On my way to Salamanca

[Mike_2]

Hello everyone - Wow, I'm finally on my way to Spain! I have been meaning to keep you all up to date on the progress of our move but things have been very hectic lately. This afternoon we are leaving for an apartment hunting trip. Then, its back to the states for a few weeks with a return to Salamanca in early April. We just sold our house and most of our personal belongings - it's amazing how much junk one can accumulate these days. I feel very...unencumbered now. I have two keys in my pocket - one for the rental car and one for a post office box. I keep telling my wife that now is a good time for us to run away. Wait...we are running away! :)

Hopefully everything will go smoothly and we will be able to rent an apartment in Salamanca without having a prior residence, employment etc. in Spain. I have my contract which shows I will have a job at the University and I can show a balance in a US bank account. Speaking of banks, I hope we can open an account at a local bank too on this trip.

Still waiting for my visa though, but I hope that will arrive before our next trip across the pond. If not, I have have some extra time on my hands after we move while I wait for the visa...but having extra time is the whole point of the move!

Wish us luck!
Mike

[eldeano]

Wish us luck!
Mike

Que tengáis buena suerte.

[Marina]

¡¡¡Mucha suerte Mike_2!!!

One little thing, most of the banks won't let you open a bank account without a residence card. However I remember that when Ben's sister came to Madrid for an Erasmus year she managed to do it by going to an international branch of Santander Central Hispano. I'll ask Ben if he remember the details.

Marina.

[Ben]

That was Banco Santander, but in fact I think most banks will let you open an account with just a passport these days. Good luck with this exciting move and keep us up to date here in the forum!

[Damian Corrigan]

Hi Mike,

I'm in Salamanca until early April if you fancy meeting up. I take it from what you've said that you're here now apartment hunting? I leave on April 11, so now might be the only chance we can meet up, if you have the time. Send me a private message (or email me through my site - below).

Damian

[Jules]

or email me through my site



Didn't realise you did this. I was only aware of Gerald Erichsen's 'About' Spanish Language.

[Damian Corrigan]

Didn't realise you did this. I was only aware of Gerald Erichsen's 'About' Spanish Language.

It's been at the bottom of my posts for my past 71 posts! 72 now! ;D

Can I count you as one more regular reader now?

OK, back to the subject - Salamanca, yeah, it's great, and I'm here. So, Mike, I'd be more than willing to show you and your family where the best tapas and coffees are in Salamanca.

Damian

[Mike_2]

Hola Damian - Sure we'd like to meet up for tapas and a caña. just PM me and suggest a place. We are staying in an aparthotel near the plaza major.
cheers
Mike

[Mike_2]

Hola a todos -

Well, we just arrived yesterday and we're finding our way around town.
such a beautiful city! I have already become accustomed (after one day!) to a big lunch and a siesta :)

...more later...
Mike

[José Miguel]

Salamanca siempre me recuerda este libro clásico de la literatura española, una historia corta, divertida pero algo amarga también.
También ambientada en esta ciudad está la "Vida" o autobiografía de Torres de Villarroel, del siglo XVIII.

[Mike_2]

Hola a todos -

Haven't spent too much time in front of the computer the last two weeks so I haven't had much time to give you all an update on our progress. We thought our aparthotel would have internet access in the rooms but it doesn't so we have to walk down the street to an internet cafe. Thus, I have not had much time to keep up with posts in the forum. Just as well though so I don't spend so much time in front of the computer, although I think I'm feeling some withdrawal symptoms from being unplugged to so long :) I hope I have time soon to sit down and catch up with posts in the forums.

We've been having a good time in Salamanca. Last week we met with Damian Corrigan and he showed us a few of the best places for tapas in Salamanca. Thanks Damian! Maybe when we return in April we can connect and get a caña. We also signed a contract for a piso (an atico, actually) and opened a bank account.

This weekend we return to the US to finish up some work commitments. Can anyone recommend a hotel in Madrid for this Saturday night? We have to catch a plane the next morning.

Cheers!
Mike

[TotallyKen]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to Spain and the lovely city of Salamanca.

If you need a hotel at the airport, the best value I can see is at the Kris Cazadora. It´s a nice 3 star hotel and the present rate is 80€ per room per night. They have a free shuttle operating from 06:30 in the morning.

I don´t wish to be seen to be hustling for business on this site. It´s not my intention at all. However, I do have a travel agency here in Spain and I´d be happy to advise or sort this out for you if you wish.

Feel free to contact me personally.

[eldeano]

This weekend we return to the US to finish up some work commitments. Can anyone recommend a hotel in Madrid for this Saturday night? We have to catch a plane the next morning.


I spent a few weeks at Hotel Osuna when I worked at Barajas. Shuttle service to the airport. Don't know how much but worth a call.

http://www.chh.es/hotel_osuna/

[Mike_2]

Hola - We went to Banco Santander and we were able to open an account without any problems. In fact, they were quite helpful. Most of the people we have interacted with have been helpful and polite, contrary to what I was expecting based on some of the horror stories I've heard and read about customer service in Spain. Sure, we have run into a few grouches here and there but mostly we have interacted with normal human beings.
Salamanca is a nice city - I think we will be happy there.

Mike

[djS]

Open my account with La Caxia no problems , need a passport and photo id . Yes two pices off id
can do myonline banking in english i been told
just have get around to it yet

atm card work all over the world

try it in Uk Usa Ireland and far east

jurdy

[Mike_2]

Hola a todos

It seems like ages since I've posted anything to this forum! We moved to Salamanca in April and we're working at the university and having a great time living in Spain. My spanish is slowly improving. I haven't taken any formal classes yet and I'm learning on my own and by osmosis. Perhaps its mistake on my part but I rationalize my decision by saying the classes are too expensive. I had a bout of homesickness recently but that was quickly cured with a trip to Barcelona.

anyway, my voy a trabajar. Hasta luego!

Saludo
Mike

[natalia]

Wow... you're so lucky!! I'm going to Salamanca this summer. :)