I love living in Spain
May 11th, 2011, 03:51 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love living in Spain
Five years ago I moved to a village called Iznajar in Andalcuia, actually I live about 10 mins from Iznajar on a 5 acre olive grove. It hasn't been easy and the language is a problem so for anyone thinking of taking the plunge have some lessons before you come otherwise you will spend a small fortune on translator services. I moved from a busy job in Birmingham UK, so I thought I'd make a list of the thigs I love about here.
The peace and quiet, except for the local cockrel who seems to have lost his alrm clock
drivers stop their cars in the village to say hello to a friend and no one has a hissy fit, it is generally accepted practice to give someone 14 seconds for this exchange.
Children of all ages are welcomed everywhere and not seen as a nuisance , restaurants actually serve them first so that the parents can have their meal in peace.
family and friends are more important than work, I swear that Spain has more holidays and fiestas that any country
A trip to the hairdressers local shop etc is a social occassion and a trip to the physio...well I could write a book about this one
When someone walks into a shop they say hello to evereyone, I tried this in the UK and you would have thought I'd grown two heads!
There is little or no envy, if someone has a new car we all go to see it and congratulate the owner, an d if it's a new tractor well that's a reason for a fiesta.
The smell of summer coming, the temperature usually starts to climb around middle of May when you can smell the sunshine
Iznajar lake early morning or sunset, just beautiful
Our donkeys Hote and Vinny and our cat chockie box
Olive picking time when no one can make a definite appointment as you can guarantee getting stuck behind a tractor which is a great excuse to put on a CD and relax whilst driving 10 miles an hour.
The end of olive picking when everyone is happy that the crop is safely in
Sitting infront of the log burner in winter drinking red wine with a good book
Budget airline tickets sometimes as cheap as £10 for a return to the UK
I could go on and on ...
Things I miss about the UK ...I can't say my family as I actually see them more than when I was in the UK...thanks to the budget airlines
Cadbury's cream eggs
Takeway restaurants. I love Indian food but this isn't a problem as once a month we drive the hour to the coast where there are all types of restaurants
What would you miss about your country?
The peace and quiet, except for the local cockrel who seems to have lost his alrm clock
drivers stop their cars in the village to say hello to a friend and no one has a hissy fit, it is generally accepted practice to give someone 14 seconds for this exchange.
Children of all ages are welcomed everywhere and not seen as a nuisance , restaurants actually serve them first so that the parents can have their meal in peace.
family and friends are more important than work, I swear that Spain has more holidays and fiestas that any country
A trip to the hairdressers local shop etc is a social occassion and a trip to the physio...well I could write a book about this one
When someone walks into a shop they say hello to evereyone, I tried this in the UK and you would have thought I'd grown two heads!
There is little or no envy, if someone has a new car we all go to see it and congratulate the owner, an d if it's a new tractor well that's a reason for a fiesta.
The smell of summer coming, the temperature usually starts to climb around middle of May when you can smell the sunshine
Iznajar lake early morning or sunset, just beautiful
Our donkeys Hote and Vinny and our cat chockie box
Olive picking time when no one can make a definite appointment as you can guarantee getting stuck behind a tractor which is a great excuse to put on a CD and relax whilst driving 10 miles an hour.
The end of olive picking when everyone is happy that the crop is safely in
Sitting infront of the log burner in winter drinking red wine with a good book
Budget airline tickets sometimes as cheap as £10 for a return to the UK
I could go on and on ...
Things I miss about the UK ...I can't say my family as I actually see them more than when I was in the UK...thanks to the budget airlines
Cadbury's cream eggs
Takeway restaurants. I love Indian food but this isn't a problem as once a month we drive the hour to the coast where there are all types of restaurants
What would you miss about your country?
May 11th, 2011, 04:12 AM
#2
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How interesting ! Thanks for sharing your thoughts - particularly interesting to me now as we are hoping to give living in Italy a go next year.
The only thing I worry about missing is all the cultural activities we do here in Edinburgh nearly every night - theatre, opera, music, art exhibitions and art-related events. (I know we could get a lot of this in a big Italian city but we don't know if we'll be in a city, plus we will have much less money.) But I hope that just being in Italy, and being able to sit outside with a book for at least some of the year, will more than make up for it. And DH is hoping there will be a choir he can join
The only thing I worry about missing is all the cultural activities we do here in Edinburgh nearly every night - theatre, opera, music, art exhibitions and art-related events. (I know we could get a lot of this in a big Italian city but we don't know if we'll be in a city, plus we will have much less money.) But I hope that just being in Italy, and being able to sit outside with a book for at least some of the year, will more than make up for it. And DH is hoping there will be a choir he can join
May 11th, 2011, 04:28 AM
#3
Very interesting!
