Community Spirit, July 2018

Community Spirit
Let's use our good Energy to create great things together
JULY 2018
KNOW HOW
TO PROTECT
YOUR PET
FROM
HEATSTROKE
DOGS FOR
ADOPTION IS
BACK!!
DUTCH TELEVISION
MAN BITES DOG
EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL ABSPOEL
GETTING LOST AT
THE MANDALA
CAMPING FESTIVAL
OXYGEN THERAPY
AVAILABLE IN
CAPSULES!
EXCLUSIVE INTERVEIW
WITH FOUNDER & CEO,
VENETIA KRUGER
MOVING TO VALENCIA?
ON THE ROAD WITH MAN &
VAN - DAVID SMITH

IN THIS
ISSUE
Founder's Message
Hi Everyone,
This is the 9th issue Community Spirit e-magazine.
Community Spirit Valencia... brings you local news and stories,
combined with international exclusives which support the community!
In June, I went traveling to the Netherlands and had great fun painting
lots of beautiful souls at the well known Mandala Camping Festival in
Wanroij. It was a beautiful tribal and community experience. Afterwards,
I traveled to Amsterdam to catch up with friends and was delighted when
I got to interview one of the Editor's-in-Chief of Man Bijt Hond, one of
Holland's most famous community television programmes. I found the
experience really inspiring and it's encouraged me to take Community
Spirit e-magazine to another level.
Also, I am now co-working at the Serrania Solar office in Villar del
Arzobispo. Community Spirit Valencia is now ranked No.1 in Google.
I am grateful to everyone who is getting involved!
All the Best,
Richard T. Voller
Editor-In-Chief
EXCLUSIVE:
MAN BITES DOG
This is community television the Dutch
way! If you don't know the programme,
it was a sort of humorous news
programme which ran for 16 years in
Holland. It literary opened doors and
let people meet the ordinary folk!
Everything you need to know! What
symptons to look for? And what to do if
your dog is suffering from heatstroke.
MOVING TO VALENCIA?
Instead of discovering different
places in the community of Valencia
in which to live, this time I join
David Smith, a well-known Man with
a Van.
OXYGEN THERAPY NOW
AVAILABLE IN CAPSULES!
The Nobel Prize winner, Dr Otto
Warburg, has established that
cancerous cells can not live at high
oxygen levels. This is an exclusive
interview the Founder & CEO of
Oxygen Products Ltd, Venetia Kruger
14
PROTECT YOUR DOGS FROM
HEATSTROKE
26
43
31
To subscribe click on the flower above!
TRAVELLING
Helen Warriner tells us about her
Death defying trekking and
orangutan spotting in Sumatra!
11

CONTENTS
Areas of interest to be covered .
4
WHAT'S ON?
In local towns and in the city centre.
6
LOCAL BUSINESS
SERVICES DIRECTORY
11
20
THINGS TO DO
Indian Summer Festival at Centro
Ayurveda
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Michael Abspoel was one of the Editorsin-Chief
of Holland's famous TV
programme 'Man Bites Dog' which
opened up the community!
13
31
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Oxygen Products are now available in
capsules. Exclusive interview with
Founder & CEO, Venetia Kruger
MONEY MATTERS
David James goes shopping 'Money is
Money'
33
40
MOVING TO VALENCIA?
Man with a Van, David Smith invites
Community Spirit along to experience
the big move!
GARDENING MATTERS
Your little balcony: healthy things it can
produce.
37
44
ANIMAL WELL-BEING
Learn how to protect your pets from
heatstroke.
HEALTH AWARENESS
Happy Poops!
46
TRAVELLING & HOLIDAYS
Helen Warriner inspires us about her
death defying trekking and orangutan
spotting in Sumatra!
50 NATURAL REMEDIES
Mozzies Are Back! Facebook group
article, what you have to say!
49
57
SCIENCE & HEALING
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
available in Valencia
ANIMAL WELL-BEING
Dogs for Adoption!
58 AURA PAITING
Getting lost at the Mandala Camping Festival in
the Netherlands

WHAT'S ON?
Local Towns and Valencia
Free Language Exchange,
Lliria
The address is:
ASOCIACION VECINOS LA BUITRERA
C/ ABETOS 2
URBANIZACIÓN LA BUITRERA
46160 LLIRIA
The language exchange takes place every Friday from
7,30 to 8,30 PM.
We do half an hour of Spanish conversation and half
an hour of English. There is no charge for this
R E I S E | P A G E 2
ARTS & MUSIC

- Emergency: 112
- National Police: 091
- City Police: 092
- Civil Guard: 062
- Fire: 080
- Red Cross: 963 67 73 75
Wednesday- Casinos and L'Eliana
- Airport: 961 59 85 00
- Bus Station: 963 46 62 66
- Port: 963 93 95 00
- Post Office: 963 51 67 50
- Valencia Regional Government Info: 012
- Valencia City Hall Info: 010
- Customs: 963 67 13 00
- Visas, Embassies & Consulates
Pedralba
Rastro
Pedralba Rastro
Sunday 8th July 2018,
Location: Behind Bar Sardi, Pedralba.,
From 9.00 til 1.00.
Lin Shepherd, event organiser, raises funds for
Naturaleza y Animales (Vice President) by charging
Euro 2 for space at the Rastro which goes to the charity.
Sellers need to arrive at 8am
Weekly Local Town Markets
Friday - Villar del Arzobispo
Thursday - Lliria
Tuesday - Betera
Public Holidays in 2018:
There are some things which you just need to
you don't want to be driving into. .
remember,
town to find that everything is closed down
because you forgot it was a public holiday!
Tuesday 1 May - Labour Day
Wednesday 15 Aug - Assumption of Mary
Tuesday 9 Oct - Valencian Regional Holiday
Friday 12 Oct - Fiesta Nacional de España
Thursday 1 Nov - All Saints' Day
Start planning now for Villar del
Arzobispo Fiesta Week!
10th to 18th August
Thursday 6 Dec - Constitution Day
Saturday 8 Dec - Immaculate Conception
USEFUL NUMBERS FOR
VALENCIA:
Emergency Numbers
- Renfe (National Train Service) Information: 902
24 34 02 or 963 52 02 02
- Renfe Tickets: 902 24 02 02 or 963 52 02 02

Local
Services Directory
NOW
FREE
HOME
SERRANIA SOLAR / NATHAN / +34 619 589 210 OR UK MOBILE 0044 07743 755108
MAN & VAN / DAVID SMITH / +34 615 462 452
PLUMBER & ELECTRICIAN / TONY ROGERS / +34 677 201 382
DOG AND HOUSE SITTING, HOUSE CLEANING /VILLAR DEL ARZOBISPO /
JANICE PARKER / +44 752 389 5968
CLEAN AND GREEN ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING SERVICES / KELLY DANVERS / +34
633 975 167
GENERATORS/ NEIL / +44 7759 333 839
ANIMAL WELL-BEING
ECLIPSE VETS / MARIA LLUCH BARBERA / +34 962.700.659 OR +34 652.161.659
BUSINESS MATTERS
CONVERSATIONAL TRANSLATIONS / DANI /+34 618 37 92 94
SUSANA DIAZ ESTEBAN / PA & MANAGEMENT / SUSANA / + 34 651 407 565
EXPAT WEB DESIGN / DERRICK BAILEY / +34 674 996 156
CHLOE DELAUNAY COACHING / CHLOE DELAUNAY - CAREER & BUSINESS COACH
/ +34 673 246 661
ELENA ZURRIAGA VIRTUAL ASSISTANT SERVICES / ELENA ZURRIAGA -
BUSINESS SUPPORT / +34 615 339 555

Local
Services Directory
ECO FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
TIERRA DELICADA / DAVID JAMES / +34 617 24 27 42
HAIR & BEAUTY
BLONDES, BRUNETTES AND REDHEADS/HAIRDRESSING SALON -PIERRE & YOHE
DEBAAS-TORTOZA / + 34 654.890.599 OR ESP + 34 654.893.956
FITNESS, WELL BEING and EXERCISE
YOGA WITH JENNISON / JENNISON GRIGSBY / +34 661 58 56 53
YOGA VIDA HATHA YOGA / KELLY DANVERS / +34 633 975 167
BIG YOGA FESTIVAL / BEATRIZ ABRIL / +34 671 065 533
ALTERNATIVE HEALING
KAIKKI MASSAGE / DIDIER THOMAS / +34 602 87 61 92
AYURVEDIC LIFESTYLE / RONAK NEGI / +34 962 324 478
REIKI THERAPY / KELLY DANVERS / +34 633 975 167
NUTRITION, FOOD
WARRIOR UP TO WIN / NUTRITION HEALTH - KELLY DARLING / WHATS APP 001
(480) 290 2906
BICK'S BAKES / CAKES & DOG BISCUITS - KAREN BICKNELL / + 34 636 660 380
FOR YOUR 'INDIAN DELIGHTS / MORGINI / + 34 642 189 873
Click here to Subscribe

July 2018 / Community Spirit
CLICK ON TO ACCESS WEBSITE
To benefit from advertising in Community Spirit online magazine, please visit our website and
discover more:
www.EmazineMedia.wixsite.com/communityspirit

Local
Services Directory
LA PUERTA COACHING /PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT SPECIALIST - ANNE E.
DUGUID - TEL + 34 657 43 43 24
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
LIAH BERLIOUX COACHING / LIFE COACH - LIAH BERLIOUX - TEL + 33 635 180 638
ENTERTAINMENT
POMPINO LIVE MUSIC /ELECTRIC ROCK & KARAOKE FOR FIESTAS, ACOUSTIC
FOR FUNERALS OR CHRISTENINGS / DEREK BELL - +44 7480 319 687
BPSB - BUDDY PAUL'S SMOKIN' BLUES BAND / RED HOT JUMP BLUES, R'N'B,
RICK'N'ROLL / PAUL TIDIMAN - +34 640 353 304
HOLIDAY HOMES
VILLA TORRENT / JEANNY GREVELINK / +34 678 446 129
HAPI ZEN / RICHARD VOLLER / +34 602 564 973
SCIENTIFIC HEALING TREATMENTS
DELTA O2 / GHISLAIN MOUTON / +34 638 15 35 85
SPIRITUAL
BRUJA CELTA / MASAGE,HEALING, AROMATHERAPY (PHYSICAL,EMOTIONAL AND
SPIRITUAL) WITCHCRAFT. /CHLOE / +34 673 146 224

THINGS TO DO
Art Competition
Villar del Arzobispo
Are you artistic? Do you like painting or
drawing and want to enter an art
competition? If so, then this is a great
opportunity!
You need to create a piece of artwork on a bedsheet, which
you collect when you register at the Fiestas Commission in
Villar del Arzobispo.
The photo to left is the Winner of the competition in 2017.
The art competition is open to individuals and groups, you
don't have to live in Villar del Arzobispo to enter the
competition. You need to be over 18 years old and the
theme and the style is totally up to you!
Registration
To register, send an email to:
communicacionfiestasvillar2018@gmail.com
Deadline for finished pieces is 3rd August 2018
Prizes: 1st - Euro 200, 2nd - Euro 100 and 3rd - Euro 50
You'll find further details of the competition on the Fiestas del Villar Facebook page.
www.facebook.com/fiestas.delvillar

THINGS TO DO
INDIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL AT THE AYURVEDA
LIFESTYLE CENTRE, L'ELIANA
Saturday 28th July
11am till 8pm
Entrance FREE
More info: Susan 606517656
& Kalpana 600720357
*if you would like to
participate with your
Craft/Art or promote your
business please contact us.
Call: 962 324 478
www.ayurvedabybharatnegi.com
Ayurveda Lifestyle By Bharat Negi,
C/Salamanca 12
L´Eliana, 46183, Valencia
What's going on?
Lots of Craft & Artisan stalls:
Products from India,
Natural Cosmetics,
'Clean & Green',
Handmade Soaps & Jewellery,
Hand decorated Fans,
Face Painting for kiddies,
Ecological home made Jams & Chutneys, fresh
fruit smoothies & much more
Richart (Community Spirit e-Magazine) will be
there with his Aura paiting: 20€ & if you bring
your own black t-shirt,15€
Indian food available throughout the day.
Traditional Dance demonstrations.
Come along & join us for a lovely relaxing
Summer day out.

