Book issuu

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BEHIND THE EYES GIBRALTAR

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BEHIND THE EYES GIBRALTAR

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The Editoral Production Team Perspective Members Adrianne Santos Alessandro Chincotta Alex Ellul Anna Buhler Arianne Olivera Julia Horne Julia Marsh Kalib Falconer Megan De Haro Paula Rugeroni

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the authors.

Copyright PERSPECTIVE ISBN: 978-1-919663-52-4

First Edition 2017

Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at time of press, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause

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BEHIND THE EYES GIBRALTAR

Dedicated to the people of Gibraltar

In this book, are stories told by People of all backgrounds and walks of life, all with radically different tales.

They will move you, change you and hopefully entertain you.

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A big thAnk you to...

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CONTENTS 3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

John Sciacaluga Ashleigh Coombes Claire Nuñez Richard Dorsey Barbara Sellors Jackie and Derek Aimee Gabay J oseph ‘Pepe’ Olivera Roy Chipolina Steven Walker Damien Broton Louise Maclaren Gillian Guzman Angela Caetano Anon Lauren Linares Annett Martinez Patrick Murphy Anon Adrian Pozo Anon Kane Avellano Kaiane Aldorino Lopez Katy Chessewright Tony Offley Jonathan Lutwyche Seth Galia Vincent Joe Caruana Paul Moody Bennie Brinkman Patricia Lutwyche Anon Sean McGlashan Marlene Dalli

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

Nicole Britto Steven Hermida Steven Hermida Kayley Mifsud Jane Hart Pepe Palmero Kristian Celecia Charles Bishop Liam Bryne Deepak Ramchandani Arthur Chincotta Ewen Maclean Bertha Dyer (De Soto) Anon Edward Davis Dan Teuma Shaun Zamit Jan Bühler Manar Bentahayekt Stephanie Finlayson Nathan Stagno Sean Cawood Steve O’neil Karim Schembri Chris Walker Christian Hook Leon De Roeck Ryan Wang Peter Schirmer Rachel Martinez Martin Hale Anon Claire Borrell Krishna Khubchand Nicola Howes 1

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PersPective

In our book, we try to change the way people see each other; to keep reminding ourselves that everyone's life has a story to go with it.

We all go through good and bad times, and some of these truly define who we are.

Our everyday actions, how we see the world and how we live our life are based on what we have experienced and felt.

2

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102 on the rocks A local Gibaltarian who has just celebrated his 102nd birthday

"I go down to the Regiment Association Club every morning at 11. There, I drink 2 glasses of my favourite drink, brandy, and smoke a couple cigars I've also never been on medication; the important thing is not to inhale the smoke. Once I get home, I sit down with my lovely view of the bay and my 6 year old canary, Melody, whilst enjoying a glass of red wine. At 102 people expect to eat little, yet I consider myself having a normal enough diet like rice and wine. I was born in 1916, and when people ask, ´what's the secret to living till 102?´ I'm not really quite sure what to say. I celebrated my 102nd birthday in March with a party in my house and I want everyone to make it to my 103rd, I will be putting an ad out in the newspaper and everything.” .

As we interviewed John, he sipped on a glass of brandy throughout. John also kindly invited us to his house on March 8th to celebrate his birthday with his bird, Melody and a couple of bottles of brandy.

- JOHN SCIACALUGA -

3

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unPAid work is just As fulfilling A Behaviour Support Officer at St Bernadette´s

“People always ask me why I spend around 5 hours of my week volunteering and taking part in unpaid work. I actually don’t know the answer. I really enjoy doing things that benefit others, as it isn’t just what I do for others but what I gain from doing so; the experience as well as valuable life lessons, which makes it worthwhile. Overall it’s all extremely rewarding.

During my last year at university, I climbed Kilimanjaro for Meningitis awareness; which is probably my biggest achievement in life thus far.

This is the reason I started doing charity work with vulnerable adults and young teenagers. One of my friends contracted Meningitis and after seeing a poster in my university promoting this awareness, event she really wanted to participate in it. I supported her by also participating. Before the climb we each needed to raise £2,700, which, as you can imagine, was challenging but thanks to social media and the generosity of different people we managed to raise the money. The sponsorship came from numerous bake sales, as well as personally taking part in charity runs and bungee-jumps. However, the hardest part of the fundraising was obviously climbing Kilimanjaro as I almost died of Hypothermia!

It took a total of five days to climb the mountain, after all it is the tallest mountain in Africa.We began in the rainforest and found ourselves in a desert terrain the following day. Due to the heat we started the hike in our summer gear but by the time we reached the top of the mountain the temperature dropped to -20 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, it was worth it. Witnessing how content the people in Africa were with the little they had opened my eyes to how ungrateful many of us are, always greedy for more. I then decided to take a gap year after finishing my degree, but I wanted my travelling in that year to have a purpose and not just consist of spending money without doing anything valuable. I contacted an agency and volunteered in an orphanage in Cambodia for a couple of weeks.

There, I began to teach the children English, which seemed crazy as none of the children spoke a word of English nor did I speak any Cambodian. The children I taught there were all so eager to learn and extremely enthusiastic about going to school, which is not usually the case here.This once again opened my eyes to how often we take things for granted here in Gibraltar. I learnt as much from the children as they did from me.Their values in life were simple but truly inspirational as they lived on love. I have learnt a lot about others and myself through charity work.

You cannot put a price on this valuable experiences and the knowledge gained through interaction with other people. More so, those individuals who may be lacking in the materialistic world we know of, but are blessed with huge families, love and integrity.”

- ASHLEIGH COOMBES -

4

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AlwAys better yourself A P.E. Teacher at Westside School and a sports enthusiast

“I am a teacher, which is quite a difficult occupation itself, especially in Gibraltar, as people are always observing everything that you do.

Everyone expects you to follow a certain role meaning that as a teacher you have to uphold the person you are in school, outside school as well. I strongly believe that my work life and my life after school hours can be different. However, not many people outside of the teaching profession agree with this idea. A good example of this is the comments that were posted on social media when I entered Miss Gibraltar in 2014. Due to the fact that there were a couple of students who entered the same year I did, many people felt I should not enter as they believed that a student and a teacher should not be competing. However, they too were women in their own rights which meant that we all had an equal right to enter the pageant, regardless of the negative comments.

As a teacher you try to instill important values onto your students: as they see you as a role model when competing in beauty pageants.

I see it as fulfilling the same kind of role as you are also a role model within society - a good example of a strong woman to others. Many people feel that pageantry is outdated, but I disagree. Pageantry makes you push yourself in all aspects, mentally and physically. I believe that an all-rounded role model should be intelligent and involved in charity work that goes on in society, not neccesarilly fitting the stereotype of ‘the perfect woman’, so long as you are strong-minded you can carry yourself well. I believe that you should be the best version of yourself, which means competing against youself, and not others, to be the best version of yourself. I pushed myself physically, actually ate more than I do now, as beauty pageants are not about starving yourself to look good onstage. Another negative that is often associated with pageantry is the question ‘Who are the judges to say that one contestant is better than another?’ However, this is a minor aspect of beauty pageants as even though I was crowned second princess I did not feel that I was less valuable that the person who won the title. So long as you use experiences, like my own, to learn and grow as a person the result of a pageant is insignificant.

A contrasting side to my teaching career and involvement in pageants, I am a massive sports enthusiast. This year I decided to restart my interest in football as even though netball is my main sport I wanted to better myself. The league has been growing over the years, with the encouragement of female participation since there are three female teams in Gibraltar. Sports plays a big role in my life as I also coach an Under 21 netball team and last year´s Under 17 team who managed to win gold at the European Netball Championships.”

- CLAIRE NUÑEZ –

before & After A comA Survived a car crash

“I was 18 when I had the crash and I was 19 when I came out of the coma. For me, it was fine but for my family and friends it must have been torture. Before the crash I was a DJ in Puerto Banus so I made decent money. I don’t really feel like I changed that much as a person after the crash. My thoughts are my thoughts and they will always stay the same.When I would go through town after the crash people I had known for many years wouldn’t even look at me. I felt ashamed, not for me but for them. That’s no way to treat a disabled person or anyone for that matter. When I was in the coma I could hear my mother talking in the background and when I got out I was confronted with many strong and complex feelings that I couldn’t even begin to describe. When I was in the coma, to try and show people that I could perceive them, I would begin to cry. I learnt how to do everything for myself all over again. I was almost completely paralysed after the coma and I started by just moving my little finger until bit by bit I gained more and more mobility.”

- RICHARD DORSEY -

5

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A leAP in the dArk First woman president of the local Rotary Club

“My Gibraltar story starts in 1988 when my husband and I and our two sons arrived for an extended stay. My husband is a Chartered Accountant and I was teaching in a Further Education College but we had been running a hotel in Sussex and just sold it. We wanted a rest and thought we might take a year or so off and have a bit of an adventure before either of the boys started GCSE. We had met the family running the Piccolo Bistro in Catalan Bay whilst on holiday in the Canaries and were fascinated by their stories of Gibraltar. We came to take a good look at half term, February 1988, and liked what we found.

Then the SAS killed three members of the Provisional IRA but undeterred we arrived at Easter 1988. I flew in with our younger son whilst my husband and elder son drove here with a car packed to the roof with luggage! My younger son and I checked into the Elliot Hotel, or White’s as it was then. Next day we set off on foot to hire a car. I crossed the border and hired one in Spain then drove it to our hotel, a journey that still scares me a little today. We then set about finding a place to live.

I’ve been thinking about the things that left an impression on me from 1988 and in particular the things that have changed significantly over the years between then and now. One is the availability of accommodation. In 1988 we were only shown three properties. Some people were living in very cramped conditions, even sharing bathrooms with other families and perhaps Connie was in her cama en el comedor. Decamping to the beach everyday in Summer was a way of escaping the cramped conditions at home, a habit that has died hard. Nowadays although we think there is still a limited supply there is such a variety albeit much more expensive. I recall a one-bedroomed flat in Watergardens in 1988 was under £40,000 but now are over £250,000. Properties were also quite old-fashioned in 1988 compared with UK. The border had only been fully open for three years so a lot of refurbishment began to take place as people found it easier to source new materials and furnishings. Spain was very attractive in this respect and a lot of Gibraltar residents bought there; including us, to escape to at weekends. I also recall that another reason people wanted to go into Spain at weekends was that there was relatively little to do in Gibraltar. In fact, whilst the border was closed, Gibraltarians became very good at creating their own entertainment – and still are - but going to restaurants, bars and clubs in Spain was a huge novelty. Parents worried about what their children were up to in Spain, however, and, of course, there was always the risk a young person would acquire a Spanish girl or boyfriend. Gradually over the years there have been more and better restaurants, bars, clubs and general entertainment in Gibraltar and less people are leaving Gibraltar to spend their leisure time in Spain.

The work situation in the late 80’s was different too. Many of the managerial posts in banks and businesses generally were filled by expats from UK. But over the last 25 years or so more and more local people have taken these jobs. One of the best things Gibraltar has done has been to provide the means for young people to take up University places in UK. Then, later removing the requirement to come straight back here to take up employment locally. The result has been that many new graduates stay on and work for a few years in UK, gain experience and then return bringing their newly acquired skills and experience with them. One of the signs of increasing prosperity for people in Gibraltar is the acquisition of a car. In 1988 the roads were in a poor state and what cars there were, were not all the new top of the range models you see today. “Rock Runners” were common and you could park practically anywhere, double, even triple parking was common. You just left your keys in the ignition and if you had blocked someone in who need to get out before your return they could move your car and go on their way. We have more stringent parking rules now and fines and clamping are used to enforce regulations but car ownership has increased hugely. I believe are over 40,000 vehicles on the Rock nowadays. That is more than one for every man, woman and child. Parking provision has increased too, as we all want to drive to our destination despite the frequent free bus services.

Finally, one of the things that impressed me most when I arrived in 1988 was the friendliness and open-mindedness of the people. Having been closeted for 15 years between 1969 and 1984 I would have expected more reserved people but oh no. We were welcomed with open arms, invited out for meals and to join clubs and greeted in the street. I also discovered how resourceful people had become during those 15 years: travelling far and wide for work, using the Gib to Tangier to Algeciras ferry route and the flights of Yogi Bear, as the Gib-Tangier flight was nick named. The Bland Group as GB Airways maintained air connections with UK throughout the closed frontier period, demonstrating Gibraltarians’ tendency to make good of bad situations. They grew the airline business from two to sixteen aircraft by 2008 eventually operating 44 routes out of UK. I also heard one tale of a young man who found work in Estepona. He would sail in his dinghy towards Gibraltar and his girlfriend, still living on the Rock, would swim out to meet him.

I have been lucky to have worked in Gibraltar in shipping, estate agency, financial services and finally for the past almost, 16 years in property development. Helping create Ocean Village, a business I am very proud to have assisted in expanding it to what it is today, a highly successful residential, marine, commercial and entertainment centre. I am very newly retired so life is now centred more on home, family and charity work. I was a founding trustee of Childline and have been an active member of the Rotary Club since 2002, it´s first woman member and President in 2004-5.”

- BARBARA SELLORS -

6

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A romAnce is on At the cinemA A couple who have been together since they were teenagers.

"Back then Friday nights as they do now, didn't really exist. The clubs and the parties that go on now were for much older people. At the time we were fourteen and instead, every Sunday at half six, like a ritual almost, all of us went down to the Regal Queens Cinema and met up there.

A whole bunch of teenagers meeting at the cinema at the same time, not a very good idea; it got rowdy sometimes. We suppose it made the films much more enjoyable to watch. To watch a film back then it was affordable; 15 pence only! That is where we met each other, 45 years ago.

We were 14 and as a form of dating, we did homework together which was not not exactly romantic I know but we also went to the weekend matinees that used to go on here. We would stayed on a call with each other forever. The calls until the 1980’s were paid by the government, not the people, so we could stay talking as long as we liked. We were together five years and married at 19. Honeymoons weren't like as they are now; we went on a bus visiting a few capitals, and not for very long. Now it has been our 40th anniversary and we went all the way to Singapore. We are very lucky to have the money to go on trips like this and thankfully we see more and more people with the money to go on a truly special honeymoon.�

- JACKIE AND DEREK -

7

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how to fill in the gAPs...

A Gibraltarian currently on her gap-year

“Following the announcement of my gap-year I was confronted with a million questions ultimately demonstrating the narrow mindedness - of the country I live in: "Why wouldn’t you just go to uni? You have plenty of time to travel later on in life. The world is unsafe, there's too much going on in the world for a young, eighteen year old girl to be travelling on her own." Clearly, they didn't understand and they weren't prepared to either. I would lay it out quite simply for them - I am in no rush to complete my formal education, I much prefer being one hundred percent certain that the degree I am aiming for is the one for me and the one they like to hear least, I'd like to know that I've carried out some sort of life-altering experience before I fall into the daily grind of a 9-5 monotonous work routine. Also I’d have to start making important life decisions. Other questions I was often asked were “Why Asia? That is crazy what happens if you go missing? They eat dogs there! Why so far away?

What's so special about Asia?" You see, for a young backpacker like myself the tight budget is the main navigation system of the entire journey.

The Southeast of Asia especially is an extremely cheap part of the continent with a variety of landscapes from mountains to beaches and waterfalls, caves and an abundance of wildlife you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else in the world. Most importantly however what drew me to Asia the most was the opportunity to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary that spreads awareness about the unethical tourism practices being carried out so blatantly throughout the entire Southeast Asian continent. Whilst on my travels I found my perspective on life growing wider and wider and found myself pondering on the futility and triviality of most common everyday issues that popped up on my newsfeed.

I compared what I previously would have considered a life stressor back home, such as an argument with a friend over something entirely futile, to some of the true life altering situations some of the people I've met along the way have brought up to me using their personal stories and experiences.

Conversing with the Chinese over censorship issues, with Americans over the recent election, with a Thai elephant conservationist over conservation issues and, harder still, everyday locals on the streets of Vietnam about the poverty they face and how letting them shine my shoes will make no difference to me and a whole world of difference to them. I feel like a trip like this is vital in curing the narrow mindedness of the world and works well in creating awareness of issues that really matter - not about the most recent celebrity scandal, not about the most recent friendship feud or breakup - about real problems. Honestly, truly and genuinely everybody needs to take some time to get themselves out into the world and it will definitely change their entire perspective on life forever.”

- AIMEE GABAY -

8

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An exPlosive lesson An 82 year old Gibraltarian who experienced the 'Bedenham explosion'

“During the spring of 1952, I remember being in my last year of school when the RFA Bedenham, a munitions ship, came to deliever weapons, torpedoes and ammunitions at Gun Wharf. Whilst at school, there was a sudden explosion that was heard throughout the whole of Gibraltar. Before the explosion, I remember seeing an aeroplane fly over the school, so I thought that we were being invaded when I heard the explosion! I ran and hid under my desk in fear.

There was a lot of commotion and the teachers evacuated us to a safer location. The ship’s explosion had caused the windows in Humphries estate to shatter and coursed death of thirteen people, as well as damaging the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned. Parts of the ship flew over the rock and were found as far as Catalan Bay.”

- JOSEPH ‘PEPE’ OLIVERA -

humble beginnings:my stArt in footbAll Captain of Gibraltar's national football squad

“I became involved with football at a very young age. Any person who has known me since I was young, can tell you that I have always been mad about the sport. If I wasn’t playing football, I was watching it. I looked up to my older cousins who played for the ‘Lincoln Red Imps’, and luckily, their football club was only a stone’s throw away from my house. I wanted to be just like them. Straight after school I would be out in the Humphries playground playing football and only popping home the odd minute for a quick drink. I spent a lot of time practicing on my own, kicking the ball against the wall or trying to beat my personal record of kick-ups. However, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would experience such surreal moments in my football career. Gibraltar’s acceptance into the UEFA and FIFA has given me the privilege to be able to walk out onto the pitch against the current World Champions Germany, in front of 40,000 spectators at Nuremberg, as well as beating Celtic against all odds in a Champions League qualifier 1-0 at the Victoria Stadium.

Hearing 50,000 fans in Celtic Park singing ‘You'll Never Walk Alone’ was also an unforgettable experience.

As the captain of the Gibraltar National squad, I feel that young players who are aiming to play at higher levels need to be prepared to make sacrifices. But first and foremost, you must enjoy the game. It’s ‘the love of the game’ that makes you want to keep playing and learning.You have to work hard and be hungry to succeed. Have that self-belief that you have what it takes to make it and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Remember, there is more to football than just the basics of passing, shooting, tackling and so on. What you do without the ball is just as important. Learn the game and it will make you a more complete player. Fortunately becoming a member of UEFA has had a huge effect on football in Gibraltar. Due to the financial gain, it has opened up many avenues for anyone wanting to be involved in football, all be it as a player, coach or referee. In a nutshell it has removed a barrier that will now allow Gibraltar’s football to flourish and progress whilst providing further opportunities of making a professional career in football, something that past local players have never had.”

- ROY CHIPOLINA -

9

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losing my emotions A reformed drug addict

“I started taking drugs at the early age of twelve. The same as a lot of people, I first started off with cannabis when one of my friends offered me a joint. I would always hang out with older kids out on my patio, so I was exposed to it at an early age. The first time I tried it, it made me vomit and left me sick and knocked out, but for some reason I kept taking it. Of course, at that age, I didn't have any money, so the older boys would have me do errands for them like “go hit that boy over there”, and that's how I kept on getting drugs.

Even worse, I had anger issues; I was always filled with anger, hate and violence, and I suppose that is why I carried on using cannabis because it took it all away for a short time. I had no need to be angry. My mother, brothers and sisters had always showed a lot of love towards me and my stepfather was also very good to me.

I dropped out of school and joined the army at 16. I barely lasted a month there. I told them it was because I missed my mum and family, but in reality it was because I missed smoking that much.

That's when I started working. The workplace was where I was first exposed to cocaine. A colleague gave it to me, and the first time I took it, I crashed my bike. Again, even after a first bad experience I still kept on using. It was costing me £190 a week and I was only earning £180. To fill the gap I started smuggling all kinds of stuff over the border, like drugs and guns. At this point, I started seeing bad, bad things in Gibraltar and even worse in Spain. I spent most of my time over the border and, because I made good money, I was able to cover my addiction and no one realised how bad I truly was. I bought my family and myself clothes and expensive things, but my money was always running out so I stole from my little brother; he was only fourteen.

