...The bar staff in the Marina are all Spanish the owners Pepi and Antonio are brothers. Their barmen are Pedro,Jesus and Salvador. Three different but distinct characters. All struggle pronouncing the name Bob, so I am called 'boss' "Hola, es el boss de la cala.." that's Jesus' normal greeting. "Hola boss! mahou?" is the greeting from Pedro and the brothers are more concerned about keeping your trade "Hola Bob como estas?" But the common denominator is whenever I arrive I have a beer on a mat before I hit the chair.
Jesus acts as if he is on commission he constantly tours the tables coaxing the customers to have more drinks, all the ladies are guapas (beautiful ladies) and when necessary men are Guapos (handsome men). And with the mixture of nationalities, genders and sexual orientation everyone seems to interact well. But Jesus is not too happy with Spanish customers. They have a tendency to arrive mob-handed, 4 to 6 at a time, order 1 drink and sit for 2 hours whilst one person drinks it. The mathematics are not lost on Jesus, 1 Spanish drink to 6 Spaniards in 2 hours versus 6 Spanish drinks per English/Dutch/German/French, per hour. So Jesus does just enough not to be rude, but doesn't encourage them to stay.
Pedro can't be on commission because unless Pepi and Antonio the owners are on duty, then he doesn't brake any records cleaning tables or the floor or the services. Salvador is pleasant and works steadily.
One day when my wife and I arrived Jesus was in some kind of altercation with dutch customers. In English (the international language) he was berating Jesus for giving incorrect change. Jesus was carrying out his duties, but when he had served everyone he went to the till and put on a tray the disputed change. We could see it was a 10 cent coin. We know that short changing can happen, but we also know the amount of tips given over the bar and it was clear Jesus had merely made a mistake. The Dutch chap bounded round the bar as though he was doing a lap of honour with the FA cup. Once he had settled again, a lady in his party asked for a beer, Jesus said "There is a perfectly good bar down the road" and pointed at it unmoved until they left, even we knew the beer there is more than 10 cents a glass more than that in the marina.
The Marina Bar
La Cala de Finestrat beach. On the right of this page there are site links of people who have been in my blogs. Feel free to go have a look.
Saturday, 31 May 2008
Keeping up appearances
...John and Sue (Mr & Mrs) have a well appointed apartment in the boulevard. It is one of the best specifications around. John retired early from a very good job and is committed to life in the bay. Sue likes to have the good things in life. Only crystal glasses are allowed in her apartment and the best at that. Sue will never been seen, if possible, talking to men wearing vests, that is not the done thing they have to have at least a T shirt on or preferably a short sleeved shirt (John has lots of said shirts). John and Sue like to spend a similar time in the Marina bar to me and they often meet up with their friends ,(I wear a vest), and do what we all do to pass the time, sharing data and possibly gossip and maybe offering advice to the tourists who are contemplating a life in the sun.
John has, as we all do, a capacity for alcohol, but he likes to exceed it. We can all tell the exact moment too, his Scottish lilt raises in volume and we know if he is in disagreement with a member or members of his party. "I'm sorry......" " I am sorry..." he will launch "...but you are wrong..." Sue tries to divert the crowd by explaining the latest items of attire she expensively obtained from Punt Roma in the shopping centre, but John by now is causing pain to his amigos because to reinforce his point he is thumping them playfully in the thigh or arm. Their interactions and forceful points of view, their preference for good living and elegant things, and disdain for the common and mundane, has almost fatefully attracted the title as Mr and Mrs Bucket. And as one of their friends Jack said poignantly one day "John may have several faults but one of them isn't being wrong.....!"
John has, as we all do, a capacity for alcohol, but he likes to exceed it. We can all tell the exact moment too, his Scottish lilt raises in volume and we know if he is in disagreement with a member or members of his party. "I'm sorry......" " I am sorry..." he will launch "...but you are wrong..." Sue tries to divert the crowd by explaining the latest items of attire she expensively obtained from Punt Roma in the shopping centre, but John by now is causing pain to his amigos because to reinforce his point he is thumping them playfully in the thigh or arm. Their interactions and forceful points of view, their preference for good living and elegant things, and disdain for the common and mundane, has almost fatefully attracted the title as Mr and Mrs Bucket. And as one of their friends Jack said poignantly one day "John may have several faults but one of them isn't being wrong.....!"