TOGETHERNESS
02
july 2018 issue 09
written by Christine Woodbridge
I love the most wonderful woman in the world,
I love her and she loves me,
we love unconditionally.
She comforted me when I cried,
laughed with me when I was happy,
Held me when I was in pain.
She was an integral part of my life and I of hers.
I could not have lived my life without her.
For she is part of me and I am part of her.
We are in this world together and will always be
together, nothing can tear our love apart for we are
Mother and Daughter.
In memory of my Mother
E D I T O R I A L O F F I C E
www.emazinemedia.wixsite.com/communityspirit

1 3 | X C L U S I V E
O X Y G E N T H E R A P Y N O W A V A I L A B L E
I N C A P S U L E S
I N T E R V I E W
Oxygen Therapy now available in a capsule!
Founding Director and CEO of Oxygen Products, Venetia Kruger interviewed by Richard T. Voller
Ever since I discovered oxygen therapy in Valencia and began to experience it for myself at the Delta o2 wellness
centre, I started noticing considerable changes to my general well-being. But I also noticed that whenever I shared
my perspective in public I seemed to get a lot of negative feedback from people with misconceptions as to what
oxygen therapy actually is and how important it is in transforming the current healthcare and medical treatments
being offered by big pharmaceutical companies and corporations.
So I was really delighted after I did some internet research and discovered a pioneering company based in South
Africa which is using Mother Nature's oxygen therapy as a natural way of healing people with chronic illnesses.
Could it be true that I’d finally stumbled across a medical healthcare company that actually had a heart and soul?
That actually cared about curing the cause of sickness in people and not just the symptoms?
The more I looked into the Asante Foundation and Asante Philani which are the Research and Development arms of
Oxygen Products (Pty) Ltd, the more I realised that this company is on a massive global humanitarian mission. So I
started doing some research into the company and eventually ended up speaking with Nancy Ramos, the Office
Administrator who was very helpful and arranged for me to have an interview with the Founding Director and CEO
of Oxygen Products, Venetia Kruger.

C O M M U N I T Y S P I R I T 1 4 | X C L U S I V E
I N T E R V I E W
To give you an overview of the
humanity today has attracted
patients in general recover
company, I think it is right that I
widespread interest among
remarkably quicker from
share with you some of the
doctors, health practitioners,
chronic wounds, bedsores,
following information which is
various institutions, public
venous ulcers and all other
from their Medical Portfolio
sector organisations and the
chronic diseases. I am thus very
document.
public at large.
excited to see the outcome of
any new studies and would
Asante Foundation and Asante
The knowledge and expertise of
therefore strongly recommend
Philani which are the Research
Venetia’s key partners, Dr Julian
further clinical studies in the
and Development arms of
Holmes, internationally
future.”
Oxygen Products (Pty) Ltd,
renowned for his competent
formed with the mission of
research in ozone-related
The Asante Foundation has
becoming dynamic and
technologies and products, and
therefore embarked on bold
influential leaders in the
Dr Thozamile Qubuda of
fund-raising initiatives in order
research and development of
Africeutical Health Sciences,
to deepen and widen the scope
innovative oxygen therapy and
specialising in chronic disease
of clinical trials; to focus on
associated products. They are
management, recognised for his
dedicated to providing support
exceptional work in HIV/AIDS,
chronic illnesses and lifethreatening
diseases. And
and healing for severe health
are bringing exciting new
intensify ongoing research
maladies, including the
dimensions to the ongoing
projects towards the further
debilitating chronic nature of
advancements and healings
advancement of oxygen therapy
major dreaded diseases such as
qualities of oxygen therapy.
treatment, together with the
HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes,
formulation of new products
heart dysfunction, Ebola and
Oxygen Products (Pty) Ltd is
lines. In addition, the need to
others.
gaining momentum at an
build community based natural
accelerated pace and now finds
health clinics is of critical
The founder and CEO of Oxygen
itself strategically poised to
importance. Asante’s
Products (Pty) Ltd, Venetia
seize the opportunity for
aspirations, together with
Kruger, has devoted the lion’s
exponential growth. The
Oxygen Products (Pty) Ltd, is to
share of her life to the study of
ongoing demand for oxygen
forge collaborative working
healing through natural health
products is increasing steadily
relationships/partnerships with
medicines. This has culminated
with over 200 pharmacies
professional health
in ground-breaking
stocking a regular supply and a
practitioners and institutions,
developments pertaining to the
growing number of medical
and in so doing expand its
healing qualities of oxygen
practitioners utilising oxygen
horizons, enabling the provision
therapy, incorporating a range
therapy and associated products
of crucial health services
in their practices. An email
around the globe. Asante’s
of uniquely formulated fit-forpurpose
oxygen products.
received at the time of writing
medium-term vision is to
Outstanding results benefiting
encapsulates their experience:
establish a natural health and
patients across the spectrum of
“My experience, with the
healing retreat followed by a
the foremost diseases plaguing
product, Super Oxygen, is that
natural health hospital over the
long term.

Richard: “What is oxygen therapy
Venetia: “It is one of the most
Richard: “How is it possible to
Venetia: “This formulation is
Richard: “What types of
Venetia: “This product will boost the
Richard: “How quickly can Oxygen
Venetia: “We know from experience
C O M M U N I T Y S P I R I T / M A Y 1 5 | X C L U S I V E
I N T E R V I E W
So I don’t know about you, but
that all seems like really good
news to me! And as I am
reaching 50 years old in a few
years, and both my parents have
died, one from cancer and the
other from a heart attack, I am
lot more aware about about my
state of well-being and looking
after my mind/body/soul temple
so that I can live a long, healthy
and active life.
I am currently in the process of
really transforming my lifestyle
because I feel that now is the
time to do it, so I’ve drawn up a
new healthy lifestyle plan and
am step-by-step putting it into
action. So you can imagine my
wonderful surprise when the
Universe brought me into
Above: Venetia Kruger, Founder and CEO of Oxygen Products (Pty) Ltd
alignment with Venetia Kruger
and Oxygen Products.
have oxygen therapy in a
THE INTERVIEW
the body to heal itself from disease.
Any chronic disease will be supported
immune system and will thus assist
capsule?”
such as diabetes, poor blood
circulation, high blood pressure,
natural and includes some of
Cancer, Hiv/Aids, Allergies, wounds
and how can it heal people?”
the finest medicinal plants and
and many more."
minerals. When the product is
taken with water, there is a
chemical reaction that takes
versatile therapies available to man
Products have a positive effect on
place in the body and oxygen is
today because if one is able to raise
the oxygen levels in the blood, then
released into the bloodstream.
someone's well-being?
no fungi, virus or bacteria can live
This “oxygen in a capsule” will
at high oxygen levels. With this
live up to your expectations on
healing the body.”
being said, it means that we will
that results can already be seen from
the very first week of using our
have a better immune system and
products. It is very important to use a
the body will stay healthy and
diseases can be cured with your
lot of water when taking the products,
protect itself as it is designed to
to get the best results.”
Oxygen Products?”
do.”

Richard: “Is it effective for long-
Venetia: “We have done a trial
Richard: “Does increased
Venetia: “One of our medical
Richard: “Can Oxygen Products
Venetia: “We have a special
Richard: “Are there any side
Venetia: “There may be a
Richard: “Why do you think that
Venetia: “Our medical doctors are
Richard: “So are your products
C O M M U N I T Y S P I R I T / M A Y 1 6 | X C L U S I V E
I N T E R V I E W
term diseases? Have there been
any trials?”
in 2014 with Hiv/Aids patients
and results have shown an
increase of 65% on the CD4
count of all patients within 30
days! Nobody has reported any
side effects but good health and
some have been able to go back
to work again. Also we have
seen reversal of different
Cancers even with late stage
cancer. The Nobel Prize winner,
Dr Otto Warburg, has
established that cancerous cells
can not live at high oxygen
formulation for Sport people
some people might be afraid of using
levels.”
that helps with better
natural treatments like oxygen to heal
endurance and also removal of
themselves? And what advice do you
lactic acid. All sport people
have to reassure them?”
oxygen cause a premature
using our products claim major
ageing of your cells and body?
improvement on their times
with marathons, cycling and
trained on pharmaceutical products
others.”
and not natural products. Never in the
doctors has noted that all of his
history of mankind have we had so
patients using this product tend
many health problems that was
to have younger looking skin.
effects when using Oxygen
unheard of a mere 100 years ago. We
More oxygen also means
Products?”
have advanced in knowledge but not
increased energy levels and
in treating diseases. Today Big
better well-being.”
Pharma has designed medical care in
reaction of headaches within
treating symptoms and not disease.
the first three days of using the
Staying a patient for the rest of your
help people gain more energy?
product. This is only because of
life has huge financial benefits for big
Especially people who do lots of
the removal of toxins in the
Corporations.”
sports or outdoor physical
body. Just increase the water
activities?”
intake to flush out the toxins
and you should feel on top of
affordable so that more people can
the world.”
use them?”

Discover so much more about your self
through this soul reflection art workshop
guided by Richart.
THIS SUMMER HAVE FUN AND LEARN HOW TO PAINT YOUR
You might just starting seeing life in a
new light! Call Richart on 602.564.973
AURA ON CANVAS
THERE'S NO PAIN IN AURA PAITING!!
LET YOUR SOUL SHINE BRIGHT!

Venetia: “Most definitely as the
Richard: “As a pioneer in oxygen
Venetia: “To get the product into
Venetia: “Oxygen is Life. Oxygen is
C O M M U N I T Y S P I R I T / M A Y 1 8 | X C L U S I V E
I N T E R V I E W
product is designed to take care of
the problem and not only a
symptom. Many conditions can
also be reversed with lifestyle
changes. This product is meant to
be a humanitarian product and be
available to everyone in need.”
therapy, what are your big goals
for the next year?”
the rest of Africa and get more
trials done to prove the efficacy of
this product.”
Richard: “Why are you so
Click on advert to go to website
passionate about Oxygen Therapy
Products?”
the Source of all Healing. Oxygen is
the Breath of our Creator".
Editor’s Note:
Yes, I am very excited to try out their products and will report back in the future as to what the results
are. But what I feel in my heart and soul about this company is not a belief in their products, but it
feels deeper than that. It’s more like a sense of knowing. That makes me curious. So I’ve ordered a
bottle of oxygen products online through their website and am looking forward to them arriving soon.
If these products live up to our expectations then this will be amazing for the community as a whole.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT / SUBSCRIBE 19
Click on logo to access website
Add video Here
Interview with Kelli Davis,
Founder of Happy Family
Natural Wellness
This is one of a series of video interviews with local business owners in and around Valencia.
Our aim is to give you a greater insight into their business, the services, and products which they
offer and to help you to get to know them a bit better.

BEHIND THE DOOR:
THE MAN FROM
'MAN BITES DOG'
M I C H A E L A B S P O E L , O N E O F T H E E D I T O R S - I N - C H I E F A N D T H E
V O I C E - O V E R O F T H E F A M O U S D U T C H T E L E V I S I O N P R O G R A M M E
F O R T H E C O M M U N I T Y .

2 1 | X C L S U I V E
M I C H A E L A B S P O E L
I N T E R V I E W E D B Y R I C H A R D T . V O L L E R
I N T E R V I E W
In June, I returned to the Netherlands after being away for about three years.
It was a great time for me to catch up with old friends and also to expand the
reach of the Community Spirit into the Netherlands, so that the e-magazine can
become truly international. I realised that in my network I have some pretty
inspirational people who have been working on community projects, and now
with this online platform I have created, I had a good reason to dig deeper into
their lives and discover some amazing things.
So Michael Abspoel, one of the
Editors-in-Chief and Voice-Over of
the Dutch television programme
known as ‘Man bijt hond’
(translation is Man Bites Dog’) had
invited me to his home and during
one of our conversations he
mentioned to me that he had seen
my recent video interview with Kelli
Davis, the founder of Happy Family
Natural Wellness in Valencia and
was very impressed with the quality
of the interview and with the
filming. I saw his interest in my
work as a unique opportunity to get
an exclusive interview with the man
behind the famous Dutch television
programme ‘Man Bites Dog’. I was
delighted when Michael agreed to do
the interview as his 16 year TV
programme had a massive positive
impact in Holland. It was a ground-
breaking programme to say the least
and it was all about the community
spirit.

