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    Integration!

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    I thought I would deviate from my normal blog, about spanish views, tonight! Sometimes I feel I want to comment on something topical, in the news or high up on my thought agenda and today I have been angered, by what I have read, is happening in the UK.  I may well be living in Spain as an expat, but The UK will always be my home and I will always care about what is happening there!

    Let me first begin by saying, this is not a racist rant, it is the complete opposite.  I really get incensed by people who jump on the racist bandwagon, because they have no alternative voice, when discussing such issues.  Well I do have a voice, a very large opinion and will always express how I feel, so get used to it!

    '50% of British Muslims want homosexuality banned'

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    So this was the news I was greeted by this morning.  50% of all British Muslims, want homosexuality banned.  Personally I believe that figure is much higher.  Often people do not express their views honestly, when answering questions on a controversial subject, so I am literally taking this figure with a pinch of salt.

    My first reaction was, why the hell should we care what the Muslim community think?  After all they are a small, although growing minority living in The UK.  Well it is important to take these views on board for many reasons.  These terrible opinions are growing in the Muslim community, especially among the young, whilst British society, the legal system and its people have moved in the opposite direction, Immediately you have a conflict of views, between two different cultures, that in reality are incompatible.  Now lets not forget, why we have a Muslim community at all in The UK, when in many of their Countries of origin, we would not be allowed to be British, gay or liberated, as they are here.  The reason they are allowed to express their views in the first place, is because The United Kingdom, has freedoms, they could only dream of in their own Country.   

    ​I am not a racist, but I am a realist, like most people and will not  be called to account for my views by anyone.  Britain has for too long, allowed foreign nationals, to enter the UK, on extremely dubious grounds, without checks, for fear of being accused of being racist as a Nation.  Open borders for all, open to abuse and open to radical people, who have had time to use their views as a platform to peddle their dangerous propaganda!  For some obscure reason, the powers that be are so blind to the fact, that there are bad people in the World.  We let people in without a thought for the communities they are moving into and expect them just to integrate into the British way of life.  Are we really that naive, to think this is going to happen without a hitch?

    'I am comfortable with my sexuality'

    For many years, as a gay man, I have suffered from bigots and bigoted views, a system that never recognised my sexuality, illtreatment and inequality!  It has taken many years of campaigning to change people's outlook and make our Country a better place in which to live.  The British public are a tolerant bunch, as a rule and we do not take too kindly to intolerance and religious nonsense.  I campaigned for change in the 1990s and fought hard to change the British Equality laws, working with Stonewall and others.  Myself and my partner, now husband, were the second couple in  The UK, to be allowed to stay together, based on our relationship, with one partner being a foreign national.  I have battled with my sexuality all my life and I am not going to sit by, while a group of fanatics, who views are based on a book that is outdated, anti gay, anti women and anti Western, try and destroy, the freedoms we now enjoy, because they decide it is appropriate to do so!

    Lets just think for a minute, before the racist accusations get thrown my way.  In Muslim Countries, homosexuality is a crime, in some cases punishable by death. Women are  second class citizens and have no rights.  Women have been stoned to death for being raped by a man.  Apparently, it is there fault!  Men are allowed more than one wife and are allowed to marry children, yes children. Children should be treated as children, not virgin wives.  How long do we have to sit by and let this happen?  If genuine people make, even the slightest utterance that they may be wrong in some way, they are lambasted and accused of racism, while their accusers continue to spout outdated, inflammatory and incompatible views!

    'Incompatible'

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    So they we have it.  Yes I have a view, I am going to express it and it is not racist. I believe in integration, not segregation.  If you move to a new Country, you should embrace that Country 100%.  If you are incompatible with your new home, have the common decency to move away and live somewhere, where you feel happy.  If you are coming to Britain or my new home, Spain,  to work, live and contribute, then fine.  Your skin colour is not an issue, your religion isn't also, but do not try and push us back to the dark ages and turn Britain into The Middle East.  It is not compatible with British or European views and lives!

    Everyone of us are equal, women, homosexuals, children, Black people, the list goes on. Do not discriminate against me, after all, you will be the first ones to complain, when it happens to you!
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    Sun!