Food glorious food
... The Marina bar is also a source of news. It is where I find out about what my friends have done in the time they were not at the bar. If you remember Dave and Pete my gay friends, you need to know they do not live permanently in Spain, they spend time in the UK too. They have a big house in the Midlands and a very nice apartment in the bay. They like to visit many bars in the bay and sample the tapas often offered free to customers ordering alcoholic drinks. In fact they have a favourite tapas bar which they eat almost anything given to them. Caracoles (snails) chorizo (spicy red sausage) albondigas (meatballs in sauce) Mejillones (mussels) boquerones en vinagre (fresh ancovies marinated in garlic, parsley and olive oil) and assorted ensaladas (salads) and pan (bread). They are also very keen on home made food Dave being chief chef, and Pete chief sampler. At home Dave slaves over a hot oven preparing his speciality fish pie. This comprises a base layer of cod, topped with prawns and mussels, then a layer of creamed mashed potatoes, a layer of boiled eggs and covered in cheese. The consistency of what Dave terms "...my lovely fish pie" needs to be moist. So he has to be extremely careful when he prepares it. This has to be on a day when he and Pete are in terrace sunbathing mode, rather than on a Marina day. Equally, he can only cook it when he has his wits about him, otherwise the moist consistency is lost and culinary disaster ensues. So to call them gourmets may be slightly exaggerated, but appreciators of fine food and wines would be apt. Therefore imagine their shock when they went to their favourite tapas bar, ordered their glass of wine and were presented with................... egg, sausage and chips!!!
The Ex-Pats English and others
...Not all the observations come from within the bar. Regular ex-pats also pass the bar without calling in. Whether we know them personally or from knowing of them elsewhere, seems at times irrelevant, because those who don't know them are prone to making up their life stories based on previous rumours they have heard.
The highly tanned beautifully dressed dark haired lady who walks in the direction of end of the bay at some time prior to my arrival at the Marina sober, is transformed into a still beautifully dressed, but somewhat inebriated lady slightly staggering, stopping occasionally to reassess her bearings, talking to herself in the meantime and looking back to see if her Englishmen hating German partner is following obediently. He is there but just as unsteady with newspaper crushed under his left armpit, walking slowly but meaningfully in Hercule Poirot-type strides. Dropping his head as he exhales and raising his head as he inhales. Having noted his presence she sets off again in the direction of the next watering hole, which is the least popular Chinese restaurant in the bay.
When they attain their goal, they find their terrace seat order their drinks and establish a bolthole for the remainder of the afternoon. The German reading a well read German newspaper and the smartly dressed lady holding court with anyone who listens, attempting to speak in Spanish, but even she realises that slurred Spanglish is not understood by ex-pats and Spanish alike, so settles for communicating in English speaking loudly. and randomly...
The highly tanned beautifully dressed dark haired lady who walks in the direction of end of the bay at some time prior to my arrival at the Marina sober, is transformed into a still beautifully dressed, but somewhat inebriated lady slightly staggering, stopping occasionally to reassess her bearings, talking to herself in the meantime and looking back to see if her Englishmen hating German partner is following obediently. He is there but just as unsteady with newspaper crushed under his left armpit, walking slowly but meaningfully in Hercule Poirot-type strides. Dropping his head as he exhales and raising his head as he inhales. Having noted his presence she sets off again in the direction of the next watering hole, which is the least popular Chinese restaurant in the bay.
When they attain their goal, they find their terrace seat order their drinks and establish a bolthole for the remainder of the afternoon. The German reading a well read German newspaper and the smartly dressed lady holding court with anyone who listens, attempting to speak in Spanish, but even she realises that slurred Spanglish is not understood by ex-pats and Spanish alike, so settles for communicating in English speaking loudly. and randomly...