That's the thing about drug addicts; you lose all emotion. Love, compassion and sadness are all lost, and only come back in short bursts; happiness after you take the drug and sadness at the worst of times.

It comes quickly and overwhelms you. The worst thing was I couldn't tell anyone, I was afraid of my family thinking I was a junkie and I had no money left, and, at that point, I tried to take my own life. I took pill after pill not expecting to wake up, so all my sadness and worries could finally go. However, by some miracle, I did. I woke up with a terrible pain on my side. I had to tell someone and I called my mother and told her everything. Despite everything I'd done to them and all the pain I'd put them through, the love she showed me and the love my whole family showed me was amazing. I had to change.

They took me to Bruce's Farm and, whilst I didn't stay there, I went clean, got myself a job and went to loads of meetings. I had a busy life now, and whilst my friends were out having fun, enjoying the nightlife, I got bored and wanted to go back to them. Drugs gave me friends and nightlife, and without them I stopped having these things, so one day I decided to use again. Then I met Damien (the other man we featured on the page after). Meeting him was like meeting a true friend, and, again, I was shown so much love that, again, this made me stop using, and I haven't looked back since.”

Steve and Damien run STAY CLEAN, an organisation, which hopes to raise awareness for drug users and youth on the dangers of abusing drugs. They also meet with government and have been instrumental in aiding government policy towards drugs.”

- STEVEN WALKER -

10

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A life on drugs A reformed drug addict

“I started taking drugs at a young age for the same reason anyone else would; to try it out.

In all honesty, I had no reason to; I had a loving family, parents who are still together, many friends and my life was composed mainly of sports and girls. Like any ordinary teenager would, I began to get into the habit of drinking. This then lead to stronger drug use and before I knew it, I began snorting amphetamines. Like I said, I was living the high life and all those drugs made me feel like superman. Some people feel the need to take them due to severe problems in their lives, such as family issues or abuse. Some are born with genes, which doom them to addiction, but not me. I had no reason at all. At first, after coming home from a night out, I would lie to my parents about what I had done and where I had been. I would cover up the stench of the drugs I’d taken as best I could, I didn't bother trying to get rid of the smell of alcohol as my parents didn't really have a problem with me drinking.

Back then when I was younger, there was the ‘CLM Disco’, which was organised by the church. Before arriving to the disco, I would have made sure I’d taken everything to really enjoy my night; I relied on drugs to have a good time. On occasion, my Dad would catch me. He’d caught me once outside a friend’s kitchen and he punished me, but he would always lift it no matter how many times I screwed up. This really didn't help, as I would always be drawn back to the drugs, knowing I’d be forgiven by my dad. As my addiction got worse, the drugs very quickly began to take over my life. The one recurring thought constantly on my mind was ‘How will I get the drugs? When am I going to take them?’ They consumed me like I could never have imagined. They robbed me of my emotions and feelings.

It was due to this imprisonment to the drugs, that I did anything to buy them, even if it meant changing who I was as a person. I once stole £400 and two pallets of whiskey from a kiosk just to pay for them. With this stolen money, I went out and bought all the speed, cocaine, amphetamines that I could get my hands on and took them all in that one night. I woke up the next morning in the Alameda Gardens, I wasn't wearing a shirt and I was completely stoned. As usual, I’d woken up with a very evident and strong craving for more, and I was eager to work out a way of getting the money for them. As I lay there, an innocent old lady happened to be walking passed after a night in the casino. In my drugged up state, I spotted my next method of payment. I got up, snatched her handbag and ran to get my next fix. When you’re addicted as bad as I was, actions such as robbing the elderly and small stores, become justified as we have no other choice. Through their eyes, an addict has no choice.

What’s more is that people look down on us, calling us junkies and condemning us to a life without help.

I tried hundreds of times to stop. Changing houses, changing jobs, changing girlfriends, everything. I substituted drugs, looking for the perfect formula; speed and cocaine or only valium or diazepam and cycling through them like that endlessly. I tried to change everything around me and blamed everyone else, and that's what addicts do; blame everything and everyone except themselves. You can change everything around you, but your head and your shoulders will always stay the same, no matter where you go or what you do. So, I decided to go to prayer meetings, prayed to Jesus, Mary, the Father, the Son, the Saints and going to confession and telling the father "I’ve done this and that and taken this drug, I need help.” However, I would go straight back to it almost instantly. I only realised after, that God is willing to help you as long as you do not pick up another first drink or another joint, you have to be willing to let yourself be helped. The day I stopped, I was at the disco with a beautiful girl, so tall that I looked tiny beside her. At one point she said to me "let's go smoke a joint in the quarry", so, of course, I said yes. I went out and there was a clamp on my car, so I called my friend, who knew how to help and just like that, the clamp it was removed. As I was driving down, something happened to me, I don't know what. I had flipped a car in Rosia Tunnel. I crawled out and ran back to my girlfriend’s house, even though she was at the quarry, still waiting for me to smoke that joint, which I never got to have. For whatever reason, something told me I had to go home. So I did. When I arrived I told my dad "I need to change", and to this day I still don't know what made me say that. He said we had to go down and report the car flipping, and I argued that I couldn't and to just leave it. However, he convinced me to go down to the station in the end. I'm not quite sure what my dad said to the officers, but they did not charge or arrest me, I simply went back home.

My parents from then on searched endlessly for clinics and centres, they found one in Scotland, and I agreed to go. I waited 3 weeks, completely abstinent from any drugs, holed in my room until I left, only, eating, drinking and sleeping. Once I landed and my parents left me, I thought "I'm here, by myself, in Scotland, where I can't understand a damn thing anyone says to me.” I wanted to go back, but I was stuck there. After the tests and checks I fit in with 70 other addicts and it got me clean. I came back 6 weeks later, totally clean, and that’s when I set up this group, Stay Clean. Now, I am helping the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, tackle the issue of drugs and showing him our ideas on drug policy and secondary treatment along with new machines for police, which have already been implemented by the GSLP government; so I am proud to say I've come a long way. My goal now, is to get our society talking and to keep us moving forward with the issues of drugs and addiction, instead of going backwards. I know it is controversial for someone like me to promote this, but I hope the government one day legalises and decriminalizes, at least, cannabis, even if it’s only medical strains. Whether or not it is legalised it doesn’t really matter. I just want people to keep talking and to make politicians listen so we can move forward, to help those need to fight the illness that is a deadly drug addiction."

- DAMIEN BROTON -

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A PremAture journey into PArenthood A Regulatory Officer for the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority

“From a very young age, I always knew I wanted to become a mum. I always told myself that I wanted to have children before my thirtieth birthday and unsurprising to my somewhat stubborn and determined nature, I accomplished this. Little did I know, however, that my journey to parenthood would be such a stormy one. Just seven weeks into my first pregnancy, we found out we were having twins. At sixteen weeks we were told that our babies were two boys and we immediately started looking for names that we liked. A textbook pregnancy with not a worry in the world, other than the pounds. I enjoyed the comfy clothes, feeling the boys kicking about and “eating for three” but my world started to crumble just a few weeks later.

At twenty-three weeks I was admitted to hospital with an unexpected bleed and was advised to rest for a week, which I happily accepted. At twenty-five weeks, I made my way to hospital again with severe back pain, which to my surprise, was “the onset of labour”. Hours later, I found myself being rushed to a private hospital in Malaga, in the dark in and ill-equipped ambulance with my family following closely behind. Behind my brave face, there were tears streaming, panic, uncertainty and guilt. “What did I do wrong?”

I spent a total of thirteen days on complete bed rest and this, ironically, was a chore.

This hospital bed was my new home for thirteen long days. My horizontal position was maintained throughout, even during the toilet breaks. Despite the bed-rest and having three different treatments to halt labour, my twin boys were delivered five minutes apart via emergency C-section on Thursday 2nd September 2010. Leon and Owen, were healthy boys, and absolutely perfect in my eyes, but at only twenty-seven weeks gestation, their lungs were extremely immature to cope with the outside world.

They both required specialist medical treatment to stabilise their critical conditions and what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life turned into the most agonising.

My experience was nothing like the majority of mothers who hold their baby as soon as they are born. My twins were pulled out, separated from one another and placed in incubators to fight for their lives. All they had was a new noisy environment, surrounded by machines, tubes and wires inside their new glasshouses. All I had was the physical pain from a major operation and the emotional confusion, sadness and poignant emptiness I felt back in my hospital bed, across the hall from my babies.

Barely twenty-four hours after the C-section, I stood up determined to visit my boys.

My boys were so perfect, so tiny; but still, there was nothing mummy could do to comfort them. A sense of helplessness, desolation and culpability overcame me. “What did I do wrong?”

Things didn’t get any better, and seventeen days later, Owen, sadly, lost his fight. Some said “it was the best thing that could have happened” considering his condition and others said “don’t worry you still have Leon”. Some were silent and others would avoid even talking about Owen, like he never existed. Having to bury your child is a parent’s worst nightmare and watching my partner carry Owen’s tiny coffin to his final resting place is a moment I’ll never forget. Leon fought on, for himself, for us and for his brother. Leon overcame a hundred hurdles and we were finally able to bring him home, one hundred and ten days later, just in time for Christmas. Leon is now a happy, healthy and a very special 6 year old who never ceases to surprise me with his wisdom, affection, cheeky character and pig-headedness.

Our journey into parenthood, although heart-breaking, was always made that little bit easier by having that unremitting love and support from our family and close friends. No one could answer all those questions that filled my mind daily. No one could really understand how a new mum could feel grief and happiness at the same time. I wanted to turn my unfortunate experience into something good, which would make a positive difference to other lives. Co-founding a charity like 'BabySTEPPs' means I can help transform the lives of those embarking on a similar emotional roller-coaster by providing that much-needed support, encouragement and awareness which was so special and necessary to me at the time. My work at BabySTEPPs is dedicated to my little guardian angel Owen, who, like Leon, has and always will be my driving force to help make other peoples' journeys into parenthood a happier one. I strongly believe that “life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain”. BabySTEPPs has been founded on a real experience and a true understanding – the necessary footing to help you “dance in the rain” during that unpleasant storm.”

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- LOUISE MACLAREN -

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fAmily meAns everything Doris is 71 years old

"I was engaged at seventeen years old, only six months after I met my husband, we were married a year later. I went to live with him in Ireland, as he was in the army. My husband was the reason why I have travelled to various places such as Ireland, Germany and Warminster, for he was a soldier. I had a wonderful life with him; he was a very good man. When he came to Gibraltar he learnt what love was all about thanks to my family and parents, he never had that growing up. We had seven children together, six of whom were born in Gibraltar. It was quite hard raising seven children, as we both worked, but it was a great experience. At the young age of twenty-five I already had five children. My life revolved around my children as I too grew up with them. I had a wonderful life with all my children; we had fun parties here and there where we would always dance to music. We were all very happy until Brian, my husband, died. It has now been ten years since my husband's death and we still miss him dearly. I would never change anything about my life, if I had to start all over again, I would still have seven children, the same husband and family. I now have nineteen grandchildren, with another on the way, and four great-grandchildren. For me, they are the most precious souls on earth, which is why I invite them all to my house on Christmas Day with their parents, girlfriends and boyfriends.You can imagine just how hectic that day is.

On this special day, all the children receive presents from Santa Claus; who is really one of my sons in a costume but they do not know that. This has become a family tradition as my husband loved that day, which makes it feel as if he is still here. We put music on, we dance, we play cards and socialise together, which makes this a very memorable day. One of the most cherished memories I share with my family is when we had barbecues on the beach where we used to take pillows and blankets and spend the night sleeping under the stars. However, a more understated event that I love is cooking for my grandchildren on a regular basis, as they come to my house for lunch when they do not have any school activities. I feel that cooking and stuffing your family with delicious meals is a Gibraltarian grandmother quality, which I must say, I am quite good at. Every day I have somebody in my house to keep me company. Someone comes in from the front door and another leaves from the back door constantly. I always have a full house, which is the life I love - being surrounded by family."

- DORIS COOMBES-

A first in lAw First Gibaltarian woman to become Queens Councel

“I have always seen myself as an ordinary girl from an ordinary background. My dad was a butcher and my mum a stay at home mother attending to the needs of the family. I've always had big dreams but not fanciful ones. I was not one to overflow with confidence. I was quiet and reserved but I had a clear vision by age 10 that I wanted to be a “voice” for others even if at that stage I could not find my own voice to say that I wanted to be a lawyer. Therefore when I passed my exams and for the first time I said I wanted to study law I surprised everyone. In my parents I found complete support, on the other hand I shocked my teachers whose perception of me was otherwise. I did not fit the stereotype, I was not argumentative or outspoken and I guess my story and my message is precisely that there is no such thing as “fitting” in a type.

So with the support of my parents and my quiet confidence my journey began. Shortly after starting University it was clear to me that in Law I had found my calling. I focused on my aim which was to be the best that I could be and the rest just flowed onwards. I never set out to be a First in anything and yet on the 8th March 2012 I achieved two Firsts for Gibraltar by becoming Gibraltar’s First female Queens Counsel (QC) and also the youngest person ever appointed to this rank. The ceremony happened to be on International Women’s Day. I would like to think that it was no coincidence and that in some way the day marked my contribution in taking a step forward for gender equality in Gibraltar. It was a very special day – it represented all I had ever worked for. Has it changed anything? No – I continue to be the same person I have always been. Humility is key to success and what keeps me grounded. Being a QC does not define me, I much rather be judged by my qualities as a person than my success in the court room and that is the “type” of role model I would like to be for my daughter and other girls like her.”

- GILLIAN GUZMAN -

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the world is A smAll PlAce A 94 year- old Gibraltarian who was evacuated during World War Two at only seventeen.

“When the Second World War broke out, I was only sixteen years old. At first, I was going to be evacuated to London but my husband said ‘How can it be safe to send the people of Gibraltar to London, if in London they are evacuating the locals to the countryside? ’. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to spend the war years in a hotel in Madeira. The boat ride to Madeira was a long journey, two whole days at sea, but an interesting one. The captain of the boat had told us to be aware of any alarms as we were travelling during a time of war, making us vulnerable to attacks.

On the first night, my family and I were woken up by an alarm at three o’clock in the morning.

We all rushed to put on our life jackets in panic, all of a sudden another Gibraltarian came up to us and asked ‘Why are you all wearing your lifejackets? The sound you’ve heard is only the alarm for my baby’s bottle.’ What a fright. Once we got to land we quickly realized how fortunate we were to spend the war there.

The people there were too good to us. I will always remember how one of the nights there was an earthquake which made me very frightened. Our waitress, Maria, saw how scared I was and every night for the next four years she brought her mattress to the foot of my bed and slept there, to make me feel safe. Many years after the war had ended and I returned to Gibraltar, my husband and I travelled to Lisbon for a short holiday. On one of the days that we were in Lisbon, we stopped to eat at the Hotel Americano for lunch. Whilst eating, I thought I saw a familiar face a few tables away and as the words ‘I’ve seen that woman before’ came out of my mouth, the lady was standing next to me and asked ‘No te lembra de mim?’, which means ‘don’t you remember me?’ in Portuguese. I was filled with surprise as I realized it was Maria, my waitress from Madeira. We had a lovely lunch together and caught up on the many years we had spent apart. The world really is a very small place.”

- ANGELA CAETANO -

6 gibrAltAriAn scouts let loose on A london trAin (1946) "As we boarded the train, we realised the carriage we had got on had no corridor; so, six of our troop were confined to a private compartment for the journey. As the train sped on, the carriage rumbled and shook. One of us, whilst fiddling with the door lock, accidentally broke the lock and the door swung right open on the outside of the train, leaving a gaping hole in the side of our compartment! Rather than resort to the emergency cord, our natural reaction was to solve the problem ourselves in order to cover up our act and avoid any blame. This hare-brained decision by the unknown perpetrator meant that a human chain had to be made to lead out of the train, grab the door, and pull it back in place. The door was glued to the side of the carriage so hard that it seemed impossible to ever pull it back. I hung out of the carriage with the others clinging to my arm, the only thing keeping my body off the fast moving tracks below.

However, the wind stuck the door too hard to the carriage and left me reaching for the door blindly, due to the wind in my eyes. Try after try I could not pull the door back, so our leader, who was taller and stronger, put himself to the task. He hung out of the carriage, with 5 of us holding to his arm for dear life, whilst he reached and wrenched the door ahead. We were all very relieved when he finally succeeded.”

- ANON-

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A mid wife’s exPerience in tAnzAniA Midwife who travelled to Tanzania

"I had always had an interest in becoming a healthcare professional possibly a physiotherapist, nutritionist or midwife but I could never quite decide which one was right for me. Towards the end of my GCSE’s, having done a work experience placement in a physiotherapy clinic, I decided that was what I would pursue. However, during my gap year I had been lucky enough to spend several weeks observing some physiotherapists to further my experience in this field prior to studying it at university. During one appointment, I met a pregnant woman who had been attending physiotherapy sessions for a pregnancy-related condition. Whilst chatting to her, she mentioned a few things about what her midwife had done to help her and support her through her pregnancy and how grateful she was for it. This is what first sparked my curiosity for midwifery so I decided to do some research into it. And well, here I am now, a midwife.

As part of my midwife training, I went to Tanzania. This gave me the perfect opportunity to put technology aside and develop my basic and raw midwifery skills, which are sadly being lost in developed countries as technology takes over. I was based at a regional referral hospital, which was one of the most advanced hospitals within miles of the area I was staying in, the poverty and lack of resources available was shocking to say the least. At the hospital, there were two midwives on duty during each day shift and only one during the night shift. There were several doctors around but they were not only based in the maternity ward, as they shared their expertise between the obstetric and gynaecology wards too. To put this into perspective, this meant that if the maternity ward was full during the day, there would be one midwife to look after six women in labour. In the UK, and Gibraltar, labouring women receive one-to-one care. The sister in charge of the ward in Tanzania had once delivered eight babies on one night shift; literally moving from one to the next and two women delivered their own babies as there was no-one available to help them.

One time, a young lady in labour began having seizures and was diagnosed with severe eclampsia, so she was rushed to theatre for an emergency C-section. The doctor had tried to listen in with a pinnard to see if he could hear the baby’s heartbeat but was unsure if he could or not due to all the rushing and the noise, so he told us he was not sure what condition the baby would be in when it was born.

Myself, along with a number of medical students were observing the C-section in theatre. The doctor delivered the baby and I instantly noticed that the baby was not breathing; he had no muscle tone and was very white. I looked around at the theatre staff and the medical students, anxiously gesturing to them to take the baby but none of them did. “Who is going to resuscitate this baby?” I asked. The doctor looked up and realised that no-one had come to care for the baby so he held him up to me and said “You! Quickly take him!”. I took the baby from him and looked around for the resuscitaire (a machine which supplies oxygen and other medical equipment needed to resuscitate a baby). “Where is it?” I asked frantically searching the theatre for it. “What is that?” asked one of the medical students. It suddenly hit me that everything I had learned about resuscitating a baby during my three years of training meant nothing at that moment in time without any of the equipment I had become so dependent on using. I didn’t know exactly what to do but I knew I had to do something. I walked out of the theatre and onto the ward and began shouting “Help! I need help now! Somebody help me please!” I walked into one of the bays and put the baby onto the table, put my fingers on his tiny chest and held my breath, praying I could feel a heartbeat. I could. A good friend and fellow midwife, Beth, was with me and she handed me a couple of towels and then went to get someone to help. I rubbed him, trying to stimulate him to breathe, lifted his chin to open his airway but still his condition did not improve.

Beth then came over with one of the midwives. She told me that I was doing well so far and, together, we did all we could for him. She handed me a small tube, it was dirty and wet, and told me to use it as suction to clear his airway. I put it down the back of his throat, thinking that it would do no good, as this was not going to make his lungs start working. After a few tries, he coughed, then coughed again, we began rubbing him to stimulate his breathing and then he started to cry, his chest began going pink and he lifted his arms. I breathed, we all breathed with him."

- LAUREN LINARES -

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A gibrAltAriAn At the berlin wAll A local Nurse

“I was born in Germany in 1969. In the east part of Germany, during the time of the Democratic Republic, there was a very controlled political regime. I went to a government nursery and then government school; everything was pretty much regulated and controlled by the government.

