Help me move from UK to Spain.

[Steve W]

The decision has been made, I have got about five weeks left of my job and then I plan to move to Barcelona and start a new part of my life. This is a call to all you people out there that have made the move already, to give me any tips or advice, reminders of things that I've forgotten, shortcuts through the beaurocracy etc etc.

In some ways it's a simple move. I'm an EU citizen, single, no property to buy or sell and some savings to tide me over. In other ways it's not. I have no job yet, I may be looking at the self employed route (sound & lighting technician for live music or theatre), my Spanish is just reaching intermediate I reckon and It's all happening a bit quick now. I aim to leave around the first week of August!

I'm starting to freak out about the paperwork, especially as related to work and tax etc

So, please weigh in with anything you think I need to know.

So far, I've read the David Hampshire - Living & Working in Spain, and while super useful, it's given me the willies big time. I've just tried to download the NIE application form from the ministry of the interior and the link is broken! Not an auspicious start to my paperwork marathon.

Ok, enough moaning....Any advice much appreciated. :confused:

[Alan]

Good on ye mate. I haven't made the move, so I'll keep this short. I just wanted to wish you all the best and I hope you'll hang around the forum even when the weather's tempting you outside!

[Marbella]

Hi Steve,

To get life started in Spain is simple enough now. Just like in the UK, starting with the fundamentals - get an address, get a bank account, register yourself with the police/town hall, make sure you've got health cover.

Then you'll be thinking about work: the best shortcut through Spanish bureaucracy I can recommend is to get an asesor. An asesor will act as accountant and legal advisor and in my experience offer incredible value for money. They know the system inside out and will do all the leg-work for you. I've used them for everything from registering UK cars to setting up businesses and personal tax. Just like here, recommendation is the best way to find a good one and usually the first consultation will be free and they'll tell you what they need to do and how much they will charge you. You should be looking at a fraction of the cost of an equivalent service in London.

I can't tell you how excited I am for you. All the very best to you for the move, I'm sure it will work out.

[Brian]

Then you'll be thinking about work: the best shortcut through Spanish bureaucracy I can recommend is to get an asesor.

Marbella, what's the difference betwen an asesor and a gestor?

[Brian]

So far, I've read the David Hampshire - Living & Working in Spain, and while super useful, it's given me the willies big time. I've just tried to download the NIE application form from the ministry of the interior and the link is broken! Not an auspicious start to my paperwork marathon.

Ok, enough moaning....Any advice much appreciated. :confused:

Steve,

How incredibly exciting! I'm jealous and excited for you at the same time. :)

I would agree with Marbella that hiring someone to help with the paperwork would be of huge assistance, especially if your Spanish isn't super-advanced. But then, if Ben could do it.... ;) Just kidding, of course!

I've been reading the Hampshire book, too. It's a bit overwhelming and sobering at the same time. If you want an alternate view, I recommend the Nikki Weinstein book "Living Abroad In Spain." It was a tremendously encouraging read. LINK (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1566916666/104-5159124-9268764?v=glance&n=283155)

My family and I are in the process of getting our things together for a move to Spain. I have a bit more difficulty, as I am not a citizen of the EU. We've been working on the paperwork for over a year now- the Spanish consulates have been mind-boggingly slow, and we now have in hand our Libro de Familia, as well as newly-endorsed Spanish passports for my wife and children.

Now comes my job search process....

Please keep us posted on your progress, and good luck on your move!

[Marbella]

Marbella, what's the difference betwen an asesor and a gestor?

Same thing (I am reliably informed!):)

[celia s]

Hi Steve.
What a fantastic opportunity!I hope everything goes well for you.
I fell totally in love with Barcelona last year.It is such an incredible,vibrant city.( I hope you are a Barca fan!)
I am seriously thinking about moving to Barcelona too.However,I will have to wait until my son has left college ( another 2 years ).Still,it gives me time to work on my Spanish!
Good luck!

[Ben]

Steve, well done! Great news! Just got back from a weekend away and very busy, so hope to answer more in-depth later, but for the moment, congratulations again on the decision! You will never regret it!

[timg]

The decision has been made, I have got about five weeks left of my job and then I plan to move to Barcelona and start a new part of my life.

Congratulations, Steve. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

[Ben]

Steve, we are going to do a podcast about all this, hopefully next week,
-Ben

[Steve W]

Thanks for all your words of support. This is exactly what I needed to keep me on track. I'm meeting with the inland revenue tomorrow to go over anything that I have to do. I'll hopefully get a tax rebate as I'll only be working part of the year in the UK.

On the subject of a Gesto(r) - how does this work? Do I pay a separate fee for each form/process that they do for me, or is it a set charge for the whole of the imigration process?

[Pepino]

I'm also making the move to Barcelona this year (13th Sept - booked my flight just yesterday! ;D ). I'm lucky that my employer has an office out there and it's already my job to support the IT system in it (remotely) so it wasn't too hard to convince my boss to transfer me. i just up-sticks one day, and start over there the next doing exactly the same job!

It might not be relevant to you, given that you'll be working for a Spanish employer at some point, but I found the following about the tax situation for UK employees like me who head off to Spain with work...

Basically, you have to be out of the UK for an entire tax year (April-April) before you start HAVING to pay Spanish tax. My leave date in September means i could theoretically continue being taxed in the UK until April 2008 without havng to worry about getting Spanish tax refs etc. My employer is still paying me in Pounds in the UK so it suits me to keep my finances over there and just transfer what I need each month to live off in Spain.

With National Insurance, form E101 is all that's needed to tell the Dept for Work and Pensions that you are continuing to pay UK NI. You still get the benefit of being covered under the Spanish health system, as there's a reciprocal deal within the EU to take care of eachothers citizens. You will need an E111 card to make claiming health care abroad easier when/if the time comes though.

Opening a bank account is easy and you don't even need a spanish identity number (as your passport number will suffice). Barclays in Spain seem particularly well geared-up for dealing with confused Brits, although many of the local banks in the major cities are equally well-placed to help.

Good luck with your move too!

[Edith]

¡Buena suerte Steve! :)

Enjoy the climate and keep us posted!

[Steve W]

I think my tax situation will be fully Spanishized (Españolated??) as quickly as possible. I did my trial run living in Valencia last year, and this time I've quit my job so there's no going back.

It might get a bit complex, as I'm aiming to freelance at my old employers whenever I'm in England for a visit.

Did I mention that I'VE QUIT MY JOB to emigrate! I think I'm having another mid-life crisis, (they started when i was 21).

[greytop]

Steve good luck.
Gestors charge per job done in my experience. I've used one to get initial paperwork sorted, although for residencia you eventually have to go as they need your fingerprints.
I originally did our driving licences myself but it took several visits to Trafíco in Alicante which was a 200km round trip for me. When I moved house I got a local gestor to change the car docs and mine & my wife's driving licence and he charged me 90€ which was a lot less than I might have used in petrol, time etc.
Whenever we go to a Spanish office I now carry a file with all my original documents, photos and at least four photocopies of everything!
But it's worth it to live in this great country!!!!

[Ben]

Pepino, well done, that's great news on your move. We can start a sizable 'NFS listeners who have moved to Spain' club soon! (Not that we can take any credit of course). Keeping your taxes in England sounds like a good idea in your situation, the Spanish tax declaration is a total nightmare (Marina does mine!).

Don't worry though Steve, some banks will actually do it for you every May for nothing, if not your local tax dept (Hacienda) can go through it with you too.

[Pepino]

Excellent, thanks Ben. Any more Brits in Spain, and we'll have to hang a sign up in the departure lounge to remind the last person to switch the lights off before they leave!)

Well, as I'll be out there alone, I expect that I'll quickly go through the usual range of emotions - glee/dispair/confusion/elation etc before settling in to the "why didn't I do this years ago?" frame of mind. :) I'll be sure to put any quirky goings-on down in words and post any of the more amusing or notable disasters/successes in the forum. I'm going to be sharing a flat in the Eixample district with a Cuban guy (still not actually met him yet! :eek: ) so I'll be hitting the ground running with my patchy Spanish skills from day 1.

