Tag Archives: spain

30 years in spain

23 Monday May 2022

Posted by in anniversary, casa azahar, cats, sevilla, spain

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cats (59)-002

Thirty years ago this week I arrived in Spain. I can’t remember the exact date but somehow the 23rd sticks in my mind. This is me (age 35) with my first Spanish cat Lua in my first apartment in Salamanca. I still had no idea how I was going to manage to stay here or if I could make a living, but of course I adopted a cat! So many memories, many mistakes made, some achievements realised. And although there were plenty of tough times I never once doubted my choice to move here, to the first place that ever felt like home. So I’m glad I stuck it out. Thirty whole years. Wow.

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casa plaga

19 Thursday May 2022

Posted by in coronavirus, covid, home, sevilla

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positive

So dammit. Last Sunday evening flatmate Peter was feeling under the weather, thought he might have a cold. But on Monday morning this was the result. Peter ever so slightly positive on the left, me on the right. He immediately went into quarantine in his room, with the balcony doors open for ventilation, mask on for occasional bathroom breaks. And I had to decide if I would still go to Barcelona. In the end I did go, which my friend Michael said was maybe the best thing I could do – get out of the house (casa plaga!) for a few days. So I may ride out the worst of the infectious part while I’m away. I really appreciate Peter being so considerate and responsible, keeping away from the rest of the (actually quite small) apartment and doing his best to help out. Let’s hope it’s a short Covid ride.

mask upgrade

03 Tuesday May 2022

Posted by in covid, decanter magazine, travel, trips, welcome, work

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mask upgrade

I’ve mostly been relying on surgical masks (made locally) for day-to-day use because I tend to be either outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor situations. BUT… I have a work trip coming up to Barcelona which is both exciting and a bit terrifying. I mean, I haven’t been to BCN since 2014 when I took myself up there for a birthday treat. And I have to say that part of me is really looking forward to being there again, but another part of me is going OMG because, of course, Covid.

Just like the last trip I’ll be taking the AVE fast train direct from Sevilla to Barcelona, a 5.5 hour trip. Which really ends up mostly the same amount of time as flying there (it’s a really short flight). But if you take into account getting to and from the airport, having to arrive at the airport and hour or so ahead of time, and blah blah blah… just no. I really enjoyed the train ride last time. Got to watch a film, read a bit, hang out on social media, and visit the bar car. PLUS I could bring as much luggage as I wanted to.

Of course now the big question is about travelling safely, on a train for all that time. Happily we still have a mask mandate for all public transport, so everyone will have masks on. But it made me think that it was time for a mask upgrade. So I am looking at getting some FFP2/FFP3 KN95/N95 masks for my trip. Still working out what the differences are between them, but clearly they are more effective than surgical masks. Anyhow, wish me luck! My first MAJOR TRIP since March 2020.