Island of the Dogs

September 2012 -- I attended the International Goat Conference in the Canary Islands in 2012. My travel companion was my extension colleague David G. 

Grand Canaria

Colorful nested houses

Row, row, row your boat

Rocky Beach

Palm Trees

David taking a stroll

The Canary Islands are volcanic islands off the coast of northwestern Africa. They are an autonomous community of Spain, the southern most region of Spain. The conference was held in Las Palmas on the main island (Grand Canaria).

Topless beach

Tropical fruits

Colorful boats

Colorful buildings

Promenade

Mercado De Vegueta

Plaza Santa Ana

Island of the Dogs!  Contrary to popular belief, the Canary Islands are not named after (canary) birds, but rather dogs. According to one historian, Canaria contained a "multitude of dogs are very large size." There are various dog statues  in the Plaza de Santa Ana. They are modeled after the hounds that were on the island when the Spanish settled. We all chose the same dog to pose with.

Ain't nothing but a hound dog

My dog

David

Our other travel companion, Nelson

Plaza of dogs

I ran into people I knew at the conference, including one of the students who hosted me in China in 2008. I had two poster presentations. It wasn't the best conference I've ever attended. It wasn't especially well organized. The venue was lacking. The food wasn't very good. The best part was the farm tour day, but even then, we probably chose the wrong tour. At least we got to see some goats and sheep. I would have liked to have seen more of Grand Canaria. We didn't venture far from the city. All the guys, especially Nelson, wanted to do was eat.

Chinese colleague Wang Wei (sp.)

Animal housing

Canarian rams

Canarian goats

The "shepherd's leap" is a folk sport practiced throughout the Canary Islands. Historically, Canarian shepherds used sticks to transport themselves across ravines and down steep embankments. Our Canarian hosts gave a demonstration of it, then let people try. My Chinese friend Wang Wei did it.

Stick jumping

My friend Wang Wei trying it