OK OK OK already! I am sending more stories! I am actually pleasantly surprised that so many of you find my stories and experiences so fascinating. I have to admit, aside from missing my friends and family, I don´t regret my move to Spain one bit. I feel like this change in life has really developed and challenged me. As Anabella put it, “you have explored your professional side…now you are exploring your feminine side” (referring to the cooking & cleaning, & husband dependancy). Even Ángel chuckles when he sees me in the kitchen and almost always comments “I wish I had a video camera, your friends in the states would not recognize you behind that apron with the wooden spoon in your hand”.
Adventures in Moving
After a quick jaunt home for a visit to the Spanish Consulate in NYC at the end of October (another step in a long line of bureaucracy for my resident´s card), a visit with family & friends, a massage (thanks Pretty Patti!!), a haircut & manicure, a visit to WYBE, and of course the mandatory salsa dancing at Brasils(Thanks for the party Chris T!), I returned to our home in Gandía to spend a week packing for our move. Of course the best laid plans are always foiled as I was called to Madrid for an interview midweek (Wednesday) which shot three days of packing (I was hired and started the following Monday). On Friday, friends Xema and Silvia came down from Valencia to wish us well (and help DH load the washer and fridge onto the truck). Their anticipated two hour visit turned into nine hours as DH met his match in Xema...the only other man I know who can talk as much as him. Needless to say, most of the packing got done Saturday morning and at precisely midnight, hubby and I pulled out of Gandía with all our worldly posessions in a Spanish style U-Haul It. 10 hours later, after 4 cans of Red Bull, countless expressos, and a couple of hours of shut-eye at a roadside gas station, we pulled into El Espinar, our new hometown.
Urban Chic(a) meets El Espinar
El Espinar is a charming town in the province of Segovia, about 35 miles northwest of Madrid. Yes, it´s cold here, we are nestled in the foothills of the mountains in a valley. Our house has beautiful breathtaking views of the mountain ranges and pine forests. If Gandía was small, El Espinar is tiny with about 2,500 residents. We can´t get away from the breadmaker...our landlord was the town´s breadmaker...now retired. One next door neighbor is the town´s retired wood chopper, and the other neighbor, formerly the town butcher, is building a mansion of a house next to ours. Fortunately, they aren´t gossipy like our Gandía neighbors. (The Segovian personality to the Valencian personality is like comparing the US east coast and west coast peronalities). Our house is on a cañada, a street which is a designated cattle route used by the heardsmen when they move the cattle from one pasture to the next. Not sure when this spectacle will take place, it promises to be mighty interesting. I was excited to hang my first load of wash out to dry (doesn´t that sound frightening)...couldn´t wait for the aroma of fresh moutain air in the clothes. Was I in for a rude surprise when I pulled the sheets off the line, plunged my nose into them and got a nice whiff of...COW MANURE. I forgot about the pastures that were just around the bend from our house at the town´s back entrance. According to the townsfolk, the cow dung is excellent kindling for the fire. Hmm...no thanks, in my sheets is bad enough, I don´t need it in the house too!
Spreading my wings
I have thrown in the towel (temporarily) and accepted a part time position teaching English with O.E. Academy. Native speakers of English are in high demand as teachers. Certainly doesn´t hurt me to have a training background. It´s great to get out of the house and meet people. I clock about 20 – 25 hours a week and my students range in age from 8 – 50+ years. It really is giving my gradeschool grammar a run for its money...and I have learned a lot about the differences between American English and British English. I cover the northern suburbs of Madrid (can you say suburban sprawl and soccer moms?). Of course the families that I teach are all rather well to do and their homes show it!! I am mentally taking notes of how I want our future house to be!! I will also be getting a car in a couple of weeks...which means that I will have to break down and learn to drive stickshift before taking my driver´s exam here. Be prepared for great stories of me being overtaken by cows!
Holiday Wishes
Unfortunately, we won´t be home (to the US) for the holidays this year. After three trips to the US in a period of 6 months...prior to me working, our economy has told us to slow down a bit...be prepared for our visit late winter early spring! In the meantime, warmest holiday greetings to everyone! With much love from me & hubby.
Showing posts with label Madrid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Madrid. Show all posts
Saturday, December 08, 2001
Saturday, September 22, 2001
Terrorism and the Spanish Attitude
Terrorism and the Spanish Attitude
First and foremost, I want to let you all know that both I and my family are all OK. Many many thanks to those who have called or emailed me with respects to my safety here in Spain. They certainly comforted me during a time of fear and concern. Fortunately none of us (my family) have been directly affected by the terroristic attacks that occured in the US 12 days ago, although as thousands of others, have experienced close calls. Unfortunately, the husband of one of my brother´s co-workers was a co-pilot in one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. I encourage you all to visit the web page that has been set up in his memory. He appears to have been a remarkable person.