They were very strict on us when it came to abiding by the rules; it felt very much like a dictatorship. I finished school at sixteen and otherwise had a very happy childhood. I went out with my friends a lot, we also went camping frequently because we weren’t allowed to leave the country and we had to stay within what is now Czechoslovakia and Poland. I have great memories from going camping, which just shows that it’s not always essential to have expensive holidays as a child.

At sixteen, I left school and began to train as a nurse. We were made to study in Russian. I finished nursing training at eighteen and a half and worked for about a year and six months until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. In the years leading up to the fall of the Wall, people were fed up of the control the government had on them. They used to go on strikes; I even took part with my family. We used to assemble and take part in peaceful demonstrations in large town centres. It was a very moving and important time in my life.

The day the Wall fell was a very emotional one for my family, as we had relatives on the other side that we weren’t able to visit. I remember crying that day. I carried on working in the same hospital up until the age of twenty, when my boyfriend at the time moved to the west side of Germany. I moved with him to a place called Cologne. Once there, I qualified myself further and did more training as a nurse. I moved many times during this period of my life - I probably moved flat around fourteen times. I also had very good friends there; we used to travel all over the world.

The reason I moved to Gibraltar was because when I was 29, one of my work colleagues moved here as her husband found a job. She invited me to visit her and, when I was here, they encouraged me to apply for a job here because I was still single and free to move pretty much anywhere. My English was quite poor and I thought it might be a great opportunity to learn. So I decided to move here. I had a job interview lined up so I did private English lessons every day to be eligible for the job.

I started working here in 2000 and my plan was to stay for a year but, as you can imagine, a lot happens in a year. I met loads of new friends. My work colleagues were very supportive. They helped me through many difficulties, especially the language barrier. I also met my husband here. He became a very good friend at first and helped me out loads, and then we fell in love. I got given a permanent job and in 2003 we had a child, later on in 2004 we got married.

In 2010, I had a motorbike accident and injured my shoulder. Due to this, I became very limited as to what I could do as a nurse, I had a few rough years after that. In 2014, there was a vacancy in the Child Health Department so I applied for the job, managed to get it and I’ve been working here ever since. Gibraltar now feels like my home.”

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- ANNETT MARTINEZ -

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heAdwires A student in a local band

“When I was younger, I just loved playing music with my friends; this was the main reason for starting my band ‘Headwires'. There truly is nothing better than sitting in your best friend’s garage with your instruments writing songs about ex-girlfriends and past experiences and, then, having the opportunity to share the songs with everyone. It is the best feeling in the world. The lack of live music has been a problem in Gibraltar since before I started playing and was another factor that led to the creation of my band. There are not enough music venues here, I think part of the reason live music gigs are so poor in Gibraltar is because of its size and the fact that most youngsters study abroad.

This makes it a lot harder to pack venues when such a large part of the community is miles away. People often think that the songs released today have lost authenticity or talent; which is why they feel the need to warn me of this before Headwires releases a song. I never used to read too much into the songs topping the charts, but, after moving to the U.K to study, I was introduced to all kinds of music which led to me becoming more open about my opinion on current music and actually enjoy a lot of the music that has been released recently. I think people can be a bit too critical about new music at times when all they should do is sit down and listen because what you hear on the radio today might surprise you.”

- PATRICK MURPHY -

englAnd, second world wAr (segregAtion) An 89 year old evacuee who was evacuated at 13

"When the United States joined the war in 1941 on the side of the Allies, we started to see Americans come in droves to England. My family, our group of Gibraltarians and I were in the suburbs of London at the time. We began to see more and more American soldiers coming here to train and act as reservists in case of invasion. You see, America at the time treated black people very differently than the English did; they had less rights, they were separated on buses, trains and everywhere else. The English never really did that sort of thing; so American soldiers coming over were shocked when they saw that blacks and whites were mixed together and living in harmony. One time, a ballroom dance was being held for the locals and some American soldiers came to the dance too. The officers and soldiers wanted to impose segregation at the dance and separate the black soldiers from the white. Nevertheless, they held it the way they always did, mixed, however, with the American authorities there to supervise. When black soldiers danced with white English girls, and vice versa, they intervened and pulled them apart.

They did this in bars, dances and clubs all over London, bringing segregation to England for a short period of time, even though they never originally had it."

- ANON -

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monkey business Former drummer of Melon Diesel and Area 52

“We started the band in 1988. We were a group of friends who, shared the same love for music so we, randomly, decided to start a band.

We started by playing in a youth club once every six months, because there weren’t really any venues where we could perform. After that, in 1990, we began taking it more seriously. Our band was first called “Monkey Business”. We then changed it to “Treehouse”, and then formed “Melon Diesel”. With the money we made from our gigs, we moved to Madrid to try to make something out of ourselves. We would make demos and give them out to people in the streets. We made some friends there including one who owned a restaurant.

Our CD was played in our friend's restaurant on a regular basis and one night, a guy from Sony Music went to the restaurant, heard the songs and asked about us. My friend gave him our contact details and he immediately got in contact with us. From there, we made 3 albums; “La Cuesta de Mr. Bond”, “Hombre en el Espejo" and “Real".We sold around a quarter of a million records and went on tour after tour alongside Oasis and other big acts. Our albums ended up winning two awards, “Disco de Oro” and “Disco de Platino”.

We played in Seville in “La Fiesta de Primavera” for 51,000 people, which many students went to. However, the best concerts have always been in Madrid and we even played in the “Plaza de Toros”. The best part of being in a band was when people actually came to see us and our band perform we would hear them singing our songs. I remember one time in Valencia, we arrived there and there was a massive queue. I looked at my manager and said ‘when we finish playing we come here, novea el ambiente que hay and the queue to get in” and he replied saying “you’re playing here, they’ve all come to see you!”

In the end there was a divide between the band; three members wanted to play in Spanish and two of us in English. After we split, Guy and I decided to join forces with two other friends and formed a band called “Area 52” in 2006. We sent our demos to my producer of Melon Diesel and they liked it so invited us to Milan, Italy to make an album. We were there for around 18 days and the album was called “Just like any other Friday”.

- ADRIAN POZO -

sePArAted

“When the frontier closed my family became divide, forcing me to live without my mother for two whole years. These years were very hard especially because we did not have a phone to contact her in the camp where we were living. Back then, we did not have the luxury of being able to get in contact with someone instantly.

We made arrangements for her to travel to the nearest telephone as we did the same here in Gibraltar in order to speak briefly once a week. It was hard, knowing, that my mother was all alone I was always worried about her. That was definitely the hardest part of being apart; I couldn't be there for her at all times. The only way to reunite my family was by catching a ferry to Algeciras, followed by a bus to La Linea. This made the trip very expensive at the time and it made all those years extremely difficult for us; yet she was only just metres away.”

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- ANON -

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irAn, indiA & myAnmAr Travelled the world on his motorbike

"I decided to travel the world, as I have always loved the idea of adventure; I guess I’m sort of a romantic. I think I would have much preferred to be born in the golden age of pirates or the great adventurers.The truth is, I never got the chance to travel when I was younger due to the lack of money and also the fact that I didn't even have a passport until I was about twenty-one. I was having financial issues whilst at university, which is why I decided I could either start my own business or drop out of university. Thankfully, the business went well and I was making good money and I got my passport sorted out. I then went on a couple of holidays before realising that I wanted to learn to drive a motorbike. I bought a bike and within a couple of months I was using it every day as transport, which soon turned into travelling around Europe on a mini adventure followed by a bigger one.

I decided to travel alone as I just wanted to do it my way and if anything did happen, I wanted to solve the problems on my own. The risk of breaking down or having an accident significantly increases with more than one driver too. Although, there are many risks when travelling alone also. In Iran, my motorbike broke down three times and the locals were always there to help me. I really discovered the kindness of strangers in Iran. I really had an amazing time in Iran, it was full of kind and great people, I felt really safe even when my motorcycle broke down at midnight on the side of the road.

India was just a big adventure, I went to the highest road in the world in the Himalayas with a few of my friends which turned into a three weeks motorcycle adventure. Everyday I was eating street food, visiting markets, temples, being invited to strange and random festivals and weddings. There was just so much to explore and see in India; the people I met in Dehli made it even more special. The rest of India was just as beautiful. I got to ride the north and north-east, where I visited Varanasi with the daily cremations and ceremonies on the Ganges.

I rode to Assam in the north-east where it took about twelve hours to ride 100km; the roads were absolutely terrible, but a great test.

Myanmar was also one of my favourite places; the beauty of Myanmar can’t be understated. Myanmar is one of the few places where I felt truly tranquil; it’s just so green. Hundreds of old trees line the roads and the landscapes of Bagan with over 1,000 temples stretching out as far as the eye can see .It was truly a gorgeous and inspiring place.

At one point I was stuck in Argentina during a storm; but the funny thing is that I really enjoyed it. I was caught up in this storm during the last days of the trip, making them some of the toughest days. Having to withstand some awesome storms and sleep on top of my bike for three days was a challenge as well as a culmination of the strength and determination I had gained over the past eight months. Considering how unfamiliar I was with the different environments, I still felt safe wherever I was. There were some risky times, nine to be exact, where I was close to being in a serious accident or even killed; but I never felt unsafe. Even when I was caught in the worst storm I have ever seen and riding across 2300km of Argentina in three days, I felt safe. Not even being forced to sleep in the rain and fields, while the trees were blown down next to me and the lightning illuminated the sky with over thirty strikes a second did I feel unsafe.

The real lesson I took from this trip is that everyone is the same; we all want the same things, to be happy, to be fed, to be clothed and to have the same for our families.We are all equal and should not judge someone based on where they live or their living conditions. I learned the kindness of strangers, particularly in Iran, where you can’t stop for more than 5 minutes without 10 people pulling over and offering you food, water and accommodation.

I wouldn’t say I learnt more about myself, but I think my beliefs have been strengthened due to what I have been through. Even though I felt extremely fulfilled after this trip, I would really like to go back to India and explore the central and southern parts. I didn’t get to visit many places I wanted to visit or do all the things I didn’t get to do in India. I would also like to explore South America in more depth as I was more on a mission to finish by that stage than take in the culture. If I were to have another adventure, I would concentrate more on a smaller part of the world without records to beat which will give me as much time as I want.

The trip was unique but it did take a toll on me emotionally as I was away from my family for a long time. Thankfully I spoke to my family and my girlfriend almost every day. When you are caught up in an adventure like this, there isn’t much time to think about these things or for them to hinder you, you just have to get on with what you have to do and make the most of what you have.”

- KANE AVELLANO -

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stArted with A dAre Mayor of Gibraltar & Miss World 2009

“I have always been a dancer. I loved, and still love, dancing; it is one of my greatest passions. It was amazing to have had the opportunity to represent Gibraltar at the IDO World Show Dance championships in Riesa, Germany in 2008. It was the first time I had represented Gibraltar internationally and I felt so proud! Furthermore, I have not only been on stage as a dancer but I have also taken part in many fashion shows in the past. However, beauty pageants were not something I wanted to do, partly I think was due to my parents whom never encouraged me to enter. The way I actually got into Miss Gibraltar was by a dare. My cousin dared me to enter, and I agreed only if she would enter first. Next thing I know she was on newswatch that same evening. My parents were not very amused with me entering the pageant, especially as they had booked a Caribbean cruise at the same time Miss World that year would take place.

I remember telling my father that it was a competitive year and that he should not worry of me winning, as I was sure to be going on the cruise. Taking part in the pageant was a lot of fun, it was a new experience and it was shared with a lovely group of girls. However, days before the show it became more nerve-racking with the excitement of the show coming up. On the night of the show, just before going on stage, I remember feeling nervous and excited, and saying to myself ‘this is the moment and I am going to live it’ and that is what I did.

I cannot really compare winning Miss Gibraltar to winning Miss World to be honest. It was completely different. Winning Miss World was more of a shock, as it had not even crossed my mind. I thought that Gibraltar was too small to be noticed in comparison to the other competing countries.

Winning the title of Miss World 2009 for me was a huge personal achievement, but the fact that Gibraltar had been recognised, was very important for me. It was a very proud Gibraltarian moment. Competing in Miss World was more fun than stressful. I made lots of friends and generally enjoyed the new experience of going on stage for the Miss World Pageant and representing Gibraltar once again.

My homecoming was special. As time goes by, I appreciate and value the moment more, as on the day, I was overwhelmed with emotions. It was incredible to see so many people on the streets to welcome me back home. I still cannot believe it. It just shows, what a community Gibraltar is and how we all come together. It was a proud moment for everyone.

Photo:DM PARODY (www.dotcom.giphotos)

I have not furthered my career as of yet in that ‘world’ as I have focused on other things. At the moment, I am on maternity leave and I am also the current Deputy Mayor. I have been Deputy Mayor of Gibraltar for the past few years. I am honoured to be undertaking this role.

This is another new experience, which I am finding very rewarding and enlightening. However, there is no greater feeling than being a mother. I believe that you must be led my what really brings you happiness, for me it is my family.”and it is something new.”

- KAIANE ALDORINO LOPEZ -

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new countries, new PersPectives A history teacher at Bayside

“There's always one embarrassing person on a flight and it's usually me- I'm a terrible flyer! I'm the one who looks to the pilot for a reassuring smile when boarding the plane and holds strangers hands in the brace position at the first sign of turbulence. Once during a shaky landing, I screamed so loudly that everyone turned and applauded when we were firmly safe on the ground. Nonetheless, my fears haven't stopped me from realising my dream of seeing the world.

My passion for History has always fueled my interest in different cultures but it wasn't until I experienced the independence of University that I decided I needed to get out there and see everything I had learnt about for myself. My first real travel experience was a seven week road trip of the USA, from East to West Coast.

Since then I've been able to travel to Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands and Peru. Every country I've visited has opened my eyes to things I didn't know existed and enriched my life with new perspectives, wondrous journeys and endless opportunities and challenges. It has also helped enthuse my students and enhanced my teaching of History in so many ways!

There is something quite exhilarating whilst simultaneously soothing about being totally outside your comfort zone.Vulnerability brings a renewed sense of confidence in one's self and capabilities. It encourages you to take risks and open yourself up to new experiences that you may not have considered closer to home. I'm now looking forward to my next trip- traveling for a month from Bolivia to Brazil. The flight still unnerves me but as the saying goes... feel the fear and do it anyway. The experience at the end of it is definitely worth it!"

- KATY CHEESEWRIGHT -

singing in mexico A former boxer who travelled to Mexico to pursue his singing career.

“I began my singing career at the early age of thirteen, here in Gibraltar. I began singing in the ‘Theatre Royal’ and singing remained a passion of mine even throughout my boxing years. I represented Gibraltar abroad for the first time at the age of sixteen and I am proud to say that I am the boxer who has represented Gibraltar the highest number of times in the European championships and the Commonwealth games.

I moved to England later on in life and sang at the ‘Playboy Club’ and ‘Top of the Town’. Here I met many famous personalities such as Shirley Bassey, Tom O’Conner, Norman Wisdom, Sacha Distel and countless other comedians. When living in England, I had the privilege of presenting Manolo Escobar on two occasions. A great memory I have from that night is due to the joke I told the audience that had them in hysterics for over two minutes. Manolo performed twice in the Theatre Royal Stratford, which was located next to Scotland Yard, one of the famous headquarters for the Metropolitan Police Service. One of Manolo’s well-known songs was called ‘Micarro me lo robaron’, which means ‘my cart was stolen’. As I thanked the audience for attending the performance I asked them ‘ do you know why Manolo Escobar is performing in this theatre today?’.The audience looked confused with why this theatre was so special. I replied by saying ‘we are trying to fix the problem with his cart at Scotland Yard!’. The audience laughed and laughed and even Manolo was impressed by my joke and congratulated me by saying ‘good joke Luis, very good’.

England was not the only place where I met famous people. I formed part of a trio in Mexico called ‘Los Zafiros’ and we performed frequently for many years until one of our members, Alberto, passed away and unfortunately the group dissolved. Among the acquaintances I made in Mexico I became good friends with Antonio Aguilar and Amalia Mendoza who was known as ‘La Tariacuri’ and I performed several duets with both. My travels continued as I enjoyed three years of performances on different cruises, including the ‘Queen Elizabeth II’. There I performed with Rita Moreno who often asked ‘Luis where are we going tonight after the performance?’. However, after three years of performing this way I decided that I came on this earth to be on land, not the sea and returned home where I continued my singing.”

- JOSE LUIS CABALLERO -

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self-ActuAlisAtion A traveller who decided to skip University

“It has now been seventeen years since I finished my GCSEs and chose my A-levels. I did not have a clear plan in life at this stage, similar to most teenagers. Despite being a decent academic student my real passion at this time of my life was playing Rugby. I used to play Rugby almost every day. Unfortunately at seventeen I damaged my spine rather severely and my days as a rugby player came to an abrupt end. I quickly lost interest in spending hours studying without the “release” of Rugby in the afternoons and this led to my inability to play Rugby being a major factor for not wanting to further my studies after school. I left school in 2001 without any real plan.Years passed and I moved from job-to-job but I was just working for the weekends.

In 2010 I was about to buy one of the new apartments being built in Gibraltar at the time. However, I had been working at the same place for several years and felt like it was going nowhere. In my mind at the time I thought- if I buy this apartment I am tied to a mortgage and the certainty that I must stay in work to pay it off, therefore tying me to this job that did not seem to be going anywhere either.

However soon after my luck took a turn for the better after an unusual work opportunity. As I am a keen gamer I made a very good friend in America that I had first “met” through playing online video games. This friend of mine worked at the Supreme Court of Oklahoma and during one of our chats encouraged me to apply for the position of “Assistant Manger” in his company, so I did so without much expectation. This news that I had got the position came a day or two before I was going to sign the mortgage papers for my new apartment, this meant that within twenty-four hours everything had changed. I cancelled the mortgage, handed in my resignation letter at work and booked a flight to Oklahoma for the months end.

It seemed as if my immediate future was sorted. I now had a fantastic job in a new country and a whole new life in Oklahoma city. After a few months I started to enjoy the prospect of the “American dream”. However it was proving difficult to get the correct Visa which inevitably meant that I could not fulfil this job. I had no back up plan nor was I sure of what I was going to do next though. The only thing I was sure of was that I did not want to return home to

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take up a job where I was working for the weekend.

Not long after arriving in the states I had been contacted on Facebook by an Uncle I had not seen or heard from in more than 10 years. With no overall plan, he provided me with a starting point. I booked a ticket to Bangkok to re-establish my relationship with my estranged Uncle. With Bangkok as my base I spent the next couple of months exploring Thailand. I became a very adventurous eater whilst travelling through Asia, during a trek in the jungle I found myself eating large spiders straight off a tree, tadpole curries and spoons full of Ant eggs among other things.

With the tourist visa lasting 28 days on entry, every four weeks I was obliged to leave Thailand. This meant that I visited a variety of places such as Hong Kong, Laos ,Cambodia and the Northern town of Siem Reap.While in Siem Reap a small problem had arisen. I went to the cashpoint one morning to get some dollars for the week, $50 would usually be enough for the week. It was declined. $40?

Declined. After nearly a year unemployed I found myself in Siem Reap with $20 to my name. The plan had to change. I managed to find a bus that would take me to Bangkok for $10 where I at least had my Uncle where I could stay at long enough to make new plan.

Soon after arriving in Thailand I knew that at some point soon I was going to have to work if I wished to carry on travelling so I applied for a “working holiday visa” to Australia. There were lots of questions in my head at this point- How I was going to get to Australia with $10? Where I was going to go in Australia? What I was going to do when I got there? Luckily I found a direct flight to Melbourne from Bangkok for $200 one way (much cheaper than any other flight). I borrowed some money from my uncle for the flight and for a two week stay in a hostel in central Melbourne. A couple of days later I was in Melbourne with $100 I had borrowed, a bed in a hostel and two weeks to find a job.

I arrived in Melbourne early in the morning, exhausted, but the bed in the hostel not being available until the next day, so I went for a walk around this city in search of a bed. I found a pub instead – 1 pint was $14 – I was going to be broke within twenty-four hours. I

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met an old Australian in the pub who would not let me pay a thing and invited me to a house party, followed by a concert in the evening. After an amazing evening he and his friends took me back to the hostel on the off chance a bed was now available.There was...I was asleep in seconds after an incredible welcome to Australia.

bought myself a little cake and some candles and asked a passer by to take a photo of me blowing out my candles. I managed to get to Paris, Berlin and Munich in time for Oktoberfest. At this point my speedometer on my bike read just over 70,000km – it was new when I left – I had done a third of what I planned.

