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Madeira and the Englishmen
What do the British with Madeira have to do? A lot! On the one hand one of the first hotel owners was an Englishman Mr. Reid whose "Reid's hotel" on the whole island is notorious. Still today you can experience there the very british and first of all very expensive way of life. To the other, the Englishmen have occupied this island at Napoleon's time. In order to protect Madeira from an attack of Napoleon. That was told to the native. But this was a lie. Napoleon never had any interests in Madeira. But the British had instead. It is surprising how relaxed the Madeirian handle this part of their history. On the contrary. Almost appreciative one reports, how much the British have done for Madeira at that time: teaching beer-brewing (the "Coral" beer tastes surprisingly great if you have this in mind ;-) ) or the wine export, the famous Madeira embroidery export, initializing the tourism, etc. You have no difficulties to believe in the good relations, in the opposite - the blond-blue-eyed Madeirians are the living proof of the former and still going on good relationships between those two countries.
Madeira and the Austrians. Another interesting chapter of madeirian past - the Austrians. Beside Sissi, the last emperor of Austria spent his exile together with his family on Madeira. When he died, the family went first to Spain. Later, in Switzerland, his wife died. When she was dead, she was allowed to come back to Austria. Whether she has cheered about that point, is not delivered. However, one has created also a place for her "Karl" in her tomb. But somehow no one does probably feel the urgent need to get him back - he still lies in a pilgrimage-church in Monte in his iron coffin which you can even visit. Monte is the residential suburb high above Funchal. But likely he would also not want to go back. Remarkable flower bundles are in his vault which give evidence of the fact, that a specially created "visit- emperor- Karl- association" here regularly comes along. First it seems somehow strange - why simply do not take him back to Austria? But then everything becomes clear - they are smart people, those Austrians. So they always have a reason to come back again.
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(Pilgrimage church in Monte - "grave" of the last austrian. emperor)
I recognize a peculiar, devious gaze of my wife. I have never seen this before. She possibly is also searching for a reason to come again? Quickly I offer to her to change the nationality - let us become Austrians. So much I am hanging on life that I would accept even this. She negates, and her devious grin becomes wider. My goose-bump much heavier. My rescue is a small colorful cock that has saved the neck of another stranger already, and on Madeira has reached so to speak talisman's status.
A legend tells about a stranger, that has gotten lost on the way and finds accommodation with a friendly Madeirian. They spend a nice evening, but the next morning, the host is conspicuous sullenly and displeased. The guest hears that the host has got lost something valuable overnight. Since he is the single stranger in the region, he would must be the thief (what again proves how old this silly-stereotyped thinking is). The guest is completely horrified and declares his innocence again and again. But the issue comes to court. The judge notices the traveling-backpack of the stranger, and orders him to open it. There is nothing in it beside a fried chicken, the provisions of the stranger. Because his innocence is not to be proved, the desperate innocent says that the (roasted) cock would crow as proof of his innocence. The court and all gathered laugh, but suddenly a crow from the backpack is to be heard. His innocence now is proven, that rehabilitates the stranger. It is promised to him that he would be welcome, whenever he would come back.
Since then this cock is carved as a small figure from wood and it means that everybody will come back to Madeira, who takes home this cock.
Can you imagine, what I have bought quite without delay, and now adorns our cabinet? Also without this animal a return would have been sure, but this way we come here at least both again. To lie near that austrian emperor, is not worthwhile indeed.
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