Richard: “So you developed a
Michael: “To start with, the
Richard: “What type of news?”
Michael: “It could be international
Richard: “What angle?”
Michael: “We looked at how the
Richard: “And how do the
Michael: “Well the television
2 2 | X C L U S I V E
Richard: “So how did you connect
Michael: “The starting point was that
M I C H A E L A B S P O E L I N T E R V I E W
B Y R I C H A R D T . V O L L E R
I N T E R V I E W
"The name of the programme, Man Bites Dog,
is a term which is used in journalism. It means
that a dog who bites a man is not news, but a
man who bites a dog, that is news! ..."
of the Netherlands. So it was
things around the royal family or
THE INTERVIEW
something which moved people.
things like football, etc, etc!”
And then we always tried to look
concept for the Dutch television
at the news from a different
“So the community feeling was
programme, 'Man Bites Dog' to bring
angle.”
lacking a little bit I think before we
people together in the community in
aired the programme. Everybody
a positive way. Can you explain a
was doing their own thing and what
little bit about the formula of Man
we missed on television was a
Bites Dog and why you think it
programme especially from the
became so successful?”
common people looked at the
point of view of ordinary people. So
news. It was never with experts
we were able to fill-in that gap.”
or celebrities. The starting point
television programme ran from 1999
was always to see how the
to until 2015. So it had 16 seasons
common people looked at news,
with the ordinary people and gain
and it was a daily programme. The
looked at each other and looked
their trust?”
name of the programme, Man Bites
at things evolving in society.”
Dog, is a term which is used in
journalism. It means that a dog who
we wanted to be one of them, and
bites a man is not news, but a man
common people look at each
not to be the journalist or the
who bites a dog, that is news! So we
other?”
interviewer. So we just became
are always looking for unusual news.
friendly with the people and showed
You would think that it was a news
them that they were important.
programme, and partly it was. It was
programme was originally an
Before this, it was just the people
a magazine which started with the
idea from Belgium. A colleague
who had success and who were in
news of the day.”
and I, transformed it into a Dutch
the media who were on television. So
concept. We knew that the
you never saw your neighbour on
diversity and the individuality of
TV, but in our programme you
the Dutch people was an
would!! Or you would discover
important element of the
something amazing about the local
news like Trump meeting the
programme. But there are also
community.”
dictator of North Korea or a train
things that bind us together like
accident in the south of
the ‘Kings Day’ celebrations and

Richard: “So what was the structure of the
Michael: “It was a magazine with a daily
Richard: “Like what types of
Michael: “There was a man
2 3 | X C L U S I V E
I N T E R V I E W
“Can you imagine the happy feeling of
seeing your neighbour on television?”
“We showed that everybody has a good
story and that everybody can be inspiring,
and you can be like them. I think that is
why everybody loved to watch it. It was
about us, but it was also about me. The
feeling was that anyone might be in the
programme the next day!”
Above: The famous dog from Man Bites Dog with garden gnomes
programme?”
community discovering new
things?”
things and thinking ‘Wow, we
programme of 25 minutes with 6,7 or 8
are bloody interesting!”
small items. It always started with the
news, the talk of the day. So we would go to
who was collecting gnomes in
“That’s because it was a feel
a market place for example, and ask
good programme. One of the
his garden. It was not about the
people what they thought about what was
gnomes but it was about the
most popular items of the
happening in the news. But it was not
programme was that everyday
passion that he put into his
really about the news, it was more like who
hobby. There was a camera
we would just go to someone’s
would you like to slap in the face? Or who
house and ring the doorbell
crew filming them about what
would you like to give flowers too? Or who
they were doing and it was the
around dinner time. We would
do you think deserves a royal award?”
ask if the people were going to
first time in their lives that they
got so much attention. We
eat and could we come in and
“And then people would say, ‘I think my
join them and ask about what
didn’t just ask how many he
neighbour or my brother deserves it
had or how expensive they
they had done that day!
because of …..”
Actually it was more than that,
were, or whatever, but it was
about why he did this? And
it was more like, ‘Who is
“Everyone could recognise him or herself
Behind the Door?’
what does it do for him? And
in the answers. So after the news we had a
what do the neighbours think
question that you could answer, it was
“What is he thinking? What is
about it?”
about your life. And that made it a very low
he doing in life? What is
key programme where everybody could
“We always made it into a
important to him or her? How
recognise themself in the programme. So
normal conversation between
does he look at things? How
there were always small documentaries of
does he handle certain
two people who were curious
maybe 5 or 6 minutes with just ordinary
and not judging. So in general,
difficulties in his life? So it was
people doing extremely fantastic and
always interesting because you
people who watched the
inspiring things.”
programme liked to look at
never knew who was on the
other side of the door.”
Dutch people, the Dutch

Richard: “So there was no planning??”
Michael: “Yes, there was no planning!
Michael: “Yes, it didn’t exist
2 4 | X C L U S I V E
Richard: “So that means it must have
I N T E R V I E W
In about one hour they would be
released and shared on the internet.
really. Not a daily programme
It meant that everyone could share
about the people! Now that it has
their special stories from the
So it was always a surprise for us too!!
gone people really miss it! That is
The idea was that everybody has a story,
programme, so some stories went
always what happens when you
are gone, I hope they miss you!!!”
viral because it was so crazy or
maybe not every time as interesting, but
we wanted to show the diversity of the
funny, or it was a very emotional
Dutch people. Sometimes it was just a
story. It was not about lunatics or the
“But I think that people miss it
family with children and then it was a
crazy side of Holland, sometimes
because it was a mirror to
there were crazy people in it doing
very lonesome old man who just lost his
Holland. It was repeated during
eccentric things, but it was always
the evening, so young people also
wife. Or we went to small villages where
there are very eccentric people living. So
got to see it. They would come
done with respect.”
out from the bars in the evening
you saw how Holland really is. And
because we made more than 3,000
and watch ‘Man Bites Dog’, and
“I think it gave people the idea that
they wanted to be part of it, it was a
episodes a lot of people who came to
we also made clippings after
every episode.
family programme.”
Holland, like refugees who were here in
the centres, used ‘Man Bites Dog’ to
learn about Dutch culture, who we are
they got a lot from watching the
So
because it was different to
programmes
they were normally taught about
what
Dutch community.”
the
“So it was really like a fly on
Richard:
wall documentary of real life…”
the
“Yes, because it was about us. I
Michael:
also the Voice Over of the
was
so you heard me
programme,
the items, so I became the
introducing
of Holland. But you never saw me
Host
you never saw the interviewer so it
and
always about the people. In the
was
the people didn’t know what
beginning
expect!” to
“It must have been very
Richard:
to what was around at the
different
time?”
"Yes, there was
no planning! So it
was always a
surprise for us
too!! The idea
was that
everybody has a
story, maybe not
every time as
interesting, but
we wanted to
show the
diversity of the
Dutch people."
it was on…”
when
“Yes, I think it must have.
Michael:
on we came with new ideas
Later
new themes relating to things
and
were hot in Holland, but we
that
to make our own version of
wanted
So things like cooking
them.
or a reality soap. We
programmes,
in 2006 with a reality soap
started
it was an instant success because
and
was an Amsterdam family with an
it
woman who was living on a
older
with her daughter and son-in-
boat
She was just sitting there
law.
and counting the cars that
smoking
the bridge. So she didn’t
crossed
a very exciting life, but she was
have
‘Jordaan’, so Amsterdam Dutch,
so
she was an instant success. So
that
thought that we must do more
we
and how we get along with each other.
affected 3 or 4 different generations
with her.”

Richard: “Did you follow them to different
countries?”
Michael: “First we followed them in Amsterdam
and later they had a little villa in Benidorm in
Spain. We followed them there, it was really funny.
But the thing was that a completely unknown
family and a completely unknown woman became
stars. We had to organize a ‘Meet & Greet’ with
them for the viewers. So ordinary people could be
famous through the programme. That was not our
intention, but it just happened that way.”
“So there were more people who became sort of
stars.”
Richard: “So people were open to you coming into
their lives with a television crew with no prewarning?”
Michael: “The first season it was really difficult because
they didn’t know us. But later they realised that our
intentions were good. It was not making them look
foolish or with treating them with disrespect because of
the way we talked to them. We talked to them as if they
were our friends. It was like meeting someone in the bus
station or train station, within a few minutes you have a
click and you start talking to each other and you tell
them everything about your life and then you say ‘Oh
my train is coming, I must catch it. Got to go. Nice
meeting you!’ And then you never see each other again.
It was that type of feeling.”

Richard: “So what was one of the
Michael: “I think it was our ability to get
Richard: “And they also did it in
Michael: “Yes! So I was a bit
2 6 | X C L U S I V E
Richard: “Someone said to me
Michael: “You never know what the
I N T E R V I E W
“I think that inspired people to lookout
“So when it went deeper it became
‘I never expected to tell you this
story because I never told this
interesting for people watching it,
more for their neighbours who were in
story to anybody! Not even to my
need or lonely people, or whatever. So it
but also for us. I always felt that
was just about communicating and
daughter or son!’
when it moved me or touched me, or
I was inspired, then I knew that
talking with each other! So that was one
of our aims, but the Dutch are quite
other people be inspired too. It
open in any case. The problem these
front of a film crew!”
always had to bring you something, a
days is that you see everyone on the
laugh or a strong emotion.”
streets glued to their mobile phones, but
not connecting with the people around
jealous of the camera crew, but
recently that Man Bites Dog, was
them in the moment. And our show was
they would come back with great
almost responsible for shifting
results. You learn a lot about
all about being in the moment.”
people’s perspective of themselves
people and we always wanted to
go deeper than what you saw on
or society in general in Holland…”
the surface. It always started with
successes of the programme?”
‘What did you do today?’ … but it
always ended with a life story.”
effect will be when you start such a
people to open up and talk about
programme. It evolved, the more
Just to be curious and give
themselves.
of yourself and then you get
something
back.”
something
“So because you were one of
Richard:
Editors-in-Chief and ‘the Voice’ of
the
programme for 16 years, how did
the
affect your life?"
that
“It affected me in a very
Michael:
way and as a team, we were a
positive
of family. We talked every day how
kind
could improve things and what was
we
about in society and how we could
going
our own comment on that. I
make
a lot of editing because I never
watched
went with the camera crew to
actually
people. We were always looking for
the
items and I looked at the results. It
new
moved me to see that we were
really
"...we realised
that this was
very important
to people and
it was more
than just a
programme. So
there was a
kind of
community
feeling."
more that we got into contact
and
people and the more feedback
with
got, we realised that it meant
we
to people than we could have
more
imagined!”
ever
also had a 'Man Bites Dog'
“We
on the internet, so we
community
events and people could
organised
together and because that was
gather
successful we realised that this
very
very important to people and it
was
more than just a programme. So
was
was a kind of community
there
feeling.”
was a magazine, it was intense
“It
it went fast. People learned a lot
and
who we really are and how we
about
in just 25 minutes each day
function
capable of opening up people because a
of the week.”
lot of times people would say afterwards

