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My Christmas has been a little different this year. Iīve seen no decorations in houses, bar a simple nativity scene and the odd Christmas Tree hidden away in the corner. I havenīt been subjected to the same old TV programmes that are dredged out each year. I certainly havenīt seen any presents, under the tree or anywhere else.
This has been a Spanish Christmas - or Navidad as they call it. We left the UK on 19th December to avoid the Christmas rush (and airport prices). First time with a 3 month old baby too, which was interesting. We were picked up and hauled to my Father-in-law`s house for the usual greetings and suitcase unpacking. Of course, I`ve had to brush up on my Spanish as no-one here speaks English, even in most of the shops.
Anyway, any thoughts of a warm winter were quashed when we saw the forecast, itīs mostly been around 8 to 10c here and since hardly anyone in my wife`s family has central heating, we felt it worse than in England. Not that I can complain, weīve eaten good food and drunk many a can of Spanish beer, something I`m particularly fond of. As for presents, they just don`t bother with them here, at least not for adults. Christmas day (which we spent in Caravaca de la Cruz, look it up on a map, it`s in the South in the Murcia region) is a low key affair. The kids do get presents, but on Ascencion day - in celebration of the Three Kings which happens on 6th Jan.
As for afterwards, well we were supposed to spend 3 days in Caravaca, but it seems we are here for the week. This means that my GB SP has run out of power and I`ve finished all my books, So lucky then that I found an Internet Cafe around the corner, where I currently sit writing this. Not too bad at 1.5 per hour. This is possible because my wife is going clothes shopping with her cousin and hated the last trip with me moaning about the lack of any decent electrical shops in the town. Unfortunately, there isnīt much else to do around here, less if you have a small baby too. Still, back in La Manga on Saturday night, so I can recharge my Gameboy and go to the big El Corte Ingles department store in Cartegena (famous town where Columbus sailed from).
So, for your benefit, here are some Spanish `facts`:
1) People in Spain don`t say Please or Thanks - you may think this is a small thing, but it takes some getting used to. If you say Gracias they look at you funny, it`s true, and never even think of saying Por Favor (please)!
2) Leaving can take ages. People in Spain seem to have difficulty parting from friends or relatives. You say goodbye, then talk about something for 5 minutes, say goodbye again, get in the car, wind down the window to talk about something else, say you have to go, then get out the car as there`s something you`ve forgot to mention. Then, if you`re really lucky, you will get going.
3) Sand worms are quite nice to eat, so is baby octopus. Yes, even though your eyes won`t want to know, your taste buds will, so get over the thought of it. As for fish in general, you can`t really get away from it, particularly Prawns..mmmmm...
So, adios for now. Looks like I`m around for an hour at least if I know my wife and clothes shops...
This has been a Spanish Christmas - or Navidad as they call it. We left the UK on 19th December to avoid the Christmas rush (and airport prices). First time with a 3 month old baby too, which was interesting. We were picked up and hauled to my Father-in-law`s house for the usual greetings and suitcase unpacking. Of course, I`ve had to brush up on my Spanish as no-one here speaks English, even in most of the shops.
Anyway, any thoughts of a warm winter were quashed when we saw the forecast, itīs mostly been around 8 to 10c here and since hardly anyone in my wife`s family has central heating, we felt it worse than in England. Not that I can complain, weīve eaten good food and drunk many a can of Spanish beer, something I`m particularly fond of. As for presents, they just don`t bother with them here, at least not for adults. Christmas day (which we spent in Caravaca de la Cruz, look it up on a map, it`s in the South in the Murcia region) is a low key affair. The kids do get presents, but on Ascencion day - in celebration of the Three Kings which happens on 6th Jan.
As for afterwards, well we were supposed to spend 3 days in Caravaca, but it seems we are here for the week. This means that my GB SP has run out of power and I`ve finished all my books, So lucky then that I found an Internet Cafe around the corner, where I currently sit writing this. Not too bad at 1.5 per hour. This is possible because my wife is going clothes shopping with her cousin and hated the last trip with me moaning about the lack of any decent electrical shops in the town. Unfortunately, there isnīt much else to do around here, less if you have a small baby too. Still, back in La Manga on Saturday night, so I can recharge my Gameboy and go to the big El Corte Ingles department store in Cartegena (famous town where Columbus sailed from).
