TV Fever in Jimena de la Frontera

I’m sitting on my terrace, as I normally do and realised it’s been a while since I wrote the last Casa Venere blog post. I’ve been extraordinarily busy for weeks and time has just flown by. One minute it’s Monday and the next, it’s seems to be Sunday. I woke up thinking where have July and August gone.

In addition to all my running around like a crazy woman, I’ve had some lovely guests stay. They were so lovely that we spent what free time I had talking till the wee hours and philosophising about life; its trials and tribulations. I told one couple they’d need another vacation to catch up on the missed sleep.

Every host, who rents a room, house or other, for tourism, will have a different reason for doing so and will take from it something different. Personally, I really enjoy meeting new people. I like engaging with them and chatting. Some teach me about their home. Some teach me about their traditions and some confide their dreams and aspirations, in me, as well as their trials and tribulations. 

Obviously, not everyone who comes to stay here wants to engage in conversation and that’s fine too. I leave couples their privacy and get on with my own life.

Once in a while, though, I meet clients I wish didn’t have to leave. They are the kind of people who feel like I’ve known them my entire life. Two clients, in particular, told me that for them it was more like re-encountering an old friend than being hosted a total stranger. That warmed my heart. The lovely thing is they have stayed in touch with me albeit they had to leave. 

The town, at present, is centre stage for a Telecinco reality show that is being filmed here for the next two and a half months. Apparently, even the king’s cousin is taking part. So, I can put my hand on my heart and honestly shout: “JIMENA DE LA FRONTERA IS GOING TO BE FAMOUS!” Apparently, they’ve already started advertising the reality show on TV and our name is reaching hundreds of thousands of households across Spain and probably to the Spanish people living abroad. I can also, honestly, say that this kind of publicity should attract more tourism to the town, which is good for all the businesses here. 

There’s an air of TV fever. Nearly every person I’ve spoken to in the town, local and foreign alike, want to tell me about the crew staying somewhere or ask me if I have any staying here. Well, I’m not a woman to kiss and tell. Everyone deserves their privacy and having worked extensively with British, Italian and French TV, it’s only right that they get quiet privacy after long long LONG hours on set. 

Jimena is chosen for Telecinco (News article)

I will say this though, the crew members I have met so far have been lovely. 

With all this TV fever, you might have to book your holiday here well in advance, otherwise there may not be any room in any of the Inns nor in the new 4 star hotel they’re planning to build close by.  If you do miss out, don’t say I didn’t warn you. You read it here first! LOL

Have a beautiful rest of your week in whatever beautiful corner of the world you find yourself. 

Ordering a side salad starter!

I was sitting on my terrace, as I normally do and realised it’s been a while since I wrote the last blog post. I had an extraordinarily busy week last week and time was very limited. In addition to that, I had a guest stay for 4 days who was so lovely that we spent what free time I had, together, talking and philosophising about life; its trials and tribulations. 

Every host, who rents a room, house or other, for tourism, will have a different reason for doing so.   For me, and maybe because people stay in my home, I really enjoy meeting new people. I like engaging with them and chatting. Some teach me about their home. Some teach me about their traditions and some confide their dreams and aspirations to me as well as their trials and tribulations. 

It’s with these interactions that we learn from one another and teach each other. My wish is that clients take something away with them, beyond the stunning views, and hopefully leave something behind. I’m talking in terms of something that is not material in nature; more like spiritually enriching, thought provoking; peace in their hearts and minds. 

What never ceases to amaze me are the stories of how my foreign guests end up coming to Jimena and staying with me. The majority of my guests are all just passing through on their way from somewhere to somewhere else. 

As an energy worker and a believer in “nothing is coincidence,” I’m inclined to believe their fate, karma or Higher self has brought them here for a reason. As a Buddhist, I believe we share group karma from a previous life. 

However, as a citizen in this beautiful little town, I would obviously like for my clients to get out and about and live what Jimena has to offer. In my humble opinion, the clients who only visit for one day just don’t get to experience the real beauty in, and around, the village nor experience the true warmth and friendliness of the Jimena people. 

Coming to Jimena de la Frontera for one day/night is like going to a restaurant and only ordering a side salad starter!  

Every season has its charm and offers distinct views, colours and smells, lively events and a wide range of nature activities. 

Jimena de la Frontera is one of those places where you can do as much or as little as you want. If you just want to relax, have a few beers and a nice meal, it’s the place for you. If you want to go trekking through the magnificent countryside, it’s for you. If you want to feel inspired to create art, write or compose, it’s the place for you. 

If you’re looking for Ibiza style entertainment and a sea of nightclubs, it’s definitely NOT for you.  However, if you want to find inner peace so you can reconnect with yourself, this is definitely the place to be. 

Whatever brings you to Jimena, I hope that when you leave you feel like you’d want to come back. 