The next 10 days were spent surviving off Rice Krispies and toast and looking for a job.Applying for anything and everything.With four days left I got a job at a gallery doing carpentry and general labouring. After a month living for the weekend again and with nothing in the bank I left the hostel and spent a month sleeping in a sleeping bag at the workshop under my workstation to save a bit of money.

I was realising it was time for me to move on. From the bright lights of Melbourne I soon found myself in the middle of nowhere on a station with four other people...the nearest hint of civilisation was 500km away. I was now literally in the middle of a sea of red sand and would be for the next 3 months at least. Aside from working on the station, helping the Aborigines and exploring the area around us we had a lot of time to ourselves here. No distractions – we really were isolated. Every night at the beginning we'd have a bonfire, barbeque and beers after work. I really can't explain what this isolation did for me, but being so far away from everything was really eye opening and really changed my perspective. Up until this time I had really let myself go, from a fit and energetic teenager I was overall a lazy and overweight. I resolved to do something about it...no distractions here, no pub, no restaurants...nothing. My friend got me into climbing and I lost 40kgs in a couple of months, feeling as fit as I had ever been.

A week or so before Christmas 2012 after a long flight and even longer a dodgy bus ride from Cancun, through Belize and into northern Guatemala I was reunited with Soledad at the Isla de Flores. This coincided with this mad thought that the world was going to end in 2012 because of the end of the Mayan calendar cycle which meant that we spent the night camping in the jungle not far from some Mayan ruins...just to make sure we had a good view of whatever might happen. The next couple of months were spent zigging our way down through, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. We turned around and began the return journey towards the end of February. We stopped for a couple of months in Granada Nicaragua where Soledad worked in the schools.

One of the most impressive things I have seen was a bush fire and the experience of being sat on the back of a truck starting backfires and over the space of fifteen hours setting light to an area of bush bigger than Manchester and the subsequent apocalyptic scenes of a scorched earth the morning after - incredible. I came home at the end of May and after a fantastic few weeks catching up with family and friends, however the whole time I was here I was preparing the next trip. Having got myself fit I was going to use it. I had half jokingly many years before said in the pub one day that it would be fun to cycle around Europe. Of course it was a joke at the time, but being in shape I decided to stick to my word. Over the next 3 weeks, with little preparation or little no how, I bought a bike, bought a load of camping equipment and gadgets, planned an approximate route that would take me round much of Europe and then as suddenly as I came, at 5am one Monday morning at the end of June, I set off on stage one – Ronda. I made it to Ronda late the next morning and honestly was thinking of turning round. However I persevered and the next morning set of for Granada over the next few days. It got easier and soon I was cycling several hours up and down with relative ease. Between the larger towns I was sleeping in fields or camp sites that I could find and staying in the cheapest hostel I could find in the cities I wanted to visit (sometimes sleeping in the bus or train station, and a couple of times at the back of supermarkets or some other quiet place with my bike tied to my wrist). My trip took me to Perpignan, which is where I met my wife Soledad, Corsica and Italy, where I actually crossed the border on my birthday. I had

We flew home from Cancun to Brussels and from there Soledad went to Paris and I to London to sort out our Visas as we set off for the Ivory Coast and another cultural wake up in West Africa. It is the first time I have lived in a place where I am very much the minority and you are rarely allowed to forget it. With little to no French, and being Caucasian, the first months were extremely difficult. The year was not an easy one in most cases but was certainly a life lesson I will not forget.The following year we resolved to do something completely different and settled on spending the year doing a working holiday in New Zealand. After a couple of months back in Gibraltar, we stopped in and landed in New Zealand early 2015.

New Zealand truly is a beautiful country. Auckland, as far as major cities go, is quiet and you are not far from some wonderful scenery at any time.When our time in Auckland was coming to an end, some friends we had made were kind enough to give us a camper-van for our road trip around New Zealand for free.We packed the van and the next 6 weeks were spent driving around probably the most naturally beautiful country I have been to. New Zealand has beautiful spots and the spaces in between are equally so. It was a truly magical time and I hope one day I will be able to repeat it – perhaps in the summer next time. We covered 10,000km around both Islands in such a short time and we still didn't scratch the surface...we had a real taste.

We were married in Brittany in the Summer of 2016 and are now looking forward to the birth of our first child this summer. What is certain is the wish to continue travelling and exploring with our child (and or children in the future). We have already been lucky enough to see and do so much, but there is a lot still left to do – in fact as long as we have the appetite, there will never not be somewhere to go, there is too much for one lifetime.”

-TONY OFFLEY -

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my dAncing journey

An aspiring Gibraltarian dancer currently studying in England

“My sisters started dancing at a young age so I grew up watching them and began dancing at home. I first started dancing at an academy when I was 12, and things did get difficult with boys sometimes.

I believe that because I was also good at other sports and good in school it wasn't as bad because I could hide the fact that I was a dancer behind my other talents. I never really knew I wanted to start dancing professionally until the age of 14. What really inspired me was travelling to New York City for the Joffrey Ballet School summer intensive. Taking classes with so many talented dancers made me realise I was actually swimming with the big fish now, so I was so inspired to try to take dancing on as a career.

When I first moved to New York at 15 I already knew that I was gay but it was something I decided to keep to myself. When I first arrived at Joffrey I wasn't sure how to come out to people or if to just say, "Yeah I'm gay" because it wasn't something I had ever done before. I think being away from home in a place where no one really cares about your sexuality was an experience I was lucky to have in my life as it allowed me to feel comfortable with other gay dancers.

That is really what helped me feel comfortable with who I am and led me to come out when I was 15. I think many people have this idea of ballet being a girl’s sport so they immediately assume that all male dancers are gay.There are many gay dancers but I don't think that should be the aesthetic as there are also many straight dancers and I have met them in school and who work professionally.

Coming out to people I had never met before was obviously a lot easier, I could be whoever I wanted to be. I felt that once I had first said it, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders, so when the time came to telling family and friends from Gibraltar, it was a lot easier. It was something I was no longer afraid to say as I realised there wasn't anything wrong with it.

I have had a number of memorable experiences in my five of years dancing but the ones that have really stuck out to me are some of my performances around Gibraltar such as National Day and other local events. Some things I will always remember are the competitions I competed in the first few years of my dancing life. I achieved 9 gold medals, 5 silver medals and 1 bronze at the I.D.F World dance Championships; I was so overwhelmed by these results.

Many people know me for my appearance on Britain's Got Talent.

That was also a very memorable experience for me. I felt honoured to get to the semi-finals of the competition and all the support from Gibraltar was just incredible! It felt amazing to perform for so many people in the audience and to all the people watching me back home.

I got so much positive feedback from people all around the world that I didn't even know, so it was a time in my dance life where I really knew I love what I do so much. The fact that I am able to make people feel so many different emotions with my dancing is simply amazing!

Being in professional training is something I feel so lucky to be able to do. My year in New York was unforgettable. I was able to not only be part of the Joffrey Ballet but also have opportunities to do many photo shoots and classes in other studios such as Broadway dance centre. I learnt so much from being there, not only as a dancer, but I feel that it allowed me to mature as a person too.

Now I am currently training at Rambert School in London. This is also an experience I am so lucky to have, as it is a great prestigious school that is offering me so much! I love living in London and I am also being offered so much here. I was featured in a music video recently and soon I will be travelling to Germany to perform on a German television show. I think I am one of the lucky ones in life as I have been given the chance to do something I really love as a career. I have learnt to always pursue your goals in life, push through your bad days and never give up. This is why I love what I do and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

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- JONATHAN LUTWYCHE -

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resPect the ref A Gibraltarian A-Level student

"I'm a referee - which might be surprising as I am only seventeen. I started in 2013 simply looking for a pass in my P.E G.C.S.E course as I didn’t think I would get the grades required if I were to have chosen football. My teacher at the time, Mr. Bonavia, was handing out flyers for refereeing and I took up interest in it. As from there I just moved forward.

There have been difficulties throughout my refereeing career as here in Gibraltar we are fortunate, but also unfortunate enough to live in a small community where everyone knows everyone. If you referee someone one week they will usually start an argument with you outside of the pitch over a decision you made on the pitch. On the other hand, my experiences when I refereed in England and Portugal were very different as the players don’t know you personally.

This made the final I refereed in Portugal between PSG and Sevilla even more distinct from the matches I referee at home. Another difficult event I experienced as a referee was also in Portugal where I actually had to be escorted off the pitch by the police, for my own safety, as a result of a decision I had made during the quarter finals.

The Portuguese team and fans were not too happy with my call and began to scream and throw things at me, which resulted in the police taking me out of that game.

Sometimes it seems as if the older players feel they can take advantage of my age prior to the game, but once the match starts all referees are respected, both younger referees like myself and senior referees too. Although it is a very different experience in Spain and England, the respect is the same regardless of the location. Refereeing has provided me with many different opportunities and has allowed me to partake in lots of unique experiences, of which I hope there are many more to follow. For example, in March I will be going to England where I will be the referee for the Everton VS Aston Villa match."

rolls At bAyside

- SETH GALIA -

20 years at Bayside selling breadrolls

"Outside of my job here, I help my brothers out in the bay, they run the family ship chandelling business in Gibraltar, meaning they provide the big ships with food, materials and whatever else they might need out there. I was the original founder of the catering up in the Loreto Convent, with another guy. My passion in life is food, I love food, I used to help my father in the family business so I used to go up to the ships as a child, with a bit of cheek I would sneak in to all the kitchens up there, and it was amazing, all the kitchens had a different smell due to the different crews, the Indians, Polish, Germans and Russians. Each kitchen had its own distinct smell and it’s what gave me my passion for catering. It was amazing; you meet a lot of interesting people, from everywhere in the world. I left school when I was 17 and I spent 3 years with my father. Because of this experience and all the different meals I tasted every day, at 20 I went to college in UK to do catering. It was a lot of physical work out there but meeting a lot of new people was great. It was different.

I have been working in Bayside, for around 22 years, coming every day and preparing everything myself. It’s a bit of work but you get accustomed to it. I ended up with the job in Loreto one day, when an English teacher at the time told me they needed a caterer in Loreto; I worked there for 4 and half years, cooking 105 meals a day.

I really love preparing everything from fresh.

Even something as simple as the rolls, it’s all fresh. I love my food, it’s my passion"

- VINCENT -

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"i thought we were being invAded by the sPAnish" An ex-minister who is now retired

“An ammunition ship came to Gibraltar in 1951; I was in school at the time. It was just before the Queen was meant to come over and the Spanish were making things difficult for us. An aeroplane flew overhead just before the explosion and at the time I thought: “goodness gracious we’re being invaded by Spain.”

There was a massive explosion, so I went and hid under my desk, there was a huge commotion and we were all evacuated from school and everyone’s parents had to be called. Eventually, we found out that it was the lamination ship that had blown up. All the windows in Humphries were shattered and parts of the ship even went all the way over the rock to Catalan bay.

When I was young there were three cinemas in Gibraltar. Where I used to live, we had an amazing view of the whole bay; when we got back from London after the war we moved to this house. One day, when I was sick in bed at home, I saw smoke, so I went to look where it was coming from and I realised it was coming from one of the cinemas, it was on fire. The entire cinema got burnt down and had to be reconstructed.

There was a time, when I was younger, that every time you went to the cinema you had to stand up and listen to the national anthem. I vaguely remember being in London for the evacuation. My parents had to stay behind in Gibraltar. My father was a member of the Saint John’s Ambulance and, because of that, he had to stay here. The parents that stayed behind were allowed one visit to us in the UK. My father came over the time the Germans were using the V bombs. I was with my father and when we heard the drone of a bomb then it stopped suddenly my father grabbed me and quickly took me down to the air raid shelter that was in the hotel we were staying at. The bomb dropped on a small church very close to the hotel. I was only 8 at the time.”

- JOE CARUANA -

Performing is best in gibrAltAr A street performer playing in gib for 27 years

“I started travelling at twenty-three, and I've visited many places; all around the Mediterranean, North Africa and Scandinavia. Before I came here to Gibraltar, I was in Holland for six months, and life was marvellous, well, life is marvellous really.

The reason I stayed here after moving around from so many places was because I met a girl in San Roque whom I lived with. We owned seventeen cats, but, now, I only have seven and two dogs. The reason I'm out here playing is for the buzz of it really. You see, I receive money from the UK government because I worked and paid tax there for fourteen years, and that is enough to cover my costs. It's not much but, as I live in a caravan, I pay only ground rent and electricity; so costs are low. When I first came here on holiday, I fell in love with the place, so I decided to stay. At that time, I saw a guy performing down in the tunnel by Landport, I took after him really. So now I come down for an hour or two every day and play; not for the money, but for the fun of it. I've always liked sitting and watching life go by; it's much better than normal work. Back in San Roque, I always liked to walk down to the square and sit and just watch the plants and the fountain there; it changes colours and the whole place was quite beautiful. Before I die, I would love to visit New York's Central Park. Although I don't think I ever will, I feel I have not done enough travelling yet in my life, so who knows where I may end up?"

- PAUL MOODY -

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where i drew the line Ex- professional football player who now owns a home decor shop

“I have been playing football for as long as I can remember. Between the ages of fifteen and twenty, I played in the youth team for FC Twente Enschede as a defender; as I had a professional contract with them after the age of nineteen. At the time, I was still studying so I had to balance my studies with football, which was rather challenging. Sadly, at the age of only twenty, I broke my leg, which meant I was unable to play football for about a year and a half. This was when I came to realise how important my studies were as football could be out of my life from one day to the next. After the long break, I returned to the sport but was nowhere near the level I should have been.

Due to this I did not get a contract in Twente, so I decided to move to Germany and play for Preußen Münster; a third league club. Meanwhile, I finished my studies in tourism and was offered a job in a bank where I worked for a total of five years. I continued playing in the third league in Germany and slowly reached my original level of ability. Every week during training, there were scouts on the pitch so I had to prove, not only to myself but also to them, that I was capable of pursuing a career in football. At the same time as I was playing professional football and working at the bank, I started my own tourism company: Brinkman Travel. I managed to make my way up to the second league and was very successful; but at the age of twenty-eight, I suffered an injury in the groin area. This affected my ability far more than my previous injury as I was nowplaying in the second league and big clubs were interested in me. I would have given up my company fully, and signed with these big clubs, possibly earning 1 million a year. I needed two operations to repair my groin, which meant I was unable to play football for another year and a half. This was where I drew the line and told myself that I was no longer capable of playing in top-level football. I was then offered the job opportunity to become a manager-player, I took the job as they offered a high pay and still enabled me to be surrounded by what I loved most; football. I started coaching and playing in the lower league and slowly worked my way up. I got my B and A UEFA licence, which meant I could become a full time coach for professional teams. After this, I was offered a coaching position for Twente’s under twenty-one team. I took this job, whilst still being a player-coach for another team. I, therefore, had two football jobs as well as my own company. This became far too stressful, meaning I was faced with the decision between to make a decision possibly coaching in professional football or the four agencies, which were working for my company. I chose to stick with my company, which now looking back may have been the wrong decision, as the person who got my position became a coach in Twente and then other big clubs. He is now a multi-millionaire solely due to coaching.

After moving to Gibraltar, I started another travel company here, whilst still managing my other companies in Germany. I then met my wife who has always loved furniture and house décor. We worked together to start up our company Riviera Maison. It has always been her dream to have a home décor shop; so I am glad I was able to provide this for her.”

- BENNIE BRINKMAN -

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working to mAke A diffence A Special Needs Carer

“I work with people who have challenging behaviour and disabilities; many of whom are adults. I work twelve-hour shifts, which means that I either spend the whole day with them or care for them at night. I go in to work very early in the morning and have breakfast with them as well as supporting them in the shower and helping them pick what they are going to wear that day. I try to allow them to be as independent as possible, but I am always there for support.

I thoroughly enjoy going on outings with the residents as we often go to camp bay or spend the day up the Rock. When the weather is warmer we go swimming at GASA so that everyone is able to do some form of exercise. Even the residents in wheelchairs get a chance to swim with the support of myself and other members of staff, which they really enjoy. After eight years in this profession, I have realised that this is my favourite part of the job as I get to witness how happy they are when they are able to do things that they don’t usually do. Their endless laughter in moments like this really does make the job worthwhile.

My job is very rewarding as, aside from being there through the difficult times, you also get to witness the good times when they show their love for you with hugs. I knew this was the profession I wanted to take on in life as I have always been interested in helping people as well as working with children. Even though many of the people I care for are adults, they have the innocence of children. I love being around people like that as I have experienced many special things with my residents. I like to consider myself a person who works to make a difference not just to make money; which is the reason why I enjoy my job so much as I am fortunate enough to be repaid in smiles. Being able to see a smile on their faces is a sign that its been a good day at work for me.”

- PATRICIA LUTWYCHE -

flight At gunPoint A survivor of a hijacking

"My husband and I married forty three years ago. Two weeks into our marriage, we were living in Bombay, but he worked with the MOD in Gibraltar; so we decided to move there. We boarded a plane from Bombay - it wasn’t one of the modern airbuses like we have today. An hour into the flight we needed to stop in Beirut, Lebanon to refuel. We had stopped for about an hour when, all of a sudden, the business class passengers just ahead of us came down the airplane with their hands behind their heads. Three gunmen had come onto the plane and hijacked it; holding everyone hostage. The pilot also came through, at gunpoint whilst the co-pilot was at the controls. They held us all for 5 hours, smashing all the duty free goods like the alcohol served and the perfumes. Whilst we had our hands over our heads, my husband nudged me and brought over money for me in case we were separated. We didn't know what was going through the hijackers' minds, so none of us did anything.

Even to go to the toilet, we had to be escorted one by one at gunpoint. It was a nightmare. They, then, took our passports and we waited and waited until an airport somewhere would allow the plane to land, which none did. Finally, an airport in Amsterdam allowed the plane, so we flew there and landed. Back then, I was young and wore high heels, and when we were evacuated we all started running from the plane without any of our possessions, whilst coaches rushed towards us. Whilst we ran, the plane behind us blew up and the fires were hard to put out.

Small little trinkets my friends and family in India had given to me, like earrings and other small pieces of jewellery, were lost, and instead, they gave us money to spend on coats and such because we had come from the tropics to a colder place. We stayed in the Hilton for a week whilst they sorted out our passports and things and then we came here and settled down. A year later, the airline sent us an earring and a small jewellery place they found at the plane. So I melted it down and made it into a set."

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- ANON -

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growing uP in the bronx Global VIP Program Operations Manager for 888

“I was born in Jamaica but I grew up in Antigua and New York. I moved to Gibraltar because my wife’s company moved here, so we decided to come to Gibraltar together. Here in Gibraltar I am the Global VIP Program Operations Manager for 888, which means that I take care of VIP’s on a global scale for the company. I think the fact that I am still living in Gibraltar after so many years speaks for itself. Our original plan was to stay in Gibraltar for a couple of years but as all the Gibraltarians always tell me ‘it is the safest place to raise kids in’. We also made many good friends here in Gibraltar, with many different backgrounds, so we decided to settle here and now we have our own children running around with Gibraltarian accents saying ‘chiquillo’ and so on. Being able to go outside at any time and walk safely through the streets without worrying about what can happen around the corner is something very comforting, especially after having grown up in New York. There are also opportunites Gibraltar has offered my daughters that they would not have had the privilege of living anywhere else in the world. Both of my daughters have formed part of Gibraltar’s International Dance Association and even gone on to winning titles internationally; which is one of the many postives of living here. My children love it here, even after spending summer holidays in New York or the Caribbean they still say ‘Dad we want to go back to Gibraltar’. One of the biggest changes from living in New York, and, now Gibraltar, is that before I needed to get a train for an hour and a half to get to work, now I only walk for twelve minutes and I am at my desk. After living in both New York and Gibraltar, you learn to appreciate how safe life is here in Gibraltar as I remember running as a teenager from a street gang in New York; had I been caught I would not have been able to tell this story, that is how dangerous they were. My friend and I got away as we heard a train approaching and we knew it was coming from the south, so we ran on the wrong side of the road, went up the stairs, run across the tracks and jumped on the train, whilst waving goodbye to the gang. I know it sounds like something out of a movie scene but I really did experience it. Another crazy thing that happened to me growing up in New York was that a friend of mine got shot on my doorstep. I think that Gibraltar’s prosperity helps in this area as very often crimes that occurred in my neighborhood,The Bronx, was due to the fact that people do not have a lot of money or are on drugs, which is not a big problem here.’

