Just saying hi

[Valenciano]

This is my first time here, just like to say hi.
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Jose Simo (typical Spanish name, sir-name isn't common)
Im originaly Spanish but I grew up in London for most of my life.
I maintained my Spanish by going to a Spanish School in London.
I am 24 years old and now working as an English teacher in Japan.
Looking forward to posting to this forum.

[Brian]

Welcome to NFS, José! Glad to have you aboard.

[Ben]

Ho Jose and bienvenido. How is life in Japan? It's somewhere I am really keen to go some time. Is it true that the Japanese are crazy about Flamenco, Rioja and all things Spanish?

[ValenciaSon]

Welcome Jose (Valenciano). My father is also from Valencia, I was born and raised in the US. I did spend one year in Spain. We were going to move there permanently but my parents changed their mind after a year. Anyway, I've been there on several vacations as well and am planning a trip in 2008 as I am long overdue.

What do you do in the UK? Do you miss Spain. Do you miss the UK when in Spain?

[Valenciano]

Hi Ben, Brian and Valenciason.

Well, apart from teaching at Junior High School (secondary) in Japan, I also do English and Spanish private lessons. 2 of my Spanish students are Japanese flamenco dancers, who occasionally go to Spain to pick up the language and update on flamenco. There really is a demand to learn Spanish here, probably the second most popular language to learn next to English.

I'd like to answer Valenciason's questions, I had graduated from university 2 years ago, my major was marketing, after that I had several jobs in London not worth mentioning (nothing dodgy) so I decided to go to Japan as I was interested in the culture. I do miss some things in both England and Spain, especially my family and food. The culture here is so different its unbelievable. There was most definitely culture shock when I came here at least for the first week.

How was your bike ride in India Ben?
I've listened to some of your pod casts, pretty good stuff.
Your Spanish is quite good, probably better than mine. lol.
Anyway looking forward to posting again.
Hasta la proxima amigos!

[Ben]

The bike ride in India was incredible, not many more words to describe it really! Did you hear the podcast (http://www.notesfromspain.com/281/) and see the pics (http://www.benjamincurtis.com/Indiastory/)?

[Valenciano]

I haven't hear all of them yet.
But I tend to listen to 1 or 2 a day in my free time.
Actually its funny how I came across your site.
I was trying find things on "habla andaluz" but nothing useful came up until I came across your site. I don't know how that happened but your site was one of the many sites generated when I tried to find something about habla andaluz.

If you could include that into one of your podcasts I would be grateful.

No nos podemos olvidar de los andaluzes que dan tanto gracia y son gente simpatica.

[Marina]

Luckly enough we will be in Andalucia next weekend, so we'll try to capture some of those nice accents for you:D

[Valenciano]

Thank you very much Marina!:)

Estoy contento con eso.