On the day of the attacks, within 10 minutes of the first attack, my cell phone began to ring incessantly from my friends all over Spain calling to check in on me and let me know what was on the news. The attacks on the WTC occurred during the “siesta” hour here in Spain, the time that most everyone is at home eating the main meal of the day and watching the main newscasts. I was in Madrid that day, having just picked up a couple of friends at the airport arrving from Philadelphia a couple of hours earlier. The three of us watched in horror as we saw the second attack on the WTC live on the news.
Many of you have emailed or called asking me about the attitude in Spain with regards to what the Spaniards thought about these terroristic attacks. As I have mentioned previously, terrorism is nothing new to Spainards. In Spain exists the ETA terrorist group, based in the Basque regions of Spain (north) and France (south), which continuously fights for its independence from Spain. However, its attacks are, for the most part, very targeted to specific politicians, journalists, reporters and police. They do not compare in magnitude to the mass destruction suffered by the USA (and the world) the other week. Spainards and the Spanish government are very much behind the USA in its global effort to eliminate terrorism around the world, whether it be in the name of Islamic Terrorists, Basque Separatists / terrorists, or the Irish Republican Army in the name Catholic Separatism. What the Spaniards (and the rest of Europe in general) don´t want, however, is an indescriminate and “knee jerk” response by the US government in the name of an international coalition that will serve only the needs of the American people. The general thought here is if the US is truly concerned about eliminating terrorism on a global level, then it must take into consideration the global effects its actions will have.
There are two American military bases located here in Spain, which the Spanish government has given authorization to the US to use in its efforts to combat world terrorism. However, a poorly thought out plan by the US government (meaning...a failure to take into consideration global concerns...not just American interests) could possibly result in attacks to these US bases (or any other US military bases or American institutions around the world) affecting not only the US, but also the host country. Spain is rich in Arabic culture as evidenced in it´s architecture particularly throughout Andalusia (southern Spain) and the entire Valencian (Mediterranean coast) region. Being just a hop skip and a jump from the Middle East, and the primary entry point for Morroccans, Algerians and other Muslims into Europe, Spain is rightfully concerned about any military repercussions.
Ok, I am getting off my soap box…Onto a lighter topic…
Employment in Spain
I have learned alot about how Spaniards “save face” when put into uncomfortable positions. My rather successful interview process with the Red Cross of the Valencian Region came to a screeching halt the other day when I spoke with the president and informed him of our definitive move to Madrid in a few weeks, and declining the organization´s offer of employment. Right from the very beginning of the interview process, I was frank with him and the other local presidents that I met with letting them know of an outside chance of us moving to Madrid. His frustration at our decision was made clear through his thinly veiled comments of “I knew from the beginning that this would be a problem for us (Red Cross)”, “From the start I thought that you were too young and inexperienced to do fundraising for us”, “your status here is so unstable. You aren´t certain how long you will be here in Spain..you will probably move back to the United States”. Wow...I really had to hold my diplomatic tongue. DH as well as a few other Spanish friends, were horrified and livid. I´ll just chalk it up to experience and a big political ego. I have dealt with both before!
So, it´s off to Madrid we go...actually a small town a half hour north of the city in the foothills of the mountains. We will have a white Christmas and DH has promised me a live Christmas tree! We fell in love with the charming town which is much smaller than where we live now...so is our flat..it´s about half the size, but we will be nice and cozy and closer to his family. We will be moving in about 3 weeks.
Speaking of being closer to family…I should write a book about what I did for love… moved to a foreign country, left my career, family & friends in the USA, became dependent on a man (horrors!) and have successfully spent two weeks alone with my mother-in-law. I lie, we were not alone, we have been accompanied the whole time by her two small yappy type dogs. The first week we were in their summer “home” two hours north of Madrid, this week we came here to Gandía. Geeze, I must REALLY love Ángel. At least he can no longer accuse me of shedding my long hair here…the dogs have been giving me some fierce competition.
Being with my “suegra” (mother in law) does have its advantages. I have learned how to clean and cook octopus, clean, de-spine and prepare a variety of fish...including sardines marinated in lemon juice. Yes, raw sardines marinated in lemon juice with a little salt. If you are a sushi fan, I recommend you try it..it´s actually really good! I have also learned how they clean houses here in Spain (vs the American way), the right way to wash dishes...etc. Actually, in all honesty, it has been great getting to know her.
Philadelphia has been on Spanish TV an awful lot lately. First it began with Kraft´s advertising campaign of Philadelphia cream cheese. Every half hour this commercial would be on TV. Then all of a sudden, Pans & Company (think Spanish version of Subway) brought to the discriminating Spanish palates the Famous Philadelphia Cheesesteak...fresh from the other side of the Atlantic. Go figure! Too bad the city can´t be internationally known for more notable things...like it´s history (a drop in the bucket compared to the history here in Spain), or the wonderful variety of restaurants, or its diversity.
First and foremost, I want to let you all know that both I and my family are all OK. Many many thanks to those who have called or emailed me with respects to my safety here in Spain. They certainly comforted me during a time of fear and concern. Fortunately none of us (my family) have been directly affected by the terroristic attacks that occured in the US 12 days ago, although as thousands of others, have experienced close calls. Unfortunately, the husband of one of my brother´s co-workers was a co-pilot in one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. I encourage you all to visit the web page that has been set up in his memory. He appears to have been a remarkable person.