However, the contrasting life of living in Gibraltar and New York is not the change that has impacted me most in life. I feel that moving from The Bronx to boarding school at the age of fifteen really impacted my life as without this I would have had a very different mentality.

It was at boarding school where I realised that I could have a different life to what I had seen in The Bronx, I did not need to work at McDonalds as a summer job, I could work at Solomon Smith and Barney like my richer friends if I really wanted to. I also realised very early on in boarding school that these friends were being educated to run the country, where as my friends back home were being educated to serve them.”

- SEAN MCGLASHAN -

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be the chAnge you wAnt to see in the world An English Teacher at Westside School

“ I organised Westside School's first celebration of International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) in October 2014. I believe that Westside School was the first institution/organisation in Gibraltar to do so and it is especially fitting that it was an all-girls school which should lead on this initiative. The aims of the day were several. Apart from raising the students' awareness of key issues affecting girls and women across the globe, particularly in less economically developed countries, I hoped to develop the students' sense of social responsibility and their sense of being global citizens. The issues we focused on included the inherent difficulties girls often face in accessing education, child marriage, human trafficking and prostitution and female genital mutilation, amongst others. Our fund-raising supported local and international charities which work with under-privileged and vulnerable girls and women. To date, we have supported charities such as Saffron Rose 4 Rett, Plan UK, Save the Children, UNICEF and War Child UK amongst others.

The successful celebrations of IDGC in 2014 lead me to organise the school's celebrations of International Women's Day in March 2015. The focus here was on gender equality and in 2016 our celebrations were extended to include a poster/video competition which would allow students to reflect upon this matter and voice their views. Local media coverage ensures that our celebrations and the students' efforts are shared with the rest of the community.

Our celebrations have a positive ripple effect in the local community as local businesses support our fund-raising efforts in a number of ways. Furthermore, this competition is now an annual one and the Ministry for Equality supports the work carried out by the school by sponsoring and presenting the prizes.

These celebrations and the initiatives such as the poster/video competition serve to empower our students:They are afforded with valuable and meaningful opportunities to express themselves in ways that are positive and inspiring. This is central to the personal and social development of students and I believe that this is critical in allowing them to see themselves as agents for social change.

Since one of the driving forces of these celebrations is gender equality and social justice I felt it was as important to celebrate International Men's Day in November. Our celebrations in 2016 were particularly meaningful as boys were then part of the Westside student body. Money raised was donated to Prostate Cancer Support Group Gibraltar.

Celebrating these three days is very important because it allows us to positively counter and challenge the discrimination men and women still face. I feel that those who are privileged to live in war/conflict and poverty free-zones and who have access to an education have a social responsibility to use their skills and knowledge to bring about positive change.

I thoroughly enjoy organising these celebrations and find them to be very meaningful as they add vale to the students' experience of school life and help to develop them in a number of ways. I think they are also powerful reminders that each person can bring about positive change even if their idea is a modest or simple one. People are the most under-used resource, I feel.�

As Mahatma Gandhi said, 'Be the change you want to see in the world.'

- MARLENE DALLI -

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to my younger self An A-level Student

“I realised that I wanted to become a teacher after my visit to “If I had the chance to go back in time, I would tell my younger self "You've got this". Don't stress too much over the little things. Take time to smell the flowers, find time for yourself and don't let anyone burst your bubble. I would tell my younger self and others, "Confidence is beautiful and so are you”. You are never too much or too little. You will not be perfect despite how hard you try to be. Don't try to fit into the perspective of others or how they want or expect you to be. Be you. It's much more interesting.

Currently, my A-levels are my top priority but, despite this, I still ensure that I am able to continue with my hobbies; which are my passions. My love for photography began when I developed an obsession for taking sunset photographs. From then on, things just started to unfold. I have now directed numerous photo shoots; which I find particularly fulfilling. It provides a platform from which someone's own self confidence really has a chance to grow and bloom. This is especially highlighted when they see how truly beautiful they are when presented with their photos. I plan to further my skills in photography, as a hobby, whilst I continue to concentrate on my studies and, hopefully, after this, I can pursue my dream of being a school teacher.

Nonetheless, my free time does not all revolve around photography.

I also greatly enjoy charity work, although, at this moment, I am not affiliated with any specific charity. I try my best to help out wherever I can by doing small things here and there; anything to help make other people's lives that little bit easier. This, however, does not necessarily mean you have to donate to the less fortunate. There are a whole host of other things one can do; you can help others by simply trying to inspire them and help them to overcome the challenges in their life. A big project I have been involved in consisted of collecting canned food for Nazareth house, which is a soup kitchen based in Gibraltar. I asked the public for help and was overwhelmed by the incredible response I got from the community.

I feel it is necessary to always try and help out wherever possible, even if it is just providing someone with advice or fulfilling someone's needs.

In the future, I hope to partake in other projects, perhaps, by travelling to less economically developed countries and volunteering as a teacher. Besides gaining valuable experience, I would hold in my heart a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I will have changed someone's life for the better.

My favourite piece of advice to give is that everyone is unique and will have something that makes them stand out from the rest. My perseverance makes me different to others as I love a challenge and will not give up despite the obstacles I face. I try to see the good in all and not judge anyone. I hope to continue my studies and eventually become an outstanding teacher and a great role model to the younger generation.”

- NICOLE BRITTO -

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the story behind the Photos Operations manager at Jyske Bank, Gibraltar.

“I am the Chairman of the Gibraltar Photographic Society and my specialty is travel photography with a particular emphasis on the people I meet during my travels. People that live in countries and environments very different to ours fascinate me, therefore, I make a photographic trip once a year.

In 2016 I chose to travel to the Omo Valley in Ethiopia where my aim was to photograph the different tribes, which are actually near extinction. The first tribe I visited, was the Arbore tribe and, despite the poor conditions and the unfortunate recent drought, I noticed the women were particularly attractive and liked to wear very colourful clothes and beads. They were also very welcoming. As I drove past the village, people were desperately begging for water. Seeing such a tremendous struggle was very impacting. Women and children would walk for miles and miles just to fill up a canister of water.

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After this, we went to visit the Mursi tribe; which is in the highlands. The tribesmen in Ethiopia were allowed to have guns on them. The women in that tribe are famous for wearing a big clay plate on their lip, which they wear as an amulet of beauty. This tribe was different to the others, which had been friendly. They were more volatile and we felt unsafe, therefore, we did not spend the night there; instead we tried to make a quick exit. As the tribe’s youngsters do not have much to do, they usually resort to alcohol. This had happened on the day we were there and it had made them aggressive. They tried to stop us. They were armed and surrounded our car and we felt in as though we were danger. We told them that we were heading to another village and they finally allowed us to go.

This lead us to possibly the friendliest tribe of them all; the Kara tribe. Here is where I saw one of the most spectacular sceneries, not only for its stunning beauty, but for its winding river. The tribe lives on the bank of the river. To my surprise, the women were the ones who did the majority of the work; cooking, taking care of the children and fetching firewood and water. However, men did not seem to be doing much work, instead they lie around and try to collect money for their family.

I then went to see the Hamar tribe; who are the largest ethnic tribe in Ethiopia. They have a very distinctive look. Although women there have their hair fully covered in mud, their beauty amazed me; especially their stunning eyes. I was very fortunate to experience ‘A bull jumping’ occasion which could be seen as a confirmation in the Christian religion. This rite of passage is where a young boy matures into a man. The entire ceremony takes approximately six to seven hours and the family of the boy stays for its duration. The boys have to jump over about half a dozen bulls several times in order to prove their manhood. The women watching beg the boy to beat them and they actually get whipped several times. They use mud and put it on their skin in order for their scars not to heal as they treat their scars as ornaments.

I finally went to visit the Dassanech tribe who live in the far south close to Kenya’s border. To get here, I had to get on a canoe, which was made out of tree bark. The women here are very similar to the ones in the Arbore tribe in how they dress.

I have been to Cuba, India, Vietnam, amongst other places, but my trip to Ethiopia was definitely the most intense of all the photographic trips I have ever done. I believe in the next 30 to 40 years these tribes will all vanish. For the future, I am planning trips to Israel, Palestine and Myanmar.”

- STEVEN HERMIDA -

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A PAgeAnt with A PurPose Miss Gibraltar 2016.

“When I first thought about entering Miss Gibraltar, I must’ve been about eighteen, which is when I was eligible to enter, just before leaving to university. This thought was mostly because I was getting feedback from people telling me to participate and, eventually, I took the plunge. Why not? It is an event I have been watching for as long as I can remember. It is a pageant that is enjoyed by most people in Gibraltar and is, probably, one of the biggest events that everyone sees, so, obviously, being a part of that was appealing to me. I have danced practically all my life and I have been involved in drama and similar events so stage performances have always appealed to me, therefore, it was something that I wanted to do. However, I got into my studies, did my A-levels, I went to university and I never really thought about it anymore. I thought of it as being something of the past and every year the pageant would come up, but it was not the right time or I was just not that interested in taking part. I wanted to finish university and everyone I saw that joined was obviously beautiful, tall, looking great and I was at university on my couch eating crisps every day. It was way over my head; there was no point in even thinking about it anymore and I started thinking that it probably wasn’t for me as I’m not really one to dress up or even put that much make-up on most days. Even though I avoided the idea of joining, I still followed it and one year my friend joined; we all supported her. I was even away at the time and still managed to stream it but still did not think that I really wanted to be in it. As time went by, I came back from working in the U.K., and then started working here in Gibraltar. When the chance came up to apply again, I thought twice about it and I thought it was a bit daunting really, getting on stage in bikini, having to look good, for a few months at least, because I thought that potentially I wouldn’t win anyway, but I soon forgot about it again.

Then there was a point in my life when I had to spend time in Calpe House with my dad, who, at the time, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I knew how important Calpe House was and I remember leaving there thinking that I would love to help the Calpe House Appeal; but I left it at that. Shortly after this the Miss Gibraltar show was announced and the pageant would be solely supporting the Calpe House Appeal, I then thought, is this a sign? So I thought that it was the right time. I was training to keep fit and I was enjoying it and also, I really wanted something to do. At the same time, it supported the Calpe House Appeal and I thought it was a great cause. I also thought that if there was anything I was going to get out of it at least I could say that I raised money for Calpe House; which is what I wanted to do. So, I went in thinking positively, not really thinking about winning but you really actually go in wanting to win. It’s lovely to think of winning, but I really went in thinking about having a good time, spending some months getting fit, enjoying it, getting to know some of the girls although I already knew some of them from my school days. It turned out to be a great experience. All the girls were really lovely and I do not regret taking part at all. I won, it was a great experience in itself, I remember feeling completely overwhelmed. However, the lead-up to the announcement was quite unbelievable. At one point I completely flew off the stage and by then I thought oh my god I’m not going to win this. Back-stage I was more interested in having some chocolate than in the final announcement. By the end of it, I was like, I don’t care just give me some chocolate. I remember that a few of us including some prize winners were the last ones to go back out on stage before the crowning. We were running late because we were all there scoffing down chocolate. We were just having such a good time in which I remember leaving back-stage thinking that it doesn’t matter what happens, we’ve had a good time and it honestly felt like everyone was feeling the same way. After winning Miss Catwalk, I was just like oh my god, this is fine and even better that I’m taking something home right? I was happy with just that or finishing the show overall. When they called my name out again for Miss Gibraltar I was completely astonished. It was a dream come true”.

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- KAYLEY MIFSUD -

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for the love of horses A member of the Gibraltar Rotary Club.

“My family and I arrived at Almoguera, Los Barrios, in 1986.

I am a British Horse Society riding instructor and opening a horseriding club in Spain, at the time, was, to the people of Gibraltar, nothing short of a miracle. The border had just reopened after 13 years closed and a whole generation of children experienced the countryside, rivers and livestock. They arrived at the stables completely in awe of all the freedom and animals. For many, to ride a horse and be taught by a British instructor was a dream come true. To this day, people still stop me in Main Street with their memories of Almoguera, telling me they were the happiest days of their childhood.

I arranged pony camps, where the children of Gibraltar could stay for the weekend, each with a horse of their own to look after. We would ride the horses down to the river where we would have a picnic and swim with the horses. I would also arrange competitions, where everyone would go away with a rosette. These were such happy times. The children grew to love nature and the countryside, and, to accomplish not only riding a horse, but looking after one too. Sadly, after three years tragedy struck. A disease called African Horse Disease (or locally known as the ‘Pestiquina’) arrived in Andalucía. Two hundred and thirty two horses died in the polo stables in Sotogrande in forty-eight hours by this lethal mosquito-carried disease. We were not so unlucky, however, as none of our horses died but every horse and every equine animal in the area had to be vaccinated. This was a mammoth task for the local vets. The animals then had to be kept in quarantine for six weeks. Six weeks without work, being kept in their stables, which were fumigated night and day against mosquitos.

The horses could only be led out by hand at midday. For me, the misery was worse. I had thirty horses to keep and no income. To make matters worse, my husband became seriously ill and had to go to England for major surgery and I had to remain looking after the horses.

They were a long and hard six weeks but, then, I was able to start working the horses once again and I had hoped that life would return to normal. Sadly, it did not work out that way. After the long quarantine period, horses in various parts of Andalucía were dying from the African Horse Sickness. There are seven different strains of the disease and we had been sent the wrong vaccination. Due to this, our horses, despite all the precautions taken, were still vulnerable to this particular strain. So, once again, all my horses were vaccinated, once we had received the correct vaccine and another six weeks in quarantine.

Unfortunately, this finished me off as a business as I could no longer afford to feed my horses with no income. It was a devastating time in my life; I was heartbroken to lose my horses who were my friends as well as my employees. It was the love and support from the wonderful people of Gibraltar that helped me through that difficult time, so much so, that I decided to make Gibraltar my home 30 years ago.

Now, I have the pleasure of being a member of the Rotary Club of Gibraltar, helping to give back to the community that gave me so much.”

- JANE HART -

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A Poorer generAtion TV personality on "Pepe's Pot"

“When I was born, we did not have riches like the majority of you have today. I remember not having a pair of socks. Yet, nowadays, I see children choosing to wear holes in their jeans.

I remember how much I cried when I had a patch put onto the holes I made in my trousers, as we did not have enough money to buy new trousers each time I ripped them. We did not have the riches you have today, but we did have courtesy. Nowadays, I enter a lift and hardly any strangers greet me when they enter.

Yet, when I was younger, we lived with our doors open for neighbours and loved ones. We were all there for each other.

I remember, in my youth, every New Year’s Day my neighbours and I would create a conga line that went all the way around Humphrey’s estate and everyone would join the fun. Now, we are more isolated as individuals, which is a real shame.”

- PEPE PALMERO -

A young musciAn A young Gibraltarian musician studying in England

“ I was inspired to take an interest in music from an early age because of my Grandad; he was probably my main role model when I was young. He began to inspire me when I was around ten years old. He taught me my first couple of chords on the guitar and also on the piano. At the age of twelve, I took on singing lessons and that was when I began singing properly. One of my most memorable experiences over the past few years has been playing at the Gibraltar Music Festival. I have performed at the GMF for the past two consecutive festivals and they were both incredible, yet, very different, experiences. During my first year, I performed on a bigger stage meaning there was a larger audience. However, the second year I performed on a smaller stage; but size didn't matter as I felt that it was a more personal performance, which was much more enjoyable for me. Another memorable time was when I went on holiday and bought an acoustic guitar in America. This happened to be the first instrument I bought myself after months of saving. I find it incredible that, over the past few years, I have developed enough to meet many important people including James Bay as I am currently studying at the same musical academy he studied at. This is because I was given the opportunity to move to Brighton and the chance to live a musician’s life. However, living away from home is difficult at such a young age. Nobody said it would be easy and I knew that. However, knowing that I am starting a new chapter in my life makes it more exciting and keeps me happy. Living abroad is helping me to develop as a person, as well as allowing me to mature and become a man. Hopefully, this opportunity will allow me to achieve my aim of releasing an album by the end of the year, As for the future, I am focusing on living in the moment. Hopefully I can make it in the music industry, but, if I don't, I will be satisfied with knowing that I have tried my best.”

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- KRISTIAN CELECIA -

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mAchine gun kelly A Teacher at Bayside School

“It’s often said that we live in a child centred society and in many ways this is true because children are usually very fondly spoken about by parents, even if in reality what they say may not be true. It is interesting to look back on my life as I realised that it was not always this way. I was born in 1960 and even though the 60s were said to be the time when radical change was coming and things were becoming more liberal it was still very tough, particularly for children, even in that decade. When I was seven years old my dad took it upon himself to invest a lot of money on me and my education because that was the norm, even though I had three older sisters, as boys were considered more important in terms of achievements because girls would inevitably become house wives. My father sent me to the Christian Brother's school or the more derogatory “la escuela de pijama” as it was known after our pijama- like uniforms. Boys from other schools would beat us up and chase us because of these uniforms. My dad convinced me that receiving an education in this school was the best thing for me so I listened to him. However since the school had been running for quite a few years, people started to place really scary stories in my head about how the teachers would pull your hair, punch you or even strap you. I remember feeling very anxious on my first day because of these stories. However, what scared me the most was a specific nam e that was stuck in my head due to all of these stories. This name belonged to the headmaster of the school, Brother Kelly, or “Machine Gun Kelly” as he was often referred to after a gangster that used to come out in cartoons. My dad always told me to beware of Machine Gun Kelly and although he was only joking it created a lot of anxiety. On a daily basis we were tested on spellings and time tables that were grinded into our heads until they were memorised, if you got more than 3 spelling or timetables wrong you would be strapped without hesitation. A strap was not a belt, it was a foot long strip of leather with various levels about a quarter of an inch thick. If we broke the rules or misspelt a word we would face the strap. I will always remember the day when Machine Gun Kelly arrived at my class. On that day we were all sitting in rows and as soon as he walked in everyone jumped up. As he began to walk around the class I could see other students' legs trembling. Suddenly I heard a trickle, which sounded like water, I soon realised that a classmate had wet himself as he feared leaving the classroom when the headmaster was inspecting us. After this the headmaster took us into a room outside of the classroom and made us stand in a circle. He would suddenly point at someone and shout a maths sum. If you hesitated or got the answer wrong you would be strapped instantly. He also grabbed students by the hair and literally pulled them around like a rag doll. Unfortunately one of my friends had a lot of trouble with this, he was one of the students I saw lifted up by the hair and punched in the chest right in front of me.

In those days there was no recognition for ADHD, autism or dyslexia and I think this particular person suffered from one of these conditions. He was strapped or punched on a daily basis. For many of us school was not a good experience, you could not go and tell your parents about the abuse because the teacher would never admit it, unlike today. I very rarely did get the strap but on occasion the whole class got it, so I did actually experience it.

When we got to the age where we had to leave the Christian Brothers' School, which was the time when I was going to do my 11 plus, they changed the course to the English system meaning I had to stay in that school for an extra year before going to Bayside the following year. Funnily enough there was another Christian Brother at Bayside so the last time I saw someone be a victim of corporal punishment was actually in Bayside.This headmaster called all the teachers and students to the playground and explained how he had caught a boy bullying another child. I front of the whole school he pulled out a 13 year old boy and took out his strap. As the boy stuck out his hands the headmaster shook his head and told him to bend down in front of the whole school. The boy was strapped with all the power of an old man across the bottom, although he did have his trousers on. I think he was strapped around 3 times on the butt cheeks and that was the last time I saw corporal punishment being legally used in Gibraltar.”

- CHARLES BISHOP -

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finding my fAther

A Firefighter and athlete who reunited with his other side of the family in Eygypt after 40 years.