It is hard to say what I would miss about living in the US. The things that would keep me in place would be the interactions I have with people, the fabric of my life that has developed over the decades. The community musical groups in which I have played for thirty years (so I understand your husband's hopes, Caroline).
It is hard to say what I would miss about living in the US. The things that would keep me in place would be the interactions I have with people, the fabric of my life that has developed over the decades. The community musical groups in which I have played for thirty years (so I understand your husband's hopes, Caroline).
May 11th, 2011, 04:31 AM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 6,629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"What do you miss about your country?"
We were all asked that in my French class this week. No one could come up with much, I suppose in part because we all chose to move here.
I mentioned Arm and Hammer toothpaste because IMO, almost everything I want, need or miss is available here or reasonably substituted for something often of better quality. I occasionally miss choice i.e. a wide variety of garden furniture to choose from as we're looking at the moment.
I do miss friends and family but because I've moved a lot, they are all in far-flung locations, not in a single location I could focus on.
Countries represented in my class: US, UK, Mexico, Columbia, Germany, Brazil, Russia
We were all asked that in my French class this week. No one could come up with much, I suppose in part because we all chose to move here.
I mentioned Arm and Hammer toothpaste because IMO, almost everything I want, need or miss is available here or reasonably substituted for something often of better quality. I occasionally miss choice i.e. a wide variety of garden furniture to choose from as we're looking at the moment.
I do miss friends and family but because I've moved a lot, they are all in far-flung locations, not in a single location I could focus on.
Countries represented in my class: US, UK, Mexico, Columbia, Germany, Brazil, Russia
May 11th, 2011, 05:07 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Things I miss about Canada:
1. The big open spaces
2. Friendly and efficient customer service
3. Non complicated banking - I just show DL and get an account, debit card and access to online banking instantly!
4. US TV (hang head in shame)
5. Hockey - GO CANUCKS!
6. Family (although I too see them more now that I live in London)
7. Wacky CDN politics
8. Shopping centres
9. Bilingualism - I learned more french words by reading packages!
10. Mountains - grew up in the Rockies
11. Rustic nature
12. Camping in the rustic nature (well ok, maybe having the option - I didnt really do it!)
13. Shops that open normal hours on Sunday (why oh why does Sainsburys only open 11-5 IN LONDON???)
14. Open highways
15. Cinnamon chewing gum
16. Stash Licorice Spice tea
Not to say that I dont LOVE living in London (my list would be longer of things I love here) but these things I do miss!
1. The big open spaces
2. Friendly and efficient customer service
3. Non complicated banking - I just show DL and get an account, debit card and access to online banking instantly!
4. US TV (hang head in shame)
5. Hockey - GO CANUCKS!
6. Family (although I too see them more now that I live in London)
7. Wacky CDN politics
8. Shopping centres
9. Bilingualism - I learned more french words by reading packages!
10. Mountains - grew up in the Rockies
11. Rustic nature
12. Camping in the rustic nature (well ok, maybe having the option - I didnt really do it!)
13. Shops that open normal hours on Sunday (why oh why does Sainsburys only open 11-5 IN LONDON???)
14. Open highways
15. Cinnamon chewing gum
16. Stash Licorice Spice tea
Not to say that I dont LOVE living in London (my list would be longer of things I love here) but these things I do miss!
May 11th, 2011, 05:37 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Things I miss about the UK?
My family - the Netherlands is not as attractive a proposition to visit as southern Spain
.
Old friends, lasting deep friendships - very hard to form as an adult in a foreign language no matter how fluent you are. The lack of a shared history with the people around me.
The feeling of now fitting in either in the UK, my home country or in the Netherlands, my adopted country.
Pubs, country hotels. The hills, and mountains and countryside in general.
We are currently contemplating a move to Spain though, which would mean leaving sons, DILs and grandkids behind, and starting over yet again. The idea is nice but the reality daunting.
My family - the Netherlands is not as attractive a proposition to visit as southern Spain
. Old friends, lasting deep friendships - very hard to form as an adult in a foreign language no matter how fluent you are. The lack of a shared history with the people around me.
The feeling of now fitting in either in the UK, my home country or in the Netherlands, my adopted country.
Pubs, country hotels. The hills, and mountains and countryside in general.
We are currently contemplating a move to Spain though, which would mean leaving sons, DILs and grandkids behind, and starting over yet again. The idea is nice but the reality daunting.
May 11th, 2011, 06:14 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,425
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To the OP - I love reading your post - it sounds like a very charming and wonderful place to live. I love your descriptions - it made me think I was there! I have actually been to that area of Spain and it is delightful.
My husbnads best friend lives in Madrid and has a house in Marbella we visit and his family owned Olive groves for generations and I love hearing the stories!
Aside from my family and friends I would miss .......
