Spanish chit-chat
In Spanish chit-chat, follow how we unwind beneath the Andalusian sun. Here in this different Spain, we often feel like we're on the set of a Pedro Almodóvar film, complete with many absurd, soap opera-like storylines. We enjoy it immensely with a mix of surprise and amusement! We have now fully surrendered to the Spanish paciencia.
Since 2019, Reijer has been writing on our blog about moments when we face language barriers and cultural differences in social interactions with our Spanish neighbours in the village.
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Spanish chit-chat
In Spanish chit-chat, you'll follow along as we unwind under the Andalusian sun. In this other side of Spain, we often feel as though we're on the set of one of Pedro Almodóvar's films—complete with absurd, soap opera–like storylines. With a mix of wonder and amusement, we find ourselves thoroughly enjoying it all! By now, we've fully embraced the Spanish paciencia.
Since 2019, Reijer has been writing on our blog about the moments when we're confronted with language barriers and cultural differences in our social interactions with our Spanish village neighbours.
Blog post 64, 8 Oct 2026
Making a big thing small
Hombre, tío, primo. That is, man, uncle, cousin. Or better yet: mate, bloke, friend, pal… Enthusiastic street slang used by everyone in Andalusia. You can say it to both men and women, I believe of all ages. When I arrive at my fitness class, I say: "Cómo estáis?" (how are you all), but I've also learnt that "Cómo estamos?" (how are we) actually sounds even friendlier…
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Making a big thing small
Hombre, tío, primo. Literally: man, uncle, cousin. Or better: guy, mate, buddy, pal… Enthusiastic street slang that everyone in Andalusia uses. You can say it to both men and women, and I think to people of pretty much any age. When I walk up to my fitness class, I say: "Cómo estáis?" (how are you all?), but I have also learned that "Cómo estamos?" (how are we?) actually sounds even friendlier......
Blog post 63, 18 Jul 2026
The road to unwinding in Andalusia
Johan and I are having lunch at Costacabria, overlooking the Mediterranean on the Costa Tropical. The tassels on the parasols flutter in the breeze. The fresh taste of passion fruit accompanies my confit de canard. Enjoyable conversations with familiar guests. At the table next to us, an elderly couple...
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The road to slowing down in Andalusia
Johan and I are having lunch at Costacabria overlooking the Mediterranean on the Costa Tropical. The fringes on the parasols are waving in the wind. On my plate, confit de canard with the freshness of passion fruit. Good conversations with guests who have become friends over the years. At the table next to us sits an older couple...
Blog post 62, 24 Apr 2026
Live for today
I find myself in that familiar phase men go through, the one you think you are not supposed to have anymore once you believe you already live the life you want — and especially not after emigrating to Spain. Between cancelled stays in our casas, Spanish storms and rain, and travel plans that keep getting postponed, we mostly spend the winter dealing with whatever comes our way. Is this it?
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Live for today
I find myself in that familiar phase men go through, the one you think you are not supposed to have anymore once you believe you already live the life you want — and especially not after emigrating to Spain. Between cancelled stays in our casas, Spanish storms and rain, and travel plans that keep getting postponed, we mostly spend the winter dealing with whatever comes our way. Is this it?
Blog post 61, 28 Nov 2025
Loose
A yawning Johan stretches once more early on a heavily rain-soaked morning, surrounded by a bunch of dragged-along rubbish bins: "Hey, do you hear dripping too?" Still sleepy and unsuspecting – I roll my eyes, yes, it's raining outside – I get out of bed to fetch coffee upstairs: my bare feet step into a puddle. A leak in the bedroom ceiling, right above my side of the bed. No stress...
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Loose
Johan stretches once more, very early on the rain-soaked morning of the trash bins that were dragged along: "Hey, do you hear dripping too?" Still sleepy and unsuspecting, I roll my eyes – yes, it's raining outside – and get out of bed to get us some coffee: my bare feet step into a patch of water. A leak in the bedroom ceiling, right above my side of the bed. No stress...