Richard: “Would you ever consider
Michael: “All the people who worked at
Richard: “Just by opening the
Michael: “Yes, people thought
Richard: “Well that is true
2 7 | X C L U S I V E
Michael: “Yes, I think in my career I
Richard: “So you are fascinated by
I N T E R V I E W
And that for me was a great thing
to see. It was just seeing people
have also been lucky to do things
doing something similar to this again?”
which have inspired me as a person.
be there true selves that made
Of course, this programme became
things so special. I got inspired
the programme in 2015, were
my pièce de résistance ... because it
by so many people on that
programme actually…”
comes the closest to explaining who
disappointed that it stopped, even after
such a long time. So for many people
I am and how I want to
who worked on the programme it was of
communicate with people. You
always have to be curious about life,
door..”
great importance, so we could have
continued to make it for another 5 years
in order to discover more. You can
always ask people questions.”
or so. I made it for the Dutch public
that we pre-arranged that … but
television network.”
that was never the case. That was
“It’s not because it is my occupation,
“In 2011, the general public voted on
it is about being curious as a person.
the most amazing thing! That
behind every Dutch door could
which Dutch programme made the most
I always want to know who people
are? What your dreams are? How did
be an inspiring and beautiful
impact in 60 years of Dutch Television
and we won that award. It was really
you get so far and what were the
story.”
important for us because it was a prize
obstacles? I find this always
interesting.”
of the public. I think that it is better to
because you invited me into your
be remembered in a good way and step
home and I have got this
down, rather than people saying ‘Ok,
we’ve seen enough now! It’s over the
awesome story today!”
the personality of people?”
hill.”
“Yes, I am looking at that
Richard:
on the wall behind you now of
photo
Jagger. I know what you mean!”
Mick
“Yes, we can go on forever, but
Michael:
know!”
you
this point we just both burst into
[At
it took a few moments before
laughter,
interview continued again]
the
“Do you have a favourite
Richard:
of 'Man Bites Dog'?
memory
“There are so many! I think it
Michael:
just that there were so many special
was
people became public figures.
ordinary
"I wanted the
interviewers to
be sharp, so
they could get
things out of
people without
having to force
them, just
simply keep
asking the
questions."
“Yes, so that is what I
Michael:
repeated with the camera
always
and the editor … ‘What are we
crews
for?’ I know that sometimes
looking
them it was very tiring because I
for
wanted 100%. I know I was
always
demanding. They always told
quite
that I was very tough to work
me
but from you we learned the
with,
about being really passionate
most
the job.”
for
always wanted the interviewers to
“I
deeper and deeper. I wanted the
dig
to be sharp, so they
interviewers
get things out of people
could
having to force them, just
without
keep asking the questions.
simply

Richard: “So you really thought that you
Michael: “Yes, and luckily we got the time
Richard: “Now I am curious, as 'Man Bites
Michael: “When people contact me and
2 8 | X C L U S I V E
Richard: “Wow! That is very
Michael: “Yes, for example the eight
I N T E R V I E W
That was another way of making
want to make any programmes any
“Now it is the man from 'Man
Bites Dog', who comes walking
more which are scripted. Almost 90%
television that was for me very
through your door!! And I am
interesting.”
are scripted!! That is not something I
would like to do.”
working on a programme where I
“So that was my programme, it was who I
come and have dinner with you.
We are now making a trailer to
“The thing is that in my heart, I am a
am. It was how I look at people. It’s my
sell that concept, it’s called
passion for people, my curiosity for
theatre-maker. Being back in the
people. It could have been based in Spain,
‘Cooking Today”.
theatre is really an important part of
my ‘new life’. I’ve always felt that I
it doesn’t matter. What matters is that
“One of the ingredients of the
was more than a television-maker, so
wherever you are , you’ve got to have the
same drive to learn from the people, so
now I am planning to make a theatre
website, is that the man known
show around the 'Man Bites Dog' TV
that is what my drive was!”
from Man Bites Dog is famous for
programme.”
the voice-over comes to you and
interviews you like we did in the
programme. I’ve just interviewed
were creating something in Dutch public
television that was transforming what was
a Syrian refugee who fled to
inspiring and creative way to evolve
everything you have learnt from the
there…”
Holland and opened her own
experience! I suppose the nice thing
catering business. It is about food
would be to see how 'Man Bites Dog'
and more. In every country
to establish our programme. These days if
has really impacted the Dutch media
people come together at the
you don’t have the results after a season or
dinner table, where they share
and culture...”
stories. So at the dinner table that
six months, then the programme is gone.
is where you really get to know
So in the beginning it was difficult, the
o’clock news started to make news
first two seasons we really had to work
that Dutch people, but also other
very hard to convince the bosses to keep
people.”
items where they went to the
going on with the programme. But we
ordinary people to ask them about
how they were looking at the news.
proved to them that we were right.”
“Six o’clock and food is on the
Before 'Man Bites Dog', you never
table. That is the only moment
saw the common people in the eight
when the mobile phones are
switched off, when you are
Dog' has finished, with all this passion
o’clock news! It was always experts
that you have for people, what are you
talking about what the common
lucky!! And people start to ask
people were thinking!!”
each other questions about the
doing now?”
day and all kinds of subjects.”
“Now at the School of Journalism, the
'Man Bites Dog' approach is taught to
want to work with me, it is all 'Man Bites
“I started to invent new television
formats like the programme
students. I also gave some workshops
Dog' related. So now I am a Freelancer
and I love to do things that I know best. I
about the Moroccan integration
because people are curious what it is.
So it has had its effect because
know how to communicate with the
into Dutch society. It was heavier
stuff, but when you’ve done 'Man
sometimes also in other programmes
general public, so now I am more
interested in interviewing people myself.”
Bites Dog for 16 years, everything
you see 'Man Bites' Dog kind of items.
One of the results
else is less, you know. I don’t

Richard: “Why did Man Bites Dog stop
Michael: “We don’t know. It’s all about
Richard: “Where you rocking the boat too
Michael: “No, we had a lot of freedom.
Richard: “Do you think that it
Michael: “Yes, it become sort of
Richard: “Yes, what pops up in
Michael: “Yes, I think that it
2 9 | X C L U S I V E
Richard: “So it was fully inclusive,
Michael: “Yes, it gave people the
Richard: “To gather… “
Michael: “Yes, that is what was
Richard: “Can you give me an
Michael: “Well when there was a
Richard: “It almost feels like a
I N T E R V I E W
is that it really changed the way that we
is very hard to go to a person and
say ‘What is it that you want?
which is what community really is,
look at our community and society, which
don’t you think?”
was in a positive way. And that is good.”
became more than a television
feeling that they were important too.
programme?”
then?”
To, to… "
politics. How the RTL’s and the SBS’s from
national public heritage.”
this world, the commercial television,
how to face them. So we had to stop. Now
important over the years. People
there is a new magazine about food and
my mind now is that it was like a
knew that over the years we would
kind of cultural identity.”
interior decorating! That’s politics! And
go everywhere and everybody had a
one of the other big problems that we had
good story to tell. I think that for the
was concerning the time slot. We were
first time people saw how other
always on seven o’clock before the news.
became that because there were a
lot of studies which documented
people thought in the different cities
But then the ‘De Wereld Draait Door’
which was also on a public TV channel
about who we really are? Also a lot
around Holland. They got to discover
what was going on there locally. So
which was very popular was also moved to
of the old Holland was slowly
fading away. Most of the television
we made small local news, big news!
a seven o’clock time slot and we became
competitors for viewers. We lost viewers
programmes in Holland don’t go
And the big news small.”
further than Amsterdam, The
from that battle, even though we were
Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht.
very popular. If we would have continued
example of what you mean?”
to have about 800,000 viewers per night,
We went to the smallest places in
the North and in the South, in
then we would still be on. That is also
politics.”
Zeeland and in the East. We went
everywhere and then people
royal wedding, we wanted to know
who cleaned the toilets! Who’s going
would marvel that we were
coming from so far away to see
much?”
to clean the toilets for 3,000 guests??
That is what made it so popular. It
them! That was one of the reasons
that people liked us everywhere
was funny, but you made other
Every year we got a little bit more budget
choices and the woman who did that
because we were not stuck in the
was very proud of what she did. And
to do what we wanted. We had complete
Ranstadt area.”
creative freedom to do whatever we
we made her become a star in the
wanted actually. We would never find that
“The meaning of someone in
public's eyes. So everybody
counted!”
again. That is the problem, if I worked for
Groningen was just as important
as someone in Amsterdam. Of
public television now I would have four
course it was not always possible
other Chiefs telling me different things
that they want in the programme. When
to go everywhere, we tried our
political movement or something,
but without the politics.”
you have so much freedom of creating, it
best though, we even went to the
Dutch Antilles islands.”

Michael: “Well in 2002, we had our first
2 3 | I N T E R V I E W
political murder in Holland with Pim
Fortuyn. Two days before he was killed,
he was in our programme because there
were elections coming up. And we had a
disabled kind of dwarf who was in our
programme because the local news was
that one of his gnomes got stolen. Of
course, the funny thing was that he
looked like a gnome and his wife was a
little bit retarded so the combination
was fantastic, although still respectful to
“So we would ask him questions
Editor’s Note
them both.”
and everytime he got it wrong it
After the interview I felt very
privileged to have discovered more
would go ‘Beeeeeb!!’ and then
“In the programme we had a
you’d have to start all over again.
about Michael’s inspiring work. I
reconstruction of the violent robbery of
wished that I had taken the time to
It was terrible, Buzz Wire game
the garden gnome, of course it went
that's what it was. So that is an
ask him some questions years before
viral, but he was also doing voluntary
about his work, but then everything
example of how we handled
work and he had his own political party.
politics.”
happens when it is supposed too I
But he was the only one in the party and
guess.
his wife was supporting him. One day
“But Pim Fortuyn was one of the
we thought that we need to do
big leaders who said that nobody
I could really feel his passion and his
something with politics, so we made
excitement about creating the 'Man
listens to the ordinary people.
him our 'Man Bites Dog' political
What we now see with the Dutch
Bites Dog' programme. I am looking
journalist. When there were elections,
forward to seeing his next
elections or with Trump being
he was always there. The political
elected, is that it is all about the
programme about cooking and
leaders all wanted to have some free
storytelling around the dinner table.
ordinary people being screwed.”
airplay or television time so they also
Actually this interview has given me
participated in our programme. Pim
a new perspective and some great
“With 'Man Bites Dog', we were
Fortuyn was doing silly things in the
saying that you forget the
ideas of how to evolve Community
programme and our journalist was
common people because we were
Spirit for the better.
asking silly questions, but the public
making the common people
liked it. But two days later Fortuyn was
important. And not outspoken,
killed.”
but we showed it everyday in our
people were thinking about
www.michaelabspoel.com.
programme, we showed what
“The game that Pim was playing was the
funny doctors game where you have to
politics or whatever. We just
move a metal gadget around a wire and
showed how beautiful the Dutch
everytime it touches it goes ‘Beeeeeb!!!’
people really are!”

