(This article was originally published in October 2009 and is visible now so that readers can look at what was happening on the Costa Tropical back then.)

Exactly two years ago (from the writing of this article) Almuñécar experienced its worse flooding in 60 years, resulting in one death and considerable damages to the infrastructure of both Almuñécar and La Herradura.

Yet, the catastrophe brought out an amazing display of solidarity from our Senegalese residents – whilst most of us stood around waiting for the authorities to sort things out, these immigrants, many of whom were here illegally, simply picked up shovels and yard brooms and got down to work, clearing up the town.

They did this without thought of recompense, but out of a sense of ‘community spirit,’ something that is sadly lacking amongst the rest of us.

Two years further down the line, most of us have forgotten this gesture and limit ourselves to completely blanking them out when they come round hawking goods to make a meagre living, or worse, treating them to condescending looks and gestures of annoyance.

(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granadad, Andalucia)