Friendships!

---

Sunday working at Dunbar's and Zest in the evening with Andy and Jamie!
​

Statements

A big thank you to everyone for sending in their statements, after my recent request.

For those who haven't and would still like too, please do continue to send me emails, detailing what I suffered, from your viewpoint, whilst dealing with the sociopathic and bullying behaviour at Oxfam!

Life

Life is still going great for the three of us out here.  With the summer season just around the corner, we are all working hard, saving for the winter months and looking forward to a well earned break. We are still, more or less in love with Spain, despite all its failings.  

 

Banks

For example, today I had to go and pay my wages into the Bank.  As is usual in Spain, I had to queue.  Today was only an hour to wait, I have waited as long as two bloody hours in the past.  The way of life in Spain is of course much slower, but so is everything else.  The banks are terribly slow. Having said that, the cashiers, especially at the international branch in GA, are fantastic.  Always there to help, nothing is too much trouble and they know you by your first name. This is just the Spanish way of doing things and I am actually beginning to quite like it! 

Friendships

I wanted to say a little bit about the friendships we have in Spain.  I have spoken at length, about the great and good in my life, from the past, but today I wanted to speak about the new people we have met.  

At my time of life, making new friends, is not something I ever wanted to do.  I was actually relatively happy with the mates I had and had no desire to seek out anyone else.  Coming to Spain, I have had no choice, but to meet new people.  If it wasn't for the openness and acceptance of the residents in GA, the process of forming new bonds, would have been so much harder.

The most enjoyable part about living here, has been the new, interesting and wonderful people we have  met and continue to meet.  We have met so many different and new individuals that I couldn't even begin to mention everyone!

I remember our first few weeks in Spain, it was hard.  Just myself, Darrell and Jamie against the World, but within a short space of time, we had met people, good people, expats, locals, warm, friendly and hospitable residents and holidaymakers, who made us feel part of the community quickly.  Having a sense of community, especially at my age is important.  I think I have more people around me now than I ever have. Not only that, but they are all more genuine, honest, up front and convivial, than I am used too! Of course, after our experiences, that can be a bit disconcerting, but we are gradually realising, that not everyone has an ulterior motive. In fact they are actually nice, honourable, candid, authentic and truthful!

We have made some really good friendships, ones we hope will be long lasting since our arrival in Alicante.  They are the ones who have been instrumental in making us feel part of expat life here in Gran Alacant.  It is safe to say, life would have been far more difficult without them.  Like them, their giving nature and helpful ways, we are also helping other newcomers, who need a break after moving here,  We can also give others advice now, that really makes you feel part of something unique, well unique to the expat community anyway.  We have helped our friends celebrate Birthday's, raise money for charity and adjust to life in Spain.  It really is the best feeling in the World helping someone.  I have always been a giver and that will never change.  Giving to people, who genuinely need help, as we did, all those months ago, is the most rewarding act, anyone can give.  This isn't about money, material things, how much you have, compared to others or  one-upmanship it is about friendship, that one thing, that got us through!

​Peace and love, Always

---

---