So, I know I said that this month’s article would be
boxes, then 3…you get the idea. A while ago I
fund!) The grand sum of my gatherings, €187.50, not
I don’t know about anywhere else but in the UK
Now,
supermarkets have a Coinstar machine. For
most
unfamiliar with the concept, it is similar to a
those
machine into which you pour all of your copper
kiosk
silver after which you receive a coupon equal to
and
value of your coins minus 7%, which goes to a
the
charity. That coupon can then be used in
designated
supermarket or exchanged at the counter for less
the
papery currency. As I gather you have
weighty,
by now, no such Coinstar exists here. At
assumed
not one that I have found, and I have been
least
asking web searching.
looking,
my search, many people had advice as to how
During
dispense of said coin. Others got into arguments
to
how terrible it was that Spain “refused” to
about
such machines as Coinstar.
entertain
SPIRIT
COMUNITY
VALENCIA
of those arguments got quite dark and weird.
Some
an aside I found it bizarre that expats would argue
As
Spain would not allow foreign entities to enter
that
country, yet were very annoyed that Spain has
its
refugees to land on its shores, seeking a
allowed
away from their war-torn countries. Just saying!
home
digress. So, the advice given to rid myself of my coin
I
was thus:
collection
it into little plastic pipes and give it to the
Count
who will then credit my account.
bank,
MONEY MATTERS
PAGE 31
MONEY IS MONEY
W R I T T E N B Y D A V I D J A M E S
about the arguments against recycling but I have
found myself in a different kind of “recycling”
situation that I want to share.
Over my time here I have been tossing my change
into a wee box, after a while that box became 2
decided to separate the coins into denominations
and very recently I was inspired to count up my
Use it at tobacco machines in bars.
hoardings (to contribute to my electric scooter
Make small purchases using said coins
to be sniffed at!
Use it at the self-service machines at supermarket
Use it at the ticket machines for public transports

COMMUNITY SPIRIT E- MAGAZINE, JULY ISSUE
So, the first option is clearly the
easiest, I already have some of the
plastic pipes. However, having read the
other ideas I saw an opportunity to
have a little fun with it. The second
option was a write off as I haven’t
smoked a cigarette since August 2017
and, although I want one every single
day, this was not going to be the reason
for putting one in my mouth, lighting
that beautiful baby and sucking back on
its thick, delicious, devilish smoke
before exhaling it and sinking back into
my seat in absolute pleasure and a
little bit of guilt. God, I miss those
things!
The small purchases seemed to be the
best way forward. I try not to do a “big
shop” at the supermarket, purchasing
the essentials then buying the bits, veg,
wine etc from local shops. This was
very well received. I purchased food
for my dog, Gizmo, with a bag of 10€ in
20c. The owner couldn’t have been
more appreciative of the change.
Although, she is an absolutely
delightful woman who wouldn’t raise
her voice to someone who stamped on
her toe and called her very unsavoury
names. Next was a charcuteria. I made
a small purchase amounting to €3.60.
The owner made such a display of
thankfulness that I tried my luck and
dangled €15 in 10c and 20c in front of
her which she snatched out of my hand.
So far, so good.
Despite my reluctance to do the “big
shop” at the supermarket one of the
most common pieces of advice I
received was using the self-service
machines that some supermarkets have
available. This takes some
consideration. Which store? How
much? Other people! The latter being
my main concern. I was doing this to
get rid of the change I had
accumulated, not piss people off. I have
stood in the queue at a supermarket
whilst the people in front are handing
over coupons, paying in change,
changing their mind, realizing they
don’t have enough money, and talking
about family members and friends with
the clerk. I have realized that other
composed people in the queue, at these
times, are not exercising patience.
They are simply waiting for their
turn to talk about their family
members and friends with the clerk.
And so, there I was, pouring €35
worth of 1c, 2c, and 5c into a
machine at the Hipercor in
Campanar. One of the only
supermarkets I knew that not only
had the machines, but had eight of
them. Less chance to piss folk off,
right? NO! Within 5 minutes of me
arriving at one of the eight empty
machines available a queue began to
form. I was already getting funny
looks from the clerk attending to the
machines as I manically shoved the
copper into the slot. The few times I
had the guts to look up I was greeted
with glares of annoyance, confusion,
and some looks I had never seen
before and therefore had no way to
interpret what was going on in that
particular individual’s mind. The
horror finally ended and as I gleeful
walked off with my purchase, which
mostly consisted of deliciously
indulgent cheeses, I bade farewell
and a “muchas gracias” to the clerk.
She was not impressed and gave me
the dirtiest look I think I have ever
received from someone.
The ticket machine fiasco was very
short. I tried several times to pay for
my bonometro and broke several
machines doing so, including one
that proceeded to spew out ticket
paper. I quickly realized that the
machine would accept no more than
€2.50 in 5c before spitting it all out
in impatience and disgust.
What have I learnt from this
adventure? Firstly, get rid of my
change! I’m not sure why I
saved it all up in the first place
but I’m happy that I did. Second,
never be impatient whilst
standing in a queue ever again.
Third, there is a weird thing
that people have about coins.
Money is money! Why is it
important what denomination it
is in? For some it is a blessing,
for others a bane. Did the lass in
the Hipercor think I was some
sort of homeless dude who had
saved up all his pennies to buy
fine cheeses? Did she feel that I
had made her job difficult in
some way? I will never know!
I still have about €10 left in 1c
and 2c but the bulk of the work
is done. I ordered my electric
scooter on the weekend and am
looking forward to reaping the
rewards in a few days. My
advice to you all? Crack open
that piggy bank, empty that
oversized whiskey bottle, look
under your bed and down the
side of the sofa. We don’t have
many rainy days, certainly as
it’s summer, but go ahead, treat
yourself!

Moving to Valencia?
When it comes to the big move, you really
want to make it as less stressful as possible
because let’s face it, you’ve got a heck of a
lot of stuff and just the thought of getting it
from A to B can be a headache before you
start!
So if you have a family or if you live alone,
you’re going to need some professional help
just to make the experience a little bit more
fun! Yes, moving home doesn’t have to be a
grueling experience when you choose the
right man with a van.
David Smith is a name which keeps on
popping up in Facebook expat groups
whenever you see someone looking for a Man
with a Van. So this month instead of
researching different places in Valencia that
you can move too, I thought why not
experience what it’s like to do a move with a
professional English speaking removals
business based here in Valencia.
Speaking with David I discovered that he’s
been shuffling people and their furniture
around for a while now, either from areas in
the suburbs of Valencia or for people coming
from abroad to live here. So I decided to
work with him on one of his jobs to experience
what it was like and then write up my story
for Community Spirit Valencia.
Richard T. Voller
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

midday, when sun would really start to
move. It’s amazing just how much you can
beds, sofas, tables and chairs, plus loads
boxes, we also stacked in 13 bicycles, a
hot, that I wondered why the hell I’d
creams, just as I thought I was going
The Big Move Finally Arrives!
I arranged to meet David at the Repsol Petrol Station in Casinos at 8.30am. Of course he was on time, and we were
chatting all the way to our customer’s front door, which actually turned out to be a gate of a castle … or a least it
looked like one! So by the time that we stepped out of the van to meet everyone we felt in really high spirits.
The customer, a Scottish family who already moved to live in L’Eliana where now on the move to Naquera (on the other
side of Betera). Ruth was the woman in charge and Connon her son, had offered to give a helping hand.
I noticed that David is always very much on the ball, as soon as we walked into her home he wanted to know exactly
what needed to be moved. So we walked around the house, while Ruth explained the different things which were
either staying or going. I thought that David must have a photographic memory because I would need to write
everything down to remember it all! It certainly did remind me of the Generation Game, when later on I was trying to
remember all of the different things that were on the conveyor belt … cupboard in the children’s room, badminton set
in the garden, electric piano, BBQ, cuddly toy…
So there’s no time wasting with David, it’s just go, go, go! And OMG, we were working flat out! I remember that we
managed to move a washing machine, a bed, two mattresses, a sofa, a TV and lots of boxes from an apartment
building to our van parked outside and fully load it in under 45 minutes in the summer sun! And as an extra service,
without being asked, David kindly unscrewed a very tight nut on the dishwasher to detach the unit from the wall, ready
for the owners to sell it.
There were moments during the day,
So driving back and forth between L’Eliana
especially when it was getting really
and Naquera seemed to get shorter and
shorter on each trip. The main aim was to
decided to opt for this experience.
get all the really heavy items moved before
It’s really hard work, but the thing is
that we ended up working as a great
heat us up. I think it must have reached at
team with the customer and actually
least 35 degrees on the day of the big
they were no longer a customer, now
we’d all become friends. It was like
fit into a 13 cubic meter white van. As well
we were all just digging in and
as all the normal types of furniture such as
making the very best of our shared
time together and it was a really
great experience! Ruth, bless her,
home weight-lifting machine and a huge
even brought out the Magnum ice
basketball stand on the different trips!
to melt with sunburn.
And David is right up there with the Fair
Trading standards. I was impressed when
I have to admit that the thought of
at one stage we were so far ahead of
getting a washing machine up 20
ourselves that we thought we’d stop off for
steps at the front of the new house
a coffee and a tea, so that we could meet
was a bit daunting. But with David’s
Ruth back at the house at the time we’d
expertise and experience, we worked
agreed earlier. But he didn’t charge her for
together to quickly haul it up using
that time! Now that’s really rare.
the sack truck It was bish, bash,
bosh! Job well done!

eport, I realise even more, just how great the
SPIRIT
COMMUNITY
VALENCIA
MOVING TO VALENCIA?
PAGE 35
I learnt a few things from Connor as well. I’ve
never seen anyone look so surprised as when I
told him I didn’t know what a PS4 was! And
there was a lovely moment when Ruth invited
us to pick some fresh fruit from her garden. I
was amazed at the size of the fruit, lemons,
apricots and plums. Her daughter was so kind
as to show me the different trees and even led
me to an outside stone sink where I could
wash the fruit. It was just a nice family feeling.
I felt very grateful to be part of this wonderful
day helping them to move home.
I think we spent about 12.5 hours over 2 days,
moving everything from one place to another,
it really was a good way to get a suntan and
build up my muscles. But I can easily
understand why David has become so popular
in the community. Basically he really cares
about the quality of service that he offers, he’s
open and genuine, and considering his
approach to work, I think that his prices are
really good value for money.
Now sitting here at home and writing up my
community spirit is here in Valencia and what
a joy it is to be part of it.
Click on logo to access websites

City Centre Space for Rent
Calle Doctor Ferrán 13, located between
avenida Aragón and avenida del
Cardenal Benlloch next to the hotel
Puerta Valencia.
About 70m2
Charges are included : air conditioned,
wifi, water, electricity
We are renting, with its own entrance in the
street that can form a shop window of about
6m2, with its own electric shutter, half the part of
our property. This property looks like a U, the rent
concerns the left part of this U. In the rear room,
separated of the 2 branches of the U by 2
beautiful patios containing an olive tree and
plants, you can find 2 toilets that have to be
shared, one of them contains a shower.
The place for rent is very bright, 55m2,
ceiling height is about 3,35m. The patio is
16.50m. The common rear room of 20m2
eventually can be added to the rent, just
giving us the Access to the area that we now
use as a stockroom. The two of them are
70m2.
The place is completely renovated, bright,
smooth concrete floor, LED lights, water and
a place that can be used as a small kitchen
without smoke exit.
Conditions : 1 month of deposit + 1ºmonth:
TOTAL 1200 €.
CONTACT: JEREMY tel. 638 153 585

ANIMAL WELL-BEING
PROTECT YOUR
PET FROM
HEATSTROKE!
By Maria Lluch Barbera (veterinarian) & Laila Fletcher (trainee canine behaviourist)
WELL, SUMMER HAS BEEN A
LITTLE SLOW TO ARRIVE THIS
YEAR, BUT IT’S CERTAINLY
ARRIVED NOW WITH A BLAST!
AND WITH THESE
TEMPERATURES LIKELY TO
KEEP RISING, IT’S
IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THE
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL
WELLBEING OF OUR PETS.
Heatstroke is a dangerous rise in body
temperature (above 41 oC), that can
cause clinical shock, and proves fatal for
one in every three affected dogs. Dogs
are at risk because, unlike us, they have
very few sweat glands. The only sweat
glands they have are between the pads
on their feet, and these don’t get rid of
much heat at all, so the only other way a
dog can eliminate excess body heat is by
panting, which they do when their body
temperature rises above 39 oC.
Heat stress and heatstroke occur when a
dog’s body temperature continues to rise
above 39 oC, but it is unable to get rid of
the excess heat, and this can be fatal if
not recognised and dealt with quickly.

