La Marina Advertiser brings you news and views on local issues in La Marina Urbanisation, La Marina Pueblo and San Fulgencio.
If you have any QUESTIONS for Samantha about local issues, please email Sam on info@lamarinaadvertiser.com
It's a Local Affair!
with Samantha Hull San Fulgencio Councilor
Answering all your questions about local issues as well as exploring life and culture in Spain as a San Fulgencio local.
A few weeks ago, a fortunate ticket holder in Spain won over 200 million euros on the Euromillions jackpot. This incredible win got me thinking about the variety of lotteries available in Spain, something that I realised my knowledge was very limited on. As such, I decided to research them and ask my Spanish friends for more information!
Spain’s lottery culture is a centuries-old tradition that remains deeply rooted in its society. In 2023, Spaniards spent an astonishing 13 billion euros on various lotteries.
Now, I know about the European lottery “Euromillones” and I had also heard about the “EuroJackpot”.
I had seen the men and women sitting in kiosks or going round in the green and yellow jackets selling lottery tickets. But who are they?
These people sell the ONCE lottery tickets. ONCE (Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles) is a foundation which raises funds for services for the blind and visually
impaired with the street vendors usually being disabled giving them well needed employment. It is a really popular lottery system and there are draws from Monday to Saturday. All you need to do is buy a ticket from €1.50 to €2.50 according to the day and then you can check your results online.
The one thing I did know about the state run lotteries is that on the 22nd of December there is the draw for the El Gordo (The Fat One) also known as the Lotería Nacional de Navidad. It is one of the world´s largest lotteries and, as it was established in 1812, it is also one of the oldest continuously running lotteries in the world. An estimated 98% of the Spanish population participates, spending an average of €70 per person on tickets! Tickets can be bought as a whole (billete) or in tenths (décimos). A décimo costs about €23.
In 2023 the total prize pool was approximately €2.5 billion! El Gordo can create up to 360 millionaires in a single draw. What is so lovely about El Gordo is that a group of people can share in the “billete”, buy a décimo each and if they win, they ALL win! This happened in the small village of Sodeto in 2011. Sodeto has just 250 residents who all won over €100 million in the Christmas lottery. Almost all residents participated, except for one man, Costis Mitsotakis, who missed out on the fortune. This led to him being dubbed "the unluckiest man in the world" while the rest of the village celebrated their incredible luck together. Ouch!!! El Gordo marks the holiday season with families gathered around the TV watching the very, very long draw!
K9 CLUB: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED URGENTLY
THIS IS AN URGENT PLEA, we desperately need volunteer drivers/coordinator/assistants to work on our K9 van. We Deliver / collect items donated to us This is purely a VOLUNTARY position, we normally work Tuesday and Thursday mornings, so if you can spare some time then come and join the team, we would love to hear from you,
We are in the La Marina/Almoradi Area, please call on 661 350 963 or email k9clubinfo@gmail.com
El Niño is a very similar lottery with the draw on the 6th of January. It was initially created in 1879 to fund a children´s hospital.
But then there are many more state run lotteries.
Spanish National Lottery (Lotería Nacional) are the pre printed tickets you see in the lottery shops. The Lotería Nacional has its roots in 1763 when King Carlos III established the Royal Lottery (Lotería Real) in Spain.
La Primitiva is my favourite as there is a draw every Monday, Thursday and Saturday and it only costs €1 per bet. La Primitiva, one of Spain´s oldest and most popular lotteries, dates back to 1763. You just choose 6 numbers between 1 and 49. You also have a 1 in 8 chance of winning a prize!
Bonoloto only costs 50c a bet and although
the top prize is only about 500,000 Euros, there are many lower tier prizes making the odds to win something higher than other lotteries.
Then you have La Quiniela which is the same as the Football Pools in the UK based on predicting the outcomes of football matches.
So, as you can see, there are many different lotteries here in Spain. However, one thing to remember is that when you have that huge win, you do have to pay 20% tax on all winnings over 40,000 Euros!
Despite this, I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to participate in these lotteries. Engaging in this activity is not just about the chance of winning; it’s also a delightful aspect of the vibrant culture of Spain, the beautiful country we have chosen to call home!
On December 12th the AAN charity held our Gala Dinner at Hillside Snooker and Bar.
