Errant in Iberia Part II - what do you want to know?!

Ben · 30th December 2006, 08:30 PM

On our way to the UK for Christmas, sitting on an Easyjet flight at 7 a.m. after only 3 hours sleep, I decided it was time to write part two of the Errant in Iberia book/story.

I made lots of notes and will start the book in the next day or so. Instead of a linear story, like the last book, this will be much more like the blog, and will include (as requested): filling in the story of what happened to Marina and me since the end of the last book, and the sort of things you might find on notesfromspain.com - Lists, opinions, recipes, whatever fits! I want to write it quickly, honestly, and I want to have fun doing it. It has to be written, and now seems like a good time. What else can you do in January?

Also, it was this time last year that we used the Spanish podcasts to raise lots of money for Charity, and, as a repeat gesture, I'll be giving 10% of any proceeds from sales of the new book via NFS.com to charity too. Not sure which yet, hopefully we can vote on that here in the forum.

So, the question is, what would you like to see in the book? What questions do you have about Spain, Marina and Ben since the end of the last book, or whatever, that you think I could answer in this one.

I hope to finish it by mid feb, and I hope you will give me some ideas! Comments/suggestions below please:

ValenciaSon · 30th December 2006, 08:34 PM

How you two met but this time written by Marina from her perspective.

richardksa · 30th December 2006, 08:41 PM

You bought you first flat in book 1. Now you are in flat 2. You did remodelling in both. So, what had you learned by the second time around? Had the property prices increased by much? Did the introduction of the Euro have an effect?

How have you become more Spanish? Do you feel like an ex-pat or at home? These things would be interesting to those of us now actually following in your footsteps. And have you stopped erring?

Ben · 30th December 2006, 09:55 PM

Great ideas. Definitely will be included. More ideas please!

ValenciaSon · 31st December 2006, 03:56 AM

Perhaps you could touch on your experiences in Spain and the whole immersion of it allowing you to socially side-step the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and observe the natives as one yourself

.

Edith · 31st December 2006, 09:18 AM

I can't really give you an answer since I haven't been able to get hold of the first book so far, so I don't know what's in it. After six months of trying, my book store finally gave up.

In case you didn't write about working as a translator in Spain, could you tell us some more about that?

rod · 31st December 2006, 10:38 AM

Ben, great news, I very much enjoyed reading the book over Xmas. The only disappointment was realising I'd got to the last page and it was still Summer 2001, so good to hear there will be a sequel.

1. Perhaps an obvious one. The impact of 11M and the events of the following days on you, Marina, and your circle of family and friends. Did you lose anyone? Did it make you feel any different about Madrid? It was reported in the British press as an event that personally affected everybody in Madrid - was it really like that? Also perhaps your reminiscences of Sep 11: I don't think anyone can write their autobiography covering that period without mentioning where they were at the time and how it affected them.

2. Yes, a detailed account of any house moves so that we can all learn from your experiences! Have you moved from Lavapies now? Do you think it has changed much since you bought the flat there? For possible inspiration, I came across this shock-horror feature in the Observer just before Xmas which makes the place out to be a crime-ridden hellhole, almost like a Rio favela:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/spain/arti...922777,00.html

Surely it is not as bad as this. Or is it?

3. I'm curious to know to what extent the initial novelty of living in Spain passes. I was only in Andalucia for eight months so every public fiesta/feria I was experiencing for the first (and so far only) time, so it was all endlessly fascinating. But what happens when the annual calendar rolls round again and then again and it becomes the new routine (a personal example: there I was in Sevilla congratulating myself on having arranged to be there over both Semana Santa and Feria de Abril, only to find that most Spanish thirtysomethings I knew - an admittedly small group - found at least the first of these events and often the second too, boring and an inconvenience, and fled to the coast as soon as they could get off work);

4. And yes I would be interested to hear Marina's side of the story! Again, when I was in Andalucia I couldn't help but be curious about what the Spanish people I met made of my obvious hispanophilia: it must be odd meeting an outsider so fascinated by aspects of your culture that have always been part of your life and to some extent you have come to take for granted.

Ben · 31st December 2006, 01:51 PM

Edith, order a copy from the publisher, via http://www.lulu.com/content/169417 and you will definitely get it within about a week.

Thanks for all the suggestions, they will all go in, please keep them coming!

Margot · 31st December 2006, 04:30 PM

Me gustaría leer su autobiografía en español. ¿Nunca ha pensado en haciendo una traducción?

neskadebilbao · 2nd January 2007, 05:38 AM

How about a run through of a day in the life of Ben and a separate one for Marina.

Ben · 2nd January 2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margot

Me gustaría leer su autobiografía en español. ¿Nunca ha pensado en haciendo una traducción?