Blog post 60, 14 Jul 2025
Andalusia through colours & scents
I'm lying on the beach, writing, all my senses alert, for quite a while now. Maybe it's the heat? Or the scent of flor de noche, that jasmine-like flower some adore but I find unpleasant. Or perhaps it's the summer rhythm? The sleepy afternoons in the air conditioning, gritty, dry eyes on waking, and the slow evenings strolling along the paseo.
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Andalusia through colours & scents
I'm lying on the beach, writing, all my senses awake, for a long time now. Maybe it's the heat? Or the smell of flor de noche, that jasmine-like flower some people love but I find awful. Or maybe it's the summer rhythm? The sleepy afternoons in the aircon, dry, gritty eyes on waking, and the slow evenings strolling along the paseo.
Blog post 59, 8 Jun 2025
To share is to heal
"Mate, I missed something," a friend from The Hague texts me after reading my latest blog post. "I think it's the wine. This time I didn't feel the romance, it read more like a postcard. But I still love you." Suddenly, Jaap appears in my mind – a mentor from the past, grey stubble on his face, kind eyes behind his therapeutic glasses. I hear his voice...
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To share is to heal
"Mate, I missed something," a friend from Holland texts me after reading my latest blog post. "I think it's the wine. This time I didn't feel the romance, it read more like a postcard. But I still love you..." And suddenly, Jaap appears before my mind's eye, a mentor from the past, with a short grey beard, his kind therapist´s eyes behind a pair of simple glasses looking at me. I hear his voice.
Blog post 58, 25 Apr 2025
A long one!
I sit at the kitchen table, open my laptop, take a sip of red wine, sigh, and start typing with rolled-up sleeves – a bit like Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote. That image keeps running through my mind. And now the time has come. You probably know the feeling: something old is done – or at least parked – and you feel grounded, eager for what's ahead!
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A long one!
I sit at the kitchen table, open my laptop, take a sip of red wine, sigh, and start typing with rolled-up sleeves – a bit like Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote. That image keeps running through my mind. And now the time has come. You probably know the feeling: something old is done – or at least parked – and you feel grounded, eager for what's ahead!
Short story, 23 Mar 2025
Scribbles from Granada
Observing, chewing, being moved, writing, and laughing at what appears on the page! Occasionally, the beautiful surroundings inspire me to write a few personal rhyming lines. Here, I'm pleased to share five scribbles from the past year.
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Scribbles from Granada
Observing, chewing, being touched, writing, and laughing at what appears on the paper! Occasionally, the beautiful surroundings inspire me to write a few personal rhyming lines. Here, I'm happy to share five scribbles from the past year.
Short story, 17 Mar 2025
It's always sunny in Spain
The weather has been wild for days. We zigzag through our living room, where laundry from our casas hangs and dries painfully slowly. Such an un-Spanish rainy spell reminds me of the confinamiento during the coronavirus, in our first year of emigration, now five years ago. Back then, we were stuck indoors – now Jeanette and Paul, a Dutch couple we know, suggest going for a walk.
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The rain in Spain
The weather has been stormy for days. We zigzag through our living room, where laundry from our casas hangs and dries excruciatingly slowly. Such an un-Spanish rainy period reminds me of the confinamiento during COVID, in our first year of emigration, now five years ago. Back then, we were stuck at home – now, Jeanette and Paul, a Dutch couple we're friends with, suggest going for a walk.
Flashback, January 2020
Russians!
With our move to Spain approaching, our calendar was packed with Christmas dinners: at Francis' (Johan's sister), at my mother's with my sister Meris, and with our neighbours in The Hague. Santa Johan had also booked me a relaxation massage at Massage Point—at eleven in the morning on moving day. Who comes up with that? After one last emotional farewell, we set off for Spain.
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Russians!
