I’ve been back in France for a few days,trying to adjust to saying merci instead of gracias (being ‘sort of ‘multi-lingual can be a bugger sometimes!) and getting used to the fact that I can have dinner before 9:00 pm. But before I put Spain to bed in the blogging sense, I would like to share a few final thoughts What I Iiked best about Spain I know that most of you will think I’m going to mention something about food, and yes, I did enjoy eating in Spain. But what I have enjoyed most about Spain is the people and the real sense of community I felt when I was out and about. No matter where we were, whether it was a village, a town or city, there were places for people to get together – a little square with a few seats, a beautifully laid out park, a tree-lined footpath or a large plaza. I loved watching the couples, young and old walking along arm in arm, the kids playing football or riding their scooters, the old men sitting together enjoying the sun and having a snooze. I will miss our walks in the crisp, clear Spanish evenings, stopping to have a drink and tapas and watch the world go by.

Men in Mijas

 

Mobile DJ in Seville

What I learnt in Spain Patience! It is no good tapping your fingers, or sighing loudly if the man in the ham shop talks at great length to the customer he is serving, even after the ham has been delicately cut and wrapped in a cute little parcel, and money has changed hands. Even if there are 5 other people waiting to be served. He will keep chatting until he is ready to move on. End of story. Similarly, don’t toot if the person driving the car in front of you stops to talk to someone on the pavement. No-one else in the line-up will toot, the driver will finish his conversation and move on, and so will everyone else, all in good time.

What I didn’t like about Spain There’s nowhere to buy a coffee at 8:00am, cafes…….closed!