chaos (and try to pretend like nothing is wrong for a long time after the evidence is staring you in the face, looking at you Señor Zapatero), people start boiling tar in pots and looking around darkly for feathers.
• When I say Great Depression, I don't say it lightly: overall employment is at 22.6%, the highest in the European Union, and unemployment among 18-24 year-olds is an eye-popping 46%.  Those are pretty dire numbers. 
• For a good general (albeit slightly American-centric) overview of what's up in Spain, check out this CNN article. The Economist also has a decent take, as they usually do.
• Election day in Spain has none of the ceremony of its American cousin. We Americans like flags and bunting and balloons, and we are enthusiastic confetti-throwers. Especially if the flags, bunting, balloons and confetti are all red, white and blue (another part of the American code: red, white and blue is always said in that order: red, white and blue. White blue and red? Blue, white and red? No no and no.) If it isn't, well, it doesn't belong on election day, does it?
• I imagine it will take a couple days to take down the election ads on billboards and such around town. It's sad to see Rubalcaba (the decided non-winner) next to a sign proudly declaring "Pelea por lo que quieres" which means "fight for what you want" when actually, they did fight for what they wanted thankyouverymuch, and actually it turns out that what they wanted was whatever was the exact opposite of you. Rough. 

I've followed the election, but despite my snarkiness, I'm neutral over the outcome. I'm on the side of the woman in a recent cartoon in a Spanish newspaper: a man turns off his television, which is showing the official candidate debate. 

"So," he asks his wife, "who do you think will be the next leader of Spain?" 

She grimaces.

"Angela Merkel."

Momentous thing #2: Thanksgiving came early to Spain.

Sub-bullet points coming tomorrow (mwahaha).  To keep you on your toes, noodle over this question: is it possible to cook a whole turkey in a toaster oven? Yes or no?  Answer coming mañana.