Three steps forward…

Reflecting on my stay in Spain this time, I feel like I took three steps forward and maybe a couple back. But all in all, my last sojourn, which ended three weeks ago, was productive. I took steps towards my goal of settling in and feeling a part of the community. It’s not exactly what I’d hoped for by this point; but the pandemic was definitely a step backwards, and being a foreigner, and of a certain age, making new friends isn’t so easy.

What I would like, my dream, is to have Catalan friends and Spanish friends and participate in local activities together. That hasn’t happened for me…yet, at least, in the way that I’d hoped. But in the meantime, I joined the U3A, which I learned, is not just for Brits or even just people from the United Kingdom. I met Norwegians, Icelanders, Belgians, French, German, Dutch. There’s quite an international community on the Costa Brava, with English being the common language. I’d prefer to use Spanish or try my Catalán, but instead I learned British expressions like “it’s better than a slap in the face with a wet kipper!”

I am proud, however, of what I accomplished this time. I joined a twice-a-week yoga class, and I joined the U3A where I met a couple dozen or so folks doing the 6-10 km walks along the coast in beautiful places I never knew existed. I learned to play petanca, and in that regard I had to find my way around Palafrugell, the town of 23,000, which is next door. This was a feat because I am so directionally challenged. I played Scrabble with a French Canadian, a Brit, and a Scottish woman, and I participated in Local Interest Group outings, including one to a boutique ecological olive oil enterprise. I’m lobbying for a trip to the anchovy factory next year! I LOVE anchovies. I bought a car (wrecked the car, fixed the car), and I started work to renew my residency visa.

I guess I was learning more every day and that’s the point. I just wish it were more and faster. I feel like time is running out and I have to hurry, but at the same time, I want to relax and enjoy it. I’m not sure how to DO BOTH at the same time!

I’m now in my French phase, in Rogny-les-Septs-Ecluses. It’s nice to be back in this quaint village where everyone is so welcoming. I also spent a week in Switzerland, which was, as you would expect, gorgeous. We stayed in a small medieval village of 300 people just a short drive from Italy. I thought they would speak Italian there, but no, they spoke German! We couldn’t understand any of the signs, menus, etc. It’s just a couple of weeks until I’m back to the States for a while. I’m taking in every moment. I’m so lucky.

And a crazy thing happened (senility? stupidity?). Susan and I purchased identical Frida Kahlo tee shirts two years ago. Today, we both wore them, not on purpose. Over the course of a couple of hours, we took a walk and had coffee at a café . Only when a neighbor greeted us and asked about our “twin” tee shirts did we realize we were wearing the same shirt! Yep, idiots.

Probably just one more post before I leave…