Smile and the world smiles back

The ‘I’ve lost impetus to write more posts’ issue, was only obviously a temporary issue as I scribe again.

Something I meant to mention since I returned to Tenerife, and also possibly another reason I’ve been struggling to write of late, is people.

Like travel, my inspiration for the blog comes as much from people as it does places.

It’s only 11am as I stop for my refreshing coke at a corner cafe. Most are sitting in the shade, but being typically British I sit in the sun sporting my Union Jack shorts, British bulldog tattoo and knotted hanky atop. That last bit is a lie, but I did make the most of the rays, whilst all but me and Madge (from the Benidorm tv series) whom I hasten to add was sitting at a different table, chose sun over shade. Madge the octogenarian, browner than my motorcycle jacket and I dare suggest a touch more leathery, surprised me with her order of half a beer. All others, apart from a couple with two small glasses of wine, were on the soft stuff. This is where the North/South Divide is obvious. In Los Cristianos and Playa (de las Americas) the Brits would be knocking pints back at this hour of day as if there was a national shortage looming, in the more salubrious north there seems to be an air of decorum.

It’s commonly acknowledged that travel experiences are as much about the people you meet as the places you go, and my blogs have contained numerous mentions of people. During just the three weeks on these two islands I have extended my phone book to include Michael (Las Galletas), Luca, Fabio & Giuseppe (also south Tenerife), Carlos (Gran Canaria), Lo & Gina (Hamburg) and Andreas (Wurzburg). And on my previous trip I still have occasional contact with six other people and regularly of course with Gav (of Seville fame).

When I was on La Gomera and on the southern part of this island people seemed to constantly be talking to me, because of Reg obviously. Yes I was staying in apartments rather than a hotel, but I don’t see that being the issue. Even on the south of the island which is predominantly packed with British, as opposed to the north which is mainly German, people of all nationalities would approach me. You’ll notice that there are no British contacts from this trip added to my address book! 

One thing which has been blatantly obvious is the contrast within the motorcycle community. When I ride on the south side of the island every motorcyclist waves, it is the done thing and is commonplace back home. On the north side of the island no motorcyclist waves, it is totally bizarre and dispels the rule that northerners are more friendly, well in Tenerife anyway.