With our move to Spain ahead of us, our schedule was packed with Christmas dinners: one at Francis' (Johan's sister), one at my mother's with my sister Meris, and one with our neighbours in The Hague. Santa Johan had also booked me a relaxation massage at Massage Point—at eleven o'clock in the morning on moving day. Seriously...? After one final emotional farewell, we set off for Spain.
Short story, 3 Mar 2025
The chico from SEUR
I'm standing beneath the garage's tilt door at our Villa Merise. A large white truck awkwardly blocks the street, and two burly, hairy Latin American hombres, whom I remember from the earlier chaotic delivery of the broken fridge, are now packing it up for return. Turning my head to the right to somewhat avoid their builder's cleavage, I wonder if I can help and say, "Necesitáis ayuda?".
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The chico from SEUR
I stand here under the tilted door of the garage of our Villa Merise. A large white truck awkwardly blocks the street, and two sturdy, hairy Latin American hombres, whom I remember from the earlier chaotic delivery of the broken fridge, are now busy packing it up for return. Turning my head to the right to somewhat ignore their construction worker cleavage, I wonder if I can help with anything, and a "Necesitáis ayuda?" leaves my mouth.
Flashback, 21 Dec 2019
Farewell speech
Dear family and friends, how lovely that you're all here! Yesterday, Johan asked, "Are we actually going to give a speech?" "Well, let's have something ready just in case," I replied. Johan then said after a brief pause: "Just don't start crying!"
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Send-off shout-out
Dear family and friends, how wonderful that you're all here! Yesterday, Johan asked, "Are we actually going to give a speech?" "Well, let's have something ready just in case," I replied, followed by a silence that Johan broke with: "As long as you don't start crying!"
Short story, 3 Mar 2025
The first Spanish chit-chat
Behind the desk in our new ático Lolapaluza: the sliding door to the rooftop terrace is open, Paradise by Sade plays from Johan's phone, and a spring breeze brings the scent of wood stain inside. I call to Johan, who is busy with a brush on the pergola high above: "Un café más?"
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A first Spanish chit-chat
At the writing nook of our new ático Lolapaluza: the sliding door to the rooftop terrace is open, Paradise by Sade is playing from Johan's phone, and a spring breeze carries the scent of wood stain inside. I call out to Johan, who is high up on the pergola, paintbrush in hand: "Un café más?"
Blog post 56, 31 Dec 2024
On the move
From fishing on the Costa Tropical to a new notary scene, moving adventures with the Renault 4, and stories from the working-class neighbourhood of Ronda. Are we on the run, or gaining control? Lolapaluza, our new place in Salobreña, has taken shape. Johan and I are bubbling with excitement heading into the new year. We wish all readers a happy 2025!
Blog post 55, 7 Oct 2024
La luna
I can't say how many times I've stared at the moon since living in Andalusia, but it's countless times and hundreds of photos. It's almost always clear, the moon shines brightly and every photo ends up overexposed. Sometimes I go a bit overboard, and Johan jokingly calls me Hijo de la luna.
Blog post 54, 28 Aug 2024
Against the current
Wearing just swimming trunks, sunglasses and Birkenstocks – I had to overcome my shyness – and carrying a KLM and Unilever beach towel over my right shoulder, I close the door. Everything is greasy with factor 50 sunscreen, and our parasol slips from my hands several times. It's the hottest part of the day and we're looking for a breath of sea breeze.
Blog post 53, 21 Jul 2024
Sexitanos
Along the palm-lined boulevard of the Paseo de Velilla stand apartment blocks, ten to fifteen storeys high and charmingly ugly. One, with the exotic name Inti Yan Ipanema, has an inviting entrance with gleaming precious metal. Through the glass facade, the polished grey-white marble floor and tropical potted plants in the lobby are visible. When Johan and I pass by, a broad-smiling older hombre in a bright pink branded polo appears in the doorway, accompanied by a short-haired spotted dog.