Thank you to Clair and staff for keeping us supplied with food and drink and a special thanks to KillKenny and his brilliant singing - and for doing it for free as a bonus for the charity!
The evening raised 216€ for the charity and it was lovely to see so many new faces supporting the event. Thank you all!
AAN GALA DINNER By Brenda Bentley
My La Marina
With Rachel Davies of The Office
WHERE WERE YOU LIVING AND WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU CAME TO SPAIN?
I was living in Sheffield, working for a bank assisting people with bad debt problems and looking after my young children.
WHY DID YOU COME TO SPAIN AND, SPECIFICALLY, LA MARINA?
Before we had the children me and my partner went travelling around Europe on a motorbike for 3 months and particularly loved Spain! After the children were born we decided to buy a holiday home and come over as much as we could. We went on our own viewing trip and fell in love with La Marina as it was a great location near to the airport and also close to the cities as well as having everything local that we would need.
We started coming out on holiday two or three times a year and each time was harder to go back to the UK... so... as the children were small we thought we would give it a go and see if they settled here! At the time the kids were 5 and 3 years old so if we had a problem and they did not settle we could go back without them having to miss too much school. As it turned out they settled straight away and Spain really brought them out of their shells. Being able to speak two languages we thought would be such a benefit in the future.
AND WHAT DO YOU DO HERE?
Initially I was working in insurance but was always being asked to help people out with different aspects of settling here in Spain. Then I met my now business partner, Sue, who has lived in spain for over 30 years, and we decided to open a one stop office in order to help all expats settle in Spain with out being ripped off.
We have had The Office for nearly 10 years now and pride ourselves on our reputation as most of our business is from word of mouth and recommendations. Our motto is if we don´t know we will find out and guide you in finding the best solution. We also do all types of insurances and try to find customers the best policy at the best price. Within the last few years Joan joined
us in order to look after the insurance side of things and ensure our customer service is second to none. We look to guide people to get the right types of products for living in Spain from health policies to funeral plans, residencia, getting TIE cards and the subsequent renewals. We specialise in car and house insurance and we also do all sorts of traffico work to ensure the paperwork goes smoothly.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LA MARINA?
I love how La Marina is a friendly community and there is always someone to help you. People really pull together when the going gets tough. The sun shines most days and we are in a beautiful part of the country with lovely beaches and countryside not far from our doorstop.
AND THE FUTURE?
Don´t plan on moving anywhere soon although would like to spend more time travelling and enjoying the Spanish culture and cities. My children are now grown up. One is living in Canada and one has her own beauty salon not far from here. Settling here was the best thing we did!
I mean, for a language with so much potential, we really had to go and ruin it. Yes, I’m talking about English. You have a wide range of excellent vocabulary at your disposal... yet you decide to use words like "nice." Seriously? Look up the word "nice" in a Spanish dictionary and you’ll have aged considerably by the time you finish reading all its translations.
In Spanish, we are much more literal than that, so "nice" isn't even a word. You guys use it way too much! A nice person, a nice day, nice food... nice, nice, nice! What do you really mean by “nice”?
Because if it’s a nice person, could we not replace that with: a kind person (amable), a friendly person (simpático), even an amiable person (amigable)? But "nice"? Come on. Is it a nice day? Or is it a pleasant day (agradable), a beautiful day (bonito), a sunny day (soleado)? Nice food? No. It's delicious (delicioso), tasty (sabroso), yummy (rico). But it's not "nice." It’s not even ‘nice’ to meet you - instead it’s a pleasure (mucho gusto), or I’m enchanted to meet you (encantado, encantada).
So, next time you try to translate into Spanish that word you seem to be so fond of yet, by now, I am so sick of repeating, remember to be a bit more literal about what you mean by that. And it’s the same with ‘get’, my least favourite word in the entire English language for the same reason: Get a coffee, get in the car, get out of the house, get a new house, get a cold, get in the pool, get a shower. My goodness. Here's how we interpret that with our literal Spanish brains...
Get a coffee = Buy (comprar) a coffee / Make ( hacer) a coffee / Collect (recoger) a coffee
But certainly not ‘get’
Get in = Enter (entrar)
Get out / go out = Exit (salir)
Get a cold = Catch (coger) a cold
Get in the pool = Bathe (bañarse) in the pool
I think you get my point. And, finally, my last ‘pet peeve’ is the word ‘have’.
