Noisy is nice? Bars v. residents
Bar owners want music to keep the customers coming but too much, too loud can soon lead to complaints. There are arguments on both sides and it's not an easy one to resolve.
In this article we look at the clamp down on noise pollution in Seville and Elche and reflect on the dilemma for bar owners and residents. Which side are you on?
abacoadvisers.com
This interesting and well-written article puts the debate in perspective:
elpais.com
Booking a medical appointment in Valencia
How do you make your appointment at your local salud (health centre)? Do you pop in or make a phone call?
Provided you are on the internet the best method seems to be booking your appointment on line. You will need your SIP card number and date of birth. From this information your doctor's available appointments come up automatically for you to select. No need to argue your case to circumvent a stroppy receptionist:
www.san.gva.es/citaprevia
What would you like to be when you grow up?
This usually leads to an interesting answer when posed to an under 12 year old. Spanish News Today, reports the results of a survey of Spanish children.
I do warm to the child who indicated they would like to be the 'Good Witch' when they grow up. And another who suggested that the government should just consist of mothers because they always know what to do:
spanishnewstoday.com
Drinking red wine and eating chocolate - the antidote for HBP?
Another health-related article, I'm not sure that the kind of advice given here is common to all doctors in Spain, much though we might like it to be!
expatica.com
Are you a mum or grandparents of a child in Spain?
Or even a dad? 'Sure Signs that you're adapting to life as a mum in Spain' is an insightful peak into the life of the expat parent.
It's a list that certainly holds some resonance for me, particularly the explicit lyrics and up after 12.00. Long live the difference!
eyeonspain.com
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Making a denuncia in Spain
Have you ever had to make a denuncia? A denuncia is a police report that you should make if a crime has been committed against you in Spain. It can be for anything from neighbourhood noise to assault.
It's a system that can work well, provided you know what to do. In this article David Ruiz, translator, explains what they are, what you might use them for and what happens after you've made one:
abacoadvisers.com
Fitting back in
You expect to have some teething problems when you move out to a new country, but what about when you move back to your own country?
The reality is that repatriation can be as difficult and disconcerting as emigrating in the first place. During the time you have been away, you have changed and your home country has changed too. However, being aware that everything might not immediately fit into place is the key to making a successful transition.
This article highlights the issues and how you might prepare:
expatica.com
But we hope you're not going to be leaving us any time soon!
A-Z of Spanish politics
It's not as boring as it sounds. This is quite a handy list to have as a ready reference. It contains lots of names you might have heard before but don't actually know who they are. It contains one or two interesting facts as well. For example, did you know that King Felipe, the new King of Spain, is 1.98 metres tall (6'6")?
thelocal.es
What is a parador?
'Parador' sounds a little like 'paradise' for a good reason. The 'parador' is a nationally run hotel in Spain traditionally built in a beautiful or historic setting and offering high class accommodation and food.
To make it even more tempting, there is a discount opportunity for those over 55. The website can be changed into English and you can book your hotel directly from here:
parador.es
10 Tourist traps to avoid
What parts of Spain would you recommend/prefer not to go anywhere near?
Perhaps before you visit this link you should compile your own list of 'places to avoid'. There are perhaps some surprises here in The Local's choice - they don't hold back and offer us some strongly worded comments:
thelocal.es
Dos and don'ts for hospitals
Bemused by what to do and say in a Spanish hospital? David Ruiz gives us some honest tips about what doesn't go down too well:
torreviejatranslation.com
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