Mama always said

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anais Nin

Note: Pictures will be added when I find that cord thingy that connects the camera to my computer...

My Mama always said if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. It's been two weeks since I've posted, besides the two I just put up (they were drafts). I haven't had much nice to say, and I was beginning to fear that I was using my blog as a big whine fest. Seriously, who wants to read about a girl fussing about how hard it is to move abroad. The fact remains, it's hard work. Let's just be clear for those of you who may have some misconceptions about the romantic notion of moving to Europe - this ain't no vacation. At least not, yet.

We've been here 33 days now, and I figure it's just about time to get back into writing. Here's the facts to catch you up. We've moved hotels, and have spent the last two weeks at a lovely four star hotel in the heart of Sant Cugat (the little town outside of Barcelona that we've fallen in love with and will live in). We are in very short walking distance of groceries, shops, restaurants, and parks. We've got two adjoining rooms which means kids in one and adultos in the other which is a massive improvement!

Our air freight arrived in perfect shape on Asher's birthday which was fantastic considering it had his birthday presents within. It was a huge celebration by all, sort of like Christmas, probably less meaningful that Jesus's birthday, but definitely more exciting than any Christmas morning we've ever had. We'd been waiting for these items for two weeks and you'd think it had been two years what with all the squeals of delight!

The kids are adjusted to and loving school. Their teachers are perfectly suited for each of them. Big A's love's art and has worked in museums all over the world, Medium A's is a highly skilled seasoned teacher who knows how to handle a boy with some passion. Both are American, which is an added bonus.

Our house is nearly finished! We've been anxiously waiting for it and visiting it several times a week. The interior is completely done and the exterior has some final touches and it too will be completed. We've ordered a few furnishings to get us by until our container comes (which is who knows when) and they are set to be delivered tomorrow. Now, you see why I've finally caught my breath enough to sit down and write a bit. Sweet relief of having a place of our own to lay my babes heads down at night is on the way...

I haven't had any time to sit down and study Spanish with my Rosetta program, or apply for language schools, HOWever I'm understanding more and more every day. I wish I could say the same for my speech... I don't think I'm sounding any better or forming correct sentences. But I am able to get the idea across. Enough to compare mattresses with the saleswomen, ask questions and order them for delivery all by myself! Well, hubs was there for moral support. I was walking around tonight and realized that I was so relaxed I was actually comprehending surrounding conversation bits without even trying. let's just say the light bulb is seriously considering turning on in my brain. Wouldn't that be grand?

My driving has improved, I don't grip the wheel quite as tightly, don't always need the GPS, and some days go by without even a honk, the odd look or hand flail. However, it's still intimidating driving in heart of Barcelona... I'd rather take the train. You always get there on time when you take public transport. Pretty much never when we drive.

I've seen a bit of Barcelona beauty. Our new Spanish friends Ester and her novio, Jose Luiz were kind enough to take us to Plaza Espana and show off some of the pretties. And we're going to Spanish speaking church again this weekend. The kids were begging us to return before we'd even left last week. God has richly blessed us indeed.

Default : Deny

Many of you know mi marido (DH) works with computer security. One of the main things he tries to teach his clients to protect their networks with the principal of "default deny". In other words block access to your valuable data unless someone has an express need for having it. According to DH not too many companies employ this principal which why there is a success brood of hackers about, an incidentally why my DH is highly employable.

Apparently the Spanish government has imbued this principle to it's citizens in every form of bureauracy  from retail grunts to immigration lawyers. This is especially true if you are a foreigner from a non European Union country. We're told Spain takes second in worst bureaucratic bull, surpassed only by Italy.

By default Spain as a country doesn't trust anyone. (The opinions expressed here are solely ours and most likely highly ignorant, you are warned - locals please don't bother to correct me, at the time of posting, I'm over it all anyway). Consider the following examples (and also see below the reason for my lack there of posts these previous weeks).

Drivers License:  By default they don't trust that you've learned to drive in another country and have been doing so for 18 years. In six months from the time I arrived my US driver's will no longer be valid. If I am found driving with it after that time my car would be immediately impounded. (Information obtained by actual real people's experiences). I cannot simply convert my license. Instead I am obligated to take a 40 hour driving course which consists of two consecutive weekends all day Saturday and Sunday. I suspect I will be taking these classes with other unfortunate expatriates and Spanish teenagers. After such time if deemed capable I can sign up to take the written test (in English, but more difficult because it's a mix of American, British and Australian English with odd phrasing) and the driving test (given in Spanish only). If I pass the written I can take the driving. I hear I should expect to 'suffer' during this process and most likely take the tests several times before passing. At such a time as I am given my Spanish license I will have a big "L" on it for learner (or loser depending). This L states that I am a new driver and am not allowed to drive over 80 km (50 MPH). Um, I'll get run over on the freeway at that slow of speed. I would have that L limitation on my license for three years until I gained my experience. However, if I want to convert my US driving experience to Spain I can do so. It only requires an obscene amount of patience, a lawyer fluent in English and Spanish and money to burn.