Blog post 52, 12 Jun 2024
Hombre, ¡vamos!
Johan casts his forward-looking gaze over the Casco Histórico of Salobreña, bringing a storyline to a predictable close! We're heading into a busy summer and say to each other "Hombre, ¡vamos!" I'm feeling very excited about new adventures, meeting new neighbours and guests, and further exploring Spanish life.
Blog post 51, 4 Apr 2024
Una Más between Sierra and Costa
I'm in a flow. Writing makes me laugh, sometimes I catch my breath, wipe away a tear or struggle. I'm writing one more towards a five-year collection. For Johan and me, the quiet period and all our travels have come to an end for now. Busy times have returned, we commute full throttle between Sierra and Costa and say in unison: "Hasta luego!"
Blog post 50, 27 Jan 2024
A killer trip
Johan and I have entered our fifth year of our emigration adventure in Spain and this is my fiftieth blog post. Welcome! I wonder when new themes will arise, as everyone must surely be fed up with the recurring topics in my blog by now? It's time for our winter break and it's going to be a killer trip! The day after the lively wine party in Cónchar in the Lecrín Valley, we depart. Between Switzerland and Valencia, quite a bit happens and so this anniversary story is quickly written!
Blog post 49, 22 Dec 2023
Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año 2024
In Pinos del Valle, the sun that was shining brightly has disappeared behind the mountain and it's quickly cooling down. No one is on the streets and all shutters in the Spanish village are closed. No evening strolls here like in the Netherlands to peek inside everyone's homes for Christmas inspiration. Through the wrought-iron gate, across the front garden and past the thick Spanish curtain hanging in the open double front door, I step inside the hall of the house.
Blog post 48, 3 Nov 2023
Running and standing still
I walk down the dune ridge. The sun hasn't quite touched the sea and the horizon, and the clouds and sky turn orange. A biting onshore wind blows cold. Fortunately, it's dry. I look to the right. Beach pavilion Pier 32 has been dismantled and removed for winter. On the left is a sad sight, the remains of LEEF, the beach club where we used to eat tapas, which burned down about a week ago. I'm in The Hague for my mother's memorial and I dread the moment.
Blog post 47, 10 Sep 2023
Path of thoughts
The Ruta del Azahar: the path named after the orange blossom of spring, but now in early autumn lined with still green oranges in abundance on the trees, deep red pomegranates and a sickly sweet scent of overripe figs. Much of the hour-and-a-half walk follows wild-flowing acequias. I let my thoughts drift back to the sultry Andalusian summer. There is no road to happiness; happiness is the road (Rumi).
Blog post 46, 23 Jul 2023
A sultry Andalusian summer
It's Sunday afternoon, we're leaving the car today and walking from Casita Little Switzerland to the Béznar lake. There, in the shady recreation area, we watch Spanish families enjoying the coolness of the lake and well-stocked cool boxes. Mèlo dives into the water for the umpteenth time, and Johan and I settle in for a true lazy Sunday.
Blog post 45, 23 Jun 2023
Una sonrisa, una lágrima
With a smile and a tear, I write this blog post. If you'd asked me a few weeks ago, I probably would have said I wasn't sure if there'd be another one.
Almost two months ago, Johan and I drove with the roof down and our heads in the wind towards the photogenic village of Restábal in the Lecrín Valley, daydreaming about how we would develop our business further…
Blog post 44, 16 Apr 2023
Una vuelta al Valle
La ruta del vino, Un día alpujarreño and El tour del valle en cuatro latas: I've written before about tours in and around the Lecrín Valley. You can read them in my e-book La gente de la media haba. Now it's time for one on the racing bike. Yes! To follow through on good intentions and get serious about exercise, Johan and I each treated ourselves to an entry-level model. Today, I think I'm ready: Una vuelta al Valle!
There's also another unexpected twist regarding our rental business...