[Ben]

I'll be sure to put any quirky goings-on down in words and post any of the more amusing or notable disasters/successes in the forum.

Excellent, please do!

I'm going to be sharing a flat in the Eixample district with a Cuban guy (still not actually met him yet! :eek: ) so I'll be hitting the ground running with my patchy Spanish skills from day 1.

That's the best way to do it!

[gary]

I'm going to be sharing a flat in the Eixample district with a Cuban guy .

Very nice area - last time I was there I remember that Coco Channel's shop hada a massive window maybe 5 - 6 metres wide and 3 m high and in it there was but one tiny handbag.... how the other half live, eh?

The Burberry shop and a great bespoke ice-cream parlour on the same block as I remember.

[Pepino]

I remember that Coco Channel's shop hada a massive window maybe 5 - 6 metres wide and 3 m high and in it there was but one tiny handbag.... how the other half live, eh?

I'm pretty close to the Chanel store on the Paseo de Gracia so I'll check it out and let you now if anyone's bought it!! :D. Doubt I'll be shopping there myself though, but it's nice to dream.

[gary]

I'm pretty close to the Chanel store on the Paseo de Gracia so I'll check it out and let you now if anyone's bought it!! :D. Doubt I'll be shopping there myself though, but it's nice to dream.

We bought an ice-cream next door

[Steve W]

Well, I've done my last big show at work (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stvcr/sets/72157594202012929/), so that means just a few more days in the office before the end. I'm moving out of my flat this Monday, and will be with my folks for the rest of the month. Luckily I don't have much stuff these days. I've been going on an ebay sell-a-thon in preparation for moving, and I've got everything that I want to take abroad down to 1 cubic metre!

The moving company that i was talking with aren't going to fit in with my planned dates, so that cubic metre may have to join me in BCN a few weeks later. No problem. The 6 months that I spent in Valencia, I only had 1 suitcase of stuff.

I had a crazy idea of getting a camper van and driving down myself, in a kind of new beginning/life journey/pilgrimmage style, down to Barcelona, but it is staying as a dream i think.

I bought a laptop for job hunting etc, and just my luck with electronics, it arrived faulty, so I'm now going through the returns process. Very boring.

I'm purely flat hunting now. Trawling through loquo.com every night after work, nodding off in front of the screen. Learnt a lot of vocab though, and I can just scan the ads now, without any translating in my brain going on. I think this may be the theme of my first few weeks - lots of language/beaurocracy obstacles, leading to lots of accidental learning.

[Pepino]

Hi Steve,

Exciting times! I'll be 2 months behind you, but I'm already marking off the days until my last day in the UK office, so I have sense of how you must be feeling.

I used loquo.com to look for a flat but became tired of seeing the same people posting the same ads multiple times each day just to try to keep them at the top of the list. Like you, I reached a point where scanning the ads was something I could do while multi-tasking a million other things! (an idea for a new Olympic sport perhaps? :rolleyes: ). I ended up finding my flat on www.easypiso.com (http://www.easypiso.com) so I would recommend it to you if you haven't tried it already. It's much easier to keep a track of just the new ads than loquo.com

Where did you buy your laptop from, out of interest? I need one for my move to BCN and I'm pondering sticking with Dell (as we buy them in work and seem reliable).

Regarding your cubic metre "entire life in a box" issue, I'm going for the relatively easy option of arranging for a flurry of friends to visit me in the early weeks of my move, so I'll be leaving half-packed suitcases with them before I go, with just enough room for them to add their own bits and pieces before they come out to visit. You could try the same approach if you're struggling with finding a reliable carrier.

[Ben]

We recorded an NFS podcast for you last night, all about sorting things out when you move to Spain, hope to upload it later, and hope it's useful!

[barca]

Steve W - TOP TIP for Barcelona success - learn a little Catalan. The locals will LOVE you for it and you will get on quicker through all the paperwork and official processes. Un estranger que parla catala, increible!!
Seriously, learn some and enjoy the city - I lived there as a student years ago, have been back loads of times since. Can't leave the UK, love it too much!

A little saying - menja be, caga fort y no tindras por de la mort!!

Buena suerte hombre!

[Steve W]

Ok, sorry for not posting for a while, been very busy with finishing work, moving house temporarily and flathunting. But the good news is, today I have a flat in Barcelona! I'll be living in Gracia with a couple of Chileans and a Spaniard and a labrador. Apart from the location beeing great, the guy I've been talking too seems very on my wavelength and even knows a few contacts in the music biz there, so I had to follow that lead.

So, I've booked my flights and I'm off on Monday. I'll keep posting various questions and impressions once I'm there, and I think I'll even start another blog to document my time. All very exciting.

Now I've got a hectic week of seeing people and sorting stuff out.
Bring on Barcelona.

[Steve W]

And Ben, thanks for another useful podcast. I did listen to it, I was just too busy to comment at all.

[Ben]

No problem. Best of luck and please let us know how things go once you arrive!

[Marina]

Good luck!!! Enjoy Barcelona!!!

[Steve W]

I found a flat, and took it without even seeing a photo because the guys living there have various contacts in the music and theatre industries in BCN. It´s in Gracia (nice) and very near to where some friends already live. My flatmates are nice and chatty, so I'm absorbing a lot straight away. They don't really speak English, which was a vital thing for me and it's forcing me to learn and speak.

My room is a bit of a monk's cell at the moment, dedicated to job hunting and Spanish paperwork. I sit here tapping at the computer with the wind blowing throughthe window. I can just see the tips of Sagrada Familia from my window, if you squint hard enough.

I instantly feel very comfortable here, much more so than I was in Valencia. Partly down to my improved Spanish but also because Barcelona is a more cosmopolitan city and it's easier to feel anonymous. Just what us Londoners are used to.

So my only worry now is work. Wish me luck. Apparently I need an offer of a job before I can apply for my NIE number. That seems a bit backwards to me. Does anyone have any different information.

[Ben]

Bienvenido a España! Good luck with the job, and I think you should get your NIE without a job offer, you should have no problem as a European citizen. Just get down to the right police station with your passport, a few photos and photocopies of everything and get in the appropriate (long!) queue.

Really look forward to hearing more as you go on, I know it's pretty mind blowing in the first few days!

[Steve W]

I'm getting a bit confused by all the different things that I've read about getting cards etc etc. The Gov websites, my helpful book, the UK consulate advice, Ben etc all have different versions of what I need for NIE card or Residencia and what order I can get them in.

I think on Monday I'll get to the local office of Openbank and sort that out first. Then maybe do the private medical insurance, in order to get a doctor's certificate, in order to get my NIE, in order to .....ahhhhhhgh
It all goes round in circles.
In English I'm a bit of an expert at the beaurocracy lark, but the language barrier is a real killer.

calm.

When do I have time to jobhunt?

On the plus side, it's great not working and I'm understanding a lot of what my flatmates say to me. Talking some back as well. Not really had time to do any language studying as yet, but I don't seem too out of my depth, and I'm a lot more confident of just blurting out whatever I think is right.

So, Monday, I'll try for the NIE and see what they tell me I'm missing.

[Steve W]

Not a lot of progress, but I've opened my bank account with Openbank. There is an office just near me so I toodled along and was dealt with by a very polite young man who sorted me out. So now I have an account, but I'm still waiting for the card etc to arrive in the post. I tried my local police station for the NIE but they told me I couldn't do it there (even though they were on a list that I had from the web). So tomorrow, I'll get across to the other side of town and try there. At least I will get the definitive list of what documents I need. I've read tales on the web of the Alicante office giving NIEs out in the space of a few hours. Utopia.

I've got a regular intercambio going with a friend of a friend, who is from Argentina.

Job hunting is boring. Due to working in clubs etc I have to do all my personal trawling around at 11pm or later. My emails are getting no replies, but it is August and a lot of places are definitely shut.