Banks: When you open account you have to open special non resident account which is only valid for six months. This special type of account wins you higher bank fees for everything including obscene fees to transfer my own money from the US into my own account. We've figured out that being a non resident here pretty much means you get your pocketbook gouged at every turn. After six month's time our account will automatically be closed and we'll have to sit through the 2 hour process to open another resident account. It was literally two hours. I mean it. Can you imagine the outrage if it took you that long to complete any service in the US?

Grocery Stores: There is only one way in and out of the grocery store. The bathrooms are located on the outer side behind the cash registers and you are strictly prohibited from going out to use them and coming back in. Some stores even seal bags from other retailers (seal a meal style) to prohibit you from stealing.

Cell Phone: We can't get a contracted cell phones. That means, up no iPhone! Don't even get me started on this one. Let's just say it's sort of like my boyfriend (iPhone) dumped me and I still can't stop thinking about him (except, it's a her, cuz she's purple and she helped me do everything like um navigate, organize my contacts, surf the net while away from my computer). Now it's just me and my ordinary cheapo - basic - ordinary - not smart - can't even text, well hardly - foreigner pay as you go phone. I'd have to have an NIE which is like my green card and I can't get that until the VISAs are settled and a truck load more paper work is shuffled.

Hotels: They require photo copies of front and back of your credit cards, copies of your passport, and charge you every few days to just make sure you are good for it. We went rounds with the hotel manager about how giving photo copies of your credit card and signature is like a major security no go. It was that or sleep in the car.

The whole thing is kind of ironic since Barcelona is the number one city in the world for pickpocketing/ purse snatching. They don't trust us, yet I'm the one wearing my cross body purse in front and holding on to it!

Odd images from our first week

This post is well, three weeks overdue. The first week was a bit overwhelming, taking pictures was definitely down the list of priorities after finding something to eat, and managing our way about, um anywhere. However,  a few things stuck my fancy and I somehow finagled my camera out and captured them. 

A tiny terrace, as most are in the city. I love that people fill the space with fruit trees. I can't wait to plant a lemon tree in our garden. 

My first 'grocery run' at afore mentioned 7 eleven style store - we've come to adore the 'jamon' flavored potato chips. You won't find cheese flavored snacks here, but ham oh, yes!

This contraption, was indicative of our first lodging at the 'apart hotel'. There was no way this thing was going to dry my hair in time for me to collect retirement. Oh, wait I won't have any. Oh well. 

Nothing too exciting for those that have been to Europe. But. now instead of figuring out what state cars are from, we quiz the kids on what country from whence they've come. 

No such thing as a trash cute in apartments, folks have to walk their garbage and mandatory recycling down the street to the nearest eye sore bins. They perfume the air a bit, so they are easy to find. Our house has a cute little door in the outer wall of the gate / fence that you put garbage into on one side and the garbage man opens on the other and takes away the stuff. We still have to hoof it down the street to recycle... Um, "Asher, I've got something fun for you to do". 

This is everywhere. The Catalan's want free and many of us non natives just want to understand them (literally, why can't they just speak Castellano / Spanish?)

Carrer is the Catalan word for Calle which is the Spanish word for street. This is how I have to decipher 80 % of the language, twice! 

Enjoying a cup of gazpacho, some bread and wine with my love while we watch the kids exhaust themselves in the adjacent play structure. 

Something beautiful in our hotel garden. I dreamed about going down there to journal, but chores and obligations pressed in and time ran out before we left. 

My future place of pensiveness... a lovely tree in our upper back garden just waiting for the sweet little table and chairs to arrive so we can finally, sit together. 

Just an example of the GORGEOUS houses surrounding the kid's school just on the outskirts of Barcelona in Sarria. I'm dying for some of that lovely purple flowering foliage to grace our home. It's everywhere and SO pretty. 

Loads of Fun

So one of the things I read before moving abroad is about how difficult it can be to accomplish everyday tasks at first. In fact, it can be so distressing one author suggested making it a goal to do just one thing a day. Normally I'm a very task oriented kind of girl, so the idea of getting only one thing done didn't sit well with me. After a couple of exhausting first days we realized the one thing a day rule was a good one. It goes like this: we bought cell phones (using only our mediocre Spanish to negotiate) - check, or met with the real estate agents and signed our rental contract (with a translator present) - check, located the school, navigated horrific parking conditions and attended the orientation - check. While the one task a day doesn't excuse us to couch potatodom it does allow us to feel some measure of success. There is still all the basics that have to be done like navigating the roundabouts, finding a restaurant that is open when we are hungry (much harder than you can imagine for a number of reasons - later post), and assuring our kids that we are indeed going to have a home again soon, oh and don't forget learning Spanish at breakneck pace. 

 My heart yearned to explore beautiful Barcelona this last weekend. I'm ashamed to admit I haven't hit any tourist spots. Nope, not a one. I'm starting to feel a bit like I've lived a few miles away from Disneyland my whole life and never ever been there. Except that to me the city of Barcelona is way better than Disneyland and I've only lived here 9 days now. Still,  I'm desperate to see some of the famous architecture like 

La Familia Sagrada...

or visit the Plaza Catalunya... 

Or simply just take in the beauty that is everywhere. I know it's there... 

But I am here, out in the 'country' 20 minutes from the city and my nose told me it was time to do some laundry. You know it's bad when it's your kid's first day of school and you are digging through the dirties to find something not 'too' dirty. I wince to admit. None the less, I'd been dreading the laundry since it would mean first, finding a laundry mat and second, hanging out in one. I've only used them a few times in the states and don't have fond memories. So, for my first solo adventure with the car I loaded up the trunk with most all of the clothes the five our us brought in our luggage. Yup, you guessed it the air freight still has not arrived. We are being told another 7-10 days now. Apparently, this is the way of all things legal / administrative in Spain - astronomically slow! But once again, I digress. 

To my delight I accidentally found the laundry mat while on a run into town the day before. So navigating wasn't hard. However back in parking is not my favorite. I braved it anyway for the sake of my poorly dressed Kindergartener. (Sorry about those dirty shorts buddy, your Mommy really does love you). I was proud to have found a spot only a couple of blocks away from the place. I knew I wasn't going to find anything close so I came prepared with the newly acquired and already worn out jogging stroller. I loaded the clothes in and made my way to the 'Lava & Lava' (translated : wash & wash). I love how the sign had a couple of English words on it to make me feel so welcome. 

Here's the jogger all loaded up with our laundry. I'll admit I got a couple of strange glances, like maybe I had a baby under all those clothes. I didn't care one bit I was pretty proud of my parking job and nothing was gonna break my stride. I know it doesn't look like a lot, but it was four heavy bags full and when you only packed a weeks worth of undies for everyone and they are all dirty, the situation seems well - more urgent. 

You all must think me very silly, but this little laundry adventure was kind of empowering for me a few days ago. I'm totally over it now. But at the time every new thing seems like a really big deal. Now, let me be clear the Lava & Lava is no laundry mat. It was a ultra clean high tech super tiny laundry facility (smaller than half of a one car garage). The operating system for all the machines on the wall was a bit daunting. I was staring at the words, trying to comprehend their meaning when suddenly a loud dialing sound comes out of a speaker followed by a booming voice "Señora, hay una problema?" ....  maybe that is what he said, I actually have no idea I was in surprised and a little scared. I thought maybe I was in trouble. I pushed the intercom button and said 'no'. I couldn't think of anything else to say, no I didn't need any help - I'm a big girl now. I guess he didn't see how I parked that car out there.  He spouted off a bunch more Spanish I couldn't understand as quickly as he spoke and I stood dumbfounded. Finally the yaking stopped and I went back to reading and was nearly ready to insert some dinero in the machine. Then in marches a very large man wearing tight jeans, a muscle shirt, some gold jewelry and enough sweat to saturate it all. I later deduced that the place is run by video surveillance and sweaty man was on duty. (Maybe he needs the employee discount).  However sweaty, he very kind to walk me through then entire procedure of adding money via paper, coin or loaded Lava & Lava card. He said the card was best if I was going to be doing a lot of laundry. So we went with that. 

He didn't speak any slower or attempt any English he just showed me around and explained everything in Spanish like I could understand him. He explained everything I needed to know: that the machines are loaded with soap (nice) and that the times and temperatures on the washers and dryers are adjustable. Finally he pointed out it's okay to leave since the doors and cannot be opened until the cycle ends. This place was the ritz of laundry mats. Check these baby's out: 

I found it very handy of them to provide these cute little matching laundry baskets for me to move my wets to the dryers. Here's the clothes all clean and ready to dry. I didn't snap any more photos of the rest of the process. I know you all know what clean dry clothes look like. What you don't know is that is smelled oh so fresh. Who would have guessed a laundry mat would be so lux! 

As if a bunch of fluffy clean clothes for the family isn't enough of a treat, God blessed me double. Let me explain. While there I met a young Spanish gal who didn't know how to use Lava & Lava. Since I'd just been given the grand tour, I was able to show her. Except, my Spanish was broken and babyish. But she got the idea. Then, I went for a little walk and found those pillows we've been needing at a little whole in the wall store. When I returned I ventured to practice my Spanish with said girl. When she learned that I had moved here she asked if I wanted a language partner.  She went on and explained that she has taken English all her life but needs to practice it in order to get the kinds of jobs she wants in the marketing industry. She said she's had dozens of interviews and been turned away because of her poor English. Do I want an language partner, um YES! Usually you have to pay good Euros to find one of these through a language school and here one walks into the Lava & Lava. She even has a car and is willing to meet me in parks with the kids.  Now hold onto your pantelones, here's where it gets really good. We exchanged numbers and talked further to realize she attends a local evangelical church (rare around here) planted by a church in Texas. Double blessing! The services are in Spanish, but there are a few English speakers in the congregation and it's nearby. Who knows what it will be like, but we are planning to attend next weekend. Needless to say, I didn't have to drive back to our hotel. I was flying. I just accomplished three things! Laundry, language partner, and potential church - check, check, and check! 

Getting Around

In the States, you can typically get around with simple instructions and/or a decent paper map. Most major cities were planned on a grid and sooner or later you'll get from here to there even if you had to take a few wrong turns. Little bit harder here in the Old World. In Barcelona, for example, there are no street signs. Instead, street names are posted on little plaques on the sides of buildings. Provided that the sun is not casting a glare, you have 20/20 vision, you can read and comprehend the Castilian street names and can read the small printed plaques at 30 kph (and that there is a sign, often times there is not) -- there's a 60% chance you will make a correct turn at the upcoming intersection.

Did I say intersection? I should be more clear. Most traffic interchanges are "traffic circles." See the picture below. No stop lights, etc. Just merge into the blender and try and pop out the other side without getting honked at too many times. This was definitely and adjustment! When you come upon several traffic circles in a row it can be extremely disorienting. Especially given I am not hard wired to gauge North at all times like some people I know. North? How about what side is up? The kids think we are on some sort of roller coaster ride at times.

An directions for navigating the traffic circle can be a challenge too ... Here's an example of a fairly tame traffic circle.

... so we turned to technology to help us along. I think I mentioned before that we got a TomTom brand GPS unit with our rental car. Still unsure if the model is just so old it doesn't work right, or was designed by blind monkeys. What ever the case, it barely works and often "locks up" at the most inconvenient time. Convinced DH that I would be far more pleasant to drive with if we had a decent GPS unit, so we got a Garmin 3790T at an electronics store. This unit is so thin and light it reminds me of an iPhone. DH upgraded all the maps, plugged in all my necessary locations, and now we have a fighting chance at getting around. The thing I like about it the most is that it actually responds to the touch easily instead of having to pound in the letters like the Dumb Dumb, I mean Tom Tom.

I've been driving around quite a bit lately, figured at some point our bread winner would have to return to a real office and I'd be on my own so now was as good as time as any. I've got all the important destinations loaded into the new GPS (Carrefour, the school, our new home - for when we finally get the keys) and I'm feeling a little more confident after a week abroad. That's not to say that it doesn't take all my concentration and extra strength deodorant to get from point A to point B.

Requests

Just an admin post here -- I'm writing this blog primarily for my friends at home in the States as a way for you to see into life in Spain, thus the title, Spain window. Please leave your questions and curiosities in the comments section and I'll try to answer them the best I can. That way I can post things of interest to you, my readers.

Now I've got a request of you. If you find something funny, strange or even stupid please tell me. I don't have a lot of english speaking interaction and I'm craving some comments.

Also, not sure if any of you use Twitter, but I have a feed going that notifies followers of new posts to my blog.


Thanks a bunch! 