Blog post 43, 26 Feb 2023
Caramèlo
Following a call from Valle Verde Animal Rescue for input for the follow-up to the bestseller Tails of the Alpujarras, the book of heartwarming stories from animal lovers in the Alpujarras, I sat down to write the story of our Mèlo. It's sentimental Sunday: I'd like to take you to Pinos del Valle, 12 March 2017.
Blog post 42, 25 Jan 2023
In the Spanish pot
Everyone knows Andalusia, and surely also the beautiful university city of Salamanca, the birthplace of pure Spanish, but do you also know Extremadura? When Johan suggested Extremadura as the unknown and authentic part of Spain to discover traditional Spanish cuisine, wine, cities and nature for a week, I immediately looked forward to our winter break!
Blog post 41, 18 Dec 2022
Lose your mind and come to your senses
Today's destination is Dúrcal, the unattractive main town of the Lecrín Valley. At least, that's my opinion. It's just after ten o'clock. It has been raining heavily for several days. The hustle and bustle on this Wednesday morning, which is also market day and exactly 10 days before Christmas Eve, makes it an art to dodge umbrellas on the narrow pavement of the main street without stepping under a car. No, today it's not Christmas in the sun in Andalusia like last year.
Blog post 40, 30 Oct 2022
At home in the Lecrín Valley
I notice more signs of wild boar than last year around this time. Perhaps the September forest fire drove the animals down? Or maybe I've become more observant and recognise the remnants of their nocturnal rooting better? With so many interesting prey animals nearby, I keep hunting dog Luis on a tight lead. And just as my shoulder is nearly dislocated—Luis is keenly hunting grasshoppers and lizards—I see our villager Boefje driving down the hill in his worn blue Suzuki Vitara.
Blog post 39, 19 Sep 2022
Known at the coast
On a warm late summer day, we descend from the Fuentes de Almuñécar urbanisation down the hill. We have now been at Casa Larimar for more than six weeks. I'm struck again by how well-maintained the neighbourhood is, with subtropical plants, neat duplex homes, and crystal-clear pools. I quickly associate it with Zonnedael, the fictional, luxurious neighbourhood from Flodder, which brings a smile to my face. Surely a curious chameleon still wanders around here, watching the well-behaved residents with wide eyes and could write a book about them: Known at the coast.
Blog post 38, 7 Aug 2022
Fernando
Expectant, and thus not quite unwinding, we wait in the shade of a palm tree in front of a closed office on the Paseo de Velilla, the first section of the long boulevard in Almuñécar. A revved-up Vespa speeds past and the rider parks it carelessly on the pavement outside the door. The pot helmet comes off his head and two bling-bling eyes above a white smile look at us: "¿Reiger? Soy Fernando." For us, this cheerful caballero leads a new episode in our Spanish emigration adventure.
Blog post 37, 4 Jun 2022
From sea to sky blue
I sit somewhat uneasily and restlessly at the large kitchen table writing this news post. Our Spanish adventure is, after last month's unexpected twist, on the brink of acceleration. But today we are still in a relative calm before the storm, and I need this quiet after an emotional week.
Blog post 36, 8 May 2022
An unexpected twist...
Before our story takes another unexpected turn, we undertake an unplanned spring clean, in this order: first Villa Merise, then Casa Una Más, and finally Guesthouse Lolapaluza. Well, you don't write a portrait of an Andalusian village in muddy rain, but under the sun and against a backdrop of whitewashed houses.
Blog post 35, 30 Mar 2022
We're almost there!
With the antique key to the old stable behind our house in hand, we pose contentedly and relieved by the nameplate of our house notary. A new project can begin! El Profesor has finally sold us his coral, after we hesitated over buying the stable more than two years ago, but recently resumed the hunt for our new friend.
Blog post 34, 19 Feb 2022
The rollercoaster called emigrating
We were getting a bit impatient, but eventually met the age criteria for the booster, and were able to book an appointment at the Centro de Salud, an essential part of the rollercoaster that is emigrating!
