Week of 22/06/2008 - 02:00 to 29/06/2008 - 01:59

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What I have been up to

Submitted by John_hickin on Sun, 29/06/2008 - 00:49.

I just coudn't resist
having a go at this, having married into the Spanish culture at the age of 24.
Now at the ripe old age of 41 I often wonder whether that makes me an Anglo
Spanish hybrid.

Taking the Lonelier out of Catalonia

Submitted by Simon Harris on Sat, 28/06/2008 - 22:58.

Barcelona

Your Name:

Simon Harris

Where are you from?:

Nottingham

Where do you live now?:

Sant Andreu, Barcelona

Who did you come here with?:

Alone

What's your best bit of advice for people thinking of doing the same as you?:

<p> Fall in love with one of the locals. </p>

What plans do you have for your future in Spain?:

To have grandchildren.

In your experience, what is the biggest mistake other people make when moving to Spain?:

They assume that everything should be as it was 'back home'. Thank God, it isn't!

Why did you decide to come here?:

Chance, really. I was sick of life in London. My brother was teaching English here, so I had a place to stay.

What did you leave behind?:

The Miners' Strike and some good friends.

What work do you do?:

I teach English at the Servei de Llengües of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

What made you choose this location? Did you know much about it before you moved here?:

I stumbled here very blindly, and what I discovered was an eye opener.

Tell us about the place you live? What's it like (a house, apartment, flat, etc)? What are your neighbours like?:

A small flat in an inner city suburb. Nice enough, but I would like a back garden, a vegetable plot and a shed.

What's the best thing about where you live?:

Zany people with a zest for life.

What have you learned about your area that you think other people should know?:

Be open and receptive. This won't be possible unless you have good Spanish and Catalan.

Is there anything you're not so happy about?:

Real Madrid won the Liga (again) this year.

How important do you think it is to be able to speak Spanish?:

Crucial. And Catalan, too.

Do you miss anything from your home country?:

Mushy peas.

Do you have any regrets?:

None, whatsoever.

A por ellos!

Submitted by Simon Harris on Fri, 27/06/2008 - 09:33.

Spain - Eurocopa 2008

The real satisfaction from last night was not that we won, but that we won playing the beautiful one-touch football that we're capable of. Every unaligned football fan in the world will be supporting Spain on Sunday because if you love football, this is what you want to see. I wake up this morning, proud and happy to have made Spain my home - Spanish football is just one of the myriad of great things the country has to offer.

Campeones! Campeones! Oe Oe Oe!

Semis against Russia

Submitted by Simon Harris on Thu, 26/06/2008 - 19:58.

Spain - Eurocopa 2008

There's a curious sense of calm this evening, and that's not because we Catalans don't want Spain to win - half the team's Catalan, anyway. No. It's very different from the game against Italy, which was a question of national pride. I think we're pleased to have got this far and quietly confident about the result. Anyway, I'm going down to the bar now, but I think I'll come back and watch the second half at home - my daughter's getting into football for the first time in her life and it has to be seen to be believed!

Well done, Spain!

Submitted by Simon Harris on Mon, 23/06/2008 - 08:59.

Spain - Eurocopa 2008

The first time we've beaten them in 88 years. We got over the 'maldición' of the penalties and we won. San Iker was there for us.

Spain beat Italy, and we're in the semis for the first time since 1984. We deserved it. We really did. It was great to heat the bangers go off. It was great to kiss my wife and daughter last night. It's going to be great to congratulate all my friends to day.

Well done!!!!

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