A note from the editor Vanessa Byrne / Managing Director
Happy New Year ! Err ... yeah , I know , it ’ s February but I think many of us can relate when I say , this was a trail month - my 2022 starts again on February 1st . In short - Covid Sucks and made January disappear for me ! We haven ’ t just been feeling sorry for ourselves though , all this free-thinking time kept me busy organizing a full day event for Earth Hour Day this year .
Working together with our friends at Whole Wild World , Ebikes , Shine Easy , Gibraltar Cycling Association and many Government departments , we are organizing a day where we can be free from electronics , have fun and reconnect with nature . Walking and cycling routes will be provided and many other great family activities will be arranged . End of March is the date so watch this space ... it ’ s going to be a good one !!!
As always , our focus is to help create fun ways we can all reconnect with mother earth . As we spend time with nature , we will increase our awareness and care for her more . Finding these alternative ways is the best we can do as individuals . If we don ’ t try and change , how can we survive ?
This month we have another great article focused on this , 3 ways to live a healthier more sustainable life . Bringing to light how ditching old routines can improve our health . Sarah has captured these changes beautifully and not through drastic changes , but by simple easy steps . These are the ones that stick and make the big difference .
Walk more - drive less , healthier eating equals conscious eating and go out and enjoy the wonderous nature that surrounds us . Breathe that fresh air .
On page 40 you will find a long-awaited interview with Jose Antonio Gonzalez Gutierrez , the director of the forest fire extinction operational center in Cadiz . Many of us have been affected by the disasters this past summer . In his exclusive interview Jose Antonio explains the stresses and concerns surrounding his job and the ever-growing problems we face in southern Andalucía as temperatures rise to new levels .
A must mention is the Fair traveller of “ Amarytierra ” article found on page 54 . An insight on how tourism has exploded during recent years and become this nasty system of greed , exploitation , and corruption . The fair traveller article is an outlook on how positive the future could be and what type of tourist you want to be . A genuine amazing read , thought provoking .
Juanlu Gonzalez ’ s article this month puts to question how our precious area was founded many years ago . It has always been assumed that it was conquered from explorers migrating from central Asian however , Juanlu ’ s research has identified possibilities that it could have been from explorers crossing the , much narrower , straits from the African continent . We are so proud to have people of Juanlu ’ s caliber collaborating with us every month . This is indeed an exceptional read , one not to miss .
Once again , I would like to thank all our readers , contributors , and friends for all your support . We are always open to new ideas and collaborations so if you have an article , you would like published or have any ideas you think would suit , please contact us on otwomagazine @ gmail . com .
Unity is strength .... when there is teamwork and collaboration , wonderful things can be achieved .
Peace , love , and positive vibes to all
OTWO 31 / FEBRUARY 2022 11