Have a shower = to shower (ducharse)
Have fun = to enjoy oneself (divertirse, disfrutar)
Have a drink = take a drink (tomar)
SPANISH TIPS WITH
¡Buenas! We are Dani and Sam from the ‘Speechless in Spain’ Language Centre in San Fulgencio, where we have lived for over two decades and taught Spanish here with over 26 years of combined experience.
Have a nap = sleep a nap (dormir)
Have breakfast = to breakfast (desayunar)
Have lunch= to lunch (comer)
Have a meeting = call a meeting (convocar), or arrange it/organise it (organizar)
And the same goes for words like "go". In English, we use "go" in so many contexts that don’t translate to the Spanish verb "ir."
Go in = Enter (entrar)
Go out = Exit (salir)
Go up = Ascend (subir)
Go down = Descend (bajar)
As you can see, English tends to use one word to cover multiple meanings, while Spanish usually demands more specificity and precision. It’s not a bad idea to always try to be more literal in our language, especially when translating or explaining ideas. So next time you're about to say something vague like "nice" or "get," take a second to think about the exact meaning you want to convey. Otherwise, you might find that there isn’t a direct translation at all, or that it requires more explanation to make sense in our language.
If you'd like to know more about Speechless in Spain, get in touch: Tel: 623 003 215
Email: info@speechlessinspain.com
€402.65 was raised for the DEBRA (Butterfly Children) charity when the Roaring Twenties came to town last month for our annual Murder Mystery night - held this year at the Final Whistle in Consum Square with many of our guests dressing for the occasion!
Once again the performers of Stagestruck had us all laughing as we were encouraged to join in with their performance and Sam was a natural.
We would like to thank all the staff at the Final Whistle for all their hard work, Stagestruck for another excellent performance and all our guests who gave so generously to our cause.
If you´d like know more about ther DEBRA charity please contact Mary on 616 076 072 or pop into the Debra shop in Consum Square.
1. We don't have a Tooth Fairy
In Spain, the Tooth Fairy doesn't exist. Instead, we have Ratoncito Pérez, a beloved tooth... mouse! He made his debut in 1877 in a collection of children’s stories. When a child loses a tooth, it's Ratoncito Pérez who sneaks under the pillow to exchange the tooth for a gift or some money. Cute, right?
2. The only European country that has a physical border with an African country
The tiny Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla sit on the northern shores of Morocco's Mediterranean coast. Together they form Europe's only land borders with Africa.
3. The Spanish have TWO surnames
In Spain, we traditionally have two surnames: the first one from the father and the second one from the mother. For example, if I were Daniela García Ruíz and my partner was Miguel Sánchez Tarí, and we named our son Miguel Antonio, our son’s name would be Miguel Antonio Sánchez García. Also, nobody changes their last names after marriage, and middle names just aren’t really a thing. Instead, we sometimes have more than one first name, like María del Pilar or Juan José.
This naming system can seem complicated to some, especially when filling out forms! But it’s actually quite simple. When a form asks for your nombre (name), you’ll write your first and any middle names. In the apellido (surname) field, you'll write your surname, and if the form asks for another surname, you leave it blank - unless, of course, you have a double-barrelled name!
I’m between two cultures, so I can do what I want. While I love the Spanish way, I can't wait to change my last name. I’ve grown tired of hearing ‘Hull’ pronounced ‘uy’ by Spanish speakers - silent ‘h’, ‘ll’ as a ‘y’, and all.
4. Arabic words
Did you know that over 4,000 words in the Spanish language are of Arabic origin? This is because of the Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, which lasted for nearly 800 years (711-1492)! Common Spanish words like almohada (pillow),
azúcar (sugar), and naranja (orange) all have Arabic roots. In fact, that is the case for almost every word that starts with Ace-, Aje-, Al-, Beni-, and the list goes on.
5. The only desert in Europe
Spain is home to the only desert declared as such on the European continent, and that is the Tabernas Desert in Almería. Almost 3 square kilometres of natural landscape that has also served as a backdrop for numerous westerns between the 1960s and 1980s.
6. The heart of Spain
Madrid is not only the capital of Spain but also its geographical centre. And in the centre of the city you can find the Puerta del Sol ("The Sun Gate"), which is the centre of the country and the Spanish radial road system.