Blog post 33, 22 Jan 2022
Renovating in Spain
Contractor Pablo calls Johan and me to our project Casita Klein Zwitserland, elsewhere in the Lecrín Valley. Proudly, he shows us the floor and rooftop terraces poured this week. This makes me happy! It's time to place the orders for finishing work: renovating in Spain!
Blog post 32, 18 Dec 2021
Christmas in the sun in Andalusia
We drive back in less than half an hour from the Costa Tropical to our Spanish village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to soak up more of the Christmas atmosphere in the sun in Andalusia. Tonight marks the lighting of the Christmas lights on the Plaza in the upper village, where a proper Christmas market is held and none other than film star Antonio Velázquez, el héroe local of the pueblo, will perform the official opening. Naturally, we don't want to miss this!
Blog post 31, 4 Dec 2021
Our Spanish village
I enter the local shop and see the owner already standing behind the counter at the back: as always wearing white rubber clogs tucked into her trousers, a stained long white coat and holding a meat cleaver. Mercedes, as she is called, is one of the distinctive characters of our Spanish village.
Blog post 30, 30 Oct 2021
Unwinding in Spain
It's an ordinary Thursday afternoon unwinding in Spain at the end of October. When I get home, I change and grab my yoga mat. I then hop in my Vier and drive leisurely from the coast towards Pinos del Valle, where I'm busy integrating into village life in my own way.
Freelancer magazine, Autumn 2021
Cuatro Latas
Recently, I wrote the article Cuatro Latas for the Renault 4 Club Netherlands' Freelancer magazine: I thoroughly enjoy the mountainous Spanish Alpujarras, the winding hairpin bends and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, contrasting with the clear blue sky. I already see us touring here in a French classic and told my eighty-year-old neighbour Teresa that we're looking for one. She brightly told me about the blue 2CV with which she travelled from Granada to Paris in 1960 with her French lover...
Blog post 29, 25 Sep 2021
Two years of Andalusia blog
On our Andalusia blog, you can follow nearly two years of how we unwind under the Andalusian sun. It promises to be an entertaining afternoon. At Barretje Gloria Michel, we always experience a cinematic time...
Blog post 28, 28 Aug 2021
Vecinos
Johan drops me off at the front door of Lolapaluza, our house in Pinos. It's half past four in the afternoon and the thermometer shows over 40°C. At the hottest time of the day, we took a walk through the Barranco de Luna, where the crystal-clear cold water in the deep shady gorge acts as natural air conditioning...
Blog post 27, 30 Jul 2021
Witch hunt
Salobreña, Monte sin leña, mar sin pescado, niños maleducados, curas pocos y locos. A little verse from the past, passed down in the 1950s. It fascinates me and makes me curious...
Blog post 26, 26 Jun 2021
Dutchies in Spain
Starting with "Dear members," I posed a question that seemed quite SMART: "Does anyone have experience with getting an antigen test in France for crossing the Spanish border? My specific question is whether you're welcome in a French pharmacy without an appointment and get the result within 15 minutes....
Blog post 25, 27 May 2021
Tour del valle en cuatro latas
I honk twice: "toot, toot!" Chloë responds to the monotone horn and appears from behind the fluttering curtains on one of the French balconies: "Just a moment, I'm coming!"...
Blog post 24, 26 Apr 2021
Un día alpujarreño
I'm fiddling with my face mask during a true roadtrip through la Alpujarra with neighbour Teresa from Salobreña. The region of Trevélez, where the jamon is dried in the thin mountain air and the famous spring water of the spa town Lanjarón is bottled...
Blog post 23, 26 Apr 2021
La Presidenta
Under the umbrella of La Presidenta and kneeling in the mud, a man no taller than one and a half metres, silent and called Federico, is digging out the pit with our water meter with his bare hands like a little mole. Johan starts shining his phone's torch on the pair...