“Downham Estate in Catford, South East London, is pretty much where I spent the entirety of the first six years of my life. The estate was government housing at its best. It looked great from the outside but under the surface there was poverty, crime and despair. During the early years of my childhood, I was raised by my mother. She had fallen pregnant at a young age, but things didn’t work out between her and my father so they went their separate ways before I was born. With no forwarding address in either direction, and long before the advent of social media, if they would have wanted to find each other it would have been a Herculean task! Having said this, my mother was always very open when it came to who my father was, giving me his name, nationality and the story of how they met. Of course at such a young age I was content with the world I knew, my mother was everything to me. When it came to my father, although there was an underlying curiosity, it was more a case of not missing what you’ve never had. It was a topic that would come up once in a while but never dwelled upon.

In 1982, my mother took the plunge, to leave London in search of a better life. Fortunately, during our time in London, my mother had met my stepdad who is from Gibraltar; a connection that would shape the rest of our lives as this was the overriding factor on my mum’s choice of destinations.

Before I knew it, I was settled in school, making new friends and loving life on the Rock. A couple of years later, my mother’s friendship with my stepdad became something more. In January 1988, they were married and I was soon the proud big brother of two lovely sisters.

At this time, I felt completely Gibraltarian and South East London was a distant memory only to be visited during moments of reminiscence.

Now and again, I thought of who and where my father could be and how he would feel upon discovering not only that he had a son, but on how successful he had become without his help. Truth be told, my mother and stepfather had provided me with all of the love and support that I needed so knowing who my real father was, was more of a curiosity than a necessity.

In 1995 I left Gibraltar to begin university life in Kentucky U.S.A., after acquiring a sports scholarship, and spent four years running for Morehead State University. Again, my curiosity began to peak. Being in a relatively isolated part of the U.S.A., people were naturally curious as to where I was from and I was often asked many questions concerning my home, my heritage, race and so on. Even though in my heart my nationality is nothing but 100% Gibraltarian, my true roots lie elsewhere. The fact of the matter was that I am 50% Egyptian, but I could

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never give much more than that, I mean how could I? I knew nothing of my ancestors! Now this did bother me. After all, it was half of who I am (at least genetically). Not only that, but the possibility of having brothers and sisters hadn’t escaped me either.

Returning to Gibraltar, things got back to normal, my interest in finding out who my father was diminished and I became content with life.

I was happy, I called my stepfather dad, and in fact, I still do. I shall forever consider him as such; for he raised me and supported me through my childhood and difficult teen years so, if anyone deserved to be called dad, it is him.

Upon the birth of my youngest son, I again felt that I had to find out who my real father was. There were so many questions, even concerning my son, things like; do I have a family medical history that I should be worried about? Really, it’s hard to explain but simple things like filling in a medical form and not being able to answer all of the questions really bothered me.

This led to more frequent conversations with my wife until with her help and support we took the plunge. We signed up to ancestry.co.uk in hope to uncover the past and this, together with incorporating the information that my mother had given me, we searched high and low through internet records, websites, making phone calls etc. Our attempts to find him would ebb and flow over the next nine years.

It was in September 2014 that things really took a turn for the better in our fruitless quest. My wife Nicole loves to watch these T.V. programs like ‘Who do you think you are?’ and‘Long Lost Family’. Now the latter program actually targeted normal everyday people and more often than not came back with results. I watched an episode with her and I had to admit to it being very interesting, it was not a talk show or anything of the sort.

And so it dawned on me, that this might be my only chance of ever finding out. I decided to take the plunge, but before I could I had to run the whole thing by my mother and stepfather. This was not a case of seeking permission, rather a case of seeking their blessing. At the end of the day if this was going to be made public I had to take my mother’s integrity into account. I also needed my stepfathers blessing as to a certain extent the possibility of meeting my real dad felt a little like betrayal. I was about to embark on a journey into the unknown and I had decided I was going to do so regardless but having my family on board would definitely make things easier for me.

Thankfully there were no objections.

I applied for the program. To be honest I never expected to be selected, this to me was a shot in the dark, but two weeks later I received a phone call from ITV asking for a telephone interview as they found my case interesting. The day after my interview, I was called and informed that the directors liked my story and had given the green light. And so, the search began.

It took only two weeks for ITV to get in touch with me. They believed that they had found my father and I agreed to undergo a DNA test and apparently so did my father. Then, it was a case of waiting for the results to come back from the lab to confirm whether or not my father had indeed been found.

I think it is important to express my state of mind at this point. If I am honest, the thing that I was most prepared for apart from not being able to find him was rejection. I honestly do not think I would have taken it badly, for me this would have been a case of maintaining status quo.

It was rejection that I expected, but what I received was the opposite. ITV called within a week or so of the DNA test being sent. The results were positive and my father whose full name I now knew, but omit out of respect for his privacy, wanted to welcome me with open arms. He did however have one condition, he did not want our reunion to be filmed or be included in the T.V. program. He said that he wanted his family matters kept private but that he was eternally grateful to them for uniting us.

A notification pinged on my phone not more than a minute after I agreed for my contact details to be forwarded. It was my father asking if he could call me! My God was I nervous…”what should I do?” I asked my wife, it was a rhetorical question but after all of this time, how was I going to react to hearing his voice? What could I say? What would I say? Well it was time to message back, “yes feel free to call me” and then the phone rang…

After 39 years and 5 months, I finally spoke to my father for the first time. It has to go down as one of the surrealist moments of my life.

The past is the past and the future is yours to create. Never give up on chasing the things that matter to you and don’t be afraid of the outcome; it’s your life and you are always in control. That is what I have learnt from this experience.

It was Easter 2015 when we were reunited in person. I travelled to London with my wife and children to meet my father who lives in Richmond of all places…seriously Richmond. Do you know how many times I have been in that area in the last 39 years. To think he was there the whole time. Anyway, the reunion was a fantastic occasion with lots of hugs, some tears and definitely too much to eat. I also got to meet my younger brother and two younger sisters as well as one of my uncles and my father’s wife who is also a wonderful lady. In fact, she deserves a special mention, as does my stepfather, for being so understanding and supportive throughout. I had spoken to them online prior to going over but nothing prepares you for meeting your own flesh and blood for the first time.

How time flies. We now all maintain regular contact with each other and have all travelled back and forth to visit each other. Most recently, I got to travel to Egypt where I visited other relatives that I had yet to meet, but the most defining moment of the trip was meeting my 94 year old Grandmother, who it turns out, I have an uncanny resemblance to. But that trip is another story. Safe to say that I had now gone full circle and finally my life had some closure.”

- LIAM BYRNE -

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the truth behind the glAmour Gibraltar's Manager of MAC

"I had grown up with an Indian dance group called Eastern Affairs and I saw that the make up for the dancers wasn't very good, so I decided to start learning in the hope of doing the make up for the dancers. There were no professionals or experts, so I started doing it on my friends, family and at work. One day a ‘Yves Saint Laurent’ representative saw my work. She approached and told me she liked my work and that she'd come back in a year. Exactly a year later, she came back and asked me to go to France; which I did for three weeks. I took make up classes, did exams, learnt the trade further and passed the exams. When I came back I decided to go to London and a friend got me a job within a beauty agency. Once I was there, the agency got me three interviews with Dior, Lancôme and Yves Saint Laurent. I came back, resigned from my work and went to work with Lancome for two and a half years. I did Miss World 1999, the Baftas with Tom Hanks and Kate Hudson and Fashion Week. In the industry there's a lot of word of mouth. My name got spread around and soon after I was asked by Dior to be the English National makeup artist. There are two positions for that job, North and South and I got South, so I covered London, Edinburgh and loads of other cities. I did this for six years. The world I was in was glamorous but a lot of hard work.

However, in 2004 I came back to Gibraltar. In 2003 and 2004 I lost both of my parents, and decided to stay here with my family. I got a job in Seruya and carried on doing make up here. I did Miss Gibraltar for six years until 2009 and also Miss Glamour, along with working with photographers locally and abroad. The only two things I really want to do now are the Oscars and Miss Universe.

My most touching project was a calendar I once did for Breast Cancer. It was heart rending and emotional, because I knew I had to hide my emotions. You never knew if one of the ladies in the calendar would, next year, no longer be with us. It was very gratifying because, even for 10 minutes or an hour, if I made those women turn their insecurities into securities, I would be happy. If they felt even more beautiful than they already were even for a while, my job would be done. That's the makeup artist I'd like to be remembered as."

- DEEPAK RAMCHANDANI -

sociAl exPectAtions A former Christian Brother

“I found the social conventions in Gibraltar very restrictive. I did not want to conform, if in those days you did not fit in you were considered odd. I didn’t want to be restricted and have people telling me what to do and what I should follow. I think I did much better with these things than most people I knew in my adolescence. It wasn’t for me. People thought very small.

There were a lot of things you had to do then. If a young teenager had a girlfriend, he could not look at another girl, you were basically married. Hamstrung at a young age.

My brother once asked me ‘If you do not have children what will you leave behind?’ but I did not want a family that I would have to leave behind and there is certain bliss behind that. However, if I found a girl as odd as me I suppose, I would’ve married her. Many things happen in life. It is not a straight path; there are many ups and downs and many surprises. Being in Africa slowed me down, gave me more time to think. There is more time for personnel relations there. When people ask ‘How are you?’ or ‘Good morning’ they mean it.”

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- ARTHUR CHINCOTTA -

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god cAlled me to gibrAltAr The Minister at St Andrew's Church

“After 15 years of ministry in a Glasgow city-centre parish, I felt like I needed a new challenge. At the same time, I did not want a sideways move. As a minister you are always trying to weigh up what you want with what is God’s will and I can tell you there can be a bit of a tension there. Gibraltar is, obviously, an attractive place to be in, so I was concerned not to confuse a life style choice with the call of God. However, God showed us clearly as a family, that this was the path we should take. While I was here for my interview in 2009, my wife saw an advertisement for a job as an Occupational Health Advisor (which was her job in Glasgow), the only one on the Rock. The person doing the job was retiring after 26 years. My wife applied and started work before I did in June 2009.

Being a Minister is a unique career from which you never really switch off. There are advantages in that you do not have to “clock in” except on Sunday, but you can also find yourself answering e-mails or planning a service late at night. I see my main role as being a teacher of the Christian faith. I continually read books on theology, which helps me better understand the Gospel’s message. I think it is important that a minister has a good grasp of Biblical Theology.

The church building is now nearly 160 years old and for the most part it served the Scottish regiments that were stationed here, the walls still proudly adorn the insignia of regiments that have long since been amalgamated. A series of strategic defence reviews means that there are no Scottish regiments here now, although we did have the 4th Scots worshipping with us last year during a short tour of duty. The historic connection has ensured that we continue to have an important place in Gibraltar civic life. In a changing world, St Andrew’s has also moved on and, now, we attract, though not a large congregation, certainly a diverse one.

There are two particular services of worship where we are still able to have an important influence. They are the St Andrew’s Day Service (which goes out as a live broadcast, no pressure there then) and our Christmas Carol service, both of which attract around 150 people.

Attending these events are the great and the good of Gibraltar, the serving Governor, the Chief Minister, The Bishop and many of our political, religious and civic leaders. During the rest of the year, worship life continues in the Sunday service, our Wednesday lunchtime service and our Tuesday evening Bible Study. No job that involves dealing with people is boring. All people are interesting. When you put God into the mix, well, it is even more interesting.

Being a Minister has given me some great opportunities. While I was in Glasgow, our Church of Scotland Minister’s team played a charity match against Scottish MP’s at Parkhead, Glasgow, Celtic’s football stadium. Needless to say, the Ministers won 5-2. As Chaplain of the local Air Cadet Squadron I have had the opportunity to fly in a Hercules while it has been on operations.

It is a great privilege to serve God and to represent him on earth. I will always feel challenged by a comment made to me by Mr. Benzaquen who has the Bureau de Change on Main Street. I had given him a large number of euros to exchange into Sterling. He handed me the Sterling without counting the euros. When I asked him about this he said, “If I can’t trust you, who can I trust!”

- EWEN MACLEAN -

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my evAcuAtion exPerience 28th july 1940

“I was born on the 4th March 1920, just after the First World War. At the age of twenty, I lived through the experience of the Second World War and with the immediate threat to Gibraltar, I was evacuated to London. Just before being evacuated, I married my late husband Arthur Dyer; who was serving as a Police Officer at the time and he remained in Gibraltar.

On the 28th July 1940, I embarked on an eighteen-day journey by ship to London. We sailed in a fleet of about eight ships. It was quite frightening as there was a risk of being attacked by bombers.

When we finally arrived in London, we were divided into groups to be allocated lodgings. I was given a ground floor flat at San Bernardos, which was like a college accommodation. This was to be my home for the next three and a half years together with my mother, my sister, my little brother and my two elderly aunts. My mother in law also travelled with us and she was given a different accommodation in a hotel called Royal Palace hotel (if I recall correctly).

During this time, my sisters worked in an ammunition factory, which was some distance away on foot. This was a way of earning an income. I was lucky to receive money from my husband as well as the benefits from the Government. I had to look after my aunties and I also took my little brother to school. Unfortunately one of my aunties fell ill and after a while in hospital she passed away and was buried in London.To be honest, I enjoyed my time in London. Now and again we would hear the sirens and we would immediately seek shelter in designated basements. We had our meals in a canteen but I used to bring some food home for my mum to cook it differently. On Saturdays, my sister and I would go to the market. Food, especially meat, was rationed and we had stamps to exchange for food. However, we soon made friends with one of the butchers, and when things were a bit quieter, we would approach him and he would sell us meat; black market I suppose.

Some Sundays, I would venture into London to visit my mother in law and sister in law. I remember going into Oxford Street one day and having a picture taken by a photographer to give to my husband. I still cherish this picture in my bedroom. (It wasn’t as easy as it is nowadays to have a picture taken).

I finally returned to Gibraltar and that’s when I started my family, giving birth to four beautiful daughters Julie, Norah, Betty and Elizabeth and I am now blessed with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

- BERTHA DYER (DE SOTO) -

"morocco"

"I was born in Casablanca, Morocco back in '54 and stayed there until primary school. I went to Tangiers where I attended secondary and high school, yet I went back for university. My degree took four years and I did Psychology and Sociology, and, I did it in Arabic, English, French and German. It's not much, but it is better than nothing. I taught in Morocco for 3 years after that, and only came to Gibraltar on holiday for two weeks with a friend. I fell in love with the place, and decided to stay here and now it's my home; from two weeks to the rest of my life. I now run a restaurant here, I quite enjoy my job. I only go back to see my brothers and sisters, and when I go I feel like a tourist because I don't know anyone. When I first moved here I really wanted to teach languages. However, when I went for the job interview they asked me for a British passport, which I didn't have."

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- ANON -

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‘An AccidentAl leAder’ Gibraltar's Governor

“With my position being that of the Governor (particularly with my title being ‘Commander in Chief’), the perception is that I have always been a leader. I have always been a commander. I have always been confident to lead. I have always been confident to command.

However, the reality is that, when I was a teenager, I was not confident to lead or command. I never really saw myself as a leader.

It was only through life experiences that I truly developed an understanding of what leadership was and how I could become a better leader. When I was at school, the teachers asked for nominations for the captain of the rugby team, but I never put my name down as I didn’t feel that I would I be any good as a leader.

Luckily for me and for the team, one of my friends put my name in without my knowledge and, when the team voted, they selected me as the captain. Somebody else had recognised the leadership in me.

This is why I would call myself an ‘accidental leader’.

Later on, I did my Royal Marines training. Here, you go through a three or four day recruitment and screening process where you undergo lots of tests, both physical and mental. I failed it. At that point, I didn’t really understand whether I was a leader or not, and I didn’t understand what others were looking for in a leader. This meant that I didn’t show that I had these qualities.

Initially, I failed my first interview for the Royal Marines, but luckily I did not give up as, once again, those around me gave me confidence to recognize my abilities and attributes. This resulted in me passing my interview the second time around, which once again hints at me being an accidental leader. The final illustration of learning as I go and me being a bit of an accidental leader, took place about five years into my Marine career.

For thirty years, I did Special Forces selection and, about half way through my training, I wanted to give up. I felt that I was not good enough and I didn’t know how to improve this. This time, it was my instructor who recognised my ability and convinced me to stay on.

My formative years built me up to being a Governor and Commander in Chief here in Gibraltar. I started in a place where I didn’t even recognise myself as a leader, never mind anybody else.

The moral of the story is that, even though leadership is partly something you are born with, it is also a big part of how you develop. One of the beliefs I have is that leadership is for everyone - not just for leaders like me, but also for people in their own individual lives. This is because you lead yourself every morning. You decide when to get up. You decide what homework or sports you are going to do. Those are decisions that you make. In life, you can make good or bad decisions, push yourself or take the easy way, but ultimately you are leading yourself.

Leading yourself will result in you experiencing things you would have never imagined as a child - for example: I began commanding a troop of 30 marines and ended up as the deputy commander of NATO, commanding an army of 350,000. In your family and friends, and in your team you will see leaders rising up, but everybody has a leadership role and everyone can contribute collectively, sharing their different abilities. There will always be some who have particular ambitions of becoming leaders, and will go on to become Governor or Chief Minister.

I think that so many people (including myself as an accidental leader) don’t understand the power of leadership and how it can be good for everybody in Gibraltar and everybody in the world. I feel that everybody can use the attributes of a leader to make themselves a better person, make their friends, colleagues and immediate family live in a better place. Ultimately making the world a better place. One of the privileges you get as Governor is the opportunity to produce your own coat of arms, with a motto underneath it -my motto is ‘to succeed is to lead’. I believe that leadership for everybody is one of the key ways to succeed - whether you are an individual, a group or, indeed, a nation.”

- EDWARD DAVIS -

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“either we thrive with unity or we let division see us fAll” Founder of "The World Wide Tribe"

“In August 2015, I and three others travelled to the 'Jungle' refugee camp in Calais, France. I have always had an interest in international development, but my interest in the refugee situation started in August 2015, when we saw the huge crisis unfold in the media. I believe, as humans, we are compelled to support each other including those in need. I want the people of Gibraltar to have the opportunity to help on an international stage. Our trip was sparked by the negative attention we were seeing in the media, and we were driven to learn more about the people who were there, and their experiences. We just packed up the car and drove across the Channel right up to the camp, and met some of the most incredible people on that first day. We set up The Worldwide Tribe Facebook Page, and wrote about our experiences online, and quickly grew a community of people who wanted to help. The first post that we put on Facebook was shared over 65,000 times, and we immediately knew that people were interested in what we were doing and the people we had met. Within four days, The Worldwide Tribe Facebook Page had over 20,000 likes, and everyone wanted to know what they could do to help. We then set up a crowd funding page, hoping to raise £1,000 to get aid to take back to the camp, and the response was unreal. As well as monetary donations, people were dropping off tents, sleeping bags, food, and anything else they could think of which would help. We took van-loads over to Calais, and were able to distribute them to the people there, before embarking on a journey across Europe and the Middle East.

I have found, through my work at The Worldwide Tribe, that different people will always have different opinions. There is no one blanket opinion that everybody shares, and so it is inevitable that you will find people who think negatively about refugees.

What is important here is to look beyond the label. Refugee is purely the state that one finds oneself in at a certain point in life. It is the result of war, genocide or persecution and it in no way indicates the type of person that someone will be. All 'refugees' are people, just like you and me. They have lives and families and jobs and we have much more in common than some might realise. And it is incredibly true, what they say - it could just as easily be us.

There are many misconceptions that could be discussed here, like 'Why do they have smartphones?' (Because they're fleeing war, not poverty), 'They are all men' (Gender / age breakdown is different based on location and individual experience), 'They are terrorists' (They're actually fleeing from the terrorists they're accused of being), but the best thing to do here is look beyond all of those things and focus on our commonality, our humanity - at the end of the day, we will thrive with unity and division will only serve to see us fall.

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I feel like the public could help by engaging in open conversation. Learn as much as you can, form your own opinions and do not be afraid to speak up. Whether that's sharing an article (that you have fact-checked) online, going to a protest, writing to your political representatives or speaking to your friends at school; it is important to talk about what is happening. You can raise money for organisations whose work you see is valuable by holding your own fundraising events, and you can even volunteer your time at places like EKO. “

- DAN TEUMA -

chef on the rock

International Marketing and Business Development Executive at Gibtelecom

“I have always had a love for food. Ever since I was a child, it has always formed a very big part of my life. During my childhood I used to live next door to my grandmother who often prepared big family ‘feasts’, which for me represented more than just the food itself.

