Dia de Alicantinos de Adopcion

What a cool thing. Alicante had a party for its immigrants, which Alicantinos call adoptees. And with any party here there is music, paella and beer. This paella was enormous - the pan had to have a 15 ft. diameter. There were also booths featuring areas from around Spain, introducing the immigrants to Spain's cultural diversity. As an adoptee, I had a great time and felt welcome.



What struck me was the difference in the ways immigrants are treated around the world. In my native country, the government is sending troops to the borders to keep immigrants out, when they do get in they live in appalling conditions and are harassed, and they face discrimination and prejudice on a daily basis. Here, they may have a tough time too, but at least someone thought to give them a welcome and introduce them to aspects of Spanish culture.

The world would do well to follow this small example of hospitality toward fellow human beings and strangers from different cultural backgrounds. Imagine what we could learn from eachother.