The Spanish way
Processions and brass bands: the Costa Blanca's endless calendar of fiestas
1,100 community wind bands, Moors and Christians at Alcoy, the Misteri d'Elx, Holy Week at Orihuela and the Three Kings: why the Costa Blanca lives its traditions in the street.
The Spanish way: the queue, the round and the bill, the little codes that catch you out
The ¿quién es el último? instead of a queue, rounds you don't split to the cent and tipping taken lightly: the micro-codes of everyday Costa Blanca life, from a newcomer's view.
Valencian: the Costa Blanca's other language, a newcomer's view
The Costa Blanca speaks Castilian - and Valencian, the region's own language, strong in the Marina Alta. Between false friends and the pidgin you improvise, a newcomer's linguistic journey.
Children, noise and late nights: life outdoors on the Costa Blanca
Kids running on the plaza at midnight, firecrackers all year, terraces that never sleep: on the Costa Blanca life happens outdoors and loud. A newcomer's fond first take.
Kissing, tú and talking loudly: the Costa Blanca's social codes
Two cheek-kisses (start on the right), the instant informal tú, and a volume that reads as warmth, not aggression: the Costa Blanca's social codes for newcomers.
What the Costa Blanca teaches you about slowness
You land with urgency strapped on. Then the coast goes to work on you. A short column on the time we thought we'd lost.