But the plus side this week is fresh melon in the fridge and an internet connection. Who could ask for anything more?

[Ben]

Glad you've got the bank at least, you should be happy with Open Bank, we find them much better than the average high street lot. Not sure about NIE's i a few hours ina city that size, let us know!

[Steve W]

This morning I went along to the local ayuntamiento office here in Gracia and got registered at my address. Carlos my flat mate was with me, as he had to sign something too, so I didn't have any trouble with communication issues. I just needed my passport. Now I have this piece of paper (valid for 3 months) I can get half registered with the local medical centre. As far as I understand it I will be assigned a local doctor, and get a card, but ntil I start paying social security contributions I will not be fully intergrated. Not really clear on this point. I'm not sure what else this is useful for yet, but I'm sure there will be something. It feels like progress.

Anyway, one thing that sprang to mind is, if anyone who is a native or near native offers you help with something official, swallow your pride and take it. Opportunities to practice the language are all well and good, but getting things done correctly is important and relaxing when there's so much else to worry about.

Job hunting is getting me nowhere, but it is August, so I'm hoping things will change in a couple of weeks. On the plus side Ill be getting my very last paycheck from England on Thusday, plus at some point a tax rebate, so I'm not begging on the street yet, it would just be nice to be able to relax and actually start living here rather than still feeling a little disconnected.

[Marina]

Congratulations for the empadronamiento!

Don't worry, August is not the best time of the year to look for a job, usually the job sections in Sunday newspapers is very thin or non-existent. Hopefully at the begining of September things will start to move a little bit. Don't forget to look at the offers in the internet as well.

Good luck!!!

[Pepino]

Hey Steve,

Arrr, good old Carlos. Everybody should have one, and I'm glad to say I have my own "Carlos" in the compact form of "Jaume", who works in the BCN office of my employer, and can't do enough for me. Seriously though, don't feel embarrased taking up offers like this. I felt a bit the same at first, but then I thought how I would feel if I took in a new flatmate/collegue/whatever in England, and they needed help?? I'd be more offended if they didn't ask for help, and I'd be chuffed to have made their new life easier in any way possible.

Good to hear some progress in the face of the beaurocracy. Not quite sure what the practical effects of being "half-registered" are, but it's better than not existing at all, so it's a success in my book! ;)

Things seem as though they must be going well with your flatmates. What's the situation here? (I've forgotten - Are you sharing in a multi-national house or is it you and a bunch of Spaniards?) Are you finding all this easy? Are you suffering from culture-shock or is it plain-sailing so far? This is the one area that, for me, has the most potential for a sleepless night before I fly out myself. I'll be arriving at my flat while my only flatmate (a complete stranger) is at work, so I'll be sat there (probably with my feet up on his expensive Queen Anne "occasional" table) when he gets home :o . Ah well, at least it gives me chance to rearrange the kitchen cupboards how I like them, and move all his crap out of the way to make room for my infinitely more tasteful worldly possesions I suppose! Just kidding! :eek: Although, I've never actually shared a flat before now so I'm sure they'll be scope for a few unintentional faux-pas on my part. If Spain should pull out of the EU around mid-Sept, then you'll know who to blame!

Are you making use of all the bars and cafés in Gracia? And are you finding that your food budget is lasting well compared to what you would normally spend in the UK? How does life as a local compare to that of a tourist? Do you feel any different? Questions questions! You'll know you're a local when you walk past an ornate Gaudí building and barely raise an eye before just keeping on walking to the Ayuntamiento for another date with destiny! hehe

Hope the job front turns up some good news too soon.

Take it easy ;D

[gary]

Best soap operas on the net... good luck to both of you!!

[Steve W]

I'm living with 1 spaniard from the basque country and 2 Chileans. None speak fluent English which was just what I wanted. They are all nice and to be honest, I've always been fine with just turning up in Spain and meeting strangers. I just assume it will be fine. My first day in Valencia I met my flatmate to be (also Carlos) and we ended up drinking Champagne to celebrate his friend's birthday and watching badly dubbed Austrian cop shows. Just say yes to everything for the first few days. Go with the flow. Plus you have the job and workmates to ground you a bit.

I never have felt like a real tourist here because I've always spent at least some time with Spanish friends, and their families. It's one of the reasons for moving here is that they have all made me feel very welcome, even after just meeting them for 5 minutes.

When I feel uncomfortable in England I just feel uncomfortable. When I feel it here I think to myself " it's because you're a foreigner, chill". Work's for me.

When meeting friends or families of friends, I've found that a little bad Spanish goes a long way. keep smiling and eat anything put in front of you.

Right, I'm off to meet anoher total stranger for intercambio. Wish me luck.

[Pepino]

When I feel uncomfortable in England I just feel uncomfortable. When I feel it here I think to myself " it's because you're a foreigner, chill". Work's for me.

I like this kind of thinking! Simple yet strangely profound. Next time I have one of my personal crises (well, it is Monday after all ;)) I'll head to a quiet room and think about this. :rolleyes:

keep smiling and eat anything put in front of you.

Quality advice. Duly noted and committed to memory.

Enjoy the intercambio! ;D

[Steve W]

I finally managed to get myslf out of bed early enough to get to the Officina de Extranjeros, and try an dapply for the NIE. Now, everything that I have read has said that I need an offer of employment or a contract, but I thought I'd give it a go anyway, if only to get the definitive answer.

Well, got in a queue at 7.30, half an hour before it opened. 45 mins later I was told I was in the wrong place, and sent along 2 doors. From here I was finally sent to the comisaría (police station) round the corner. So at 8.30am I was 2nd in line at the police station waiting for 9am.

There was a sign on the door spelling out what I needed, and indeed the job offer was on the list. But I was there now, so lets try anyway.

I got in and spoke to a friendly guy, and started pulling out photocopies and original documents everywhere. Maybe it was this blizzard of paper that confused him, but he stamped my bits and sent me on my way in 2 mins with a promise of a number in 25 to 40 days. Hopefully, success!

I met one of my intercambios straight afterwards and had a celebration morning beer.

so to sum up I took -

1. Passport + copy
2. UNSIGNED (you sign it in front of them), completed in BLACK, CAPITALS application + copy
3. 2 passport photos (white background)
4. Certificate of empadronado + copy (not sure if this was needed or not, but it didn't hurt)

[Ben]

Well done! By the way, how many intercami@s have you got going on!!??

[Steve W]

I've got two at the moment. One is an Argentinian friend of a friend who lives just on the next street. We've been meeting about 4 times a week for a couple of hours so far. Intense, but we've become friends and it's just nice to see people as I'm unemployed right now.

My second is a Peruvian woman who I've only met once so far but we got on fine and our language levels seem to be pretty similar, so hopefully more will follow.


I'm starting to immerse myself a bit more and find that I don't feel the craving to speak English so much now. I've been catching up on the Notes in Spanish podcasts and having long conversations with my flatmate. My understanding is surprisingly good. Just need to talk more. All good though.

[Jon Hundt]

I just started following your story, and I'm wondering how it's going for you. A good sound man is hard to find, so I expect you'll be all right once the word gets out.

[Steve W]

well, you'd think so, but I've sent out a bunch of CVs to no effect. I'm really looking for a permanent contract as going the self employed route at this stage seems a bit complex and expensive what with compulsory social security contributions each month. I want to get a contract and get on the state books asap, so I can get sorted with the health system as well.
My dream job here would be a small jazz club in town that finishes at a reasonable hour.

[celia s]

Hi Steve,
I bet you can't believe that you are finally living in Barcelona and living the dream.
Hang in there!
Once you get a job you will be able to relax a bit more.
Have you met many Brits?

[Steve W]

It's true that a job will settle me down nicely, but to be honest, I felt pretty at home from day one. I'm trying to change flats as well at the moment, so it's all a bit dull again. But I met a new intercambio today, who was very nice and I spent the evening with friends from Vitoria that I hadn't seen for a year.