7. UNESCO's third largest heritage country
Another fun fact about Spain is that it has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Only Italy and China have more. Probably the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona. The construction of this building began in 1882 but remains unfinished due to several factors. The original architect, Antoni Gaudí, passed away in 1926, leaving the project incomplete. Over the years, construction was slowed by funding shortages, the Spanish Civil War, and the complexity of Gaudí's unique design. However, the goal is to finally complete the structure by 2026, marking the centenary of Gaudí's death. Can you name any other world heritage sites in Spain?
As an enthusiastic supporter of all things fun and worthwhile, I would like to encourage you to take this opportunity to start something new for 2025. As a new year is now upon us, let us all embrace the opportunities that we have to find a new interest, make new friendships and take a challenge head on. It may be a little cooler than we are used to here in beautiful sunny Spain but that's no reason to stay home and veg in front of the TV waiting for spring! We are so very fortunate here in La Marina to have so many options to choose from. So. What do you fancy? Here's a few ideas to kick start 2025.
The Studio32 musical theatre group have an open evening at Lakeview Quesada on Thursday 9th January at 7.30 and anyone can attend to find out about their next show Sister Act. Would you like to try your hand at acting, singing, dancing, building stage sets, props, creating costumes, learning sound and lighting techniques? Here's your chance to join an amazing bunch of people. Also, find them on Facebook and www.studiothirtytwo.org
enough to get a ticket for The Broadway Christmas show, you will recognise Martin Scattergood who is the musical director for the Costa Blanca Singers.
Are you a lady who would like to join a monthly lunch club? The Foxy Ladies meet on the last Friday of every month at different venues. All the restaurants are carefully chosen for best location and value. There is always an interesting speaker, a fashion show or singers to entertain between courses. Contact by WhatsApp on 641 992 164 for more details.
Do you want to learn to sing or belong to a fun group of singers? Look no further than our very own La Marina urbanización. The Costa Blanca Singers have an open-door policy every Wednesday starting at 1.45 and are situated in the social centre which is behind the medical surgery. They also have regular social events encouraging new friendships and support. Find them on The Costa Blanca Singers Facebook page and www.costablancasingers.com. Whattsap 641 992 164. Their latest videos from December performances are amazing.
For those of you who were fortunate
Would you like to join a friendly coffee and chat group? Or maybe join a quiz team? There's so many in various local bars. Or would you prefer bowls, darts, snooker, volunteering in a charity shop or a walking group? We have them all and so much more right on our doorstep. My challenge to you is twofold. Don't be lonely or bored. Join one of the above groups or any of the many others not mentioned here and if you fancy something that isn't available, be brave and start a new group. Once you take that first step and go along, that's the first step to a better life. Belonging gives us a reason, a desire, a purpose. Be brave and put procrastination to bed.
Lonée Hopwood - Chairperson
Paul Blackmoore (Practice Principal) with little helper Benny, his rescue French Bulldog
Holidays, weddings, reunions and maybe even births?
But for many, events that are not so happy and definitely not expected or currently being looked forward to will take place.
It’s a good time then for us all to make sure our own affairs are in order, and the following should definitely be considered if not already in place:
1. Arranging up to date Wills for property and assets in Spain containing an EU succession clause, electing the law of England and Wales (or your preferred UK home nation) governs the succession of your Spanish estate;
2. Electing Thy Will Be Done as your executors in Spain so that
WHAT WILL YOUR NEW YEAR HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU?
your UK beneficiaries can deal with their UK office for their NIE numbers (which they will need to inherit) and can liaise in English without the requirement to seek out a Spanish solicitor and give them Power of Attorney to act for them in Spain;
3. Organising a valid and up to date Will in the UK for any bank accounts or other assets that you may have there to ensure you do not die intestate and your UK beneficiaries be forced to obtain a special grant of administration, protracting the distribution of your estate in the UK;
4. Preparing Powers of Attorney for finance in Spain to guarantee that should you lose mental capacity that your elected loved one/representative has the power to deal with your finances on your behalf rather than your assets be frozen and not be able to be accessed;
5. Arranging an Advance Directive for health in Spain, setting out how you would like to be looked after regarding medical treatment
if you are unable to speak for yourself;
6. Organising a Power of Attorney registered in the UK with the Office of the Public Guardian appointing a trusted person as your Attorney to deal with your UK finances if you are unable to yourself;
7. Arranging a prepaid Funeral Plan in Spain so your loved ones are not suddenly presented with an unplanned for expense.
