
Dear Spain: Usually I am pretty happy with your leniency with rules and so forth. In fact this is still something I not only value but enjoy observing – it makes me laugh, it really does. But I wasn’t laughing the other week when I discovered that you failed to notify my that cats [...]
Barcelona, I really hate that you insist upon construction work dragging on every day until what most people consider to be nighttime. For example, it is now 8:30pm and there is some ridiculously loud drilling going on in the flat above mine. I suppose the hammering will follow next, as it did last night [...]
Dear squatters who took over the building in the plaza near where I live: I have a few bones to pick with you. First, I know you think you are making a statement by breaking into and occupying private property. I know this because I actually dated a few boys who squatted when I [...]
Dear 20-something girls in Barcelona: Hello there girls, you all don’t know me but I see you every day. In fact I see a little too much of all of you. because, well, it seems you are forgetting to put you skirt on before you leave the house. Your stylish sweater, fancy leather jacket, [...]
Dear Wealthy Aging Spanish Ladies, I know that cosmetic surgery is a rite of passage for you all after your children are out of the house and your seasonal wardrobes have been perfected. You have the money and the time and want to take care of yourselves, and I appreciate that. Hell, I often [...]
Posted on 08 May 2012
Opening a Spanish Bank Account It’s easy to open a bank account in Spain, and there are plenty of banks to choose from: Santander, La Caixa, Catalunya Caixa, BBVA, Banesto and probably others that I can’t recall at the moment. Personally I use La Caixa. All you need is a passport and you can open [...] Continue Reading
Posted on 12 April 2012
So called pet peeves are annoyances that are particularly bothersome to an individual, but that seem acceptable to others. But is it still considered a pet peeve if it involves disrespect, poor manners or poor personal hygiene? I mean how can you call your stomach churning when a coworker leans over your shoulder and breathes their [...] Continue Reading
Posted on 05 April 2012
Working in Spain as an American citizen is harder than you think On the other hand, it’s also easier than you think. What do I mean by that? First, if you plan on coming here and finding a company that will sponsor you with a work visa, you can forget it. Unless you are [...] Continue Reading
Posted on 20 March 2012
A run-down of Barcelona barrios (neighborhoods) One question I get a lot is “Where should I live in Barcelona?” to which my answer is: It depends. It depends on your lifestyle, what you are willing to pay, and which conveniences you need and the inconveniences you are willing to put up with. Do you want [...] Continue Reading
Posted on 08 March 2012
Quick profiles of popular cities and their people in Spain Here is a list of the largest cities in Spain with a generalized–and somewhat stereotypical, I will admit, though I’m just telling it like it is–description of each. Madrid Great street life, beautiful monuments in the city although itwas a only village just a couple of [...] Continue Reading
Posted on 17 February 2012
Remember that kid in high school? The one whose English you laughed at, not to mention the way she dressed and wore her hair? Maybe you said a few words to her in the lunch room or if her locker was located next to yours, but you usually didn’t bother chatting with her too [...] Continue Reading