A neighbor from Dénia sends us this opinion about the state of the bus stop in the city, where he works:
"Attention question: In summer, how much population does Denia have?"
A) 50.000
B) 100.000
C) 200.000
D) +200.000
The correct answer is D. And if you have doubts consult the pages of Treasury and Statistics of the Spanish State. Yes gentlemen readers, Denia is the town of Spain (less than 50.000 inhabitants) that more seasonal population receives from the whole national territory. Each summer we multiply by 5 our census of inhabitants.
We can feel privileged to live here, a place so envied by so many people. Denia undoubtedly has many attractions: sun, beaches, nature, history, gastronomy, commerce ...
But at the same time, sad to say, sometimes we feel ashamed to live here. Or do you feel ashamed every time you encounter dirty streets and corners? It is true that the City Council is making an effort to correct the situation but many people are not aware.
There is something that, believe me, shocks many: our "historic" bus stop. I work right there and used the bus to go to Madrid with relative frequency. Do you want to know what many tourists think when they arrive in Denia and set foot on our bus stop? Would you like to know what many think while they have to wait for their bus to arrive? Well, in a nutshell they say: This is third world! What a shame they make us feel.
We are aware of the long-awaited remodeling project of the Archduke Carlos square and the construction of the new Bus Station. But while this arrives ... Why not try that the tourist or the passenger who arrives by bus does not think that he has arrived in Africa? There are not enough shaded areas, not enough benches, there is not a sad clock, not a poor gardener with some colorful flower, or an information panel and, of course, there are no public toilets. On the contrary if there are drunkards, vagrants, circulatory chaos, garbage, bad smells, heat, anger of the hoteliers around because their services are used as public toilets. Gentlemen, I've seen better things in Africa.
Why this situation? For simply because private interests have prevailed above the public. Look around: you have taken advantage of the square meter to the maximum for the construction. Forgetting that citizenship has the right to green spaces and public infrastructures, the square meter has been sold at a price of gold.
The result: a poorly planned village with multiple shortcomings. There is no space to park, there are not enough green spaces, there are not enough parks, we can not get our pets to pee and there is not a proper bus station.
Solution? Maybe these good neighbors in the photos can light up a bit. If you want shade, better than wait for them to install some new pergola, use the beach umbrella. That you want to go to the toilet, right there, next to the palm tree. And if you're thirsty, then go and get a glass of water from the social services that are right there. Do not wait for others to solve your problems, charge yourself.
Let's hope that the thousands of tourists who visit us and give us life, when they finish their stay in Denia, get a good taste in their mouth, after all.
Of course I agree with this "opinion." I sent a letter from readers to Marina Alta last year around the same season, talking about tourism, the image that Denia gives to its visitors, to the very great dirtiness of this place. Certain places in Denia are very well cared for, but the rest deserve equal care. We know that the bus plaza is going to be moved, but if the situation of this site could have been improved by installing more benches, and with original and cheap ideas to bring more shade to the plaza, only out of respect for all travelers, tourists or no.