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Vol 2 Edition 8 January 2002
Costa Blanca Netguide Newsletter
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com
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CONTENTS:
1) Feliz Ano Nuevo.
2) New Maps Section
3) January Sale
4) Costa Blanca Screensaver
5) Sticker Information
6) 2002 Publishing Dates
7) Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
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Hi,
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2002. I hope you all had a
good Christmas and New Year wherever you are in Europe.
This month we have a report on the Euro changeover in Spain as
well as the Three Kings celebrations (Los Reyes).
This newsletter will be coming out a little earlier in the month
this year and I have included our publishing dates at the end
of the newsletter.
Until Next Month
Robin
Editor - Costa Blanca Netguide.
editor@costablanca-netguide.com
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1) Feliz Ano Nuevo.
It has been reported on the local television news that the
Costa Blanca has seen the worst weather, certainly the wettest,
for this time of year for some 30 years. I can definately vouch
for that although we are now seeing higher temperatures and
less rain...lets hope it is here to stay for Spring.
Mid February is one of the most beautiful times in the Jalon
Valley with the almond blossom at full bloom. The valley floor
is a carpet of pink and white blossom which visitors come to
enjoy from all over the region.
Well we knew it was coming, yes the Euro and I have to say I am
very impressed with how efficiently the locals both young and
old are adapting. The general feeling is that it will be a lot
easier when the peseta has totally vanished and we are not
trying to cope with the two currencies being traded side by
side. Until the end of February, as I'm sure you know both Euros
and pesetas can be used. However in some establishments
regardless of what you pay with you receive Euros as change, in
others you receive the corresponding change. Prices generally
are shown in both currencies and overall prices have gone up
very slightly. The only disorganisation I have encountered was
in my local bank who hadn't received any Euro cheque books for
it's customers and I am told it wasn't the only bank. No matter
peseta cheques are still valid until the end of February as long
as they are written in pesetas and are dated before the end of
2001.
So what else has happened apart from Christmas? As I explained in
last month's newsletter the more important date over the festive
period is actually 6th January, Epiphany. The celebrations start
on the night of the 5th with the Three Kings (Los Reyes)
arriving, traditionally on horseback into town to distribute the
gifts to the children. The "festeros" are responsible for this
extravaganza and the children are, as you can imagine, extremely
excited. The Kings approach the edge of town with fireworks
announcing their arrival. The band and townsfolk accompany the
procession whilst being showered with confetti and sweets from
the Kings and their helpers. The helpers are dressed in
traditional robes which are tabard type affairs and they are
also totally blacked up depicting their origins according to
the Bible so the youngsters have no idea who they are. The Kings
are also robed as you would expect in long cloaks of velvet and
fur plus each of them is painted a different colour so again
anonymous to the little ones. The procession passes through the
streets and finally arrives in the church. A small oratory is
made to explain the importance of this time of year and to wish
good health and cheer to all and finally the presents are
distributed by the Kings seated on their "thrones" to each child
....those children whose parents or grandparents have left a
pressie with the festeros and a small donation towards the
coming fiestas! The following day a Mass is held and
traditionally the rest of the day is spent with family eating,
drinking and being merry for tomorrow we go back to work.
Researched and Reviewed by Suzanna
info.es@costablanca-netguide.com
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If you know someone who may benefit from any of the articles in
this newsletter please feel free to pass it on.
PLEASE NOTE: These articles are for personal use only and may not
be posted on any website, newsgroup or bulletin board. If you
wish to use any of our articles for commercial purposes please
contact us articles@costablanca-netguide.com
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2) New Maps Section
We have finally integrated the new maps section into the site.
This took a little longer than anticipated but now there are 12
map links to:- Alfaz de Pi, Alicante, Altea, Benidorm, Benissa,
Calpe, Denia, Jalon, Javea, Moraira, Torrevieja and Valencia.
The new system has the following advantage over the old maps:-
Once the map is selected a new window opens with an overview of
the particular town. However you are now able to enter an address
or place of interest into the map result to get a more detailed
map of exactly where you want.
Just go to www.costablanca-netguide.com/maps.html.
Additionally there is now a map request form at the bottom of
this page that allows you to email a request for any map on the
Costa Blanca. Please feel free to try the system and request any
map you would like to see included.
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3) January Sale
As many of you already know we review and recommend mainly
Amazon products in our newsletter. This is largly due to the fact
that they are an established brand with an excellent delivery
and customer service record and now for January they are having a
sale with up to 60% off selected items.
i) Spain Again
"Why do you keep going back to Spain?" is a question the author
of this book is constantly asked. In this book he gives his
answer
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/spa.html
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ii) Sunflower Landscapes of the Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca is one of the most popular areas of Spain, with
mild winters, in an area that is known for its beautiful sierras.
Featured in this guide are 50 walks, 5 car tours, 26 picnic
suggestions, pull-out touring maps and timetables for public
transport.
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/slcb.html
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iii) Euro Map: Spain 6:
Costa Blanca/Valencia/Alicante/Murcia/Castegna
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/bac/emcb.html
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4) The Netguide Screensaver
The Netguide Screensaver is still available exclusively to
Newsletter subscribers at a specially discounted price. The 20%
discount coupon is valid until the end of this month. For those
of you who have signed up since we sent out the coupon mailing in
December simply enter CBNGNEWS into the coupon field to receive
the discount.
Just visit www.costablanca-netguide.com/screensaver.html
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5) Sticker Information
We have available our Costa Blanca Netguide car or shop window
stickers that we will send out to you free of charge.
Just email stickers@costablanca-netguide.com with your name and
postal address and how many you require (3 Max) and we'll post
them out to you anywhere in Europe FREE.
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6) 2002 Publishing Dates
4th February - 4th March - 8th April - 6th May - 3rd June
8th July - 5th August - 2nd September 7th October - 4th November
2nd December.
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7) SUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
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website
www.costablanca-netguide.com/subscribe.html
OR
Send an email with subscribe as the subject line and your first
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