My friend and correspondent, James of Scotland, chastises me for the lazy use of the term Brits ... quite rightly, since most of the stereotypical characteristics accompanying the word are really associated with the English ... or Anglos ... meanwhile friend and correspondent Colin of England, asserts he recognises none of it, preferring to be a citizen of the world .... a sentiment entirely endorsed here ... however, these stereotypes are part of the human experience in 2016 and maybe in exploring them we can overcome them ... and going into the Anglo aspect, perhaps Colin, from the North East of England, might feel he has less in common with Southern Anglos than Scots ... while this Southern Anglo might point to London as the problem ... in truth the separation starts with inequality ... attitudes to others stemming from that ... the tendency to derive status from who we can look down on and blame for the problems ... or looking up, envy or criticise for their greed ...
Local friend and correspondent, Susie, meanwhile, asks about the missing blogs this week ... the smart response being that when there is nothing to say, say that. .. perhaps the smarter retort may be that a writer has responsibilities and needs to exercise some discipline ... but I have been reflecting on this assignment in San Enrique, planning autumn adventures, finding apposite reading material in the Casa .... All Quiet on the Western Front, as a new period of instability in Europe opens up ... The Great Gatsby, on the vacuous lifestyles of the super-rich ... Narziss and Goldmund, on being true to our deepest purpose ... and confess to an inherent laziness, possibly a reaction to a very unlazy father ...
So, whilst thinking and talking about creating intentional communities (not to be confused with gated communities), based on co-operation, simple living and compassion, the Camino de Santiago call is stronger ... let's see where the energy goes when Agnieszka arrives in a few weeks time ... this community building needs younger folk ... and an EU passport may turn out to be an asset we Anglos regret losing if Iberia turns out to be the place ....
As for Euros, it may take a while for that word to adhere to people of Europe rather than a currency. .. which is currently pushing the pension pounds towards parity .... never mind, it's been there before and life is still bearable in the rent free Casa del Puente ... which is open to offers for caretakers in a month or two ...
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