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    In Britain I never saw it, in Australia I used to hate it, in Italy I learned to appreciate it, in Spain I absolutely adore it.

    ​The Sun!
           Luke M Jones 11 April 2016
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  • Published on

    Weekend!

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    Friday

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    It was my first night working behind the bar at Dunbars on Friday night. I'm going to be working both back and front of house.  I want to learn all aspects of running a busy restaurant, and this is ideal for me.  I am someone who loves to learn new things, taking on opportunities in all my previous jobs, to
    gain experience and qualifications whenever I can.  Although I attended University in Southampton, I have also worked hard to add to my portfolio of qualifications, attending courses or asking to do more, as and when I am able.  So learning as much as I can at Dunbars, is essential for me, in order
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    restaurant trade is no exception. There are no ´Weights and Measures´here for example, so knowing how much alcohol to pour in a glass, is part of that learning curve.  Anyway the first night, went well, at least I know how to pour a pint and make a few cocktails, as well as other aspects of working 
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    We went out to a few local bars near Dunbars, with a few friends and my boss Mandy.  It was Friday night and everyone was out enjoying the night. As a holiday and second home destination, we always have different people around and about, but the greatest thing about living here is the constant holiday
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    time in Gran Alacant and all olf them have been a joy to get to know. Without them, none of us would have got a job. It really is about who you know, not what you know.  We handed out many CV's at the beginning, but only got jobs through word of mouth. It is the Spanish way, and works well!
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    for me to feel fulfilled.  I can safely say, that I am feeling as fulfilled and happy as I can be.  

    My first night behind the bar, was a quiet one, which meant for better training.  Things are very different in Spain, compared to The UK and the 
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    behind a busy bar!

    Darrell, Natalee and Jamie came down for a few drinks, while I was working. Darrell was celebrating getting a new driving job and Natalee was happy to have a trial shift on Saturday in a local bar
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    atmosphere.  Everyone is happy, enjoying the Spanish sun and celebrating life.  It actually makes for a great place to live.  Happiness is of course a combination of many things and added together, times are good in Spain.  We have met many wonderful characters during our short 
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    Saturday

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    I've just got in from work this evening and had a busy night cooking and preparing for tomorrows Sunday Carvery.  I think all of us were hanging after last night, especially when alcohol is so cheap.  We did put a lot away to be honest and I was certainly feeling it this morning.  All OK finally for work this evening though.
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    An interesting thing popped up on facebook this evening, talking about'My biggest mistake'.  I don´t usually take much notice of these things, but I just wanted to share how accurate it was, uncanny in fact.  I also know the person in question, reads this blog!
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    Sunday

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    I was in work early on Sunday. It´s carvery day at Dunbars and thus far my busiest day of the week for me.  I enjoy working the carvery and enjoy Sunday's generally.  They are fast paced, something I enjoy.

    It was a very hot day in Gran Alacant and the views from the restaurant are to die for.  When you work in a place like this, it´s all about the sun and views.  That is the biggest bonus, living and working here.  It is a beautiful place!

    Zoe is going back to The UK on Tuesday so I stayed behind after work to have a
    few beers with her.  

    After work we went to Zest with Mandy to have more drinks.  

    It does seem that my drinking levels have gone up dramatically living here. There is a larger drinking culture 
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    where we are, than I am used to in the UK.  I suppose there are a number of factors for that, including the holiday location and atmosphere, as well as the cheaper alcohol and cigarettes. whatever the factors are, there does not seem to be the associated factors, that Britain suffers with.
    It has been a boozy week for me socially and that is the key.  If I was having a drink in Britain, 9 out of 10 times it would be sat at home, not mixing with other people.  Here that insular culture really does not exist.  You are outside far more. In fact I don´t really want to be inside, so immediately you are surrounded by other people who are also socialising with others.  GA is a very social urbanization, makes for great company and is certainly more conducive for good health.

    It has been a wonderful weekend, with some great people.  Who knows what this week will bring!
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    Natalee!

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    that we are already living out here, makes for a much easier transition. Relocating abroad can be daunting, let alone having to do it on your own. We are more than happy to have her here. Actually it will be good to have a female influence around the house. Three guys living together can be rather
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    SOHO Mar

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    The next day we went into Alicante. The sun was out, as is usual after a day of rain and it was another hot day.  We went to do some shopping in Gran Via, which is East of Alicante.  Natalee had to get some bits and pieces and Gran Via has some British shops as well as Carrefore!
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    Dunbars

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    After a warm, sunny afternoon, we got home at about six in the evening and got ready to go out in the. Natalee wanted to meet the locals and see a few of the bars around and about in GA. Mandy had given me a few days off, so it was the perfect time to have a few, well quite a few drinks, chill, relax and enjoy the evening!
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    A lot of the medication you can only get on prescription in Britain, you can buy over the counter, even at a fraction of the cost.  Jamie paid 3€ for pain killers and antibiotics.  With prescription charges in The UK, it would be five times as much.  That's a big difference when you are on a budget!
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    Big Al's

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    After Dunbar´s was closed we went down to Big Al's in Masa Square, near The GA Centre.  I have to say she is a great character and I had a fabulous night, with some great people.  The people here really are 'salt of the Earth', honest, upfront and to the point, just as it should be.  I haven´t experienced such honesty in a long time
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    Natalee arrived in Spain on 5 April, at Alicante Airport.  She had been planning to come out for a while now. The employment situation in Southampton isn't great at the moment and like us she has decided to give it a go here and Spain.  Moving abroad for the first time can be hard, so the fact
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    like a 'Lads Holiday' at times, which is great, but we do tend to forget that there is a house to upkeep and I feel sure Natalee will remind us of that fact!

    It was raining hard when Natalee arrived,  Actually it was torrential rain, something Spain rarely gets, so it was quite apt that it was pelting in down when the plane landed.  In fact as Natalee said, although it was raining in The UK when she left, it wasn´t as bad as here.  Not a great first impression, but at least it was only one day.  

    It does of course rain in Spain, usually only for a few hours and a maximum of one day, it then just seems to get hotter than ever, so actually it is quite nice to experience some bad weather from time to time.  Not too often though!
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    We drove back into Alicante, where we spent a lazy afternoon at SOHO Mar, our favourite restaurant and bar along the coast.  SOHO Mar is a trendy modern establishment, which over looks the marina and the large pirate ship restaurant in Alicante.  It is a little more expensive than usual, but to be honest you are paying for the location, the ambience.  The staff there are wonderful, attentive and always at hand.  Personally I don´t mind paying extra, for the right service!
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    Jamie came out with us, although at the moment he is in quite a lot of pain.  One of his teeth is growing into another, so he is waiting for an operation in a weeks time.  Jamie left early when the pain just got too bad.  He has been given some of the strongest pain killers I have ever seen.  You can even buy 1000mg paracetamol over the counter here.  
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    We spent the evening at Dunbars, with Zoe and Mandy.  I decided to splash out and get some expensive red wine.  I say expensive, but even that was two thirds cheaper than in The UK.  Alcohol, eating out and even supermarket shopping is so much cheaper over here!
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    and it is refreshing to be around people like that.  It can be a bit disconcerting, after what we had been through, but in reality, you just have to move on from the past and trust that those people in your future will be good ones, that is all that matters.
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    New Me!

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    I've been looking at 'Timehop' photo´s from a year ago. They keep popping up in my inbox from time to time.  The more I see them, the more freaked out
    I get.  I don´t actually remember a lot about that time, as  readers of all my blogs are well aware.  A lot of the time one just blocks these memories out, but whatever the reason is, it can be quite traumatic seeing them!

    If you look at the two photographs above, you can see just how different I look. What a difference a year makes.  When you go through difficult times and come out of the other side, it really can make for life changing decisions, like moving to Spain, as well as life changing, life enhancing and life giving changes.  To go through, what we did and not change, would have been a big mistake.  

    ​In my view, there has to be something to gain from adverse times.  I am not talking monetary or the like, but 'life gains', learning experiences and not repeating the same mistakes.  The trusting nature I used to have was part of the problem.  I took people at face value, well no more.  I am stronger, certainly more worldly wise and not taking shit from anyone!

    ​Well that's a happy note for me to end on, well for me anyway!

    ​Peace and love, always!