It's pissing down constantly so I must buy un para-agua. Got a birthday meal to go to on Saturday with most of the people that I know here, followed by a squat party complete with live music. Jobs, who needs them?

[Steve W]

I've been a bit down lately, what with no leads for jobs, and seemingly every flat in Barcelona available for girls only. But I made a bit of a vow to myself this morning that I would find my new flat today. And hey presto, it happened. It's still in Gracia, the same price as I'm paying now, and a much nicer room. And NO building sites next door at all. Not even one.

The downsides - no terrace, but there is a roof for drying clothes, and my room has a balcony. With an unobstructed view on the opposite side of the street. Yay. No strangers watching me scratch in the morning.

4th floor and no lift. And they have all these extra floors here, like entresuelo, and I actually have to climb about 5 or 6 flights of stairs. My current flat is the 1st floor, but somehow this means 3 flights of stairs. Hopefully the European Parliament will do something about this soon.

er - no other downsides, it's all good. I'll be living with a chatty 24 yr old from the Dominican Republic and she seems very nice. There is a washing machine and WiFi and a supermarket opposite.

To cap it all, my NIE number arrived today as well, exactly 25 days after applying, which was the minimum wait they quoted me.

Must dash, I need to buy a lottery ticket.

[Pepino]

Excellent news about the flat! And hopefully a few drinks when we meet up this Friday will put a nice icing on the cake ready for the holiday weekend and make you feel a whole lot better!

btw, if that lottery ticket comes up, the drinks are on you!! :D

Hasta luego!

[Ben]

Well there is definitely an up side to living on the fourth floor, think of all the exercise you will get! Sorry to hear the job situation is proving difficult... would you consider a few private English classes if things get tough? Just being English is often qualification enough these days...

[Steve W]

I would consider it for some cash in hand, but I´m lucky enough to have enough spare cash to see me right for a bit. I saved like a bastard back in England, and now I´m reaping the reward here. It helps that the money earned there goes a bit further here.

I have no TEFL-CELTA qualifications, although my whole family for the last 3 generations have been teachers, so I think it´s in my blood.

I´m trying to concentrate my energy on getting a job in my field (where the language shouldn't be so much of an issue), however badly paid. If that hasn´t worked after a while, hopefully my Spanish will have improved enough to look for other types of work.

[Steve W]

Well, yesterday I got a phonecall from a job that I applied for on Infojobs, and this morning I went to meet them and have a cursory interview. And I have some work, after I get my Social Security number and send it to them. It's only casual work of indeterminate hours, and not that well paid (they lied in the advert!), but work is work and it's in my field, so Hooray for me!

I went into the interview assuming it would be a blur of half understood phrases, and lots of nodding from me. I had a list of useful phrases that I had gone over with an intercambio last night (got 3 on the go by the way :)), and I was more nervous about the language rather than the job itself. Halfway through, I just started to sweat! uuugh. Anyway, it's a start, so I am going to buy that bottle of whisky I promised myself for just this occasion.

Also meeting Pepino for some beers this afternoon, so I'm sure we'll both report back on that tonight.

[Ben]

Well done, that is fantastic news! Enjoy the whiskey and say hi to Pepino!

[Marina]

Congratulations Steve!!!
We will toast you tonight.

[Pepino]

Oh well, this changes everything! Today's drink is now officially a celebration! You're now a respected member of society! ;D I've only got less than an hour of work left, and then I'm outtttaaa here to join you for that cold beer!

Qué buen día!

[Steve W]

Pity it's cloudy. Looking forward to it.

and Marina, don't think I didn't see your "toss" comment ;D

[Pepino]

Pity it's cloudy. Looking forward to it.

and Marina, don't think I didn't see your "toss" comment ;D

Aye, this is true, but it's still warm and pleasant enough for a nice cold drink :)

I saw that comment from Marina too, but the little minx fixed it before I could get my post in! I was on the floor laughing! :D

[Ben]

I fixed it (when I got up off the floor and stopped laughing :D:D)

For those that missed it, I suppose I should explain... Marina accidentaly said 'toss for you' instead of 'toast you'. Not sure about US English, but in the UK it didn't convey the exact meaning she had in mind!

[Alan]

Great to read your news, Steve. I´m finding that life here is not what I thought and I´m even considering leaving and heading for somewhere less busy. How do you find Barcelona for that - it´s much busier than here.

[gary]

I fixed it (when I got up off the floor and stopped laughing :D:D)

For those that missed it, I suppose I should explain... Marina accidentaly said 'toss for you' instead of 'toast you'. Not sure about US English, but in the UK it didn't convey the exact meaning she had in mind!

On a similar theme last year I led a family outing to the farmacia because my grandson had a cough, the assiistant just blinked as daughter and son in law fell about laughing when the assistant and i were discussing the kind of tos with which my grandson was suffering.

[Steve W]

I must say, I'm surprised that you find Valencia too busy Alan, it always seemd pretty sleepy to me, but maybe that's just compared with London. Barcelona is just right for me. Busy but not overpowering. And I'm lucky enough to live in the quiet barrio of Gracia, where it always feels like Sunday. Pepino can now attest to this after our Friday afternoon beers.

We had a nice wander around a few bars and terraces and swapped emigration stories. Whenever I get the chance to speak English I just start spouting off and all the last weeks mental energy comes out. I was also on a bit of a high from the weird job interview this morning. More friends is a good thing.

It's La Merce festival this weekend. I'm not really sure what this means yet, but I'm sure that there will be music and beers and fun. I'll update you when my broadband is less flaky.

[Pepino]

I can whole-heartedly agree, Gracia does have a real "villagey" feel about it that I haven't seen in the other parts of Barcelona that I've been so far. It's great to be able to walk just a couple of streets away from the frenetic activity and traffic of the Diagonal, and find yourself in a lovely square with a cold beer and plenty of peace and quiet, but still with people going about their business and plenty of life. I live on the other side of the Diagonal and have constant traffic noise (which I've kind of gotten used to now) so the sudden peace of Gracia really struck me.

It was cool to get out, a beer and compare notes with Steve especially in such great surroundings. We're both firmly decided that we're both here for the long run (Steve even more so than me!) so we'll both be fully-fledged locals before we know it.

I'm going to follow Steve's advice and throw myself into the world of the Intercambio. First one is Monday, and if that goes well, they'll be no stopping me! :chat:

[Ben]

I wish we could have joined you both for that beer in quiet Gracia! We'll make it over to Barca soon enough I hope, to say hi. In the mean time we had a couple of copas de vino blanco at a quiet restaurant nearby and tossed, sorry, toasted your health ;)

[guapo]

I wish we could have joined you both for that beer in quiet Gracia!

That really is a cool part of Barcelona, lots of places to explore, great architecture to admire and none of the hassle and crowds you get in other parts of town.

Of course if you are looking for an apartment in the area you might try those they are building at number 45, right next to the Casa Batlló (http://www.pg45.com/ (http://www.pg45.com/%22)). Check out the panoramic views!

[Steve W]

I've just got back from my first day of work in Spain and I'm knackered. I was booked to work at the Barcelona conference centre, but I had no idea doing what, or who I was working with. After 15 mins I managed to track down my contact and he set me to prepare 3 conference rooms, working with another couple of guys. Everyone there was very nice and it felt weird but good to be doing my job again. I hadn't coiled up a cable in almost 2 months!

I covered someone's lunch break in another room hosting a presentation on a some heart surgery procedure, and in the afternoon, met 3 more guys from the agency I am attched to. Not a long day, but tiring form Talking and listening Spanish all the time. The good thing is that the contact at the conference centre said to get in touch if I become self employed, and he would have work for me there at a better pay rate. Being an English speaker is highly useful in the world of international conferences I guess.

So, I back there again for the next 3 days, for 11 hours per day, and my career here has officially begun.

[que]

Glad you have found a job Steve.