Thy Will Be Done are experts in all these matters.
Just give their reception team a call on 865 756 058, Monday to Friday, 9-4 (except red days) and a convenient phone or face-to-face appointment will be arranged for you. And some GOOD NEWS – everyone arranging an appointment before Friday January 31st 2025 will be able to claim a 25€ discount on any product or service bought – and that is PER PERSON, so 50€ discount for a couple!
More info can be found at www.thywill.es
HOW TO FIND A GOOD BUILDER with
Doing any kind of building work is always a fraught, and potential costly, venture. In this piece a local La Marina builder (for over 27 years!), Reinhard Schäppi, gives us the benefit of his experience with tips to find a good builder...
The Costa Blanca is a beautiful region known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture, but unfortunately, it also attracts individuals with lessthan-honest intentions in the construction industry. While many reputable builders and contractors call this area home, there are still cowboys and fraudsters who prey on unsuspecting customers. If you´re planning any construction work, renovation, or home improvement in this region, it´s crucial to stay vigilant and do your due diligence to avoid being scammed.
One of the first things to check is the contractor’s NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) or NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal) number. These identification numbers are essential in Spain for anyone doing business. Make sure that the contractor can provide you with these details. If they cannot, it’s a significant red flag. Additionally, you should verify their legitimacy by looking for a professional website. A well-established online presence can offer insight into their previous work and help establish trust.
Reviews are another vital component in assessing a contractor´s reliability. Platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, or local forums can provide feedback from previous clients. Pay close attention to both positive and negative reviews; a consistent pattern can often reveal the true nature of a company’s work ethic and customer service. Don´t hesitate to reach out to past clients for their experiences if possible.
It´s also essential to know the contractor´s place of residence. A local contractor is often more accountable and easier to reach if issues arise during or after the job. Additionally, request a detailed offer that outlines the scope of work, materials to be used, timelines, and costs. A reputable contractor will provide a clear proposal that is comprehensive and easy to understand.
When engaging a contractor, be cautious about payment terms. It’s common for fraudsters to request a significant upfront payment, often leaving clients without any recourse once the money is received. Always negotiate a realistic payment structure that includes milestones tied to completed work. Avoid paying the full amount upfront; instead, consider making smaller payments as each stage of the project is completed. This approach not only ensures that work progresses satisfactorily but also protects your investment from potential scams. Always trust your instincts, and if something feels off, don’t hesitate to seek alternatives. Staying informed about payment practices can save you from falling victim to dishonest operators.
When assessing a builder’s experience and trustworthiness, engaging in an open dialogue can be very revealing. During your conversations, pay attention to their knowledge of the industry, including materials, techniques, and local regulations. A seasoned builder will demonstrate confidence and provide insightful answers to your questions, showcasing their expertise. Moreover, they should be willing to share references or examples of past projects, which can further validate their reliability. Trust your instincts - if the builder communicates transparently and shows genuine enthusiasm for your project, it´s often a good indicator of their professionalism and commitment to quality work.
Finally, ensure that your contractor offers some form of guarantee. This could be in the form of a warranty for the work completed, which can provide you with peace of mind and security. A guarantee not only protects your investment but also demonstrates that the contractor stands by their work.
Quiz time Quiz time
1. Which planet in our Solar System has only two moons?
2. When was the Panama Canal opened?
3. What is the capital of Armenia?
4. What is the largest Big Cat?
5. What land animal can open it’s mouth the widest?
6. Elon Musk is CEO of which global automotive brand?
7. In which year did Taylor Swift release her debut single Love Story?
8. Who was the former drummer of Nirvana who now fronts the Foo Fighters?
9. Which Franky Goes to Hollywood song was banned by the BBC?
10. Who was the first woman in Space?
To solve the puzzle each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain all the numbers 1 to 9. For hints and information visit www.sudoku.org.uk
Mars (Phobos and Deimus)
15 August 1914
Yarevan
Tiger 5. Hippo 6. Tesla
2008 8. Dave Grohl 9. Relax
Valentina Tereshkova (June 1963)
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