Hogar de Pensionistas 

So where is it? What does it do? What advantages are there to being a member?

First the where is it? click on this link for location map  or follow the instructions below

From the Guardia Civil building by the football ground turn towards the river and take the first turning on the left. On that corner is the Pensioners’ centre but it is the back of the building; so having taken the first left, take the first left again and immediately on your left is the entrance. Alternatively, from the bus station go towards the Macdonald’s roundabout; take the second turning left. It has the Ford showroom on the corner. Take the last turning on the right.

So what will you find there?

On your right as you enter is an exercise area that leads to the hall ; the exercise area has several machines that are specially designed for the “not so young” body. Inside the centre itself are various offices, a library, a ladies and a gentleman’s hairdresser (I am told the prices are very cheap), a library, and of course a café. Desayuno (media tostada y café con leche) on Saturdays is one euro albeit on special offer currently! I pay 1.55 for “una entera con un café con leche”; if you pefer una cerveza then expect to pay 75 cents for a tubo. I believe Menu del dia is 4.58€ Within the large café area there are a number of tables usually used for card games and also a snooker / billiards area (one billiards table has no pockets – I must find out more)! 

The centre holds sporting events with other pensioners’ centres; It holds the odd speciality market; it has viajes y excursiones; day trips to Ronda, Cordoba, Jerez; week-long trips to places like Barcelona, Valencia, extramadura etc. There are trips to the theatre sometimes with poem readings (the one on the beach at the equinox had free sherry). The hall has weekly dances on a Saturday night; it also has the normal “keep-fit” type exercises during the day. The centre also holds courses for music, song and dance, and diploma courses. The recent Chifra Spanish lessons were also held there.

That basically is what you can find there; there is much more that goes on from time to time. The management of the pensioners’ centre would like more “Extranjeros” to join and integrate; they want your participation; so why not give it a go? You never know, you maybe will bump into old friends there.   

Dave Fisher