Blog post 22, 13 Mar 2021
The most beautiful fairy tale in your dreams
We have signed with the notary and received the keys to Casita Klein Zwitserland, our new place by the orchards of Béznar in the Valley of Happiness. The creative process has begun to turn this almost ruined 1932 casa into something beautiful...
By Danielle Gouwens, 25 Feb 2021
Client Spotlight: Johan and Reijer's property adventures in the Lecrin Valley
Danielle Gouwens from real estate agency At home in Andalusia wrote about our adventures in the Lecrín Valley: "Six years ago, Johan & Reijer, an enthusiastic couple from The Netherlands, contacted me, having planned a visit to Spain to look for a house somewhere on the general route between Alicante and Malaga..."
Blog post 21, 14 Feb 2021
Looking for a dream house in Spain
The phone rings. It's Danielle: "I have good news and some less good news. Which do you want to hear first?" "The bad news, Danielle," I say in a mock hesitant tone...
Blog post 20, 3 Jan 2021
Un año nuevo
About a year ago, we arrived in Andalusia for a new chapter in our lives! Guesthouse Lolapaluza would become our new home: at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, among orange and olive groves, near the Moorish city of Granada and the fantastic coastline of the Costa Tropical...
Blog post 19, 29 Nov 2020
Sign language
Inés is about to call! In the summer holiday of 2019, I had already become well acquainted with the local doctor's practice in our pueblo and with the cautiously or rather poorly moving elderly villagers in the waiting room. Almost daily during that period I visited the sweating, severely obese deputy of our reportedly charming village doctor Inés...
Blog post 18, 8 Nov 2020
Back to the coast
Off to the second Spanish MOT of 2020 at the ITV station in Motril. This time for the dirty car. Our 15-year-old Peugeot with nearly 200,000 kilometres on the clock. I'm not going to the ITV anymore. It's too nerve-wracking for me. So Johan's turn this time...
Blog post 17, 8 Oct 2020
When life gives you lemons
With a splitting headache, I walk around noon on Saturday the steep morning round with the dogs to the lake, after neighbour Juan Antonio called us earlier that morning, too early for us, and set us to work. The sky is clear blue, it's twenty degrees and Storm Alex has left a strong breeze in the Lecrín Valley...
Blog post 16, 7 Sep 2020
Un abrazo from the Valley of Happiness
Recently, I've been flying back and forth frequently with Transavia between Andalusia and The Hague to spend precious time with my sister Meris. I really have nothing to complain about, but a true four-hour delay to Rotterdam and at least an hour's wait to reach customer service are less pleasant. I found out by chance how to quickly and freely rebook a flight with our green-coloured airline...
Blog post 15, 26 Jul 2020
What's the weather like in The Hague?
"I'm lying comfortably in the sun on my back. Rosemary blooms around me. I never want to return to Holland. And I think falsely: what's it like there? Still so wet, still so chilly?" (Annie M.G. Schmidt, 1966) I wanted nothing more than to spend precious time with my dear sister. So two days after my last blog post, I flew impulsively on the warm evening of my second working day to the Netherlands...
Blog post 14, 30 Jun 2020
Acceleration
We've now lived in Andalusia for exactly half a year. After much paciencia, everything suddenly accelerates. It's not just the positive developments we longed for. Also, what had been simmering in the background suddenly comes to the forefront...
Blog post 13, 2 Jun 2020
There is life after the deadline
There's absolutely no planning as an anchor at the moment. This makes it a fickle time in the Valley of Happiness for us. Since the province of Granada de-escalated on 18 May – we are currently in phase 2 and Spain will reopen to international tourism in July – a lot is possible again! Time to get back to it with action-in-the-taxi-and-gas-it Johan as the natural driver...