What are the symptoms of heatstroke?
In addition to excessive panting, there are plenty of other signs
that could indicate your dog might be suffering from heatstroke:
excessive drooling
breathing difficulty
panting is very noisy
dizziness/loss of balance
rapid or irregular heart rate
reddened gums and moist or gloopy eyes/nostrils
vomiting and diarrhoea
agitation/distress
tremors, seizure or loss of consciousness
Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, such as the Bulldog
(French/English/American), Boxer, Pug and many toy breeds,
are at particularly high risk. The reason for this is that in these
dogs the same amount of body tissue has to fit into a much
smaller muzzle than in longer-nosed breeds. This restricts their
airflow as well as their oxygen intake and prevents panting from
efficiently reducing their body temperature. Also at risk are very
young or elderly dogs, those with a medical condition, and those
with very thick fur. If your dog is one of the latter, you might be
tempted to give her a haircut, but her fur actually insulates her
from the heat as much as it does from the cold – without it she’ll
be unable to properly regulate her body temperature, and she’ll
be more susceptible to sunburn. Rather than an all-over haircut,
you could trim the abdominal area, so that she can better cool off
lying on the floor tiles. Also make sure her coat is wellgroomed,
and free from any knots and tangles so that air
can pass through it naturally.
What should I do if I think my dog is suffering from
heatstroke?
1. Take your dog to a cool and airy place, offer her fresh
water to drink, lay a cold wet towel over her or wet her
coat thoroughly. It is especially helpful to wet the ear
flaps, armpits, between the legs, and the paw pads. The
water should be cool, but not cold so that her peripheral
circulation isn’t reduced – her peripheral circulation is
essential for dissipating her body heat.
2. Get your dog to the vet immediately, as heatstroke can
cause multiple organ dysfunction.
An effective method to further reduce your dog's body
temperature is to soak it with alcohol instead of water.
Alcohol evaporates much more rapidly than water, taking
a significant amount of heat with it – this can help reduce
your dog’s temperature even more quickly.
Of course, prevention is always better than cure. In the
summer heat, air conditioning and fans may come to rival
your position as your dog’s best friend! Make sure that
you don’t exercise your dog during the hottest part of the
day.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT VALENCIA |
JULY 2018
19
This is not just to avoid the hot air temperatures, but ground surfaces
such as concrete and tarmac are even hotter, and your dog doesn’t
have protective shoes to prevent her pads becoming scorched and
blistered. Temperatures are lower in the evening, and the coolest
hours of all are first thing in the morning. Always ensure you carry
fresh water for yourself and your dog when you do go out for a walk.
There have been several reports in the news recently, both in Spain
and the UK, where owners have left their dogs (and in one case a baby)
in a parked car. This is never acceptable, not even if the windows are
ajar and the car is in the shade and is unfortunately often very rapidly
fatal. If the air temperature is just 22oC, the temperature inside a car
can rise to 47oC within an hour. With temperatures here this week in
the mid-30’s, even a few minutes in a parked car could cause your pet
significant cardiovascular distress. If you see a dog has been left in a
parked car here in Spain, call 091 immediately to alert Seprona (the
Guardia Civil division responsible for animal welfare). It can take just
6 minutes for a dog to die in a parked car.
What can I do to entertain my dog if it’s too hot to go out?
Your dog is likely to be much less energetic in this heat, so won’t need
as much exercise as normal, but there are plenty of things you can do
indoors to burn off any energy she has, or to prevent boredom. Ten
minutes of mental stimulation can actually burn off as much energy as
a half-hour run, and should be as regular a part of your dog’s routine
as physical exercise. You could play gentle games indoors with your
dog, give her some new toys to play with, train her to do some new
tricks, or give her some canine enrichment activities (heaps of ideas
are out there with a quick Google search, or check out the Canine
Enrichment group on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/groups/canineenrichment/). You could combine
enrichment with keeping your dog cool and make some canine
lollipops! Make use of your empty yogurt pots, by filling them with
water and a few dog treats and popping them in the freezer, or have a
peek here www.kongcompany.com/en-uk/recipes/ for some frozen
Kong stuffing tips. If you have a canine splash pool (or don’t mind a
hairy swimming pool!), there is also a wide range of toys available for
purchase that are designed for water-based doggie fun.
"...With temperatures here
this week in the mid-30’s,
even a few minutes in a
parked car could cause your
pet significant cardiovascular
distress. If you see a dog has
been left in a parked car here
in Spain, call 091 immediately
to alert Seprona..."
Overall, make sure your dog always has access to cool fresh water,
whatever the weather and plenty of shade/shelter to protect her from
the extremes. If you have any great ideas you’d like to share, then please
do share them with us all on the Community Spirit Facebook page!
Community Spirit Valencia

Y O U R L I T T L E B A L C O N Y : H E A L T H Y
T H I N G S I T C A N P R O D U C E
Written by Ray and Grace Foster
This month, as promised, are some helpful,
healthy uses for the things you’ve now been
growing on your Little balcony. Let’s start with
the Chili pepper rubbing oil I mentioned last
month. It’s very simple to make and is oh so
warming on a painful joint.
CHILLI PEPPER RUBBING OIL
10 FRESH CHILLIES.. with stalks cut off
2 CUPS COLD PRESSED OLIVE OIL…….Yep
that’s all you need… If you have one of those
old-fashioned meat grinders put the whole
Chillies through it… if not, just grate them on
the large holes in your grater… wash your hands
carefully, these are HOT!.. Simply just put in a
glass jar, and pour the oil over... Put the lid on
and keep in a dark place for a week, strain and
bottle... It really is that easy…..You can keep the
pepper mix in the fridge to oomph up a meal.
When you have a painful joint just massage a
small amount and feel the warmth spread all
through the area. Wash your hands very
carefully. Obviously if this oil causes a rash etc.
then the mix is not for you.
HOW TO AIR DRY PLANTS
Simply pick bunches, tie loosely or use a rubber
band, hang upside down so the essential oils go
down into the flowers and leaves… DO NOT
hang in direct sunlight but in a well-ventilated
area. After around 2 weeks the leaves will feel
dry and crisp. Strip from stems, crumble and
keep in an airtight, coloured glass container, or
in a dark cupboard.
REMEMBER…ALWAYS sterilize your glass
containers... Either wash carefully and put in the
oven on low setting for around 20 minutes or
put in the dishwasher on the hottest cycle.
Some recipes call for dried plants.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT VALENCIA / JULY 2018
40

COMMUNITY SPIRIT VALENCIA /
INFUSED LAVENDER OIL
Did you grow some on your balcony?.. If not, don’t worry
it grows wild all around our area of Spain. I'm going to
give you 2 methods, so choose which is best for you.
METHOD 1… Fill a glass jar about three quarters full
with dried Lavender and pour over Sweet Almond oil
(you can use veg oils too though Almond oils tend to feel
lighter and less greasy on the skin, it’s your choice) cover
with either cling film or the lid and keep in a lightly sunny
place, not full heat of sun! Can cover with a paper bag if
necessary, and keep for 4 – 6 weeks, after which strain
and keep in dark coloured bottles... You can always paint
your bottles lovely colours if they are plain glass! This oil
should keep well for at least up to a year.
METHOD 2…Collect a bunch of fresh Lavender, pulling
flowers off the stems, cut the stems into pieces, lightly
crush, and put into glass jar along with the leaves, don’t
pack too tightly, now fill jar with virgin olive oil right to
the top of jar so that when you add lid/ stopper/ cling
film it should touch the oil so there are no air pockets.
Stand on a windowsill in some sun for around a month,
shaking daily. Pour through a fine strainer or cheesecloth
into another jar squeezing the Lavender to make sure you
get as much of the lovely oil as possible. There are so
many uses for this oil… a few drops in your bath, rub a
little on aching muscles, put a few drops in your pets bath
water because it helps to kill fleas, ticks etc.
ROSEMARY INFUSED OIL
Although these oils are often called Sun Infused Oils, in
practice our sun here in Spain in an enclosed area like on a
balcony will be far too hot, so on a windowsill indoors
would be better.
This oil is made with dried flowers/leaves as before.
Lightly crush and put in a glass jar, fill with olive oil or oil
of your choice, making sure the herbs are well covered.
Stir well to disperse any air bubbles. Cap tightly and shake
once or twice daily. Leave for 2 or 3 weeks and strain.
Store in a cool, dark place. This should keep well for a
year.
Incidentally, ROSEMARY INFUSED OLIVE OIL makes an
amazing base for your homemade salad dressings.
Add 2 or 3 drops to your bath water. Add a few drops to
your shampoo bottle. ROSEMARY is anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic and has
traditionally been used for many hair problems in the
past. It stimulates hair growth, feeds hair follicles,
soothes scalp problems and is also helpful for Eczema and
Psoriasis.
This method works equally well with Thyme, and also with
Calendula flowers… remember edible Calendula must be
Calendula Officinalis… not the commonly known Marigold
If you’ve managed to grow some Calendula on your little
balcony here’s an easy recipe for a simple hair rinse.

CALENDULA HAIR RINSE
Freshly made for 1 rinse.
1 HANDFUL OF DRIED CALENDULA
1 TABLESPOON OF LEMON JUICE- OR. APPLE CIDER
VINEGAR. The vinegar smell will disperse very quickly
Pour 1 – 2 cups of boiling water over the Calendula, add
the lemon juice or vinegar and stand for around 20
minutes. Cool and strain and use to pour over your freshly
washed hair leaving it silky smooth.
SAGE HONEY
FOR SORE THROATS…1 Large bunch of fresh SAGE
LEAVES
RUNNY HONEY
Wash leaves and put in a pan with enough honey to cover
them, gently simmer on very low heat for around an hour.
Cool and strain into a jar. A fresh sprig of Sage in the jar
adds to your visual pleasure and also makes a useful gift. A
teaspoon in warm water will ease a sore throat.
ALOE VERA
We all know how brilliant it is for our poor sunburned skin,
and many of us also take it internally as a drink, but very
often, a good, completely natural Aloe Vera tends to be a
little expensive, so here’s an easy recipe to make your own
1 LARGE ALOE VERA LEAF
1 LEMON
2 CUPS OF WATER…As normal slice the leaf lengthways
and scoop out the gel. Cut it into pieces and put in a
blender with the water and the juice of the lemon. Blend
for around 40 seconds.
freshly made for 1 rinse.
Now strain through some cheesecloth….the little extra
time taken to do this is extremely worthwhile as it breaks
up the slight sliminess. This should last about a week in the
fridge… Drink a little after meals… if you want you can add
a tad of honey to your drink to offset the lemon
sharpness… how easy is that to make??? Definitely worth
growing a pot or two…..Until next month...
As always, Hasta pronto
Last of all this month is a plant we are all familiar with,
living in this hot sunny climate that we love, and is a plant
that I’m sure we have all used at one time or another, and
now, hopefully, you are growing one on your balcony too. It
is, of course ………
Grace Foster

Spanish bureaucracy
and language
getting you down?
Susana Diaz Esteban
PA &
Management
Legal assistance, conveyance, wills, translations on site, NIE,
residency, Architects, Town Halls, Self-employment Ltd
registrations and Accountancy
tax and Social Security registration and returns, etc
info@spanishrelocate.com
susana@spanishrelocate.com
Tel/Fax: 962792916 Mob / Whats App: 651407565

Health Awareness
Happy poops!
W R I T T E N B Y D I D I E R T H O M A S
All along my career as a masseur, I have seen
people with many problems and symptoms and I
can point out one particular symptom that I could
name the Mother of all symptoms: Fatigue. Or
Exhaustion, tiredness, weakness, lethargy,
lassitude. Well, in two fashion words: Low
Energy!
On Saturday morning after a beer-pouring night,
you may think: “Yes, I’m tired, I had too many
beers last night”. But, what if you’re suffering
from chronic fatigue without even noticing it?
Maybe something way more vicious and way
more discreet than this Alien from the 1979 movie
that scared the whole world – ranking just after
Jaws in 1975 – is sucking out your energy from
inside?
Sometimes, physical pains also exhaust you – as
many people can testify – and push you to stay
lying down the whole time you’re not working (if
you’re working lying down, you may not notice it,
though). Lying down in front of the TV, do you
remember the fight scene between Merlin and
the Witch in the Disney cartoon back in 1963,
The Sword In The Stone? They had two rules: 1) No chimera and 2)
No invisibility. They knew the reason: invisible, like bacteria and
parasites, can be mean and are the subjects of serious studies.
Here is some information about our tiny inhabitants. You won’t
look at yourselves in the mirror the same way! Eew!
The main difference between parasites and bacteria? We don’t
want any parasites in us, ever! Away we’d like them to be but
they’re hiding within what keeps us alive: food and drinks…
sometimes even in the air! According to the W.H.O (World Health
Organization), we are more than three billion generous people
allowing the parasites (all types) to live inside us without any
permission! Bad me, and I thought that the human being was a
selfish species! It starts very early when kids are in majority
tested positive at school, meaning that there’s a big chance we’ve
been carrying them all these years – both our best childhood
friends and best men. We accept them just like we silently accept
corruption in our society. Unless we’re doing a feces analysis
(pooh analysis) every payday of the month, there isn’t an obvious
event that’s going to ring our wellness bell when our (yes, it’s ours
now) parasite penetrates us discreetly. Starting small and
seemingly harmless like these tiny plants in the walls of the
Angkor Wat now destroying temples in Cambodia, they’ll start
ripping apart their hosts from within. Some of them are enjoying
our red cells and proudly singing: These Fingers are Licking Good!
Until anemia shows up = fatigue. Most of our diet is unbalanced
but some parasites will still eat what we eat until we suffer from
5 4 | C S V • J U L Y 2 0 1 8