The 1st Wacky Races in San Pablo del Buceite (Jimena de la Frontera)

If you missed this, you’ll want to be there next year! Fun, colour and laughter were the order of the day, during the feria of San Pablo de Buceite, in the municipality of Jimena de la Frontera, on the 2nd July 2022 when the town held its first pride competition of “Wacky Races” or as it was called in Spanish “Autos Locos.”

A number of teams took part with their colourful cars that not only showed skilled craftsmanship but also creativity at its best. There were the Flintstones, crazy clown firemen, a Roman chariot, a solo shark, super Mario brothers, a VW beach bug and even an original bathtub, with a complete fitted shower, among others. 

Amidst the colours and fun, there was also a heartwarming message to women everywhere on the side of a pink car in aid of breast cancer. The message was: “Eres mucho mas fuerte de lo que piensas” - You are much stronger than you think.

 

The race started in Plaza de la Constitution, which is where the prizes were handed out to the proud winners of the race. It was a fun day out for the whole family. You might not want to miss it next year.  If you’re feeling creative, you could even put your own team together and take part! 

For more information, it’s best to contact the Ayuntamiento de Jimena de la Frontera. 

It’s an event that is guaranteed not to disappoint!!!

Gay Pride - Jimena de la Frontera - 28th June 2022

It’s beautiful to see that even a small town like ours, lost in the midst of the stunning Andalucian countryside, is all inclusive and supportive of the LGBTQ community. So much so that a day is set aside to celebrate diversity in all its facets. It's not something we should have to do because nobody, in the world, should ever be made to feel like they don't belong or fit in. Every human life is valuable and deserving of being here. 

It was lovely to see how many turned out to show their support, have a drink, maybe a meal, and lend an ear to the various artists performing on a small stage that was set up in the main town square under the clock tower. What was even lovelier was seeing the mayor showing his support too; sending a clear message to the community that everyone is welcome in Jimena de la Frontera. 

It made me feel proud to be a small part of this community; a community that makes an effort and doesn’t exclude people on the basis of their intimate choices and inclination.  Nor does it exclude people on the basis of their nationality. In fact, if you ever get the chance to visit Jimena de la Frontera, you’ll encounter an array of nationalities. There are Moroccan people, British people; people from Romania, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, USA, France and there are at least 5 known Italians (including me.) These are just some of the nationalities of people I’ve met personally. I’m sure if I went out a little more often I’d encounter more. 

Everyone lives side by side with their diverse religious preferences, cultural differences and sexual orientations. I have never seen anyone fighting over the supremacy of their beliefs and choices. In fact, on the contrary, as per my first blog, the tendency is that people help each other. Jimena de la Frontera is an example to the world of how there is enough room for everyone. 

I’m not saying we’re a perfect society or that we don’t have our issues but, we all need to remember that nowhere and nothing is Utopian. Everything and everywhere has flaws but, it’s up to us a community to iron those flaws out and create the environment in which we’d like to live. To quote Gandhi, we all need to be the change we wish to see in this world. That change starts with us and our immediate surroundings; our interactions with people within our community and expands ever more to include the country we live in and the world at large. 

If we spread a little joy, share a smile wherever we go, show a little kindness and compassion, we can create a heart-warming ripple effect. Our one small gesture has the potential to travel around the world and touch the hearts of many. Trust me, I know. When I travelled around the world as a professional Singer, I shared much joy with hundreds of thousands of people and realised two things. The first is that people everywhere, aside from a few elements, want to have a roof over their head, enough money to pay for essentials and a few non essentials, share good times with family or friends and not live in fear. The second is that we can be in the most remote of places and still bump into someone we know or someone who knows someone we know.  

It has happened to me here in Jimena de la Frontera and I know it’s happened to other people as well. My Sicilian grandmother use to say: “Tutto il mondo é un paese” - (All the world is one country.) If we look at it that way we’d see we are one human race. 

When we’re spreading joy, it’s very difficult to feel hatred. In my humble opinion, when we stop judging people and expecting them to live according to our own expectations, we’re left with acceptance. With acceptance, we find understanding. Understanding leads to compassion and with compassion, we start to build the foundations for eliminating prejudice and wars based on hatred. It’s a step in the right direction to finally create a peaceful world where we could all live alongside each other. 

Last night, Jimena de la Frontera shone a little light in the town and today, I feel honoured to be able to share that light with the world wide web. No matter where you are in the world, if you’re reading this, who knows, maybe one day we’ll meet in Jimena de la Frontera. 

Como la vez pasada, la versión español estará listo en un par de días (más o menos) :-)

Why Jimena de la Frontera?

Let me introduce you to the historic town of Jimena de la Frontera. 

A few things you can't read on Wikipedia.