It was more of a sense of occasion, a gathering of loved ones and friends who were being brought together by the food. Within my family, we have always sat down together to have our meals which, again for me, meant much more than just what we were eating and these moments became all the more important for me as a result. For me, love, family and food have a connection. Watching my mother and grandmother cooking inspired me to take an interest in the kitchen from a young age and I was always eager to help out.

Entering Rock Chef was an opportunity to express and share my passion for food with others. I have never had any formal training and developing as a chef came about from watching many cookery programs and through reading many books, from which I have drawn inspiration and have allowed me to put my own take on food. I never follow any recipes ‘by the book’ as I prefer to come up with dishes based on things with connections or triggers - for example, food that reminds me of my childhood, or a particular dish I enjoyed in the past. I then try to replicate that using my own style, rather than copying what another chef has done. The last few years have been exciting as, even though I did not end up with the result I was hoping for in Rock Chef, I did come away from that experience with a very positive opportunity. The owners of My Wines approached me to ask whether I would be willing to organise ‘Chef’s Table’ events at their restaurant. As a result, I regularly host wine pairing evenings which I really enjoy as they allow me to share my love and my passion for food with others. This is where the thrill really lies for me, chef work is not my ‘bread and butter’ (excuse the pun). In actual fact, I am of the opinion that, were I to work as a chef as my career, it would completely change my outlook on food. I do it because it is something I really love and not because I have to earn a wage at the end of the month from it. Be it cooking for friends, family, neighbours or even guests at one of the events I hold, it is the feedback and reactions of those eating my dishes that really matter to me.”

- SHAUN ZAMITT -

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A euroPeAn in AfricA A German that has been living in Gibraltar since 1994

“My name is Klaus Peter Jan Buhler, a long name I know, but I am better known as Jan to my family, friends and colleagues. I was born a German citizen, but I have spent over twenty-five years living in Gibraltar. Way back then, while studying in France, I met and eventually married a local Gibraltarian girl and soon enough welcomed two daughters to the world. Since residing in Gibraltar, my profession has been, and continues to be, a multitude of different challenging roles in Toyota Gibraltar Stockholdings Ltd. I am the Area Sales Manager for the Swiss and German humanitarian market (my clients amongst many others purchase the truckloads of "white Toyota's" running around Gibraltar's streets). I also train drivers in numerous countries in Africa, who are appointed by charitable organisations providing humanitarian assistance. This is probably my favourite part of my job, as I train these particular drivers with a consciousness to develop driver professionalism, enhancing their skills and expertise to a high standard, while investing in their future.

The first day of training courses are always interesting as you meet a new group of people for the first time. On the first day of one of my most memorable trips to Africa, I see twelve figures walking towards me. They are mostly large built, strong hands and smartly dressed in shirts and trousers. Lastly, I see one gentleman, slight build and tall. Seems humble and forgiving. Generally speaking, these are the moments that connect me with them. The initial connection is never one that is friendly, more so of hostility and frustration. I understand it. The typical response is "What are these white men going to show me?" "Teach me to drive? I have been driving my car for years". Little do they know that with safe 4x4 driving, it is an entirely different concept.

Throughout the week of training, the overall course is delivered with theory and practical exercises. The participants are challenged with numerous scenarios of road safety principles. They watch provoking video footage of car accidents and undergo written tests about basic vehicle maintenance. Outside, however, they practice their theory; knitting together their resources and experiences. The weight lifts off our shoulders like that moment when the drivers see you as someone wanting to help and enhance their abilities. This is not a macho moment; it is a bright realisation of Eureka. They get it. From this time onwards, their behaviours change positively and I am no longer being addressed as "Chief" or "Mr. Jan" but "Jan" or "my friend".

I learnt very quickly, that our participant drivers tend to have lots of children; some, maybe, six children and others as many as twenty-one.

It is the norm out there, as bearing children in such cultures shows virility, and for most, it is an investment for their own future as they have a guarantee that they will be looked after. Once the week comes to an end certificates are handed out and received with great pride and handshakes confirm our goodbyes.

Several weeks on, I am back in wet and cold Gibraltar. Whilst sitting in my office chair, I notice an urgent email from Africa. It is not another sale though; it is a notice, an unpleasant one. I read on motionless in my chair only to comprehend that someone had died.

Someone that I knew and someone who knew me. Someone had lost his life in a hijacking incident. That same shy driver died in a hijacking.

He was at a fuel station replenishing his car; a proud ambassador for his humanitarian organisation and dedicated father to his many children and, out of nowhere, someone threatened him with a knife. It appeared that the perpetrator wanted his car, which was not even his private car, but his organisation's car. Hostile words were exchanged, hazy movements, and soon enough a struggle broke out. Our ambassador fell to his fate, leaving behind his family. As I read on I found out that it was not the car that the thief wanted, but just the forty euros in his pocket to pay for fuel.�

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- JAN BĂœHLER -

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be yourself A Gibraltarian living with cerebral palsy

“A few weeks ago I asked if I could give a talk at Gib Talks. They said I could, however, I only had one week to prepare my speech, therefore, I didn't really prepare for it, I knew what I wanted to say anyways. I’m so happy I got to do this. I had never been up Med Steps before, and doing this was such an amazing feeling, the views up there were spectacular! However, in order for me to have completed this challenge I had to train every single day for an entire year. I’d go for long walks and I’d do some climbing. It was tough, but definitely worth it. I did this to show that everything was possible if you work hard enough to achieve it. Many people doubted me because my disability, but I wanted people to see beyond that; in fact to see my ability and everyone else who is like me.

I do think society is prejudiced against certain people and groups. Sometimes for me, I find it really hard to talk and some people don't understand that they have to listen to me and have patience to understand what I'm trying to say. A lot of people stereotype and I think it should stop. People should just accept that this is who I am. I work in the Department of Education as an admin, however, my dream is to be a journalist, but for something big. I plan to achieve this starting off by attending to university, preferably in Manchester.

I’ve been to Morocco several times, however, I like it here, in Gibraltar much more because here I feel happy. A lot of people are starting to accept me for who I am and I don’t feel the same way in Morrocco. Although I'm really happy here and I love living in Gibraltar, in the future I’d want to live in New York. My family have always been there for me and I’d like to say to them ‘You have always supported me and you are always happy for me, thank you so much’ and I’d also like to tell everyone reading this to ‘be yourself’.”

- MANAR BENTAHAYEKT -

leArning from ghAnA Assstant Sale Manager at Bassadone

“In July 2013, a group of Gibraltarians left behind the comfort of their homes to spend two to four weeks in a remote part of Ghana,West Africa, to build a classroom for the children of the village of Marinatha. I was one of these fortunate people who took part in this tough, but humbling, experience. Reflecting on this trip, I've realised that Gibraltarians and the world alike, should see how happy these people are and question whether or not what you were stressing about the week before at work was really a problem. In Marinatha, you would walk down any street and see everyone smiling. You would give a child an old biro but you might as well have given them a chunk of gold.

The gratitude on their faces and their innocence was overwhelming. Some might criticise and show disgust about their hygiene, living conditions or the food, but the absence of material things made them the most peaceful and happy people I have ever met. Simple things that we take for granted–such as sleeping, are luxuries that those across the Strait do not have. We slept on a wooden frame with two wonky mattresses in the middle, a mosquito net covering our faces and the humidity of the sand floor and nearby riverbank. As early as 5AM, we heard women raking the sand right beside our heads and small mice making appearances during the night. I say small mice, as that is what I like to tell myself, but the footprints left on the sand suggested something very different. This completely different world is right at our doorstep. I feel that these eye-opening experiences make you appreciate what you have, as well as the world we live in, especially and even more so as a woman. I remember coming back home and giving my six year old niece some bracelets that the children in the camp had made for her. She looked at me and said “Auntie, is this it?” I was so angry because I remembered and knew the love with which the bracelets had been made and the look of utter happiness on any child’s face in the village if I would have given one of these bracelets back to them. In Gibraltar, our children are spoilt and very rightly so, we love them and want them to have the best in life. However, we should teach them to appreciate life as well as making them aware of how others live, even taking them to Ghana, if possible, is something that would change the way they look at their own and anybody else’s life.”

- STEPHANIE FINLAYSON -

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umPiring in five continents An Olympic Umpire

“I have been involved in hockey since middle school, first playing with St Anne’s and then at Bayside, and still playing now as a veteran. I always enjoyed playing this sport. My first club was Grammarians H.C. but I only played a couple of years and at the age of 18 I joined Collegians H.C. and still form part of this club. I was the centre man for the club, played many competitive matches including a European Club competition in Gibraltar. I also represented Gibraltar at National Level, saying this I have been one of five players in the world that played for their national side and then qualified as a Grade 1 umpire. Later in my career, when we went to Egypt to compete in the Med Cup, I was told to take a decision on umpiring or playing, so that is when I took the big step towards umpiring I became an umpire as I felt that I enjoyed it. I believe that I had the advantage that as a player you want to see what an umpire is doing and thinking, and, when I’m umpiring, I know what a player wants from me.

My hockey career as an umpire started in 1997. I started doing a first European Cup with Eagles Hockey Club in Wales, which I really enjoyed, so this made me want to pursue it further. My first international tournament was an under 21 in 1999 in Paloma. There, I was told by the umpiring managers to apply for my badge. In hockey, there are 4 types of badges: National, FIH, Grade 1 and World & Olympic. I never thought of becoming a World & Olympic Umpire. However, in 1999, I applied for my FIH badge. I had to umpire a lot of tournaments, which meant that I had to spend a lot of time away from home. After this, I was promoted to Grade 1 Umpire. Normally, you have stay at this level for around two years, but I only stayed with this badge for the tournament. This is because I had delivered a good performance throughout my career so I was given a promotion to become a World and Olympic Umpire. This was after the Commonwealth Games in India. It made me realise that I finally had a chance to go to the Olympics. I always tried to look as far as possible, but never believed it could happen. I felt this was great for my family and I; especially as I was able to make my two sons proud to call me their dad.

Since then, I have umpired in two Olympic Games, a World Cup Final including the Final in Holland. This was an amazing experience.

There were around 14,000 people watching the game. It was a football stadium with a hockey pitch laid inside the stadium. I have also umpired two Commonwealth Games; Melbourne and Delhi. In Delhi, I umpired the final with 20,000 people watching. This has been one of my biggest experiences. To experience the different culture, people and how highly they think of you. Everyone wanted to take a picture with me, which I found absolutely amazing and rewarding. Overall, I have umpired in the five continents and I am the 36th Umpire in the History who has achieved this. Another great achievement was receiving the Golden Whistle in November 2015 during the World League Final in Raipur, India. This is bestowed on Umpires when they reach 100 International Matches. It was a great honour for me to reach this milestone.

I still umpire here in Gibraltar. There is a huge difference. The level of respect I get here is not as high as I get abroad. I have always said if you can umpire here in Gibraltar, you can umpire anywhere in the world. I still find it amazing how I could control the fierce rivalry between Grammarians and Eagles on the pitch.

I have to thank my wife Audrey, my family and work colleagues for all the support they have given me throughout my Umpiring career especially with all the travel involved.”

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- NATHAN STAGNO -

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from one chAPter to Another An ex army PTI who is now working in the Gibraltar Defence Police

“I never fully planned out my career, which meant that living in Gibraltar was sort of an accident. I stopped at Gibraltar whilst backpacking as a young man since I had a friend from Leeds who was half-Gibraltarian, half-English. His father got me a job here at Gibunco where I did a bit of joinery. I had only planned to stay here for two weeks, but they soon turned into four weeks as I was fixing someone’s yacht. These people really liked the job I did there so I assisted in the building and re-fitting of their personal house. That job lasted all summer, which meant that I started to enjoy the Gibraltarian lifestyle by the end of it. Here I am today, nearly 30 years later, still happily living in Gibraltar.

On a day-to-day basis I work in the Gibraltar Defence Police in the CID department, although I also have Govern duties, which consist of audits and assurance for processes and procedures we do in the force. Within the other half of the CID, we focus on the crime element, which is my favourite part of my current occupation, as I really enjoy getting to the bottom of investigations and, eventually, getting the answer I am looking for. There are all sorts of different elements within crime that I had never thought about before joining the police. It was a natural progression being in the Ministry of Defence as a soldier to working in the GDP. I enjoyed most experiences in the army, but, like in any job, there were also parts, which I did not enjoy as much.

Overall, I would say I am glad that I did join the army as I learnt a lot there. However, I have decided not to dwell on the past as I believe life should be lived as a learning experience and I wanted to keep on learning passed this chapter of my life since ‘The man that knows everything, is the man that can learn no more’. I am quite glad that I closed that door and opened a new one, as even though you get used to spending a lot of time away from home, doing this for twenty-two years was still a difficult task to complete. It was little things such as making plans for the upcoming weekend, which you knew you would have to be cancelled if something came up that made me realise I needed to start a new chapter. I spent a lot of time in my army career as a physical training instructor, which, inevitably, made people have a very different perspective of who they thought I was as a person. A sort of character profile was created based on my job. However, I did not fit this character profile as people thought being a physical training instructor made me a bit showy, when in reality this was not the case. I really felt that I was just a normal bloke. I am what I am, and I do what I do; I just get on with it and I am quite oblivious to anything else.”

- SEAN CAWOOD -

the good cAn come from the bAd A part-time guitar teacher who performs on the streets for enjoyment.

“I am now 22 years old and I have a passion for travelling and music; they are what led me to being here. I had heard a lot about Gibraltar so, when I visited, I felt comfortable, as it was a familiar environment; British food and beer. I am more than happy to be here. I was born in Heidelberg, Germany and was a guitar teacher, however, due to the lack of job opportunities for a musician there, I decided it was best for me to move to London. Three years ago, when I first moved there, I had a job at a hostel but eventually I lost my job. Although this may seem negative, on the other had, this is what led me to meeting a crazy Australian street guitarist. He told me he would love to play with me but did not have a guitar for me. He then said that if I was able to find a mandolin or a banjo, I could play alongside him. Almost immediately, I went to Denmark Street and I bought myself the best mandolin they had. I practiced for three days and, since then, I have been performing on the streets practically every day. I have met so many interesting people while playing on the streets. About 2 years ago, I saw a teacher with his class on a school excursion. His students weren’t paying much attention, so he asked me to play something while he took off his shoes and started dancing.

Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces made me love doing what I do. However, my career as a street performer is now coming to an end as I have a job as a guitar teacher waiting for me in London along with my parents too.”

- STEVE O'NEIL -

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whAt A Photo cAn do A University student studying photography

“I find it quite amazing what a picture can do. Just think about all those memories frozen in time forever, simply with the click of a button. I just found it amazing how memories could be captured in the moment in the form of a picture. I also love photography as I was always interested in how people would react to my perspective of real life situations through my images. I first took an interest in photography 4 years ago as a hobby when I had my iPod touch. After 8 months of using it, in September 2016 my mum bought me my first ever DSLR camera, which marked the beginning of this photographic lifestyle I live. At the time of choosing for options in university I was considering my strengths and weaknesses and what would deliver the best possible university degree I could participate in. From past experience, and from family members at university, I realised it was best not to go study something you dislike for the money, but rather choosing a degree you actually enjoy. Never choose something for the money over the love for a subject. Hopefully, in the future, I'd like to become some sort of photo-journalist for a massive magazine label or company where I would travel and take pictures. However, if I don’t manage to make it big in the industry of photography, my safe route would be to go back home and teach photography to secondary school students. In all fairness, I feel many people perceive my course to be less challenging and more of a joke; it definitely isn’t that. I take my course extremely seriously and just like the quote says "you can’t judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree", so don’t judge courses unless you know what they entail. A few people joke about it sometimes but it doesn’t get to me as I’m doing what I love.”

- KARIM SCHEMBRI -

i wAs never good At Any one sPort One of Gibraltar’s top atheles

"I never excelled in one sport in particular. I was good at all of them; in the top 15 team for football, on the cross country race team and so on, but there were always people in those sports better than me. Of those, I had liked rugby the most and after A-levels in England I played for local teams a couple of times a week, more for the social element than any proper rugby training. When I came to Gibraltar in 1993 out of coincidence many people with a similar age and mindset came back from university, so we formed a rugby team here in '93. After a few years however I became less and less motivated due to my wife having our first baby, team restraints and other things so I left it. One day in the MOD pool and man came up to me and we started talking, and he asked me if I had ever done a triathlon. It had never even occurred in my mind to do one, and I had only ever seen one on TV, the triathlon at Sydney. It made sense because I was never great at any sport but good at many of them, so I got into it and did my first one in La Linea; the bike track was around the stadium, the swimming in the bay and the foot track within the stadium too. And when I finished that race I knew there and then that was what I should've been doing this entire time. Back in Gibraltar we founded a triathlon club in October 2000 and we got accepted to go to the Island Games in 2001. It was the first time I had done an Olympic length race and I came fourth. From then my goal had always to keep on getting better, and remains so 17 years later, even nearing 50. In these 17 years I have remained unbeaten locally, and really helped the triathlon grow here after I won gold in Bermuda.”

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- CHRIS WALKER -

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“risks Are needed to succeed” Sky Arts featured painter

“I learnt most of my technical skills whilst studying scientific and technical registration as I had amazing tutors; including one of the designers behind Rolex watches. I learnt all the technical aspects of art- how to mix colour with watercolour, where you have layers of colours, which you must build up slowly without faults. I worked for many publishers, illustrated over one-hundred and fifty books for some of the biggest publishers in the world. However, I think I was too young for this job as I was working all the time and soon got sick of it.

I did learn a lot in my teaching career here in Gibraltar, as I was able to study and explore different artists with my students, but at the same time, I continued creating my own art.

I then met an artist named Fransisco Frareras in Barcelona who inspired me to go from hyper-realism work throughout university and illustration to completely abstract work, which allowed me to win many awards. Following this, I tried to return to painting, but I was not able to paint the way I did before as I had focused on abstract work for a while, so I started to work in between both styles. I was taken on by Claredon Fine Art gallery in London where I was offered a career whilst still teaching at Westside School. I achieved a lot of success with this gallery, selling all my work in shows and accumulating multiple awards in London. By the time the Sky Arts came around, I had already made a small mark in the artistic world but the award gave me a platform to work from as it allowed me to participate in a program with Allen Cunning in New York and create my own series, which was very popular. The Sky Arts Portrait Artist award gave me a lot of prestige as people outside of Gibraltar and London were aware of what I could do. However, by the end of this great experience I was slightly burnt out, as I had to come up with completely new concepts all the time. My work was presented in the National Gallery of Scotland, the Liverpool Museum and the Bolton Museum; which shows how amazing this journey has been for me as an artist.

The whole experience has changed my life completely as I am now in a very fortunate position as I can do what I truly love to do for a living, as well as doing it on my own terms. Even though I had always wanted to do something bigger with my art, I would have never imagined my life would end up like this; it is fantastic. I am fortunate enough to be respected by many talented artists who I look up to.

This reassures me that I have not lost integrity in what I do as I still paint for myself and not for what buyers are looking for. Any success I achieve is secondary to this integrity, as I did not start my artistic journey for fame or fortune- I did not even sell my first painting for many years.

I believe that my journey from being an illustrator to a teacher and suddenly turning my luck around and achieving this success in life should show others that, if I can do it, anyone and everyone can do it too. There are no rules on how to better yourself as there is no formula for success. Personally, I feel that the only person that can stop you from achieving your goals is you, by thinking that it is not possible when it is possible. Nevertheless, you also need to take risks. I took a gigantic risk by leaving my job, selling my house and basically leaving everything I had behind but, as with anything in life, risks are needed to succeed.”

- CHRISTIAN HOOK -

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breAking world records At fifteen A junior world record breaking weightlifter

"When my dad first took me to the gym, I saw a huge guy in the corner who seemed like a sculpture almost. I wanted to look like that and I soon found out that he was a bodybuilder. However, after learning what a bodybuilder was, I decided to be a power lifter. The difference is that bodybuilders go for aesthetics and, whilst still being strong, will never lift as much or compete as well as power lifters; power lifters train for strength whilst bodybuilders on looks as well as strength.

From then on, I decided I wanted to pursue this, and I feel it fulfils me. My motivation is self-respect; knowing that, if I can keep accomplishing my own set goals, I'll be happy. In the gym, I leave all my worries and stresses at the door and focus on simply training.