So, for your benefit, here are some Spanish `facts`:
1) People in Spain don`t say Please or Thanks - you may think this is a small thing, but it takes some getting used to. If you say Gracias they look at you funny, it`s true, and never even think of saying Por Favor (please)!
2) Leaving can take ages. People in Spain seem to have difficulty parting from friends or relatives. You say goodbye, then talk about something for 5 minutes, say goodbye again, get in the car, wind down the window to talk about something else, say you have to go, then get out the car as there`s something you`ve forgot to mention. Then, if you`re really lucky, you will get going.
3) Sand worms are quite nice to eat, so is baby octopus. Yes, even though your eyes won`t want to know, your taste buds will, so get over the thought of it. As for fish in general, you can`t really get away from it, particularly Prawns..mmmmm...
So, adios for now. Looks like I`m around for an hour at least if I know my wife and clothes shops...
It doesn't run on batteries?
How odd.
Well, you learn something new every day.
How odd.
Well, you learn something new every day.
I went to Spain earlier this year and found Spanish people to be quite rude in general. The ones at our hotel mind, they were excellent. Very polite, very helpful and even spoke and understood good English (heh, I think they even seemed to recognise "cheers" and "mate"!).
:D
If it's something they all do, then I've nothing against it. But the attitudes of most people we came across - especially the bus drivers - I just didn't like it.
You're right, also, because I found they DO look at you funny when you reply "Gracias" as a way of thanking them...
:D
If it's something they all do, then I've nothing against it. But the attitudes of most people we came across - especially the bus drivers - I just didn't like it.
You're right, also, because I found they DO look at you funny when you reply "Gracias" as a way of thanking them...
Broken Hearts wrote:
> Ever heard of Batteries pb?
*sigh*
> Ever heard of Batteries pb?
*sigh*
You've not used an SP before then. :-)
I'm surprised there was nothing to plug your charger into though.
Don't they have electricity over there?? :-O
I'm surprised there was nothing to plug your charger into though.
Don't they have electricity over there?? :-O
Ever heard of Batteries pb?
I like Spanish people.
A few years back we visited friends who were from a non-tourist area, we were stayed in Nerja and drove there for the week-end.
Was cool, there were old guys who drank and played cards all the time.
A few years back we visited friends who were from a non-tourist area, we were stayed in Nerja and drove there for the week-end.
Was cool, there were old guys who drank and played cards all the time.
Itīs a culture thing. They just don`t say it, it`s not that they are rude.
pb wrote:
> 1) People in Spain don`t say Please or Thanks - you may think this is
> a small thing,
NOt really, I'd say it's quite rude.
> 1) People in Spain don`t say Please or Thanks - you may think this is
> a small thing,
NOt really, I'd say it's quite rude.
My Christmas has been a little different this year. Iīve seen no decorations in houses, bar a simple nativity scene and the odd Christmas Tree hidden away in the corner. I havenīt been subjected to the same old TV programmes that are dredged out each year. I certainly havenīt seen any presents, under the tree or anywhere else.
This has been a Spanish Christmas - or Navidad as they call it. We left the UK on 19th December to avoid the Christmas rush (and airport prices). First time with a 3 month old baby too, which was interesting. We were picked up and hauled to my Father-in-law`s house for the usual greetings and suitcase unpacking. Of course, I`ve had to brush up on my Spanish as no-one here speaks English, even in most of the shops.
Anyway, any thoughts of a warm winter were quashed when we saw the forecast, itīs mostly been around 8 to 10c here and since hardly anyone in my wife`s family has central heating, we felt it worse than in England. Not that I can complain, weīve eaten good food and drunk many a can of Spanish beer, something I`m particularly fond of. As for presents, they just don`t bother with them here, at least not for adults. Christmas day (which we spent in Caravaca de la Cruz, look it up on a map, it`s in the South in the Murcia region) is a low key affair. The kids do get presents, but on Ascencion day - in celebration of the Three Kings which happens on 6th Jan.
