Most Scandinavians, who spend the winter half-year in Almuñecar or other parts of the Costa Tropical, have now gone up north to spend the spring and summer in their original countries

However, about 10% of us are permanent residents in Spain. The main activities of the Los Nórdicos Association (AHN-CN) start up again in September-October. A few will continue to play petanca, boule, and/or padel all year long.

We do participate in the Feria de Asociaciones that the Ayuntamiento organised in the Majuelo Park in Almuñécar on 31st of May. More than 30 local and international associations came together for a day to share, show and enjoy arts, music and food together with the community.

I will take the opportunity to complain a bit. The Ayuntamiento of Almuñécar, with the support of the Junta de Andalucia and EU, is redoing four roundabouts surrounding our town. Fair enough, it will be good for tourism, they hope. We will have silicon avocados and some embellishing plants to greet newcomers and everyone passing by. It will hopefully be more beautiful, and it will cost a lot. 

But there are still no investments in the everyday-needed walking or biking lanes and pavements, no night lights on the streets where I live. You wonder about the priorities sometimes. 

I have recently joined gatherings in near-by Salobreña and Granada to express our outrage and concern for the lack of humanity for the on-going humanitarian atrocities in Gaza and other parts of the Occupied Territories of Palestine, demanding end to the conflict and a boycott on the aggressors (boycott, divestments and sanctions). 

The international and humanitarian law’s red lines have long been crossed, there and in other conflicts like Sudan, Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo and Haiti, to mention the worst. But only a few get the attention of our mainstream media and politicians. 

It is possible to live in paradise and at the same time take action to support those in need. I wish we would do more. And this is my personal view, not that of the association.

The sun is shining, the water is lovely, and I have family visiting. Life can be good, despite the atrocities around us.

I wish you all a wonderful summer!

Los Nordicos-Almuñecar (Costa Tropical) is an association of more than 500 Scandinavians, independent from politics and religion, with the purpose to supporting each other and to build bridges with the Spanish society. Check our website if you want to join.

(Club News: Nordic Associations, June Article in Paper Edition)

Keywords: Roundabout, Gaza, Scandinavians, Sudan, Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo,Haiti

news, andalucia, granada, costa tropical, clubs, los nordicos, almuñécar, roundabout, gaza, scandinavians, sudan, ukraine, democratic republic of congo,haiti

Reader’s comment: “I totally agree with Helena’s view about the four roundabouts. Martin, do you know how much this has cost? Surely to make them look attractive an alternative less expensive option would have been plants. I also fully agree about the most barbaric situation in Gaza, Palestine. Lidl in Almunecar
are selling Israeli dates and I am going to point this out to the Manager.” – Julie

I can dig up the info, Julie, but the money would have been better spent on doing away with the traffic-light junctions on the N-340 and putting in real roundabouts – there is plenty of room for them – Martin.

Reader’s comment: “Para la guerra” organizes demonstrations in 40 cities in Spain this Saturday, June 14th. Shouldn’t we all participate?” – Matilda

Reader’s comment: “A simple way forward would be the return of all hostages still being held, something that a lot of protesters seem to have forgotten about.” – Shiner