Blog post 12, 12 May 2020
La Paciencia
There! That's done too. Of course, bookings made with us during this unusual time are cancelled free of charge. All deposits for the period up to the end of July have been refunded. A loss of income amounting to thousands of euros, but we have patience and can manage for now. In fact... patience was needed, but there is now hope. The atmosphere is good...
Blog post 11, 23 Apr 2020
The Chocolate Block
Apologies for the delay on this personal post. I have a (chocolate) block. With my favourite writing topics being moments when we face language barriers and cultural differences in our Andalusian village, the recent reduction in social interaction with Spanish villagers has led to a shortage of awkward and funny anecdotes. Less to blog about, then. Luckily, I have another new hobby...
By Koen Greven, 10 Apr 2020
Dutch entrepreneurs fear a lost Spanish summer
NRC Spain correspondent Koen Greven interviewed us last week as owners of a B&B for his report "Dutch entrepreneurs fear a lost Spanish summer" in the PS section Economy, career & money of NRC Handelsblad and NRC.NEXT. Open the article as a PDF or read it digitally.
Blog post 10, 31 Mar 2020
When will this blow over?
The terrible situation in the world occupies us. What does the crisis in Spain mean for us personally? We accept the guidelines resulting from the state of emergency and naturally follow them. We share our story, and sharing heals...
Blog post 9, 19 Mar 2020
Hakuna Matata
It's already been a week and a half since the charming Hamster Sisters from the Netherlands left our Casa Buenos Aires in Saleres. It was a week full of fun! The day after their arrival, early March, we received a photo proving one of the sisters had jumped into the unheated plunge pool in Saleres. Brave, indeed...
Blog post 8, 6 Mar 2020
Entrepreneurial in Andalusia
Are we going too fast or standing still? After more than two months in Andalusia, it feels like things are taking forever and testing our patience. Suddenly, we realise considerable progress has been made and there's also good news...
Blog post 7, 20 Feb 2020
Computer says 'No'
My last blog about building our new life under the Andalusian sun was delayed. Too busy or simply too few news? Temporary writer's block or a case of Computer says No...
Blog post 6, 4 Feb 2020
Our own little Brexit
Spring has chased away the cold and it's truly a joy to enjoy the sun in the valley! The goal for Lolapaluza was to have the dining room and two guest rooms finished by the end of January. Now that's achieved, we leave our 'man cave' and head to the always sunny Costa Tropical for some vitamin D. And in our case, invariably a lunch not far from the blue water: mission number one...
Blog post 5, 24 Jan 2020
Do what you do, and do it mindfully
After a few weeks in Pinos, I feel quite relaxed... and at home. Those who know me know I can be quite stressed, jumpy and irritated when things don't work out. But here, a new kind of daily routine unfolds. And the painting makes me completely Zen. Wonderful!...
Blog post 4, 12 Jan 2020
Cheers to the new house!
There you stand on the ridge of the Sierra de la Contraviesa in la Alpujarra, 1,300 metres high, the literal highlight of the past week. And yes, among the vineyards. Nice – agradable! We've had a busy, exciting, enjoyable and also very funny week. The real highlight, of course, was signing the Escritura, the purchase & transfer of our new casa, Lolapaluza...
Blog post 3, 6 Jan 2020
We've started!
Now that we've been in the Lecrín Valley for over a week, it's clear again why we chose this region. We travel frequently to the Costa Tropical and Granada; beautiful drives through the always lovely landscape with views of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada peaks...
Blog post 2, 30 Dec 2019
Choosing is losing
Yay, we've just arrived at our Casa una Más in Pinos del Valle! The past 10 days have flown by!! We also said goodbye to the Netherlands. A learning therapist and supervisor during my coaching training comes to mind: "choosing is losing"...
Blog post 1, 18 Dec 2019
How did it come to this?
Soon after our first meeting in Noordwijk in July 2010, it became clear: "We're going to emigrate to Spain later!" And, yes! Now it's almost time… Johan and I are not wasting any time...