SPAIN: Darkness in Madrid

Madrid was blacked out last week, victim of Spain's worst drought in five years. With her hydroelectric reserves down to less than 5% of capacity, the capital's factories were reduced to a nine-hour work week. Offices shooed workers home early on streetcars and subways that barely moved for lack of power. Women queued up at public fountains for water (turned off ten hours each day in homes). In shop windows and coffeehouses candles and oil lamps replaced light bulbs and neon signs. Movies were limited to one show daily. While helpless officials talked of building new hydroelectric plants, Madrileños roamed the crowded streets aimlessly, peering at the clear skies for signs of rain.