And im sure this will really help your spanish, now you are out and about working. I guess over time you will build more and more contacts, and hopefully your career will go form strength to strength.

Did many of the people you work with speak English?

[Ben]

Hey Steve, that is great news, I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed the first day! I once did a huge translation about the BCN conference center facilities - sounds like they should have a lot of work for you over there!

[Edith]

:) So, I back there again for the next 3 days, for 11 hours per day, and my career here has officially begun.

Congratulations!

[Edith]

So, I back there again for the next 3 days, for 11 hours per day, and my career here has officially begun.

Congratulations! :)

[Marina]

Steve it is very good to hear that you are coping so well with the new job and that they might even offer you more freelance work!!!
It sounds like a good start for your spanish working life...

Esta vez voy a brindar en Español y así no me equivoco.
¡Arriba, abajo al centro y pa' adentro!:cheers:

[Ben]

Sorry Steve (and everyone else who lost posts!!!), your weekend posts got lost in the forum upgrade, please let us know the latest soon!

[gary]

Sorry Steve (and everyone else who lost posts!!!), your weekend posts got lost in the forum upgrade, please let us know the latest soon!

C'est la web!!

[Steve W]

The people at my new work and the company that they're farming me out to, all seem to like me, so the work is there for me. I'm doing three 12 hour days this week. I'm used to that, but not starting so early. 6.30am tomorrow!

My contact at the office took me along to the Social Security office and helped me through the process. Very nice of him. He wanted to practice his English as well of course, but that's fine by me when I'm at work. It's tiring enough without the language issue as well. I'm using my English at the Conference centre a lot, as most of the delegates speak it. This makes me a valuable technician, so they are requesting me especially. Lovely.

So, I'm legal to work, but I just need to notify a few people of my recent change of address.
Hopefully I'll have the weekend off, as there is another party at the Okupa house that my friend lives in. I'm also supposed to be having some food with an intercambio, now that I have some cash coming in.

Haven't studied really since the job started, but I'm finding jumping back into Spanish much easier than before. I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

[Marina]

Looks like things are coming along for you Steve both at work and leisure.

Please let us know how the Okupa party turns out!!!

[gary]

Glad its working out - gives all that aspire hope!!

[Alan]

Good to hear things are going well for you. I reckon before I come again, I´ll get things sorted beforehand the same way as you have.

I understand what you mean by allowing your office contact to speak English to you. I´m feeling all Spanished out :) It feels good to come online and speak/type in English for a change.

I reckon you have to get into studying the language theory as soon as you feel you have time. I´ve been doing that recently and it has helped loads. I found that I was saying things without really understanding why, but now I do.

Keep in touch more often - I enjoy reading about how you´re getting on.

Al

[Steve W]

No new developments, which is good, because it means I'm settled here pretty much. I worked two weeks, but this week there has been no work yet. This is good, as it gives me time to supposedly study and see the city.

I didn't make the Okupa party Marina, as I had to be up at 7am the next day to go to Port Aventura! We had free tickets through a friend, and four of us went and had a great time. I even went on the massive rollercoaster, which I never expected. I backed out the first time though. Strange what we're scared off isn't it. I moved countries with barely a flicker of fear, but I hate the idea of plunging towards the Earth, upside down at 50mph. Actually, when I put it like that.....

I've booked flights to Stockholm to visit friends at Christmas, so I have to cut back on the spending for a while. This is hard when I've found a supplier of one of my favourite whiskies.

[Marina]

Good to hear about you, enjoy you break!!!

[Ben]

I've booked flights to Stockholm to visit friends at Christmas, so I have to cut back on the spending for a while. This is hard when I've found a supplier of one of my favourite whiskies.
Steve, have you tried Whiskey DYC yet (if they have it in Catalunia), it's hair raising stuff to say the least!

http://alex.lazur.org/albums/Sali/P2080044.thumb.jpg

[Steve W]

Not really my style I'm sure. They do a whisky in the Dia chain of supermarkets which is less than €7. Scary.

[Alan]

I´ve had a hard time trying to explain to Spaniards what makes a good whisky. The "whisky" worries me. "Clan Donald´s Finest Blend. Aged 3 years." It´s just not the same. Even the worst whiskies back home are aged 8 years.

I was out for a drink and I decided to treat myself to a whisky - a proper one. I got a dram of Talisker, which is a lovely Islay single malt. My friend offered to go to the bar and came back with what seemed like muddy meths in a glass.

"Oh, El Talisker cuesta 7€, pero esto es más barato..."

I was also stopped from taking a 5€ bottle of wine to a party because it was too expensive. Please just let me drink what I want to drink!:'(

[richardksa]

Many years ago I used to buy crates of "Gregson's Rare Blend Scottish Whisky". It was rare alright. As it proudly boasted on its label, it was distilled and bottled in Kisimaiu, which is a town on the Indian Ocean coastline of Somalia. I have to say its taste was not bad, but I doubted its alcoholic content as I could drink most of a bottle each night and not be very drunk when I went to bed. The distillery has now probably been bombed into oblivion by the warring Islamic factions.

As regards that well-known Spanish brew, an American who has been resident in Madrid for many years likes to tell this story, (at every available oppotunity!!!), to demonstrate the cultural differences between Americans and Spaniards regarding personal space:- When he first arrived he was invited to a party where he was introduced to a gentleman and they engaged in conversation. They were both drinking the whisky in the photograph of the earlier posting. The American, unused to closeness of his new friend, began to suspect that this intimate closeness was more than just friendliness and as the conversation progressed the Spaniard kept advancing and the American kept retreating in a vain attempt to keep a space between them. Finally the American was pressed flat up against a wall. The Spaniard moved in a few more centimetres, which really made the American feel really uncomfortable and raised his suspicions to a new level. Imagine his reaction when the Spaniard first indicating the drinks in their glasses then staring intently into the American's eyes, asked, "Do you like Dyc"? (Pronouncing it 'dick'.)

PS. The best Scottish whisky is distilled in the Orkney Islands and called Highland Park. Don't care what Alan says!

[Steve W]

I got my first Social Security report through the post today. It details what contributions have been paid by my company on my behalf. So at least this proves that my company is legitimate and not trying to fiddle the books over this ignorant foreigner.

They have paid me, and I'm just waiting for it to show up in my account.

Self sufficiency is nearly here.:)
I'm still poor though.:(

[Ben]

...but rich in spirit no doubt!

I hope you get paid by the beginning of December as Marina and I should be passing through Barca then and you can buy us a caña ;) If not we can always tap Pepino for a glass of Mahou...

Just joking, the beer's are on us! (The first caña anyway!)

[Steve W]

I'll be in England until the 4th, and then back in Barcelona until the 21st, when I'm off to Sweden for Xmas. Hopefully this fits into your plans, as beers sound like a great idea.

[Ben]

I'll check the calender and let you know!

[Pepino]

Self sufficiency is nearly here.:)

A proud moment! Seriously, well done. When you first told me how many job applications you'd sent out on your arrival, I nearly packed up and went home myself (as I couldn't be so determined and brave!) so you really deserve your success!

If not we can always tap Pepino for a glass of Mahou...

Just joking, the beer's are on us! (The first caña anyway!)

Have I told you I've become tee-total?? ;) (After the week I've just had in Mallorca, my liver is already asking to be put on the donor's list for a better home! :D )

I'll be in England until the 4th, and then back in Barcelona until the 21st, when I'm off to Sweden for Xmas. Hopefully this fits into your plans, as beers sound like a great idea.

Sweden? Blimey, these pay-packets of yours go a long way. hehe

I'll be in Barcelona right through December (well, until Christmas I guess) so just give me a nudge, and I'll be there! ;D

[Ben]

Have I told you I've become tee-total?? ;) (After the week I've just had in Mallorca, my liver is already asking to be put on the donor's list for a better home! :D )I try to become tee total every week.... then the weekend comes round :rolleyes: That Sin Alcohol stuff Mahoo does is pretty good actually!