The Marina Bar
....The Marina bar is situated in a beautiful bay to the south of Benidorm. Particularly popular with the Spanish tourists, it also attracts ex-patriots from the UK, Holland, Germany and many other European Countries. It's my regular haunt when I am free, and particularly between 4pm and 8pm in the summer. Where I people watch with a bottle or 2 of Mahou and take in the sun.
Of course you get to see life in all its guises. The people of all nationalities have their habits, ways and routines. Mine is at the bar and no doubt others have their observations about me.
I know I am the talk of the ex-pat brits community, because I have lots of gay friends although I am straight. But because they are maybe of an older generation, they seem not to understand that my gay friends didn't choose to be so, it is just natural. And anyone who has met a gay couple who have been partners for 30 years, will be able to concur that they are much the hackneyed 'old couple' that any Pearl wedding anniversary achiever in the straight world may be. The two I know Dave & Pete are that couple.
D & P like a drink. Don't we all? and their time often coincides with mine. I drink the humble though 5.5 proof Mahou and they drink spirits with a shared mixer. Pete has the better capacity for alcohol and Dave demonstrates this as the afternoon progresses. We manage to chat amicably about world politics, the benefits of living here rather than there and how we love our place in the sun. but the tell-tale slur and increased volume of voice is the sign that Dave is about to say something he will without doubt regret the following day. "Oh I can't stand smoking, and the smoke is wafting over in my direction from some inconsiderate, tourist, interrupting my lovely afternoon in the sun" he says. He knows who the culprit is, it is the slender 70 something year old at the next table with the gentleman who has a pony tale, possibly her husband, who seem to be Dutch or German. Time and the sun has not been kind to the ladies lined skin. "Of course" says Dave "Too many cigarettes make you pruney and thin" indicating that he knows who it is. Everyone around Dave encourages him to be less aggressive, but he is unrepentant. The rest steer the conversation elsewhere, until we all believe it to be over, when the escort with the pony tail stands and turns to Dave saying in perfect English. "Well sir I hope you have a lovely holiday here in Spain I hope to see you again soon".
http://www.benidorm-spotlight.com/contact.htm
Of course you get to see life in all its guises. The people of all nationalities have their habits, ways and routines. Mine is at the bar and no doubt others have their observations about me.
I know I am the talk of the ex-pat brits community, because I have lots of gay friends although I am straight. But because they are maybe of an older generation, they seem not to understand that my gay friends didn't choose to be so, it is just natural. And anyone who has met a gay couple who have been partners for 30 years, will be able to concur that they are much the hackneyed 'old couple' that any Pearl wedding anniversary achiever in the straight world may be. The two I know Dave & Pete are that couple.
D & P like a drink. Don't we all? and their time often coincides with mine. I drink the humble though 5.5 proof Mahou and they drink spirits with a shared mixer. Pete has the better capacity for alcohol and Dave demonstrates this as the afternoon progresses. We manage to chat amicably about world politics, the benefits of living here rather than there and how we love our place in the sun. but the tell-tale slur and increased volume of voice is the sign that Dave is about to say something he will without doubt regret the following day. "Oh I can't stand smoking, and the smoke is wafting over in my direction from some inconsiderate, tourist, interrupting my lovely afternoon in the sun" he says. He knows who the culprit is, it is the slender 70 something year old at the next table with the gentleman who has a pony tale, possibly her husband, who seem to be Dutch or German. Time and the sun has not been kind to the ladies lined skin. "Of course" says Dave "Too many cigarettes make you pruney and thin" indicating that he knows who it is. Everyone around Dave encourages him to be less aggressive, but he is unrepentant. The rest steer the conversation elsewhere, until we all believe it to be over, when the escort with the pony tail stands and turns to Dave saying in perfect English. "Well sir I hope you have a lovely holiday here in Spain I hope to see you again soon".
http://www.benidorm-spotlight.com/contact.htm
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