Todavia no... Chris Stewart tardo una decada en traducir Driving Over Lemons en Español, y el habia vendido ya 1,000,000 de ejemplares!

Quote:

Originally Posted by neskadebilbao

How about a run through of a day in the life of Ben and a separate one for Marina.

Good idea!

Margot · 2nd January 2007, 07:08 PM

Otro idea: Si no tengas tiempo para hacer la traducción su mismo - otra persona, quizás un estudiante, pueda hacerla; y en vez de pagarlo, puedas compartir un por ciento de las ventas con él. Además siempre puedes cargar más para la edición española. Puesto que hay muchas personas quienes desean leer no en inglés sino en español, creo que valdrán la diferencia en precio.

Acosta · 3rd January 2007, 02:34 AM

Reverse Cultural view, how do you view the Brits visiting , coming to live in Spain and do you agree or disagree with how they are stereotyped by the Spanish.

(make a note to please leave out the ugly American Stereo types....)

Ben · 3rd January 2007, 09:19 AM

Margot - I'll definitely think about it!

Acosta - thanks for the idea, I like it.

More please!

gary · 4th January 2007, 12:10 PM

How long did it take before the Spanish that can speak English stopped answering you in English when you attempt to engage them in Spanish?

How long was it before you stopped getting completely lost when, say Marina and a group of her friends cut loose in quick fire banter...?

Jules · 4th January 2007, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

Margot - I'll definitely think about it!

Good! I'll be second in line after Margot to buy the Spanish version.

gary · 4th January 2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

Todavia no... Chris Stewart tardo una decada en traducir Driving Over Lemons en Español, y el habia vendido ya 1,000,000 de ejemplares!

Good idea!

Is that the book where the guy was permanently whining about trying to get the plasterer and plumber to do any work and getting a water supply sorted?

At least he got a plumber they are like rocking horse sh*t in the UK!!

richardksa · 5th January 2007, 06:48 AM

Gary, quick plug. My son is a very good plumber and heating engineer (CORGI approved) running his own business in York.

gary · 5th January 2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardksa

Gary, quick plug. My son is a very good plumber and heating engineer (CORGI approved) running his own business in York.

Thanks for that - its a 120 mile round trip to our house but ýou never know!!

richardksa · 5th January 2007, 01:19 PM

He would make the trip - and I could use the commission!!!!!!

30th December 2006, 08:30 PM	#1
Ben Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,421	Errant in Iberia Part II - what do you want to know?! On our way to the UK for Christmas, sitting on an Easyjet flight at 7 a.m. after only 3 hours sleep, I decided it was time to write part two of the Errant in Iberia book/story. I made lots of notes and will start the book in the next day or so. Instead of a linear story, like the last book, this will be much more like the blog, and will include (as requested): filling in the story of what happened to Marina and me since the end of the last book, and the sort of things you might find on notesfromspain.com - Lists, opinions, recipes, whatever fits! I want to write it quickly, honestly, and I want to have fun doing it. It has to be written, and now seems like a good time. What else can you do in January? Also, it was this time last year that we used the Spanish podcasts to raise lots of money for Charity, and, as a repeat gesture, I'll be giving 10% of any proceeds from sales of the new book via NFS.com to charity too. Not sure which yet, hopefully we can vote on that here in the forum. So, the question is, what would you like to see in the book? What questions do you have about Spain, Marina and Ben since the end of the last book, or whatever, that you think I could answer in this one. I hope to finish it by mid feb, and I hope you will give me some ideas! Comments/suggestions below please: __________________ Notes in Spanish: Get The Best Free Spanish-Learning Conversations On The Net!

30th December 2006, 09:55 PM	#4
Ben Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,421	Great ideas. Definitely will be included. More ideas please! __________________ Notes in Spanish: Get The Best Free Spanish-Learning Conversations On The Net!

31st December 2006, 03:56 AM	#5
ValenciaSon Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Posts: 4,915	Perhaps you could touch on your experiences in Spain and the whole immersion of it allowing you to socially side-step the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and observe the natives as one yourself.

