Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.What is the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca? Brits? Beer? The sight of people having had one too many?
The correct answer is: all of the above.
By the time I arrived at about 11am last Monday the party was already in full swing. One bar was full of drinkers singing along to a karaoke session. For those nursing a hangover from the night before, the cafes offering a full English breakfast were doing a roaring trade.
In short, it’s easy to be snobbish about Benidorm. But it does have its charm – you can, for example, tell pretty much from looking at people who they might be. Those in March wearing next to nothing are Brits and other northern Europeans on a stag weekend; those wearing a sweatshirt are the same nationalities who live here full time, and people donning an overcoat and scarf are the Spanish brave enough to negotiate the nightclubs, bars and greasy spoons so beloved by the tourists.
But there is also a happy co-existence in Benidorm – nobody seems to mind the blaring music or drunk teenagers, or those who occupy the best deckchairs from some ungodly hour in the morning.
Maybe Benidorm is a model that should be copied elsewhere, Or, maybe not.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments