After I’d moved to Spain a lot of people used to ask me what on earth I did all day, and did I get bored? Well if you think about it you’ll realise that you have the same household chores to do in Spain as you ever did at home, cleaning floors, bathrooms, kitchen, washing, ironing etc. The major difference is that when you hang out the washing it dries in about an hour, and you can hang it up and head out for the day, knowing it isn’t going to be even wetter than when you left it. Oh, and I don’t usually iron between March and November except for linen items, it’s just too hot here. Take everything in off the line, fold a couple of times lengthwise, and roll up really tightly. No wrinkles and takes up less space in drawers and suitcases, plus you can find what you’re looking for more easily.
In summer it’s best to get up really early to do the regular chores, as it gets so hot during the day, and the longer you leave it the worse it gets. So usually we’re up around 7am to sweep and tidy up the terrace and pool area, then get the floors swept and mopped, the bathrooms and kitchen done, and the dinner prepped. This means the rest of the day is our own so we usually either go out to top up supplies and have lunch somewhere or we’re at home relaxing – such a hard life!
There are lots of things to do and toget involved in wherever you are in Spain, from walking groups to yoga classes, from craft and painting classes to quizzes, basically anything you can think of. If you are more comfortable with people who speak your language then there are loads of activities to get involved with. However, I would suggest that you dip into some things that might be a wee bit outside your comfort zone, and with a mix of nationalities – you will learn more about the world and about yourself that way.
The husband is very keen on art, and has been to various classes where he’s produced glass and stone mosaics, and has ideas for decorating wall sconces. He buys plain, unvarnished sconces and then decorates them in a variety of ways. They’re great for presents as well as for our home.
While the husband is busy producing all sorts of mosaics and paintings I’m getting involved in my main hobby, which is writing. Some of you may remember I used to write a page every month for Local Women magazine, and I suppose this blog is about carrying that on here. I’ve also joined a writing group which is a fantastic support and encouragement to all its members…and we’ve even had books published! We’re a very cosmopolitan group – there are Irish, English, Dutch, French, German and Norwegian members, an amazing mix. What amazes me even more is that everyone writes in English. We share our writing with the group and get constructive feedback, as well as useful information about finding information on publishing. If you’re very unlucky I might throw up a couple of my offerings on here in the future!
Things take longer to do in Spain than at home, so even when you are out for regular shopping it can take much longer than you think! We have very few huge supermarkets here that sell everything along the lines of Sainsburys and Tescos, for example. Most of the major supermarkets just sell food and household goods. However, there are a couple, like Al Campo and Carrefour, which sell everything from food to garden supplies, household linens, school supplies, books, clothing – you name it, it’s there! Generally the shopping takes time because, well, because nobody is in any rush. The best idea is to combine it with a nice lunch, then head for the shops around 3pm when the Spanish are still at lunch or at home. I never mind doing the grocery shopping in the heat of the day at the height of summer as by around 3pm there’s hardly anyone around and I get finished up far sooner.
Most of the fruit and veg shopping is done in our local market which is held on Saturdays. Plenty of variety, good prices, and always the opportunity to catch up with friends for a cool refreshing drink as well. You can buy everything here, fruit, veg, clothing, leather goods, spices, great choice and something for everyone.
There is very little time to be bored in Spain. As someone once said “If you’re bored, you’re boring”. If we’re not doing the usual household chores we’re out and about shopping, having lunch, meeting up with friends, exploring new areas, apinting, writing, walking, cycling, swimming…the list is endless! If all else fails we are happy to just lie about in and round the pool and relax, especially on days when it’s really too hot to do anything else.
Speaking of markets, apart from the usual weekly markets we often have night markets, especially on the coast, where there are lots of tourists in the summer months. These run until at least 2am, so it’s a lot cooler to be out, and there’s something a bit magical about walking round market stalls in the early hours of the morning, in a gentle warmth. These markets are always busy. Given the number of them, and also how the Spanish don’t usually have dinner until 10pm or 11pm, I’m amazed that anyone is ever able to get up for work the next day!
These late markets, as well as those at special fiesta times, sell an even wider variety of street food, clothing, artisan crafts, jewellery, household goods and everything else you can think of. One stall which really, REALLY surprised me was the one selling all kinds of knives, from little to huge, as well as guns. You live and learn!
My life in Spain 