31st December 2006, 10:38 AM	#7
rod Mega Forero Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere in the Alpujarras Posts: 319	Ben, great news, I very much enjoyed reading the book over Xmas. The only disappointment was realising I'd got to the last page and it was still Summer 2001, so good to hear there will be a sequel. 1. Perhaps an obvious one. The impact of 11M and the events of the following days on you, Marina, and your circle of family and friends. Did you lose anyone? Did it make you feel any different about Madrid? It was reported in the British press as an event that personally affected everybody in Madrid - was it really like that? Also perhaps your reminiscences of Sep 11: I don't think anyone can write their autobiography covering that period without mentioning where they were at the time and how it affected them. 2. Yes, a detailed account of any house moves so that we can all learn from your experiences! Have you moved from Lavapies now? Do you think it has changed much since you bought the flat there? For possible inspiration, I came across this shock-horror feature in the Observer just before Xmas which makes the place out to be a crime-ridden hellhole, almost like a Rio favela: http://www.guardian.co.uk/spain/arti...922777,00.html Surely it is not as bad as this. Or is it? 3. I'm curious to know to what extent the initial novelty of living in Spain passes. I was only in Andalucia for eight months so every public fiesta/feria I was experiencing for the first (and so far only) time, so it was all endlessly fascinating. But what happens when the annual calendar rolls round again and then again and it becomes the new routine (a personal example: there I was in Sevilla congratulating myself on having arranged to be there over both Semana Santa and Feria de Abril, only to find that most Spanish thirtysomethings I knew - an admittedly small group - found at least the first of these events and often the second too, boring and an inconvenience, and fled to the coast as soon as they could get off work); 4. And yes I would be interested to hear Marina's side of the story! Again, when I was in Andalucia I couldn't help but be curious about what the Spanish people I met made of my obvious hispanophilia: it must be odd meeting an outsider so fascinated by aspects of your culture that have always been part of your life and to some extent you have come to take for granted. Last edited by rod; 2nd January 2007 at 09:22 AM.

31st December 2006, 01:51 PM	#8
Ben Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,421	Edith, order a copy from the publisher, via http://www.lulu.com/content/169417 and you will definitely get it within about a week. Thanks for all the suggestions, they will all go in, please keep them coming! __________________ Notes in Spanish: Get The Best Free Spanish-Learning Conversations On The Net!


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30th December 2006, 08:34 PM	#2
ValenciaSon Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Posts: 4,915	How you two met but this time written by Marina from her perspective.

30th December 2006, 08:41 PM	#3
richardksa Jedi Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madrid Posts: 1,848	You bought you first flat in book 1. Now you are in flat 2. You did remodelling in both. So, what had you learned by the second time around? Had the property prices increased by much? Did the introduction of the Euro have an effect? How have you become more Spanish? Do you feel like an ex-pat or at home? These things would be interesting to those of us now actually following in your footsteps. And have you stopped erring?

31st December 2006, 09:18 AM	#6
Edith Pangolin Forero Join Date: May 2006 Location: Países Bajos Posts: 3,799	I can't really give you an answer since I haven't been able to get hold of the first book so far, so I don't know what's in it. After six months of trying, my book store finally gave up. In case you didn't write about working as a translator in Spain, could you tell us some more about that?

31st December 2006, 04:30 PM	#9
Margot ViajeraVerdaderaVirtual Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California Posts: 1,306	Traducción español Me gustaría leer su autobiografía en español. ¿Nunca ha pensado en haciendo una traducción?

2nd January 2007, 05:38 AM	#10
neskadebilbao Forero Senior Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: EEUU Posts: 83	How about a day in the life of Ben and Marina How about a run through of a day in the life of Ben and a separate one for Marina.

2nd January 2007, 07:08 PM	#12
Margot ViajeraVerdaderaVirtual Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California Posts: 1,306	Errant in Iberia Part II Otro idea: Si no tengas tiempo para hacer la traducción su mismo - otra persona, quizás un estudiante, pueda hacerla; y en vez de pagarlo, puedas compartir un por ciento de las ventas con él. Además siempre puedes cargar más para la edición española. Puesto que hay muchas personas quienes desean leer no en inglés sino en español, creo que valdrán la diferencia en precio.

3rd January 2007, 02:34 AM	#13
Acosta Mega Forero Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 756	Reverse Cultural view, how do you view the Brits visiting , coming to live in Spain and do you agree or disagree with how they are stereotyped by the Spanish. (make a note to please leave out the ugly American Stereo types....)

3rd January 2007, 09:19 AM	#14
Ben Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,421	Margot - I'll definitely think about it! Acosta - thanks for the idea, I like it. More please! __________________ Notes in Spanish: Get The Best Free Spanish-Learning Conversations On The Net!

4th January 2007, 12:10 PM	#15
gary Samuri Forero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 2,711	How long did it take before the Spanish that can speak English stopped answering you in English when you attempt to engage them in Spanish? How long was it before you stopped getting completely lost when, say Marina and a group of her friends cut loose in quick fire banter...?

5th January 2007, 06:48 AM	#18
richardksa Jedi Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madrid Posts: 1,848	Gary, quick plug. My son is a very good plumber and heating engineer (CORGI approved) running his own business in York.

5th January 2007, 01:19 PM	#20
richardksa Jedi Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madrid Posts: 1,848	He would make the trip - and I could use the commission!!!!!!

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