Tomorrow's Forecast: Rain

Months ago, Viesgo assured us that as soon as we deposited an obscene amount of money in their account, they would start work, and that we would have electricity a short 10 to 14 days later. They said the same thing 15 days ago, when we made the deposit. Of course we did not believe them. But still, that tiny flame of hope flickered.

Today I called José, the "capataz"--or guy in charge of this whole project. We had talked to him last week as well, and he had promised to start no later than Monday. But on Thursday, he and his team still hadn't begun. "It's the weather's fault," he said, in that charming-irritating way that Spaniards have of refusing all blame. This is very bad news. "The weather" to which José referred is rain. And let's be clear: Asturias is the Seattle of Spain, the London of Spain. It always rains. "Don't worry, we won't forget you," said José. I was not reassured.