On the day of the attacks, within 10 minutes of the first attack, my cell phone began to ring incessantly from my friends all over Spain calling to check in on me and let me know what was on the news. The attacks on the WTC occurred during the “siesta” hour here in Spain, the time that most everyone is at home eating the main meal of the day and watching the main newscasts. I was in Madrid that day, having just picked up a couple of friends at the airport arrving from Philadelphia a couple of hours earlier. The three of us watched in horror as we saw the second attack on the WTC live on the news.
Many of you have emailed or called asking me about the attitude in Spain with regards to what the Spaniards thought about these terroristic attacks. As I have mentioned previously, terrorism is nothing new to Spainards. In Spain exists the ETA terrorist group, based in the Basque regions of Spain (north) and France (south), which continuously fights for its independence from Spain. However, its attacks are, for the most part, very targeted to specific politicians, journalists, reporters and police. They do not compare in magnitude to the mass destruction suffered by the USA (and the world) the other week. Spainards and the Spanish government are very much behind the USA in its global effort to eliminate terrorism around the world, whether it be in the name of Islamic Terrorists, Basque Separatists / terrorists, or the Irish Republican Army in the name Catholic Separatism. What the Spaniards (and the rest of Europe in general) don´t want, however, is an indescriminate and “knee jerk” response by the US government in the name of an international coalition that will serve only the needs of the American people. The general thought here is if the US is truly concerned about eliminating terrorism on a global level, then it must take into consideration the global effects its actions will have.
There are two American military bases located here in Spain, which the Spanish government has given authorization to the US to use in its efforts to combat world terrorism. However, a poorly thought out plan by the US government (meaning...a failure to take into consideration global concerns...not just American interests) could possibly result in attacks to these US bases (or any other US military bases or American institutions around the world) affecting not only the US, but also the host country. Spain is rich in Arabic culture as evidenced in it´s architecture particularly throughout Andalusia (southern Spain) and the entire Valencian (Mediterranean coast) region. Being just a hop skip and a jump from the Middle East, and the primary entry point for Morroccans, Algerians and other Muslims into Europe, Spain is rightfully concerned about any military repercussions.
Ok, I am getting off my soap box…Onto a lighter topic…
Employment in Spain
I have learned alot about how Spaniards “save face” when put into uncomfortable positions. My rather successful interview process with the Red Cross of the Valencian Region came to a screeching halt the other day when I spoke with the president and informed him of our definitive move to Madrid in a few weeks, and declining the organization´s offer of employment. Right from the very beginning of the interview process, I was frank with him and the other local presidents that I met with letting them know of an outside chance of us moving to Madrid. His frustration at our decision was made clear through his thinly veiled comments of “I knew from the beginning that this would be a problem for us (Red Cross)”, “From the start I thought that you were too young and inexperienced to do fundraising for us”, “your status here is so unstable. You aren´t certain how long you will be here in Spain..you will probably move back to the United States”. Wow...I really had to hold my diplomatic tongue. DH as well as a few other Spanish friends, were horrified and livid. I´ll just chalk it up to experience and a big political ego. I have dealt with both before!
So, it´s off to Madrid we go...actually a small town a half hour north of the city in the foothills of the mountains. We will have a white Christmas and DH has promised me a live Christmas tree! We fell in love with the charming town which is much smaller than where we live now...so is our flat..it´s about half the size, but we will be nice and cozy and closer to his family. We will be moving in about 3 weeks.
Speaking of being closer to family…I should write a book about what I did for love… moved to a foreign country, left my career, family & friends in the USA, became dependent on a man (horrors!) and have successfully spent two weeks alone with my mother-in-law. I lie, we were not alone, we have been accompanied the whole time by her two small yappy type dogs. The first week we were in their summer “home” two hours north of Madrid, this week we came here to Gandía. Geeze, I must REALLY love Ángel. At least he can no longer accuse me of shedding my long hair here…the dogs have been giving me some fierce competition.
Being with my “suegra” (mother in law) does have its advantages. I have learned how to clean and cook octopus, clean, de-spine and prepare a variety of fish...including sardines marinated in lemon juice. Yes, raw sardines marinated in lemon juice with a little salt. If you are a sushi fan, I recommend you try it..it´s actually really good! I have also learned how they clean houses here in Spain (vs the American way), the right way to wash dishes...etc. Actually, in all honesty, it has been great getting to know her.
Philadelphia has been on Spanish TV an awful lot lately. First it began with Kraft´s advertising campaign of Philadelphia cream cheese. Every half hour this commercial would be on TV. Then all of a sudden, Pans & Company (think Spanish version of Subway) brought to the discriminating Spanish palates the Famous Philadelphia Cheesesteak...fresh from the other side of the Atlantic. Go figure! Too bad the city can´t be internationally known for more notable things...like it´s history (a drop in the bucket compared to the history here in Spain), or the wonderful variety of restaurants, or its diversity.
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