A Small matter

One of the unsung pleasures of travelling is that it provides so many ample opportunities to pause and reflect. I am finding that bus journeys in particular allow me to switch off from the daily chaos of life and really take time to think deeply about things. One thought in particular has been exercising me for the last few days and in the hope of exorcising it I share it with you now.

Ecuadorean dogs have evolved into a wide variety of species of diminuitive stature, ranging in size from a chicken wing to a proton. What links them is that an overhwhelming number of them are dressed in T-shirts. But- and here's the thing- when it rains, they all put hats on. Obviously the dogs do not make the decision to put on hats; this would be ridiculous. So the owners of the dogs must bring the hats with them in their pockets. (I almost said handbags there, but then remembered that a startling number of these dog owners are men. Men with mullets. I digress.) There are no weather reports or predictions in Ecuador. None. They simply do not bother. So, do the dog owners carry the dog-hats with them at all times in case of a shower, or do they, unlike the meteorologists, divine that it is going to rain while they are out. And if the latter, then why choose that time to take your shaved poodle for a walk in the first place? Indeed, why shave your poodle in the first place if you are then going to put it in clothes and a hat? And while we're at it, lady, why is your mouse sized dog wearing wellington boots and a mackintosh but you don't have an umbrella and your child is wearing a plastic carrier bag on its head to stay dry? I fear that I shall be forced to leave these questions unanswered forever, although if anyone has any salient literature on the matter please send it c/o the British Embassy in Quito.
Which leads me to another and more profound question. I know at least three people are reading this blog. WHERE ARE MY GODDAMNED JAFFA CAKES?

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