undernutrition = fatigue. Oh! And others are organizing a
general garbage strike like the one in Toronto back in 2009,
making us as walking sewage = fatigue. And I could go on with
examples likes these for days!
Bad news: it’s impossible to avoid them. So, if one or several of
these 9 symptoms occur, it’s time to proudly show our stools to
a specialist: Sleeping problems, skin problems, fatigue,
symptoms of irritable bowel, digestive problems (food
intolerance – same symptoms than gluten intolerance!!! – and
stomach aches…), general inflammations (arthritis, muscle
cramps, swollen feet and hands…), loss of weight control,
mental disorders (stress and anxiety, depression, memory
loss…), reproductive problems (premenstrual syndrome, water
retention, cysts, menstrual irregularity, and urinary tract
infections). Even though I’m not a woman, it’s like I can feel all
of them now! I think we all understood the message: if we have
nothing to do next week during la siesta, let’s go to the poopyguy
for analysis!
become harmful to your body temple by stepping down
in front of an unbalanced diet that causes an unbalanced
population of bacteria. Did you know that 80% of the gas
formed in our large and small intestine, where the poop
is waiting to get ejected, is released through the lungs?!
Yes! Unbalanced bacterial populations = coated tongue
and bad breath! French kiss, no thanks! For instance,
some of these bacteria are heavy sugar consumers, like
kids are! Feed them and they’ll convince you to consume
even more sugar. They prevent sugar metabolism and
transform it into alcohol or vinegar. Dear Mary Poopins,
two spoons of sugar could produce bloated intestine!
Even worse, once the wrong bacteria’s colony outgrows
others, it will eat up our mucus (in an empty intestine)
which is made of sugar, and create hydrogen, the same
gas flying out from a fully charged car battery, hence
generating small intestine inflammation. Farts
prohibited! The vinegar itself will be fermenting salads,
cereals and legumes, causing acid reflux, pain on top of
the umbilicus, gastritis, oesophagitis, even tract lung
irritation through discreet signs. Some bacteria are also
Tryptophan eaters. No bacteria, no happiness!
Remember? Tryptophan is an amino acid in the large
intestine and is a precursor of serotonin and melatonin,
both responsible for happiness and good sleep! And
where is 80% of our serotonin is produced? Good guess,
in our large intestine! So now, get bacteria and parasites
tested for, get well-balanced, and have happy poops!
Wander around the Internet for smart and easy
solutions. Here is some interesting information.
www.medicalnewstoday.com
Good news: once your feces analysis is made and tested
positive, like almost 30% of the world population, treatments
are common for most of them. Some food can even prevent the
parasites from growing and proliferating. And your
intolerances and allergies may even disappear along with these
parasites! Gluten intolerance symptoms could be an example of
parasites feeding on gluten, making us weak. Eliminate the
gluten and you feel better, but eliminate the parasite and you
can eat gluten again!
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/small_intestinal_bacterial
_overgrowth/article_em.htm#facts_and_definition_of_sibo_s
mall_intestinal_bacterial_overgrowthl
Contact Details:
Name:Didier Thomas,
called Diego.
Nationality: Swiss.
Date of birth: 05 march
Now we know a bit more about our none-friends, the parasites,
let the bacteria take their place. There are reasons why
parasites and bacteria are in the same articles. The presence of
parasites can often offer the same symptoms than a bad
bacterial symbiosis. In opposition to the parasites, we need
bacteria! No bacteria, no happiness! However, if you leave your
bacteria without care, they can
1972
- 3 kids
Married
Trainer and
Profession:
at Kaikki
masseur
Massage.
Website:
www.kaikki4all.com
page: Kaikki
Facebook
Massage.

Travel
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
E-MAGAZINE
Death defying trekking and orangutan spotting
in Sumatra
Written by Helen Warriner
with the fast-flowing crystal
clear blue waters faintly
audible over the birdsong
and insect buzz, it creates a
beautiful back drop and
perfect setting for a swing
in the hammock and an
afternoon snooze.
My adventure to Indonesia (an
archipelago of only 17,000 islands)
began in Sumatra. With only 60 days
granted on the visa and a million
amazing activities and areas to
explore, it seemed most logical (and
highly optimistic) to start at the first
island and just work our way across.
Without my time stopping machine
however it quickly became apparent
the plan had a flaw. Sumatra is huge,
in fact it is the sixth largest island in
the world and despite sadly losing
almost 50% of its tropical rainforest in
the last 35 years, it boasts an array of
incredible wildlife and other than
Borneo, is the only place in the world
where you can find a wild orangutan.
We flew into the overly
underwhelming capital city of
Medan and local bussed it
(because it saved a whopping
fiver), sweatily bumping and
grinding our way over cobbled
potholes and against local
strangers, to arrive in Bukit
Lawang, a quaint village in
northern Sumatra built along the
side of a river (that I was clothes
off and straight into, on arrival)
and adjacent to a towering
rainforest.
The town is so peaceful it has an
effect that just makes you lazy and
sleepy,

PAGE 27
COMMUNITY SPIRT
E-MAGAZINE
with the fast-flowing crystal clear blue waters faintly audible over the birdsong and insect buzz, it creates a beautiful
backdrop and the perfect setting for a swing in the hammock and an afternoon snooze.
(Or in my particularly lazy case one day, an additional morning one for 4 hours). There is also little going on in terms of
nightlife and therefore average going to bed time is around 8 or 9pm, just to add to the vibe.
We awoke fresh and buzzing one Bukit Lawang
morning for a 2-day jungle trek (why am I paying
to voluntarily sleep in the middle of the jungle
again?). It was a real slog… up and down, up and
down, in extremely hot,humid and quite
dangerous conditions. I must have lost at least
2kg in sweat and almost died several times. On
one occasion I was very nearly a gonner as I
toppled sideways towards the edge of a steep
drop and am only here telling the tale because a
kind hanging vine obstructed my fall to death.
Climbing down was pretty hair raising
(especially after a night of rainfall) I felt like a
contestant on jungle gladiators, traversing
2-mile-long vertical tree roots and swinging on
vines. Alas we finally reached the camp (3
mosquito net covered mouldy mattresses under
a wooden roof laden with holes, a plastic bag
door and a tarantula).
They certainly weren’t lying when they said it was basic. The smoky
undrinkable water they provided meant that luckily, I didn’t require my
normal middle of the night toilet jaunt (screw wilderness weeing in the
pitch-black jungle, I actually have a (not now) secret fear of snake
bottom biting).
Within less than an hour of our 2-day trek, we spotted 2 orangutans.
Or should I rephrase ‘half of Bukit Lawang’ had and we joined the
small crowd in wooing and cooing over the beautiful orange beasts. I
felt a little cheated as my aim to go jungle trekking for 2 days was to
spot a truly wild orangutan, and somehow surrounded by one
hundred Nikons, the spotting didn’t feel so authentic. I was especially
disturbed by the feeding of bananas to the orangutans, who were
clearly accustomed to human interaction as they happily slapped out
their palm in anticipation of getting some grub. Back in 2015, the
rehabilitation centre located in the exact spot was closed and thus the
orange inhabitants are familiar with humans and explain their
proximity to the town and why they hang out in this particular area.
Controversial then is the question of whether feeding them is ethically
correct.

PAGE 27
Throughout the rest of the trek we spotted around 8 more of these gorgeous creatures, equally beautiful to their Bornean
cousins but Sumatran orangutans are paler with a longer beard and narrower face. I didn’t nearly cry when I saw one this
time (I did in Borneo) nor did I fall in love with one and want to run away and live in the jungle (also a past behavioural
trait). I did, however, laugh my head off at a cheeky baby haphazardly swinging through the trees doing loop the loops
and stealing caps, one of which he popped on his head backwards and scurried up the tree, much to the disappointment
of our guide who had just lost his favourite hat. I also had a chuckle at his mother who, all the while, seemed to be
entertaining herself by playing the drums with sticks.
Northern Sumatra holds the largest lake in South
East Asia (and the largest crater lake in the
world) that was created due to a volcanic
eruption of Mount Toba 74,000 years ago. The
eruption was so catastrophic that it affected the
whole planet, wiping out 60% of the human
population and changing the worlds weather
forever. In the middle of the lake stands a great
volcanic island the size of Singapore; an island
within an island!
The island is inhabited by the Batak people who
traditionally live in a distinct, curved roof, style
house and are predominantly Christian. The
locals are easy going and friendly and I thought
the kids were nice and cute (until they gave us
the finger and started gesturing a vigorous hand
motion towards their genitals on our departure).
The island is very green and boasts some
incredible views that we enjoyed from a motorbike (sorry mum) whilst
lapping up the chilled vibe and slow pace of life. Apparently, the
island was popular in the nineties with “hippies” coming to get off
their head on mushrooms and take advantage of the lack of policing.
We politely declined many offers of mushrooms, even from the lady
wearing a pink mickey mouse nightie with a large stick in her hand
who started chasing us down the street.
Lake Toba is stunning, and I don’t understand how it isn’t a more wellknown
spot on a traveler’s bucket list. Despite the random encounters
with locals (including the impromptu show we received on the
balcony by a group of school kids wanting to practice their English
whilst I’m embarrassingly sunburnt and feeling nakedly inappropriate
in my skimpy bikini), it is the perfect spot for some peace, natural
beauty, a bit of culture and lots of amazing photo opportunities.
www.joyfuloverlander.com

PAGE 25
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
VALENCIA E-MAGAZINE
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
available in Valencia
From around 20 to 25 years old, due to our lifestyle habits, polluted air, stress, poor nutritional diets, drug
abuse and many other reasons, our bodies begin to change naturally with the loss of our thinnest and
smallest blood vessels (capillaries) in many parts of our body, and the consequences are that we don’t get
enough of the necessary nutrients and oxygen which we need for the metabolism of all the cells in our
body.
So our skin starts to deteriorate and each day we get tired faster when doing things. The more bacterial and
microbial attacks we have, the more we are weakened. Sometimes it disturbs our sleep and so we end up
taking pills, changing our diet or doing a lot of sports, trying to change things.
But there is a therapy which can treat the root problem: OXYGEN HYPERBARIC THERAPY
Until now, this technology was too expensive for people in Europe, only for the privilege of the medical
world in some hospitals treating diseases or serious injuries. But it is a natural therapy that can really be
preventive for many problems and diseases. Why?
Under pressure, oxygen is not only captured by red blood cells and white blood cells, but it dissolves and is
stored in all our body fluids. The first consequence affects cell metabolism, starting with vascular
regeneration that will re-feed each cell of our body. And thus optimize the energy and the complete vitality
of our body, strengthen its defenses and prevent many disorders and diseases.
HBO has the effect of delaying natural degeneration such as arthritis and Alzheimer's disease.
For more medical information about HYPERBARIC OXYGEN (HBO)THERAPY, check out these links:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3058327/
http://www.hyperbaric-chamber.ca/about.html
https://maisonsaine.ca/sante-et-securite/loxygenotherapie-hyperbare-nouvelle-arme-contre-les-maladiesneurologiques-et-environnementales.html
You can call Benoît Roul, Director of Delta o2 Valencia, on mobile: 00 34 638 15 35 85 to arrange an
appointment and get more information about HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY (HBOT) at Delta o2 in
Valencia.
Location address: Delta o2, Calle del Doctor Ferrán, 13, Valencia, Spain
Further information:
Delta o2 are official distributors of hyperbaric oxygen chambers for Spain
and also for France. We can also provide a financing system for customers
who wish to purchase our products.

