So, as for Laporta, who was adamant about sticking up for his more leftist ideas about the future of Catalunya, I say, fine, Laporta and politics in one corner-may not agree with the man, but will let it be- and it does not have an effect on what I think of him as a football coach, rather my die-hard Real Madrid fanaticism makes me automatically dislike the man, but has nothing to do with what his politico is.

However, it seems all the press was a flurry with articles about the daring stand he made, alongside ERC (Esquerra Republicana) president Joan Puigcercós and other party members early this am in a torch ceremony commemorating the life of Lluis Campanys, Catalunya's president at the time of the Spanish Civil War, who was executed by Franco's men. The ERC are in favor of Catalunya's independence from the rest of Spain, and the funny thing is, I was actually discussing this very thing -Catalunyás separation- while in Madrid this past weekend, with my madrileño friends.

I dangerously said to them, why not let Catalunya separate? See how it goes for them? After all, if they are truly unhappy, why not try a kind of trial separation -that usually takes place before a more permanent divorce- if they want to come back to Spain, then arms wide open, if not, let it be, no? This got my friends howling "NO", after all, according to them, once one autonomous region jumps ship, then they all will, and Spain would effectively no longer exist---fair enough. But, I kept strong on my separation soapbox -it's a defect, I know, stubbornly sticking to my guns- as I don't understand what would be so bad about giving it a go.

Then, I remembered some very wise words my dad once said, "under no circumstances should you talk about religion, politics or money with friends", especially if you'd like to remain mates! With that thought in my head, the conversation radically shifted to something más light.