Almuñécar, the city of friends!
Many people who come to Almuñécar experience that they have a much richer social life here then in their home countries, and find it so easy to make new friends. The reason for this can only be speculated on. But, to some extent I think that the wonderful climate which makes it possible to meet outdoors almost all year round is an important part of it all. The main reason is probably that there is a large variety of activities and that there are so amazingly nice people who choose to be right here in Almuñécar. Or, what do you think?
What is known, however, is that there is a strong link between health and being part of a community. So, the community that we have here in Almuñécar with our friends is extremely important for us to feel good!
In Almuñécar there are many places and ways to meet. Whether you are here by yourself, with a group, with your partner or family, you are always welcome to participate in joint hikes, at the “knitting club” and knit to premature babies, to play boule or padel, to join a pleasant trip or simply have a nice dinner together with friends.
Developmental biologists believe that our capacity for community and cooperation is a great advantage for us to survive at all. The Stone Age man who was part of a community was more likely to survive than the one who walked around alone on the savannah. Man is simply made to be part of a community!
There are several different explanations as to why social relationships are good for health. In addition to the fact that it is simply (usually) very nice to socialize with other people, the researchers have, among other things, found that there is a direct physiological impact on the body by heart rate and blood pressure decreases in positive social relationships and that the immune system is strengthened.
For those of you who are staying in Almuñécar, or may long to come here, then there is the opportunity to become a member of the Facebook group Almuñécar vänner (Almuñécar friends).
The group was founded by Bosse Essén and Frida Hansson on October 13, 2013 and is celebrating its 7th anniversary. The purpose of the group, which today has 3148 members, is “to spread information about Almuñécar, to make new friends and important/pleasant information about our dear Paradise through the internet and to feel welcome here.”
Almuñécar vänner have meetings at 11.00 in Chinasol, from the first Tuesday of October to the last Tuesday in March. From April to the end of September, the meetings take place at Heladeria Isla de Capri at San Cristobal. Almuñécar vänner have so far had 169 “Tuesday meetings”! The meetings are cancelled in the autumn 2020 due to Covid-19.
Almuñécar vänner has a library at Heladeria Isla de Caprihas where you can borrow, or leave books, and read the group’s information binder.
Many people who come to Almuñécar the first time say that they chose to come right here thanks to all the nice things they read about the town in the group.
Being a member of Almuñécar vänner is free.
In Almuñécar you can also become a member of the association Los Nordicos. The association is non-profit, non-religious as well as culturally, socially, and politically independent. The aim is to promote mutual knowledge and friendship between Spaniards and Nordics, carry out activities that reflect the different Nordic cultures and help and inform the members.
As a member of Los Nordicos, you are part of a community. The association creates meeting places for socializing and between different parts of Spanish society. You may get help and advice through others in the association and through the association’s various programs with many different activities, such as boule, bingo, golf and excursions.
During the period October – March there are member meetings at Chinasol on Wednesdays (17.00 mingle, 17.30 – 19.00 entertainment and lectures). The member meetings are cancelled in the autumn 2020 due to Covid-19.
Expedition for Los Nordicos, open on Tuesdays 14:00 – 15:00 at Chinasol in the premises next to the ATM. Information about the association’s activities can be found at Chinasol’s check-in desk. Library at Chinasol is open Tuesdays 14:00 – 15:00.
Membership in Los Nordicos costs 20€ per year. As a member you get discounts in several shops, on “Wednesday meetings” and at golf courses.
Count your garden in the dimensions of flowers,
never in the leaves that fall.
Count days in golden hours only, and the clouds
– forget them all.
Count nights in stars not shadows.
Count life in smiles not in sorrows you get.
And every year that you turn count your age in friends, not years.
These wise words Queen Silvia of Sweden said in her speech to her husband King Carl Gustaf on his 50th birthday (in 1996).