From this passion, and many years of training, I've gone to UK expos and trained with some of the strongest men in the world.

One of the most memorable competitions was a UK expo I once attended. For the competition, I had decided to compete in the 110-125kg class; even though I had trained for the 110kg and under class. Only 5 hours before I weighed 106kg and had to put on at least 4.5kg in time for the expo, and the easiest way was with 4kg of water. I got there at half eight in the morning to give myself plenty of time and I tried everything; I waterlogged my body to the point where I felt my eyes were filling with water as everyone around me became blurry. I stuffed myself so much I was heaving and felt so full, and whilst I doubled over a bin vomiting, every little break I had, I drank even more water. I realised this wasn't working and rushed to the bathroom with only a limited amount of weigh ins to let me compete.

I soaked my hair with the tap and drank even more, and still I had 1kg to put on. So I soaked my boxers full of water, and when I rushed back to the scales, the other men there realised what I was doing and moved out of the way. I weighed in 110.2kg, and then broke 5 world records. I've been able to compete because of many things; La Parilla on the Go being my sponsor, and the government's Elite Athlete fund both help me compete and train. But in the beginning the man who helped me most was Cyrus Licudi. He would take me to every competition and training session and he was the man who handled all the business and sorted everything out for me well. He organised the fund and was always there for me, helping me and pushing me forward, and, to this day, he still pushes me on."

- LEON DE ROECK -

A strong sPirit

An online gamer spreading his Chinese culture in Gibraltar through calligraphy

"I came here eight months ago to work and in hope of improving my English a bit. Back in China it's hard to succeed because there is always someone better than you, or with more skills than you, so I was hoping that some time abroad would help me improve on my skills.

As a hobby I do Calligraphy, and in my downtime I come out to the town centre and share it with people like you. I thought “why not practice it out here in the beautiful weather?”

It’s also a nice way of spreading a tiny piece of my Chinese culture. In that way, Gibraltar and Western countries are very different from China. Ask anyone in China and they'd all say they love their country, and are eager to be a part of it. A big part of this is Confucianism, a philosophy in China, which states: ‘to better oneself, one must better their country and community.’ There is a strong sense of patriotism and love for your country which is not as strong here, and maybe that should change."

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- RYAN WANG -

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lessons from A mAn who hAs seen it All An octogenarian Journalist

“As an octogenarian writer and journalist who has travelled four continents and sailed three oceans - by donkey cart, train, plane, various vessels (including, briefly, a submarine) - and met some of the greats; seen deaths both ugly and gentle and experienced moments of elation and extreme terror, anything autobiographical that I write would read either as an ego trip or an obituary. So instead, I shall do what the aged do best - mine a wealth of memories, and cast among these a few words of advice; which the youth will wisely ignore.

But first, let's get the 'name-dropping' out of the way: a schoolboy encounter with General Jan Smuts, the Boer War veteran who, later, was the South African prime minister and the driving force in establishing the UN's Parent organisation, the League of Nations; tea and cucumber sandwiches with the Governor of the Bank of England; interviews with heart-transplant pioneer Chris Barnard, with Ian Smith, break-away premier of Southern Rhodesia, and with Horst Eichman, son of the notorious Adolf; an ignominious dismissal with the first ball of a cricket match between Parliamentarians and the Press Gallery; when I was out for a duck -caught by Dr Donges, a future President of South Africa, off the bowling of C.S. 'Blackie' Swart, the country's first President.

Moments of elation? Many, and among them: standing a-top Table Mountain having ascended by what then was considered the most difficult climb, the chilling Africa Face; my first newspaper by-line (on a review of a book of verse by a poet whose name, alas, I no longer remember); seeing my wife and healthy daughters, each for the first time; finding small specks of gold among silt and pebbles that I 'washed' on a miner's claim at Eersteling, where gold was first found in the Transvaal; and being handed, without ceremony, the first of my books to be published.

Of terror? Feeling the earth tremble as I stood less than a metre from the rim of a giant sinkhole on the Witwatersrand where, a few hours earlier, it had swallowed a house and killed a family of four; looking up from the cockpit at the crest of a huge wave breaking high above the mast of our 28-ft ketch in a South Atlantic gale, during the voyage that brought me to Gibraltar for the first time; dodging away from a screaming mob of rioters in an African township as they fled from a police baton charge; and, at night in a small aluminium skiff, being chased for more than a kilometre down the Limpopo River by an angry hippopotamus. Hence the first bit of advice: Never drink too heavily in a bar frequented by an old Etonian crocodile hunter.

I have seen the ugliness of death in the random scattering of bodies in the wake of one of the first armed police clashes in Apartheid-era South Africa and remember the beauty and simplicity of the funeral of a young girl drowned and washed ashore near her home in a small Cape fishing village. I have dipped my own toes into the waters of the Styx -where either Charon has rejected my coin, or skilled surgeons and physicians have intervened to save my life. That life has been largely fortunate, many-facetted, and lived in many lands. Though materially - save for a fine family, a few books and several unpublished manuscripts - I have little to show for these 80-something years (neither the cushion of a comfortable pension, nor savings, nor cash in the bank) it has been richly fulfilling, and wealthy in memories. Thus, the final word to the young: Enjoy life when you have money, spend it, for its value is constantly eroded, eat, drink and be merry for whatever may go wrong something good will turn up in the end. It usually does. Heresy? Yes, but what would life be without challenges to the dull and conventional?�

- PETER SCHIRMER -

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mrs gibrAltAr A clerk for the Gibraltar Defence Police

“I have always had an interest in modelling. I started modelling at the age of eight; so as you can imagine I have always been very fond of it. I entered Miss Gibraltar in 2006, and as soon as I saw the opportunity of entering Mrs Gibraltar I took it. My mum had won the title back in 1981, meaning it was natural for me to enter. It took very little encouragement from the people around me to enter as I had not competed in a pageant in a long time since I was focusing on modelling and photoshoots; something I really enjoy. However, I felt that I had to press pause for a while and enter for my mum as well as my daughters who kept pestering me to enter. They both really wanted to see their mummy in a long dress looking very pretty; so I did it for them. The best thing about being crowned was definitely seeing my daughters’ smiles; I was looking for them in the audience and their faces made every bit of it worthwhile. As soon as they could they came up and kicked me off the throne and sat there themselves. For me, this title was all for them; being able to award them with it was very rewarding.

My life has not changed all that much after being crowned Mrs Gibraltar. I still model but not as frequently due to my pregnancy. However, I am currently the face of ‘Fighting Leukemia With Fashion’.

I still continue with my day-to-day life, house duties, mummy duties and I do try to attend as many public functions and charity events as possible.

A lot of people place me under the stereotype of a model, commonly thinking “Oh she is a model, maybe she is a bit stuck up”. I am constantly being told “Well now that I know you, you are a completely different person to what I thought you were”, simply because they may have seen me on the cover of a magazine.

The images published of me in beautiful evening gowns create negative perspectives about who I am as a person before I am able to express myself. A prime example of this is my current occupation- I am a clerk for the Gibraltar Defence Police; a job, which many people would not expect to be the job of a Mrs Gibraltar.

I am not your typical beauty queen. I am pregnant and still go to public functions and I still help out with charities. It is not about beauty, it is about having the whole package especially now that beauty pageants are very much inclined into helping charities, with most proceeds going towards them. It is not just about looking pretty, going on stage and wearing a glamorous dress, it is not a glamorous job at all I can tell you that.

I want people to understand that the journey of a pageant is more about building self esteem and helping people grow as individuals as opposed to simply showing off your looks. For this reason, I would definitely encourage everyone to go ahead and join the pageant.”

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- RACHEL MARTINEZ -

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best kePt A secret

Emeritus Professor of Economic Geology and Mineral Exploration “Once invented, the geographic information system played a large part in my professional life. It is type of mapping software that provides a highly-sophisticated alternative to placing several layers of transparent paper maps on top of each other to visualise and understand spatial relationships.

There are several, commercially available, geographic information systems, some of which I used and some of which I knew only by names. One of the latter was IDRISI, which I assumed to be an acronym or abbreviation for something or other.

In my professional life, I used a geographic information system, or GIS, to research and develop methods for exploring for gold and other minerals. When I retired, I came up with another use; researching retirement destinations. My wife Marian and I thought of our retirement-destination needs in terms of layers of a map of the world. So, one layer mapped where English is the official and widely spoken language. Another layer showed where the year-round climate is pleasant. The third layer is the right to stay (you can go almost anywhere on a long holiday; but the right to stay indefinitely and call it your home is comparatively rare). Then there is the last, but perhaps most important matter: are the people friendly and welcoming? When we worked through this process we came up with the best place in the world – Gibraltar. But now we are here we try not to be too generous with the fruits of our GIS research – it’s best kept a secret.

Some time into our immensely enjoyable retirement in Gibraltar, we made a trip across the Strait to Ceuta. There, to my utter astonishment, I happened to pass a statue of a 12th century Arabic geographer – Al Idrisi. So IDRISI was not, after all, an acronym or abbreviation but a map maker after whom, almost 900 years later, a GIS had been named. What a lovely coincidence to find that a man whose work is immortalised in the name of a GIS was born just a stone’s throw away from the delightful country to which his legacy had guided us!”

- MARTIN HALE -

A surPrise At home, 1944 Returned to Gibraltar after WW2 at an early age

"I was only a young girl when WW2 had ended; my family and I had spent years in England as evacuees, so we were very relieved when we returned in the summer of 1946. I remember the day we came back to Gibraltar; it was lovely, the perfect summer’s day.

All the young children arriving were given packs of sweets, smarties of different colours amongst loads of others. It was small, but it really did a lot to lift our spirits and keep us quiet and happy. I had lived in Giro's passage at the time (off Main Street by the Cathedral) and, as we returned, we were shocked to find our house had been split in two. Our new, yet unknown residents, had moved in with no notice to us from the government, and we had no idea who they were. We found out they were a married couple, refugees fleeing from Spain during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). They were Republicans, and after the Nationalists and Franco took over, they fled to Gibraltar to escape persecution. We understood their situation and felt sorry, and, over time, we became friends; they were kind and amiable people. From then on I had to open a disposable bed every night to sleep on. It even continued up until I was married, and I had hoped the flat would eventually be ours, yet my husband and I moved to Laguna Estate, and the couple stayed in our house until they passed away, my home serving as a place of safety for those running from danger."

- ANON -

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“it’s not whAt i’ve done to you it’s whAt you’ve done to me.”

Started "Women in Need" to help out other women like herself.

“My parents were very wealthy; I went to a private school for toffee-nosed little ladies in UK. Because of this, I don’t kind of consider myself what most people think a victim is like. I had my own business when I was nineteen, I bought a car when I was eighteen, I was always a very independent person. Where I disappeared to for eighteen years, I have no idea. I really don’t know and I wish I did know because then, maybe, other people wouldn’t go down the same road that I did because never in my life had anybody ever hit me.

Never! The first time he hit me, it was a strange thing because you don’t really know where anything’s coming from anymore. That was before I married him and that was because I found a photograph of women in his shirt pocket and I took them out because I was going to wash the shirt.

When I asked him who they were, he wasn’t very happy that I found them so he hit me. I’ve always had very long nails, so I scratched him down his arms. I knew then that if I ever retaliated again, I would either have to kill him, knock him out and run or he would kill me. There was no two ways about it.

I came out here on holiday when I was nineteen. The same as every other nineteen year old, I knew it all, I didn’t need to be told anything, I knew everything about everything.

When he wanted to get married, my parents said no but I did it and I've regretted it for almost eighteen years. Again, most people are under the impression that the only people who abuse other people are the people who take drugs or people who drink, but that’s not true either. They do, but they are not the only ones. In fact, the white collar worker is probably the worst one because he doesn’t take anything.

My ex-husband drank one day a year; it was the Christmas Party at work and it was the only day out of all the days in a year that I knew that I’d be okay because he’d fall asleep on the sofa. With him, he could walk through the door and be perfectly fine and, two hours later, it’s like somebody switched on a switch and he’d just flip.

You are then left thinking ‘What happened?’, ‘Where did that come from? ’. If I would’ve known all the signs before, then maybe I wouldn’t have put up with it. It’s very subtle, the first thing he does is not hit you; it’s ‘why do you wear so much make up, you are much prettier without make up’. So first the makeup and then it becomes the clothes, ‘you look so much nicer in trousers than that mini skirt that you are wearing’. It’s things like that which don’t even occur to you that, what he’s doing, is controlling everything that you do, everything that you wear, everything that you say. You don’t realise until it is almost too late. ‘What is going on?’ If it starts like this, it’s a red flag. Think of it and really analyse what it is that’s going on.

I found myself in Gibraltar with no friends, no family, with nothing. Just him. I had my eldest daughter in December, in January, a year and a month later, my son was born and a year and three months later my other daughter was born. I had three children in less than two and a half years; where was I going to go? You are then stuck and think well what am I going to do now? Where do I go now? I don’t know where to go. I have nowhere to go. At the time, we lived at Police Barracks and he would say ‘you go, haha do not think you are having this house, I’m the policeman, I’m the one who signed the form on that house, the house is mine. You can go on the street.’

One summer day, I was cleaning in the sitting room; I had a mop and broom. My son came in, he was fourteen at the time, he saw that his father was hitting me so he went to hit him and then his father went to hit him. So, I had the broom and said if you touch him, I’m going to shove this broom where the sun is never going to shine on it again. When I went to bed that night, I thought ‘What am I doing?

Am I going to wait till my son is nineteen and he kills him and then I ruin his life?’ If you kill somebody, you will go to prison, and I didn't want that for my son. I decided that I would have to do something. I couldn’t go to any police because he’s going to see me or somebody is going to tell him. I remember going to the Registrar at the time, I felt like a criminal. He let me go through the back so that no one would see me. I got a lawyer and I told him that he can take the affidavit to my husband’s work and give it to him and to tell him that if he ever laid a hand on me or the children again, I would see to it that he was ruined. He would lose everything, his pension, his job, his everything. He wasn’t happy and he said ‘Look what you’ve done to me’ and I said it’s not what I’ve done to you it’s what you’ve done to me.

I ended up working from nine in the morning to ten at night in order to support my three children. But you do what you have to do, because we had a two-story house. I asked my lawyer if we could close off the bottom, so that he could have his bit and I would have mine. I had nothing else. I didn’t want to live in the same house as him but I had nowhere to else to live either. The lawyers said yes. So

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I got some wood and nails and I nailed up the door and put furniture in front of it. When eleven o’clock came there was a banging on the door downstairs. He started to kick my door and then split it. I went to check and he cut the top of the door with an axe and said ‘You do know that I’m going to kill you when I get through this door.’ I then sent my youngest daughter to my next door neighbour, her phone was broken so she took my daughter to a red phone box and phoned the police. Four policemen came. They asked why I didn’t just open the door and avoided all this mess. I just didn’t want him in my house. I basically told the policeman that if he liked him so much, he can take him home with him. We then had to live another seven years with him living downstairs. From then on, I started Women in Need and things like that. We have a lot of children, women, and men as well.”

- CLAIRE BORRELL -

lone survivor A Gibraltarian businessman

"I was born on the 2nd of July 1932 in Gibraltar and 7 years later World War 2 started. We were evacuated soon after and me and my family were on the last ship leaving Gibraltar. It left on the 8th of June, and headed to India. It took 3 months through the Suez Canal and we stopped a couple of times along the coast like in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and carried on through the Bay of India. I was only 8 at the time so I don't remember much but when we were 2 days away from India everyone was excited and looking forward to it, but at the same time an Allied ship came near and an explosion happened and all of sudden we were all confused.We asked the sailors what was happening and we found out soon it was a German raid. Every Thursday we had practiced evacuation so we were quick to evacuate when the raid happened.We were all on small boats and my brother was seasick and unsure where we going to go when a small German motorboat approached us. They told us we were welcome on their ship, and we took up their offer and boarded their main ship from the motorboat.

When we were on board they told us Germany was at war with Great Britain, not India, and treated us very kindly.They gave us preferential rooms, the captain and sailors played cards with my father and other leaders of the Indian community and generally were very nice to us.

We changed route then and headed, for 3 weeks, all the way back to France through Cape town. When we neared France someone had jokingly said there was a British submarine in the water. And there was one. It fired 3 torpedoes at our ship and the cook saw me at the bottom of a staircase alone. He picked me up and put us in a raft, and I remember wearing a white shirt and it didn't even get a bit wet. I survived, but I lost all my family in the attack; my mother, father, 3 sisters and 1 brother. I was the lone survivor and very lucky to have survived. I kept on asking where my parents were and the cook told me they had got a plane back to India, and I believed him.

From there the rest of us went to France and for a while I was taken in by a family. However I was vegetarian and they were not, so they had to make me special food every day just for me, so I decided to stay with another couple instead. In 1941 we came down to Algeciras and then down to Gibraltar and the government had warned it was a dangerous. The Germans kept bombing us but Gibraltar's like a sword, very narrow and hard to hit, so most of the bombs landed either in the sea or in La Linea. We only stayed there a while and ended up in Tangiers for 3 years until the end of war."

- KRISHNA KHUBCHAND -

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don’t let your life be dictAted by your weAkness A Teacher at the Gibraltar College

“I realised that I wanted to become a teacher after my visit to Cheshire Homes as a student, where I realised that I am at my happiest when helping people – be it academically, personally or emotionally. I visited Cheshire Homes three times and I absolutely loved the experience. I feel very fortunate to be able to help individuals in Morocco, because the only difference between them and us is the fact that they are on the least prosperous side of the Straits. It is very easy to get caught up in the way that we live and I do feel that trips like these encourage us to break down the divisions in society as we are all one race; regardless of our wealth or background.

After this, I climbed Kilimanjaro to raise money for the construction of a school in Songea ,Tanzania. The climb itself was quite tough, the fact that out of fourteen only six of us reached the top speaks for itself. I am really glad to have completed the trip even after hallucinating on the way up. After the climb, we travelled to Songea and spent about ten days there building a secondary school for the village. Ten years later I organised another trip to the village where I had built the school and asked the people what they needed help with. They said that they would love for us to train their teachers. It is really challenging for the teachers there as they are taught in Swahili in primary school and then in English once they get to secondary school. We are hoping to help them develop their teaching skills in terms of encouraging discussion and getting students to think about concepts rather than just imparting knowledge; which sometimes happens in school. I am a firm believer that education should be about encouraging individuals to become independent learners and independent thinkers.

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Once I climbed Kilimanjaro, I wanted to participate in a half marathon but I knew I would not be able to do due to my fitness level. After speaking to my dad and my step-mum about it, we decided to do one together; The Great North Run. We did it for Cancer Research, where people donated money and I put their names on my t-shirt and ran for them. This deeply motivated me because I was doing it for an exceptional cause. I honestly did not feel that it would be possible as sometimes we do not value our own bodies; our own capacity or our own strength. We might have certain dreams or aspirations, but we are fearful of giving them a shot; those circumstances really showed me that I should not underestimate myself. As a teacher, I often witness this as I have a lot of students that are not aware of their potential or, because of the way the education system is run, view their potential just in the form of grades. I try and encourage my students to value themselves not just by the letters they write on their arms on results day, but on skills that they are developing as an individual. It is really important for me as a teacher to teach my students for them to prepare for the future and not just see things as academia. Students fail to see the value within themselves in those aspects; they get so sidetracked with grades that they do not notice they have so much more to offer.

I am not saying that students should not try and achieve their full potential, because I firmly believe that everybody should be trying their best but in every aspect of life, but they should focus on their own positives and work to their own strengths. Don’t let your life be dictated by your weaknesses as there’s always something that you can do to learn.�

- NICOLA HOWES -

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thAnk you to our wonderful subscribers for mAking this book Possible Abigail De Haro

Gibraltar International Bank

Ana Latin Arianne Risso

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May Clinton Mayte Caetano

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Jonathan Barcio Jonathan Marrache

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Bella Laguea Bianka Szabo

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Ivan De Haro Jan BĂźhler

Jennifer Ballantine

Jonathan Smith Joseph Olivera

Kerianne Azopardi Kaye Falconer Kieron Garcia

Mark Archer

Marie Santos Max McGiffin

Mesod Belilo

Natalia Cassaglia Nati Maclaren

Sanya Chhugani Sharon Banda Shaun Zammitt

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BEHIND THE EYES GIBRALTAR

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