On Easter Sunday there were 30 of us gathered round a large table for lunch. Our group included families of different nationalities, all coming together in a local restaurant. In alphabetical order (seems fairer) there were: Australian, Bolivian, English, Gibraltarian, Italian and Spanish. While we waited for our food, amid the noisy, comfortable chatter of good friends, I thought of a game: “what are the top ten best things about growing up in…..?” For the sheer fun of it, here’s my list:
Top 10 things about growing up in Gibraltar
- Laughing at English and Spanish jokes.
Photo: Shutterstock - Eating turrón, polvorones and mince pies at Christmas
Photos: Shutterstock - Living in a community that looks out for each other. If your child wanders off anywhere – e.g. on a packed beach in the summer – someone will probably know which family they belong to and will return them safely.
Photo: Shutterstock - Enjoying a full English breakfast one day and churros the next.
Photos: Shutterstock - Watching Spanish and British television and radio programmes; reading newspapers, magazines, books in both languages.
Photo: Shutterstock - Admiring the view of two continents – Europe and Africa – from the same spot.
Photo: Shutterstock - Living in a community where you feel safe, knowing you can walk home at night from anywhere on the Rock and you’ll be fine.
Photo: Shutterstock - Delicious and varied local cuisine, a mixture of Genoese, Maltese and Spanish; plus the fresh fish and seafood in restaurants.
Photo: Mama Lotties - Multi-religious and multi-ethnic communities happily coexisting in 6.8 square kilometres.
Photo: Gibraltar Photos - It doesn’t rain often* – plan any event and you’re almost guaranteed good weather.
Photo: Shutterstock - Six safe, clean, beaches – ready-made playgrounds for children.
Photo: Gibraltar Photos - You can get from A to B in less than 20 minutes.
Photo: Shutterstock - The Gibraltar Confectionery deserves a category of its own. ‘Milhojas’ (millefeuilles) to die for.
Photo: Polly Lavarello - The beauty and diversity of its flora, fauna and marine life – Dolphin Safari anyone?
Photo: Shutterstock - Stalactites and stalagmites – you know which is which thanks to the magnificent St Michael’s Cave.
Photo: Getty Images - The amusement of watching outsiders trying to place a Gibraltarian accent – “no, it’s not Welsh or South African, think again!”
Photo: Shutterstock
I should have known I couldn’t stick to just ten.
*When it rains, it pours!
I only wish wish that the hotel prices (for a week) where cheaper. As an ex serviceman I would like to visit all the places that my wife and two children know of. A lot of places have changed alot
try the cannon Hotel cheap and good value and in the centre of town.
Thanks for sharing this. My dad is from Gibraltar (moved to the US when he was 12) and I still have a lot of family there, so it’s nice to learn more about it. These kind of things can only be learned from those who live there. Much gratitude!
Hy Lynne all I can say about my Rock is that its Beautiful clean n safe, u can go out no matter what time it is during the day early hours at night, all good n my Son lives there he has 4 restaurants n he loves it there with his wife n his kids. GIBRALTAR is the best place for going on Holiday and u can use the same money as over here what can be better than that love you all that love Gibraltar xxxx
Yes, its definitely a wonderful place to live in. But for me apart from everything you mentioned is the fact that I can enjoy all the marvels that Andalucia has to offer at the drop of a hat (though not always!!!).
I agree with all of uour reasons helen thats why i’m still here after 47 years, i was so lucky to have found my little bit of heaven on earth!!!
Thank you for your kind comments. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece – and that you’re still on the Rock Liz!
Love our Rock ,love our people and love our Gibraltar ,once you visit us you fall in love with the place and thanks Helen for the work you do ,❤️🇬🇮🇬🇧
Everything is so true Helen, we are so lucky. Thanks for this!!
Thank you for your kind comments. So glad you enjoyed the piece.
I was born in Gibraltar so was my parents we left cause my father joined the army ,got posted to the u k and stayed here here .my regreat that we didn’t go. Back I have been on holiday and I still love the the place it’s be en 60 years when we left oh how I wish we had stayed.