So far we are not very impressed by the service level of the Spanish shops, restaurants, or civil servants. In most cases, they give us the impression we should be grateful they take notice of us at all. But we are very grateful there are some outstanding exceptions. And these past few days were made … Read more
Here at Tarifa, the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. It must be at the little rock sitting on the edge on its own. The last time we were here, we could enter the fortress and walk over the beam marking the border. This time the fortress was closed to the public, so now you have to … Read more
Some days we work, some days we go sightseeing.Today we did better. We worked in the morning and went sightseeing in the afternoon. It’s a great way of splitting up the day. And it was a sentimental journey as well. About 20 years ago we went for the first time – and until now the … Read more
We are staying in a spa hotel at the moment. Lots of facilities over here. Or as the hotel says Bienvenido a un mundo diferente. It’s a nice hotel. And as usual, there is something that is nagging us. We wouldn’t be our critical, thinking selves if there wasn’t:Why is it always so hard to … Read more
The sun is shining again. Oh, how we missed the warmth of it the past weeks, hmmm, maybe the past months. And it makes up for a lot of things. Especially for the Spanish bureaucracy. Yesterday at the very last moment before leaving we had to arrange for a document from the city council that … Read more
Whenever we talk with our youngest he reminds me of Manuel, the waiter in Fawlty Towers.Alex understands most of the Dutch, English, and Spanish that is spoken to him, but questions are always answered with ¿Que? We will miss that high-pitched voice in the coming months because today we are traveling back to the south … Read more
They did warn us [14] Every time we visit the police station in Carabanchel they give us an inside view of their well-organized archive. 😀It makes us smile every time, starting off our appointment well. And this time we were really happy because at last, we have our NIE. Yeah!I expected a card – it’s … Read more
We wanted to go to the fair with the grandchildren, but since that is a 20-minute walk we said it was a surprise. For some reason, I thought that would be a better announcement, than saying ‘we are going to the fair’. A big miscalculation that was. We are still not used to the strange … Read more
In Amsterdam, they complain about the roller suitcases that the tourists drag along and that make a lot of noise. You can hear that sound here too. At least twice a day. Not made by tourists but by the school kids. I am happy they do. Compared to the way-too-heavy schoolbag I used to carry … Read more
In lots of western countries Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day. Except for Spain where Tuesday the 13th has that meaning. So probably that’s why the waiter didn’t get the intention of my cranes that I made for him from the napkins. I intend to give away 1.000 cranes that I folded myself. … Read more