[Pepino]

I try to become tee total every week.... then the weekend comes round :rolleyes: That Sin Alcohol stuff Mahoo does is pretty good actually!

Nah, it not just the taste of a good beer that I like, I also like the effect a couple of glasses has! hehe. If I moved onto the Sin Alcohols, my bladder and my liver would get too confused about what was going on and end up having words with eachother! >:D . They've mastered a system between them over the years that works well.... You've heard of the "buddy" system that divers have? Well, I won't get clinical as this isn't a medical forum :rolleyes: but let's just say that it works in a very similar way ;) hehe

God bless San Miguel! Now there's a Saint's day I'd be happy to celebrate!

[gary]

I try to become tee total every week.... then the weekend comes round :rolleyes: That Sin Alcohol stuff Mahoo does is pretty good actually!


whatever next - blackcurrant free Ribena?

[Alan]

What's next is apple flavoured, alcohol free, San Miguel.

[ValenciaSon]

I thought the best whiskey came from Tennessee?:confused:



I duck for cover now:rolleyes:

[greytop]

I thought the best whiskey came from Tennessee?:confused:



I duck for cover now:rolleyes:
Maybe but the only whisky comes from Scotland!:thumbs-up:

[ValenciaSon]

Maybe but the only whisky comes from Scotland!:thumbs-up:

I believe there is whisky distilled in the US.

[Alan]

I don't consider it the same drink. The whisky in the US is what I would call bourbon and it's very popular here. But in British English, it's not whisk(e)y :)

[Steve W]

Hey, it's been 8 posts since anybody talked about ME.

Quick update. I finally got paid my first paycheck today and it, rather symbolically, just covers 1 month's rent, which I also paid today. Not much, but I've already done more hours this month, so I should be in the black pretty soon.

And this is where I was working last week, doing sound for a live 3D satellite broadcast of lots of surgery. I was there for 3 days and must have watched about 15 operations including a kidney transplant. Fascinating stuff. I also had to wear the green scrubs for one day as well, as we couldn't enter the 4 surgeries without them. Definitely one of my oddest days at work ever, and I've had a few in my time.

http://static.flickr.com/93/273875325_4d2b8127d6.jpg

[Marina]

Congrats Steve on your first check!!!.... and many more to come.
Your work takes you to very funny places;)

[Ben]

I was there for 3 days and must have watched about 15 operations including a kidney transplant. Fascinating stuff.
I'm impressed, I'd have been keeping my eyes firmly fixed on the sound controls, I can tell you!

[Steve W]

Here I am having a drink with Pepino in Gracia. It's still nice and warm here, and the beer was cold. Anything else I can add to make you all jealous?

http://static.flickr.com/111/280646254_f99926bc82.jpg

[Ben]

I'm jealous and I live in Madrid! Actually it is pretty sunny here after daaaays of rain. Right, I'm off to find someone to have a beer with!
:cheers:
Salud para los dos!

[Alan]

I'm the most jealous...

[landlady]

Rain, what's that???? 7.20 here and its still very warm, sun's going down now though so time to change from shorts to jeans I think.

[guapo]

you look a pair of cool dudes!!! Only just got back from Barcelona and already I am missing it.

[Pepino]

It really is the best way to round-off the week! The weather here is incredibly warm (even by BCN standards) for so late in October, so Steve and I consider it our duty to indulge in a few copitas while relaxing in the lovely weather. jeje :cool:

[Steve W]

I have finally received my tax rebate from England, and it is a bit bigger than I expected, to say the least. Hooo - F£$%*ing - ray.

I can breathe easy again, especially in weeks like this one where I have no work. Plus, I am going to treat myself to a beer or two while the weather is still good. I believe there is a holiday on wednesday, so hopefully a few friends will be up for a beer. And there are no words more Holy than Rebate. Amen.

[Steve W]

I finally got around to registering with the health system here. I was stalling because I wanted to wait until I had changed my empadronado to my new address, and I can't do that until my flatmate returns from her trip away.

But, after giving it a go, I only needed my Social Security number letter, a copy of my passport and my old empadronado document. Everything seemed to go fine, but right at the end the man told me that my actual closest health centre was a different one. Now, I think he was telling me that I should go there in future for all my medical needs, but he could have been saying that I needed to go there next, to complete the registration process.

Hmmm, we shall see if my TIS (health card) turns up in the post. It's still so confusing sometimes. And don't get me started on Catalan.

[Ben]

Tell us about the Catalan Steve ;D

[Steve W]

Well, Catalan. I do live in Gracia, so I hear it all the time on the street. This is Catalan central according to the guide books. If you want a job with the government here, you have to speak Catalan. But, Barcelona is now a very international city, full of people from Latin America, other parts of Spain and of course foreigners like me. To be honest, I feel that I can only concentrate on learning one language at a time, so it will have to wait for now. But I'm sure that given a couple of years I will have picked up enough to get by.

Onto the subject of intercambios. Is this a record? After tomorrow, I shall have seven intercambios on the go at once. It's because I'm not working much at the moment, so I placed another ad and said yes to as many people as I could. But, so far I've met 3 excellent people who I find it easy to talk with, so I'd call that a success.

Completely unrelated, but I have discovered that me and my flatmate have the same birthday. How strange.

[Brian]

I don't consider it the same drink. The whisky in the US is what I would call bourbon and it's very popular here. But in British English, it's not whisk(e)y :)

Indeed, Alan is Listo about his knowledge. I grew up in bourbon country, and I daresay that the Kentucky rival to Jack D's is Jim B's.

I'm driving right by their distillery tomorrow. Anyone request a sample? :)

http://www.beertownusa.com/prodimages/Jim%20Beam%20White%20sm.jpg

[Ben]

Onto the subject of intercambios. Is this a record? After tomorrow, I shall have seven intercambios on the go at once.

That's one a day! Very impressive, and yes, quite possibly a record. I've certainly never heard of having that many on the go at the same time!

[greytop]

Well, Catalan. I do live in Gracia, so I hear it all the time on the street. This is Catalan central according to the guide books. If you want a job with the government here, you have to speak Catalan. But, Barcelona is now a very international city, full of people from Latin America, other parts of Spain and of course foreigners like me. To be honest, I feel that I can only concentrate on learning one language at a time, so it will have to wait for now. But I'm sure that given a couple of years I will have picked up enough to get by.......
It's the same with Valencian to the south of you with positive discrimination to keep it alive. You have to learn at least to read some as the parking signs are in Valenciano! Also most of the stuff from the local council, newsletters, adverts for courses etc.
So - No parking "mes par" or "mes impar" for example.
I can manage the days of the week mostly - diluns, dimars, dimercs etc. as they are similar to Castellano. I think Valencian and Catalan are similar as there are continual arguments in the press about whether they are in fact the same language with just regional variation as the Catalonians would prefer. They are certainly both based on old Latin and used enough to be kept alive. My Swiss/Italian neighbour says it is easy for her to understand.
As you say Steve - one at a time is enough! Poco a poco.

[Steve W]

My health card never showed up, so I went along to my local health centre to check that if I was actually registered after all. Surprise surprise, I had misunderstood previously, and therefore went through the process again. I now have a temporary paper card until my real one turns up in the post.

It's turned cold here now, and I'm spending a lot of my time wrapped in a blanket. I am seriously considering buying a pair of slippers soon. I am really rocking it in the party capital of Europe.

[djS]

Steve W not hear from you in while , watching you story as i am about to do the same but thinking Madrid

Work for a Media property company
from Djing at nite time and running the gsmsites that rented by vodaphone o2 g3 and so on it now been Computerized and i finishing up soon

i going to head to Madrid few times as i get cheap flights with ryanair

jurdy

[Steve W]

Finally I have something worth writing about. A job!
I went to an interview last week and got rejected, but yesterday they called me and hired me as the first choice had dropped out. Whatever. I'm employed.

It's perfect for me, 4 hours each morning, 20 minutes walk from my flat and speaking English. The down side is that it's marketing, but the office is small, and everyone seems nice and relaxed so I don't think it's a high pressure phone monkey operation.

