Hello From Spain

Vanity ^ | 4/17/2017 | Oshkalaboomboom

[dfwgator]

See a doctor

And get rid of it.

[Wilum]

I loved the Spanish people. Although a little dated, I was stationed at Torrejon AB outside of Madrid 1967-1970. Getting out and meeting the different people back then was my best memories besides the castles etc. Guardia Seville were a little scary but we even found a unit who became friendly with us when they found out we were military, during a Boy Scout camp out in the southern region. Thanks for the update allot sounds the same although much different without Franco around.

[luvbach1]

Once addicted to entitlements, withdrawal is nigh impossible. And we have a plethora of addicts.

[Cedar]

Great post. I too am interested to hear more details of their healthcare system.

“The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain...”

[fision]

I love Spain - it’s hard not to after visiting Barcelona touring the southern part of the country. The people are also, for the most part, very friendly.

Thanks for your post.

[HotHunt]

My wife and her mom went on a three month trip through Europe when my wife retired in 2007.

They had a great time, until the week they were to be leaving for a flight back to the States. On a car trip from Madrid to the east coast, they were robbed by Romanian gypsies. Didn't harm them but stole their money, credit cards and camera and bag containing the film of their entire trip.

It's is pretty safe in Spain but, like anywhere, there is crime.

[KarlInOhio]

I had a TA in college from Spain. He wanted to go to college in the northern US so he wouldn’t be confused with a Mexican.

[HotHunt]

When I was a kid, we lived in Spain. I loved Mexican food and was expecting something similar there.

We stayed in a hotel for a few weeks when we first moved there before finding a place to live. The hotel dining room served "tortillas" it said on the menu.

What I got was an egg omelet. I learned that Mexican food is Mexican, not Spanish.

But the food in Spain is great. I love the country.

[fision]

My wife and I were quite shocked to see women walking carefree through the streets at all hours of the night in Barcelona - and no, they were not prostitutes.

[laplata]

Mexicans are looked down upon in most of S America

---

Right. I have friends in costa Rica and Columbia who really detest Mexicans.

I lived in Mexico for almost 3 years and will never go back. I do speak Spanish at every opportunity because I enjoy it.

[chuckles]

After hurricane Rita, I had a crew of Hispanics to replace my roof. 2 Mexicans, 1 Nicaraguan, 1 Honduran, 1 Guatemalan. They spent more time in jail than working on my roof. They hated each other. They threw hammers at each other, shot nail guns at each other, it was a mess. One morning 3 were in jail from the fighting the night before. You can imagine after a hurricane there were no roofers to be had. They were scattered from Texas to Alabama and none were to be had anywhere. The foreman had to pay their bail, motel bills, ect, and even got on the roof himself. I talked to him about it and he said they were constantly threatening war with each other back home. They all looked the same to me, but the hatred was obvious. I don't know how they could tell the difference if they would keep quiet, but apparently they can tell just by the dialect they speak.

BTW, it was the worst roof job I'd ever seen when finished. I think high school students could have done better. The contractor that sells you the job is American, but he hires who he wants. 90% of all roofers at that time were illegals. The pool of workers was so depleted they went from $8-$10 an hr up to $15 overnight. I'm sure they were cooks and waiters a month before the storm.

[LostInBayport]

It sounds like you are living the grand adventure, and it sounds wonderful.

I have always thought that if I get to retire I’d like to do it someplace else, but never thought of another country. Please keep us updated.

[libh8er]

See a doctor

And get rid of it.

Not sure why I should see a doctor and what I should get rid of, but I reread my post and it could have been taken to mean I was being contemptuous of Spain and the Spanish people. Quite the opposite. I put Spain and Spaniards in quotes for a reason. I was referring to Mexico and the invading Mexican illegals. Having to explain sarcasm kills the sarcasm, but sometimes you just have to do it because it doesn't come across.

[rlmorel]

I have always liked Spain, been there probably between a dozen times between my time in the USN and my honeymoon (went there twice since then).

I lost complete respect for the Spanish when they pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan following the subway bombing.

If they had said at some random point they were withdrawing their troops, I could have accepted that. The fact that they completely bent to the will of the terrorists and did exactly what they were aiming for was inexcusable.

I hope you are enjoying it there, always seemed like a good place to me, apart from the politics.

[rlmorel]

I loved the Philippines when I lived there as a kid, really liked the people and the country. I was sorry to see the relationship between our countries go off the rails, but...I recognize the mechanisms of that.

I had some barongs I wore for many years, but they eventually wore out, and I have not been able to find some that kind of looked the same to my eyes. Very comfortable shirts in hot weather.

[aquila48]

Given the low wages, hardworking people, no sense of entitlement why do you think the economy is doing so bad there? Seems like those are ingredients for a booming economy.

[rrrod]

Okey dokey

[chaosagent]

We stayed in a hotel for a few weeks when we first moved there before finding a place to live. The hotel dining room served “tortillas” it said on the menu.

What I got was an egg omelet. I learned that Mexican food is Mexican, not Spanish.

---

Having spent time in both Mexico and Colombia, SA, I can tell you that ‘Mexican Food’ isn’t Mexican either.

[HotHunt]

My cattle farm is next door to a dairy that employs 10 Guatemalans for their labor. None of them speak English. These are all young, single guys who don't cook their own meals.

My morning walk takes me through the middle of the dairy. Since I speak Spanish, I talk with a few of them on a regular basis.

I asked them where they eat when they go out. They all said Mexican food.

Not too many Guatemalan restaurants around. :-)

[chaosagent]

Back in the 80’s we had some friends that had a small family-run chain of Mexican restaurants in Texas and California.

A family member moved to Bogota, Colombia, SA and opened a Mexican restaurant there, which was a big hit.

Mexican food in Colombia was like Chinese food in the US, completely new and different.