I am not sure.....
My passion is biking, hiking, traveling, book club,walking my dogs and I could do these things anywhere.
I always miss certain foods from home when I travel.
I studied in Stirling Scotland for a year in the mid 80's - I missed peanut butter and jelly, chocolate chip cookies, ketchup for fries, bagels and Mexican food - NONE of these items were available there then - maybe now though!!
My husbnads best friend lives in Madrid and has a house in Marbella we visit and his family owned Olive groves for generations and I love hearing the stories!
Aside from my family and friends I would miss .......
I am not sure.....
My passion is biking, hiking, traveling, book club,walking my dogs and I could do these things anywhere.
I always miss certain foods from home when I travel.
I studied in Stirling Scotland for a year in the mid 80's - I missed peanut butter and jelly, chocolate chip cookies, ketchup for fries, bagels and Mexican food - NONE of these items were available there then - maybe now though!!
May 11th, 2011, 06:37 AM
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I might add a further thought based on hetismij's "Old friends, lasting deep friendships" : I would have missed those more when I was younger, but I've moved around the UK to the extent that my best, longest-lasting friends are all now far away and I may only see them every few years anyway. I think that even with a shared language, it's harder to make good new friends if you move when you are older - and I found that when I moved to Edinburgh 17 years ago. So moving again wouldn't be that different - I'd mainly be leaving acquaintances rather than close friends.
May 11th, 2011, 06:41 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have cousins who live in a tiny town in Galicia. After dinner we would go for a walk to another town (about 1 1/2 mile away) and stop in to chat at 11 PM. But we are big city kids and if we lived in Spain we would probably want to live in or near Barcelona. We know and enjoy the pleasures and problems of the urban living.
May 11th, 2011, 06:47 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's very true Caroline. I of course have no way of knowing if we'd have stayed put in the town where we were living, but I'd like to think we would have. We made good friends very quickly after moving there, but the friendships have been lost over the years since we moved here.
Also I was never able to get a job here which would have probably helped in making new friendships.
One thing I would add that I miss about the UK - the meat. Pork with crackling, a good leg or shoulder of lamb, a rib of beef. Here it is all boned and de-skinned and de-fatted and boring.
Farm shops have arrived in the UK in a big way since I left and I love visiting them when I am over. I am at last legally allowed to bring meat back too.
We used to have several pick-your-own places near us, which were always good for an afternoon out with the kids.
A pity we can't afford to move back to the UK in some ways, but a quick visit is usually enough now - it is not the country I left 27 years ago.
Also I was never able to get a job here which would have probably helped in making new friendships.
One thing I would add that I miss about the UK - the meat. Pork with crackling, a good leg or shoulder of lamb, a rib of beef. Here it is all boned and de-skinned and de-fatted and boring.
Farm shops have arrived in the UK in a big way since I left and I love visiting them when I am over. I am at last legally allowed to bring meat back too.
We used to have several pick-your-own places near us, which were always good for an afternoon out with the kids.
A pity we can't afford to move back to the UK in some ways, but a quick visit is usually enough now - it is not the country I left 27 years ago.
May 11th, 2011, 06:48 AM
#12
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,771
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am with Adu re: Barcelona.
Would love to live there !
In Spain, Madrid would be a second choice. Small towns , anywhere, would not work for me - I would miss the "buzz" of a big city (where we live right now).
Would love to live there !
In Spain, Madrid would be a second choice. Small towns , anywhere, would not work for me - I would miss the "buzz" of a big city (where we live right now).
May 11th, 2011, 06:58 AM
#13
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hetismij, gosh, that surprises me about the meat where you are ! I'd have imagined it to be like Germany (or at least the 2 places I've visited in Germany) - e.g. a massive joint of pork with lots of fat and crackling, per person
May 11th, 2011, 07:56 AM
#14
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Although Spanish breads and desserts have gotten better over the years, they still are lacking.
The same with beef. When we first went to Spain they cooked the wrong end of the cow. It some what better now.
Books in English, but I guess Amazon and me would become buddies.
My other comfort foods.
On the other hand one cousin who lives in Santiago is so loud I would not need a phone if we lived in Barcelona.
Ice Hockey
The same with beef. When we first went to Spain they cooked the wrong end of the cow. It some what better now.
Books in English, but I guess Amazon and me would become buddies.
My other comfort foods.
On the other hand one cousin who lives in Santiago is so loud I would not need a phone if we lived in Barcelona.
Ice Hockey
May 11th, 2011, 11:38 PM
#15
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Iznajar is a nice white town perched on a ridge over the reservoir. I have been painting there and is very beautiful, off the beaten part. Here's the link to one of my photos. That was in 2008 and the reservoir was low, I believe is much higher now.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/jgb001.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/jgb001.jpg/