from members of the Facebook group for
Feedback
Spirit was used for the content of this article.
Community
COMMUNITY SPIRIT VALENCIA - JULY 2018
The
Mozzies
Are Back
WRITTEN BY RICHARD T. VOLLER
This year in Spain the common
mosquito seems to be getting a
little bit more blood thirsty than
usual and in the last few years its
got a new friend, the Tiger
Mosquito (Aedes Albopictus),
which is native to South East Asia
but can now be found here too.
So as I’ve had a terrible time coping
with an avalanche of Mozzies in my
neck of the woods, I decided to
share a post in the Community Spirit
facebook group and see if anyone
else was been eaten alive by these
little insects and if they knew of
any good natural remedies for
dealing with them?
I was quite surprised by the
feedback I got because of the
diversity of the answers which
ranged from some people not
getting stung at all to others having
swollen hands because the bites!
Also the number of different
natural remedies recoomended was
vast.
Here is a list of all them with my
feedback.
Eating raw garlic (suggested by
Alexandra Paredes)
Now this was an easy one to start
with and although the taste is
quite sharp to eat by itself, I did
find myself adding more fresh
garlic to my cooking and salads.
Now it’s become part of my
everyday diet.
Tea tree oil to dab on after the
bite as it calms the itching and
act as an antiseptic (Fiona
Botham)
Luckily I still had some tea tree oil
in my medicine cabinet and
actually there is a healthcare shop
in Casinos opposite the vets and
there is another good one in
L’Eliana where you can buy it too.
For a little 10ml bottle it is quite
expensive, about Euro 10,
although you can buy it cheaper
online via Amazon. But I’ve
always found it a soothing natural
remedy for many things and it was
perfect for my mozzy bites.
Citronella essential oil for oil
burners and as a candle
(Clodagh Walsh)
I found that the candle
version is always a bit
annoying as it never seems to
burn properly, or only burns
half the candle. I was able to
get the essential oil from a
Chinese shop and I do prefer
oils as they seem to be more
effective.
Mosquito nets on windows
and fans on the ceiling
(Clodagh Walsh)
For this experiment I wasn’t
about to start paying out vast
amounts of money to have a
ceiling fan fitted, but I did
have a portable Jetrad fan
which I keep facing me by the
side of my bed. As well as
keeping me cool, I suppose it
just blows the mozzies away!
Simple solutions are
sometimes the best!

PAGE 61
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
E- MAGAZINE
Marmite every day for up to
month (Grace Foster)
The television advert in the UK
used to say, “My mate Marmite.
You either love it or you hate it!”
Well I love it and it seems like
mozzies hate it! I’m stocked up
on it now, I’d forgotten just how
much I love this stuff. It’s only
been a week now, but it’s
definitely working.
Flowers: Allegedly they don’t
like geraniums (Anne E Duguid )
I’ve put geraniums in pots by the
front door, on the porch and also
some by the eating area at the
back of the house. When sitting
outside eating my Marmite on
toast and having a citronella
candle lit dinner with a friend, I
have to admit that the mozzies
don’t seem to come anywhere
near us.
Hypnosis to help with allergic
reactions to bites and swelling
(Anne E Duguid )
So far I haven’t had any allergic
reactions to bites, but it’s good to
know that if you do, then Anne
(based in the area of Valencia) is the
person to get in contact with.
Brewers yeast tablets are a good
source of Vitamin B. Apparently
Mozzies don’t seem to attack high
Vitamin B people Mike Harmon and
Glen Lawes )
I haven’t been able to get hold of
Brewers yeast tablets so I can’t give
any feedback on this. Mike did
mention that as Vitamin B is water
soluble, you can't overdose on it, you
just pee out any excess but that also
means that your body can't store it.
Marmite is a source of B vitamins but
the brewers yeast tablets are more
concentrated and more effective.
Eucalyptus essential oil is a natural
repellent, lavender essential oil to
ease the bite/sting, and heal the skin.
(Victoria Koshoni and Chloe Bright )
I always like to have eucalyptus oil in
my medicine cabinet but never
thought about using it as a natural
repellent. It’s funny how you put things
into boxes. But it does seems to work
very well, but then again I am eating
Marmite, and raw garlic whilst sitting
on my porch surrounded by geraniums
Put a warm spoon on the bite. The
heat neutralizes the protein in the
venom that causes the itch. Or use a
cigarette lighter for immediate relief
(Laura Free Wheeler/USA)
I can’t help thinking that a cigarette
lighter might cause a number of other
side effects and which I’ll need to put a
new post up in the Community Spirit
facebook group page.

PAGE 62
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
E-MAGAZINE
Buy some mittens that’ll stop
you scratching the bites (Cheryl
Morton )
It good to see that things are
becoming a little bit easier to
test. The only drawback to this
one is that it’s quite
uncomfortable wearing mittens
in the summertime.
Vinegar in water in a spray
bottle .. It soothes the itch plus I
have not had any more bites
since I started using it! (Janice
Parker)
Yes!! Loved this one. I bought
some white wine vinegar from
the local supermarket in Villar
for a very cheap price and added
water. Now I’ve got the spray
bottle sitting in the living room,
although I hardly ever use it
now. But it’s there just in case!
Lastly, but not least place an x
with your naiks and of your
saliva as soon as possible
(Izabela Amsterdam)
I don't know about this one
Izabela Amsterdam ... I must
admit... it does sound a bit weird
... are you sure it works? But
anyway, it did make me laugh.
Thank you.
Conclusion
I’ve tried out as many as I can or
dared too! But now I am not
getting stung at all! The thing is
that I can’t pinpoint the exact
one which is doing the best job
and maybe it might be that using
them all together in a more
holistic healing approach is best!
But anyway, it was a lot of fun
doing the research and testing.
Aura Paiting Weekend Retreat
People often ask me if it is Paiting or Painting? And I reply that there is no pain in aura paiting!
That’s a simple way of saying that aura paiting is really good for your heart and soul, it’s
relaxing, it’s energizing, it’s healing!
One of the ultimate ways to
experience Aura Paiting is at home
Hapi Zen sanctuary which is deep in
the countryside near the mountains
of Valencia. Aura Paiting is an inner
experience, so being in a peaceful
place in harmony with nature, is one
of the best possible ways to truly
experience it.
Also during the retreat you have
plenty of time for self-awareness and
time to talk with me about what you
are experiencing.
Click on the logo to discover more
about this authentic and unique
experience.

FOR
DOGS
ADOPTION
From the Pedralba shelter:
REX is a German Shepherd cross,
who spent years living as a stray
in the campo with a female
companion. Together they had
several litters of puppies, and
when we found out about them we
rescued them all together. The
puppies have all been adopted,
and Rex and his friend Neus are
now getting used to being around
people. Rex is a lively boy,
although he’s a little shy of people,
as he spent so long living rough.
He’s gaining confidence, and
learning that people are not going
to harm him. He’s very wellbehaved,
gets on well with other
dogs, and walks impeccably on
the lead. He’s looking for a family
that understands his background,
and has the patience to help build
his confidence – they’ll have a
faithful friend, and will be giving
him the chance he’s never had.
He needs time, love and stability.
Naturaleza y Animales (Pedralba)
Tel: 644 439 665 (Spanish),
680 790 059 (English)
Email:
naturalezayanimales@gmail.com
Social media:
www.facebook.com/naturaleza.animales

FOR
DOGS
ADOPTION
From the Pedralba shelter:
LAIKA has not been with us long.
Her family moved abroad and left
her with another family, where
she had a litter of puppies. The
family then sold their house,
taking all the puppies with them,
but they abandoned Laika,
leaving her tied to the fence with
no food or water! Luckily the new
house owners arrived and found
her, but could not keep her as
they were only here for holidays.
She is about 7 years old, very
sweet, loving and trusting, and
gets on well with other dogs.
laika
Do you remember Rusty and Jazz
from the April issue? They are
both now really happy and settled
in their FURever homes!
Ṅaturaleza y Animales (Pedralba)
Tel: 644 439 665 (Spanish),
680 790 059 (English)
Email:
naturalezayanimales@gmail.com
Social media:
www.facebook.com/naturaleza.animales

FOR
DOGS
ADOPTION
From the Villar shelter:
SIRO is a 2-year old Breton
Spaniel, who just wants nothing
more than cuddles and affection.
When he’s out and about he runs,
plays and bounds around with
endless energy! He’s very
sociable with other dogs, and is
looking for a family that would
love to take him for the long walks
he so much enjoys. He is positive
for Leishmaniasis, a
Mediterranean disease we wrote
about in the December issue –
with regular veterinary check-ups
it is a very manageable disease.
Siro
Tel: 657 645 727 (Spanish), 622
089 461 (English
Social media:
www.facebook.com/protectoraanimalesvillar

FOR
DOGS
ADOPTION
From the Villar shelter:
TINTIN is a 2-year old Bodeguero
(similar to a Jack Russell Terrier),
who was rescued from a puppy
mill, where he never received
cuddles or any other show of
affection. Bit by bit he has gained
in confidence, and the gorgeous
boy that he is, is emerging from
within. Tintin is now able to show
that he’s incredibly affectionate,
sociable and very playful. He’s
looking for a family that
understands his background, and
why he’s a little shy of people he
doesn’t know.
Tintin
Tel: 657 645 727 (Spanish), 622
089 461 (English
Social media:
www.facebook.com/protectoraanimalesvillar

Not in a
position to
adopt?
Your help in any of the following was is always
much appreciated!
Fostering provides a temporary home for those animals that may not
cope very well in a shelter environment. It also leaves a space available in
the shelter for another.
Volunteering activities are always welcome, as shelter staff often care for
the animals in their spare time, whilst holding down full-time work
commitments. You could help with walking, grooming and socialising the
animals, with cleaning and maintenance work, with organising and
attending fundraising events.
Donations are crucial to the survival of animal shelters, as very few
receive any funding from the authorities. Financial donations help cover
veterinary and upkeep costs, which can rapidly mount, as shelters need
to cover costs of vaccinating, microchipping, neutering/spaying and
treatment for medical conditions before an animal can be rehomed.
Donations of food, blankets, collars, toys, etc. are also always needed.
Sharing the animals up for adoption with your friends, as well as
fundraising events, means that more people may want to help, and more
animals find their new homes.
C O M M U N I T Y S P I R I T | P A G E 5 7

AURA
PAITING
There's no pain in aura paiting
@
MANDALA CAMPING
FESTIVAL
I T ' S P O S S I B L E W I T H R I C A H R T

GETTING LOST AT
MANDALA
CAMPING
FESTIVAL
It's been about five years since I last did a festival in the
Netherlands and it's been about six years since I did my
aura paiting at a campsite. So as you can imagine, it was a
really fantastic feeling to be back!
Ruud van Lieshout came out to collect me from the airport,
funny guy with a great awareness of people's personalities. I
think the funniest moment was getting lost when we
arrived at the campsite while asking people where the 'Lost
Travellers Tribe' was?
P H O T O B Y M A R I T B I E S M A N
No sooner had I arrived, than I was made to feel very
welcome by the Rotori's who were the main organizers of
the 'Lost Traveller's Tribe', as well as the people from the
'Huis Kamer', Alex the audiovisual artist, Femke Slotman
from the vegan kitchen and Evan Shields from America!
It was a very special community feeling throughout the
festival actually, I met so many fascinating people of all ages
and from all walks of life, even bumped into Tirso Francés
again! I must have painted about 70 beautiful auras of
radiating souls, one of which was Kathy de Graaf (photo at
the bottom).
P H O T O B Y M A R I T B I E S M A N
So I wish to give special thanks to Alba Otten Hernández
who organized everything so well for my arrival at the
festival and also for Lena Anglen and Marcel Mingers for
manifesting such a fabulous experience. Definitely one of
the best festivals in the Netherlands now.

EMAZINE MEDIA
Community Spirit Valencia e-magazine is published by
eMazineMedia.
Community Spirit Valencia e-mazine
For more information, please visit his website:
COMMUNITY SPIRIT VALENCIA
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourcommunityspirit
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https://www.facebook.com/ThisIzYourLife
Colofon
Design: eMazineMedia
Editor-in-Chief: Richard T. Voller
Transcribing of interviews: Lynne Bygrave
Proofreading: Lin McNally
Front cover photo: Farmer from 'Man Bites Dog' TV programme (Holland)
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