Carrefour = Target married Walmart

Today was a good day. Although I never would have verbalized it, I was getting concerned about how I was going to furnish a home and sustain our family with the sparse shopping I'd encountered so far. I remember saying once when we moved from the west coast to the east coast that I'd be fine just as soon as I found the Target and the Costco. (A girl has needs you know). Well since neither Target nor Costco exist in Spain I was left to my own devices to find um, anything. Up to this point I've been doing all the shopping at Supermercado Natalia.  More of a small 7 Eleven than a supermarket.  

Because August is vacation month (and no one is home, at all) not many markets or any stores have been open. Now you see where my feeling of desperation is coming in don't you? We've been living in our not so lovely 'apart hotel' which is basically like camping with a few pieces of less than appealing furnishings. Our air freight shipment which was supposed to arrive with us, has been delayed and may not be here for another week. That means we've been getting by on what we brought with us on the plane. That my be all well and good when you are on vacation. But the kids were starting school tomorrow and I was feeling very unprepared. This is a feeling I really don't like. All this to say that we arrived at the new parent orientation yesterday feeling rather beat up and harried. In my heart I may have been a bit downcast, but trying to chin up for the family. Just before we left I ran into another American Mom who had just arrived a few weeks before us. We swapped stories and realized we weren't alone! She off handedly remarked about having to buy pillows, which as mentioned in an earlier post we NEED, at Carrefour. I inquired as to this place and she said the magic words, "it's like a Target". The angels sang and my heart had hope again. We said our goodbyes, loaded the kids into the postage stamp of a vehicle and headed out of town a bit to the Mecca of shopping. The kids had no school supplies since they are in our air freight, which was supposed to meet us here - did I mention that? After wrestling a bit with our Tom Tom GPS system we found our way. Dear Husband says we should rename Tom Tom "Dumb Dumb," and I concur. When we pulled up it was really something like the feeling of warm fuzzes I get when I enter the Target lot. I know it's sick, but true. I have posted any pictures yet, but I had to snap this one for you all. (What? she moves to Spain and the best pictures she can send is of a shopping trip?) So I'm still more American than Spanish, shoot me. Here she is in all her glory. The parking lot alone was something spectacular, just gargantuan. The place must get really packed, but lucky for us it was still vacation month and it was not busy at all. But I get ahead of myself. 

As we were walking up to the store we found another little gem. "Hey look kids there's a McDonald's here". Squeels of delight followed, and for once I was actually really happy to be going to the golden arches. It was the sweet familiarity that drew us. Lord knows we were all in need of some comfort food. We were all delighted that we knew exactly what we were ordering. 

You know you are in Spain when you can get some Gazpacho (tomato soup) with your hamburgesa. 

 Yup, we're lov'n it! 

After our happy meal, we headed into Carrefour. What should greet our curious eyes? Wide open aisles filled with every delight. Right away Dear Daughter found her favorite series of books in Spanish : Junie B Jones and Geronimo Stilton. Since our air freight STILL isn't here and the kids have no books we let them pick out one each. Littlest brother even found and entire section of Disney's Cars books. 

After a cruise through the toy section and the housewares for some basic items like dish liquid, a sponge and some towels to make doing dishes a bit easier for me, we rounded the corner to find an amazing grocery selection. As I said before these Spaniards are really into their cured meats, aisle and aisles of it. 

Including jamon (ham) right on the bone, include the hoof. The boys loved it, us girls not so much.

Oversized salami and cheeses. 

 

Beautiful fresh produce. Which we had to leave behind. Apparently you have to weight and add a price sticker before you get to the checkout. At that point the kids weren't going to withstand one more minute of shopping so we apologized in broken Spanish and explained it was our first time there and left our fresh food behind. 

We didn't even make it past the produce into the dry good section. The store was several acres big and we were all in major need of siesta. I don't know if they have granola bars here or not but I wish I would have looked since our little caboose boy keeps asking for them every day. Off we were to the checkout lady which was in true Spanish fashion was in no hurry whatsoever. The lines were very long, but it gave me plenty of time to think of how to ask if we had to purchase the bags if we didn't bring our own (yes, and of course all my shopping bags are in our air freight). As a reward for letting me drag them all through the store we let the kids enjoyed a ride on the coin operated monster truck. It seems kids world wide love those silly things.

We came home and filled up our little refrigerator. What a joy the simple things are. It's Friday and it's been a long week, so tonight we are going to stay in.  We'll enjoy a frozen pizza, some salad and a movie in English on my little laptop. That is, if I can ever get it to finish downloading. If been trying to download Rango for 3 + days, super slow Internet in this hotel.