So I will have afternoons free to study and meet intercambios, and I will have weekends free for the first time in 18 years or so. Sweet 9 to 1 grind.

Other news - Last week was my birthday and Pepino joined me and a bunch of my other friends for a meal and a piss up. Jolly good fun was had.

So finally, I can relax a bit (not that I wasn't before) and just start living here normally.

[greytop]

Finally I have something worth writing about. A job!
I went to an interview last week and got rejected, but yesterday they called me and hired me as the first choice had dropped out. Whatever. I'm employed.
..
Congratulations - beer vouchers in a steady stream can't be bad! I hope it's at least bearable.

My health card never showed up, so I went along to my local health centre to check that if I was actually registered after all. Surprise surprise, I had misunderstood previously, and therefore went through the process again. I now have a temporary paper card until my real one turns up in the post.
....
That's what they told me! Still waiting after nearly 4 months so I checked in the Health Centre and they looked at the computer and said it is definitely in the post. My wife got hers at the same health centre over the counter last month so not sure what's going on.:) The joke is she gets one because I'm a pensionista. LOL;D I'll go for some new pills next week and see what happens.
When I lived in Italy in the 70's we used to joke that their post office was a way of keeping the insane off the streets. I think they've all moved to Spain and work as bureaucrats.
Ah well - tomorrow I tackle the ITV in Gandia to get the car re-certified as fit to be on the road. More fun and games no doubt!

[ValenciaSon]

Finally I have something worth writing about. A job!
I went to an interview last week and got rejected, but yesterday they called me and hired me as the first choice had dropped out. Whatever. I'm employed.

It's perfect for me, 4 hours each morning, 20 minutes walk from my flat and speaking English. The down side is that it's marketing, but the office is small, and everyone seems nice and relaxed so I don't think it's a high pressure phone monkey operation.

So I will have afternoons free to study and meet intercambios, and I will have weekends free for the first time in 18 years or so. Sweet 9 to 1 grind.

Other news - Last week was my birthday and Pepino joined me and a bunch of my other friends for a meal and a piss up. Jolly good fun was had.

So finally, I can relax a bit (not that I wasn't before) and just start living here normally.

Congrats on your new job and birthday. What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger!;)

[Steve W]

I have discovered that I am a terrible telemarketer, even in English. Something about having to act on the phone. Very odd. Anyway, I need to practice a lot, and knock up some sort of script. I've had no training on phone techniques, and they are just expecting me to get going. Yikes.

Also, the gas has been off in our building for 4 days, which means no hot water, cooking or TEA! They seem to be working on it now, so fingers crossed.

But, it's beautiful weather here, and I'm meeting some friends for a hot chocolate later, so life's not all bad.

[NIeves]

I have discovered that I am a terrible telemarketer, even in English. Something about having to act on the phone. Very odd. Anyway, I need to practice a lot, and knock up some sort of script. I've had no training on phone techniques, and they are just expecting me to get going. Yikes.

Also, the gas has been off in our building for 4 days, which means no hot water, cooking or TEA! They seem to be working on it now, so fingers crossed.

But, it's beautiful weather here, and I'm meeting some friends for a hot chocolate later, so life's not all bad.


Ha and nobody from the forum who's living in Barcelona said to you:

BENVINGUT A BARCELONA :D

[Steve W]

Ok, the gas is back on so I feel a bit more normal today.

I spent yesterday afternoon writing out some sort of a script for my job, and today I made about 15 calls and I feel a lot better about the whole thing. Still no successful calls mind, but I don't care about that yet.

My co-workers are all very friendly and I think that I am going to learn a lot more Spanish in the office than I expected to having taken an English speaking job. I've already made one slip up on the phone, saying Sí instead of yes. woops.

[Ben]

missed this post before, congratulations on the job steve!

[Marina]

¡¡¡Felicidades por tu cumple y por el trabajo nuevo!!!
¡Suerte!

Marina.

[Steve W]

Thanks people. The job's going a lot better now. I'm actually getting some results. Hopefully they're happy with me now.

Even though I'm only doing 4 hours a day, the routine has thrown my studies off for a bit, so I need to concentrate on putting in the book time as well. But it'll be perfect for the summer. 4 hours n the morning, then off to the beach!

[Ben]

That would be my plan too... if we lived anywhere near a beach! Anyone got a beachside appartment they want to swap for one in Madrid this summer?!

[djS]

who said beach party drink and so on
jurdy

[Paco]

(link removed) i really do. But Espana no es tan facil como la pintan. Y la manera de ser de los Espanoles-latinos, puede llevar a la locura a personas de una cultura inglesa. La cultura espanola es todo lo que ustedes les gusta bonitas mujeres, gente bien apasionada, y calles llena de gente hablando. Pero hay otras cosas que pueden hacerte desear volver a Inglaterra. Good luck to you again. I hope you enjoy Espana....
.

[amjbrooks]

i'VE BEEN FOLLOWING OUR PROGRESS AS MY PARTNER AND I ARE PLANNING TO MOVE TO BCN IN THE AUTUMN.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ON HERE FROM YOU FOR A WHILE OR AM I JUST RUBBISH AT USING THE SITE?

I HOPE ALL IS WELL - WOULD BE GREAT TO READ AN UPDATE.

ALL THE BEST

ADAM & TOM

[amjbrooks]

STEVE, THAT PREVIOUS POST WAS SUPPOSED TO READ "YOUR PROGRESS", NOT "OUR PROGRESS".

hOW'S THE SPANISH BY THE WAY?

[eldeano]

Why are you SHOUTING?

[amjbrooks]

i was at work and caps lock was on from a previous piece of work and i didn't want to be spotted doing personal stuff at work so i got on with it as quickly as possible. by the time i saw it was in capitals i had typed a lot of it. to be honest, i didn't even know that capitals were shouting. i have whispered this whole message, even the beginnings of sentences, so as not to offend your dainty ears again. :)

[Ben]

Cats do have very sensitive hearing ;)

[eldeano]

i was at work and caps lock was on from a previous piece of work and i didn't want to be spotted doing personal stuff at work so i got on with it as quickly as possible. by the time i saw it was in capitals i had typed a lot of it. to be honest, i didn't even know that capitals were shouting. i have whispered this whole message, even the beginnings of sentences, so as not to offend your dainty ears again. :)

That's not a whisper, this is a whisper (with apologies to Paul Hogan).

Some have eyesight problems, though. :D

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:9VSNHMDnfx3EsM:http://cbruen.com/blog/cat_green_glasses_82006.jpg

[Ben]

You want cats with problems? (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2730)

[gary]

:D

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:9VSNHMDnfx3EsM:http://cbruen.com/blog/cat_green_glasses_82006.jpg


it was Percy Shaw, a Yorkshireman, that noticed the way his cars headlamps reflected from the eyes of a cat and was inspired to invent the catseyes that light up the centres of our roads. Had the cat been facing the other way he'd have invented the pencil sharpener!!

[eldeano]

it was Percy Shaw, a Yorkshireman, that noticed the way his cars headlamps reflected from the eyes of a cat and was inspired to invent the catseyes that light up the centres of our roads. Had the cat been facing the other way he'd have invented the pencil sharpener!!

Bum, bum.

[greytop]

it was Percy Shaw, a Yorkshireman, that noticed the way his cars headlamps reflected from the eyes of a cat and was inspired to invent the catseyes that light up the centres of our roads. Had the cat been facing the other way he'd have invented the pencil sharpener!! His mate did see one facing the other way. Here's the result
http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Cats/CatCarrier.jpg

[ValenciaSon]

Point well taken:rolleyes:
His mate did see one facing the other way. Here's the result
http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Cats/CatCarrier.jpg

[Steve W]

Ok, before this thread rots any further, here is a life update from me.