Jimena is actually not just a town but a municipality that includes San Pablo del Buceite and wait for it … our very own Los Angeles or as we call it, Estación de Jimena because there’s a train station. Estación means station and ours is connected to most major destinations. You may have to change trains along the route, and the times may be somewhat undesirable, but travellers can get just about anywhere. Apparently, there is even a retired naval officer in our town who has all the timetables of all the trains in the whole of Spain. A lovely neighbour describes him as a walking encyclopaedia of trains. 

The town of Jimena de la Frontera may be small town with only 5k to 6k inhabitants but it's vibrant. It’s full of as much, or as little life as any person is seeking. It really comes into its own in the summer months when people take to spending more time outdoors and tourists from all over the world visit us. In the winter months, you’ll find regular visitors who prefer to exchange their winter blues for our winter green. 

You can go to any one of the bars, shops or restaurants and the majority of the owners and their staff are all willing to have a little chat and a laugh. Everyone is friendly if you're not a grumpy, or pretentious, person! :-)

In May, the town celebrates its very own feria, which kickstarts all the summer fiestas, (parties), musical events, recitals and a whole list of other activities. There really is something for everyone. During the feria women dress in their traditional Spanish attire, the finest Andalucia horses can be seen parading the streets and beautifully ornate horse drawn carriages take to the streets. The laughter and dancing can be heard for miles. 

If you like trekking and you're a nature lover, you will not be disappointed by this municipality. There are so many treks to choose from around the village and so many others close by. One of the finest and closest routes circumambulates the village along the river Hozgarganta. In the winter it’s full of water running from the mountains to the sea. In the summer, it dries in places but not without leaving pools where locals and tourists alike can be seen bathing. 

Not to boast but our river is reputed to be one of the cleanest in Spain and has species indigenous to it; including fresh water jellyfish, which is apparently the only one found in Europe. If you’re here during the month of September you might be lucky to catch a glimpse of them. Fret not, they appear not to sting! I have this on good word of a lady who swam with hundreds of them! I wouldn't want to try it but then she is a very adventurous, remarkable and inspiring lady; and far braver than I will ever be. 

Jimena de la Frontera is a town where there is still a sense of community. Neighbours help neighbours and, from my own personal experience, even strangers are willing to offer a helping hand. 

The most extraordinary example is given by our current Mayor, Fran, who took the time, on a cold and terribly stormy winter's night, to visit people like me who had been flooded. Me! - A simple Italian/British national who ended up living here like so many other foreigners. 

The Christmas after lockdown he sent every household a small box of chocolates to thank us for our collaboration of staying home. He also gave local economy a kickstart with a prized raffle. He didn't have to do either but it shows his degree of care for the welfare of his people and his town. It shows how foreigners and locals are equally welcome. 

I would like to know if any other Mayor in the world did the same for their town!

During Covid, the council were spraying our streets long before any town in Italy, UK, USA and even China. The town hall’s response was quick. I wish I could say the same about the health centre but, I guess it was a confusing time for many. Nobody really knew what they were dealing with and everyone was scared. So, I'll cut them some slack. However, as a Naturopath and one of the only psychologists, in the area of transpersonal studies, to stand on the same stage as Medicine Sans Frontiers to train other psychologists in the midst of a calamity, I can honestly say there is no room for arrogance or supremacy when a person's health and/or their life is at stake. 

However, our Mayor, Fran, was concerned and our town hall was on the ball. Looking back over the course of events, we kind of put other towns to shame. Just saying .... ;-)

At present, the town hall is restoring the roads and making improvements all over the town. Honestly, this Mayor, deserves his role in this society and this little town deserves its place on the map and in the world. It has nothing to envy of anywhere else!

We have some of the most stunning views across the mountains and countryside. Sunrise and sunset are spectacular moments to be savoured with a cup of brew or a glass of Spain’s finest. 

That reminds me of a conversation I had with a Media consultant once. I should say, I actually don’t own a television but when I contracted an Internet provider, a friendly operator tried to sell me one. 

She harped on about how many inches, how many channels and all the benefits of getting a TV. I let her bla bla bla for a while and simply replied: “With all the wonders the natural beauty of Jimena has to offer, why would I need a TV? Yours is only 43 inches. My terrace gives me 360 degree vision. Instead of watching birds on the discovery channel, I can see them close up and personal; especially the vultures, eagles and kestrels out on their scouting missions. Moreover, last year, my neighbours and I watched thousands of kites migrating and at night I can hear owls. Instead of watching gardening programs, I can be out planting my own. So, really my TV is better LOL.” At least she had a good sense of humour and we both laughed. 

So, when people ask me why, as an Italian/British person I choose to live in Jimena de la Frontera, my answer is simply: “With this and much more that I hope to bring you from here on in, why not?”

En algunos días voy publicar también la versión Española. Por cierto, estamos en España!