The area of Spain we are traversing is Galicia. There are two things which, according to a quick Google search, are typical of the area. I know that NOW.
A few days ago it became apparent that you will find a small crucifix atop a tall pillar in pretty much every village, at significant junctions, and in squares across the territory. Not surprising perhaps in a staunchly Catholic country, and charming in their own way. Below is a classic example.
The other typical Galician feature had me foxed for a while. As early as day one we spotted in a rural garden what looked like a shed on stilts. "Quaint", we remarked, and walked on. A few houses further along another similar structure came into view, this time with a similarly wooden frame but with holey brick walls. "Weird", we thought, and passed by. As the hours and miles rolled by we noticed more and more of these curious structures. Picture, if you will, a tiny 'house', long and narrow, on average around 2ft x 6ft, with a tiled roof, a miniature door, and air bricks for walls, 4ft up in the air, and EVERYWHERE! Not only that but the significant majority have a crucifix of their own on top. Guesses ranged from the serious to the silly: a kennel? a tool shed? a chicken coop? a mausoleum? somewhere to stick the kids when they're naughty? a gnome house??? Of course the holes were the key. Clearly something had to be stored in there that required air to circulate and just as we had decided they must be grain stores along came a helpful American pellegrina who confirmed they were for storing corn. Ah ha! Thought so! (chicken shed indeed, pah) But in fact that wasn't the end of it. Now we began to wonder how on earth the grain dried without falling through the holes. We decided it must be kept in sacks, the crosses being a symbol of thanks for a good harvest. We were nearly right. The matter was finally solved today by an unsuspecting farmer whose shed-maintenance skills left something to be desired. When our American friend said 'corn' she meant 'maize'. Mystery solved.
PS I've subsequently found out these are called 'horreos'
PPS Stephen says "Next mystery. Why are the Spanish so b*****y noisy??" I'd better get back onto Google.
Curious, huh?
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