As for afterwards, well we were supposed to spend 3 days in Caravaca, but it seems we are here for the week. This means that my GB SP has run out of power and I`ve finished all my books, So lucky then that I found an Internet Cafe around the corner, where I currently sit writing this. Not too bad at 1.5 per hour. This is possible because my wife is going clothes shopping with her cousin and hated the last trip with me moaning about the lack of any decent electrical shops in the town. Unfortunately, there isnīt much else to do around here, less if you have a small baby too. Still, back in La Manga on Saturday night, so I can recharge my Gameboy and go to the big El Corte Ingles department store in Cartegena (famous town where Columbus sailed from).
So, for your benefit, here are some Spanish `facts`:
1) People in Spain don`t say Please or Thanks - you may think this is a small thing, but it takes some getting used to. If you say Gracias they look at you funny, it`s true, and never even think of saying Por Favor (please)!
2) Leaving can take ages. People in Spain seem to have difficulty parting from friends or relatives. You say goodbye, then talk about something for 5 minutes, say goodbye again, get in the car, wind down the window to talk about something else, say you have to go, then get out the car as there`s something you`ve forgot to mention. Then, if you`re really lucky, you will get going.
3) Sand worms are quite nice to eat, so is baby octopus. Yes, even though your eyes won`t want to know, your taste buds will, so get over the thought of it. As for fish in general, you can`t really get away from it, particularly Prawns..mmmmm...
So, adios for now. Looks like I`m around for an hour at least if I know my wife and clothes shops...
This has been a Spanish Christmas - or Navidad as they call it. We left the UK on 19th December to avoid the Christmas rush (and airport prices). First time with a 3 month old baby too, which was interesting. We were picked up and hauled to my Father-in-law`s house for the usual greetings and suitcase unpacking. Of course, I`ve had to brush up on my Spanish as no-one here speaks English, even in most of the shops.
Anyway, any thoughts of a warm winter were quashed when we saw the forecast, itīs mostly been around 8 to 10c here and since hardly anyone in my wife`s family has central heating, we felt it worse than in England. Not that I can complain, weīve eaten good food and drunk many a can of Spanish beer, something I`m particularly fond of. As for presents, they just don`t bother with them here, at least not for adults. Christmas day (which we spent in Caravaca de la Cruz, look it up on a map, it`s in the South in the Murcia region) is a low key affair. The kids do get presents, but on Ascencion day - in celebration of the Three Kings which happens on 6th Jan.
As for afterwards, well we were supposed to spend 3 days in Caravaca, but it seems we are here for the week. This means that my GB SP has run out of power and I`ve finished all my books, So lucky then that I found an Internet Cafe around the corner, where I currently sit writing this. Not too bad at 1.5 per hour. This is possible because my wife is going clothes shopping with her cousin and hated the last trip with me moaning about the lack of any decent electrical shops in the town. Unfortunately, there isnīt much else to do around here, less if you have a small baby too. Still, back in La Manga on Saturday night, so I can recharge my Gameboy and go to the big El Corte Ingles department store in Cartegena (famous town where Columbus sailed from).
So, for your benefit, here are some Spanish `facts`:
1) People in Spain don`t say Please or Thanks - you may think this is a small thing, but it takes some getting used to. If you say Gracias they look at you funny, it`s true, and never even think of saying Por Favor (please)!
2) Leaving can take ages. People in Spain seem to have difficulty parting from friends or relatives. You say goodbye, then talk about something for 5 minutes, say goodbye again, get in the car, wind down the window to talk about something else, say you have to go, then get out the car as there`s something you`ve forgot to mention. Then, if you`re really lucky, you will get going.
3) Sand worms are quite nice to eat, so is baby octopus. Yes, even though your eyes won`t want to know, your taste buds will, so get over the thought of it. As for fish in general, you can`t really get away from it, particularly Prawns..mmmmm...
So, adios for now. Looks like I`m around for an hour at least if I know my wife and clothes shops...