9 months in and I'm still here and with no regrets and no plans to return to England.
I have a part time job which just pays the bills, but the boss has started throwing more interesting work my way and he says that he likes the cut of my jib and there will hopefully be more projects to come. The people in the office are all younger than me, and nice and friendly.

I am renting a room in a shared flat with a couple from the Dominican Republic, but I'm starting to scout around for a new place that's either bigger or cheaper. I will miss my sunny balcony though.

I have a bunch of friends, most of whom have come about through intercambios, but who have morphed into genuine friends. Plus Pepino of course, but he moves in more elevated social circles than me so I barely have a chance to catch him for cocktails once a month.

My Spanish is improving, especially my understanding. I have reached an old goal of mine which was to be able to sit and chat in a bar with a few people. I can now chat away for an hour or two with whoever, but obviously one to one is easier still. I miss a lot of the short back and forth, and some days I just can't speak at all. e.g. if I'm ill, hungry, cold, tired or just feeling funny.

I have even had a tormented affair of the heart so I must be settled in.

That's all I can think of for now. I haven't been posting because I haven't really been doing anything terribly interesting on account of being so poor and all. If you want to follow my daily life my photoblog is here (http://bcncamara.blogspot.com/)and my Flickr photos are here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stvcr/).

Adam & Tom, any questions PM me and I look forward to meeting you both.

[gary]

Ok, before this thread rots any further, here is a life update from me.


Good news Steve - I love it when a plan comes together - even if its someone elses!

I shall be in Barça at the end of july and the beginning of August and hope to catch Pepino (again) and your good self for a gargle.

Apologies for the "forum rot" - languishing in a cool climate for long periods makes you flippant.

(I have ordered a cat carrier)

[Steve W]

I have no holiday plans for then, so I'll see you this time I'm sure.

[Pepino]

Plus Pepino of course, but he moves in more elevated social circles than me so I barely have a chance to catch him for cocktails once a month.

Well, all I can say is that I obviously must give off a good image when in public! The sad reality tonight is that I'm sat here reading the forum, wearing flip-flops and a torn t-shirt (ripped so badly that even Ben would've binned it months back ;) ), eating a shop-bought cheapo pizza, and whinging to myself about the fact that I originally wanted to take a Spanish friend to the Magic Fountains tonight to make a videoblog to squeeze in before Ben calls time on them, but they've gone to some TV awards party (without inviting me, which I'm also not happy about by the way! jeje) and I didn't wanna go on me lonesome to the fountains :'(

I shall be in Barça at the end of july and the beginning of August and hope to catch Pepino (again) and your good self for a gargle.

I'll find a window in my diary for ya :smug:

[Ben]

Ok, before this thread rots any further, here is a life update from me.
Great to hear from you Steve, sounds like life is good, especially if you have had time for a torrid affair of the heart! ... and you say nothing much has been going on!!

Definitely hope to meet next time we are in BCN... though not sure when that will be...

[Pepino]

Hey everybody, today is SteveW's first anniversary living here in Barcelona!

Congratulations Steve!! ;D And well done for setting me a good example of how to get on in Spain. It'll soon be my first anniversary too :p

[Ben]

Congratulations Steve, how does it feel one year down the line!?!

[Steve W]

Well, there have been various ups and downs, but the ups keep winning so I feel pretty happy. I have just moved into a bigger room in a new flat, and I feel very comfortable there already. New people to get to know.

My job is dull, but fits my needs for now. And it did give me the opportunity to visit Paris for the day. Exhausting but worth it.

My Spanish is much better, and I'm going to put a fresh effort into improving again.

I have met a lot of very nice people, and I aim to meet a lot more.

I am taking lots of photos and I am putting the best ones up on my blog (http://bcncamara.blogspot.com/).

So there you have it. Thanks to Ben, Marina and the forum for the encouragement at the beginning, and thanks to my crazy plan of quitting my job and moving countries with just a suitcase.

I'll see you all here for the BCN escape (or whatever we're calling it this week)

[ValenciaSon]

I am taking lots of photos and I am putting the best ones up on my blog (http://bcncamara.blogspot.com/). I really enjoyed your pictures. You have quite an eye for photos, both humorous and artistic.

[gary]

I'll see you all here for the BCN escape (or whatever we're calling it this week)

¿G'BCN'E?

.... Congrats on the anniversary see you thursday para celebrarlo;D

[jonk]

I just read this thread

Good on you for sticking at it Steve

It helps to provide a realistic look at things!

It's also very beneficial when someone who is considering it can read something outside of hyped-up marketing talk!

I was feeling discouraged earlier this week when I was looking into internships and feeling like it was all a big scam... coming to this forum and listening to those pod-casts reminded me about why I want to do this

There's a podcast where Marina and Ben are at a bar eating at 11.30pm and their conversation is broken by a waiter... we can overhear them talking in Spanish and what a wonderful language it is. Just hearing that short 2 minute burst made things real again

[Steve W]

Just got back from a nice drink with Marg and Pepino at the English/Irish pub where Marg works. We all swapped stories of crappy Spanish and dodgy job hunting. After a pint we headed to a small dinky cafe/bar on Las Ramblas which was hidden away upstairs and actually pretty nice. Free croissants all round as well as it was the end of the day.

Hearing Marg's stories of being a recent immigrant made us two really feel the year that we have been here. Those early days seem a lifetime away. (I have had 3 apartments since then!). Anyway, we had a good time and I'm sure we'll meet up again, if Marg can take a break from her 6 day working week. Ouch.

I have joined a hiking group along with my flatmate and last week 20 of us did a long ten hour trip up a mountain in the Pyrenees. Exhausting, and I had to speak Spanish to everyone, but they were a nice bunch, so I shall be going again for sure. Here are photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stvcr/sets/72157601920891626/)for those interested.

[Palmerito]

OMG, Steve! What absolutely breath-taking scenery! Well done on the pics. And well, done on making Barcelona your home.

[Ben]

Hi Steve, stunning photos, lucky you, I would love to get up there some time. I remember walking in the Pyrenees for a couple of days once and coming across a vast empty valley with my friend. We passed a dead horse at the bottom and got out fast before we met a similar fate. It felt like the kind of place you would never be found if you fell! They really are wild mountains.

I hope to be in BCN at some point this year to come and say hi to you guys!

[marg]

Just got back from a nice drink with Marg and Pepino at the English/Irish pub where Marg works. We all swapped stories of crappy Spanish and dodgy job hunting. After a pint we headed to a small dinky cafe/bar on Las Ramblas which was hidden away upstairs and actually pretty nice. Free croissants all round as well as it was the end of the day.

Hearing Marg's stories of being a recent immigrant made us two really feel the year that we have been here. Those early days seem a lifetime away. (I have had 3 apartments since then!). Anyway, we had a good time and I'm sure we'll meet up again, if Marg can take a break from her 6 day working week. Ouch.

I confirm, the meeting was nice, and it would also be nice to repeat it. And my job... oh well... looking at my Barcelona track record, I'll probably quit soon anyway ;)

[skramble]

Hi Steve,
Did you have any luck finding sound and lighting work? I was thinking of trying to get work doing this in Spain too . . . thought it might be a nightmare though.
Cheers
Amble

[greytop]

You'd think there would be a lot of lighting/sound work here as there seem to be hundreds of mobile shows and discos going round from town to town for the local fiestas, music festivals and etc. Not sure how you'd get in touch with the companies that do that sort of thing but asking some of the guys at a show might be a start?

[Steve W]

Coincidentally, I have just applied for a job in this field again. I found previously that you really need to be Aotonomo/freelance to get the work. This involves a lot of paperwork and job chasing and I didn't feel up to that yet with my level of Spanish. Permanent jobs are hard to come by I reckon. I had zero luck when applying blind from the UK, and I don't see many crop up on infojobs, so I think a lot of them go to personal contacts etc etc.

[gary]

Glad to see you got home - I had my doubts : uphill on a Bicing bike having consumed 1 over the 8 medianas!!

Good luck with the PA/lighting gigs