Tuesday, May 08, 2007

54321 meme

The Expat 54321 meme is herewith stolen from Mausi. It's an expat meme but it can actually be played by anyone who has moved to a different home.

I came to Spain as an expat almost thirteen years ago (originally for 3 to 5 years...) from Hamburg, Germany...

5) Name five things you love in your new country:

* the weather, oh yes, sunny Spain is sunny! some cities claim an average of 320 sunny days per year!
* I didn't have to learn a new language right away when we moved over here since Spanish is my mother tongue
* excellent food
* did I mention the weather?
* it's a fun place with many festivals and traditions

4) Name four things that you miss from your native country

* family and friends
* the Andes. There is a strong sense of protection when you are surrounded by mountains.
* the food (particular flavors) I grew up with
* the Chilean accent :)

3) Name three things that annoy you a bit (or much) in your new country:

* people speak very loudly and they all speak at the same time. It is sometimes very difficult to follow a conversation in a restaurant/coffee shop
* they have a natural ability to litter...
* there is not such a word as "punctuality" in their dictionaries.
* bonus: the late dining hours...still can't get used to going out to dinner at 10 pm. I was told the cook arrives at 8:30 pm so 9pm is the earliest you can have a warm meal... and then you are all by yourself because people don't arrive before 9:30pm...that's why I love luncheons instead!.

2) Name two things that surprise you (or surprised you in the beginning) in your new country:

* I could speak Castilian Spanish. But people in Catalonia have their own language and at the end I went back to school to learn Catalan.
* Names. For example female names like Salud (Health) or Camino (Road)...

1) Name one thing that you would miss terribly in your new country, if you had to leave it.
* this view of the Mediterranean Sea from my home:




14 comments:

  1. Wow. Just reading this post has a thousand questions going through my mind like why, how and when, to name a few. Perhaps reading previous posts will answer these questions. I want to go to Spain! (said in a whiny voice!)

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  2. The scene from your house is beautiful!!! Doesn't it make you feel like you live a charmed life?

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  3. Great meme, interesting answers and a lovely way to know you even better.

    I do understand you would miss that view in the last pic - breath taking!

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  4. LOL! Nope... this is a meme that I can NOT do. Before settling where I'm at my average time spent in any home was about a year. Sometimes a little more - sometimes even less! I wouldn't know which place to choose as my "old" place! LOL! This was a perfect meme for YOU though! And if I had that view, you would have to drag me kicking and screaming to get me away from it! :)

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  5. Oh yé you made me laugh with "speaking all at the same time !" I think I will never get used to that ! Can you imagine since my first love in 1964 till today with my eternal love I am still trying to teach them to listen at least to what I (bold) said or say. When I am in the Italian family and was younger I sometimes put an earplug in my ears, just to survive !

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  6. oooh. I'd miss that view too!

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  7. Mar, mr. kenju read your comment this morning, about how to et the accent over the letter (thanks!) and he wanted me to ask you if you speak Spanish with a Chilean accent and if you have trouble with the accents in Spain. I've got my answer!

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  8. I can see why you would miss that view. it is gorgeous! Something about looking at the ocean is so relaxing.

    Great meme adn quite an insight into Spanish life.

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  9. This is a such a wonderful MEME MAr...I loved your anseers...And I feel I learned a lot about not only YOU, but about Spain, as well....I had no idea that being 'on time' is not part of the culture....I think I would love to visit Spain, though....especially the part you live in...to see the Med every day....BEAUTIFUL!

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  10. Oh I fotgot to say the link you put in your comment to me didn't work....(Boo Hoo)

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  11. Wow that view is absolutely gorgeous... Spain is definitely a beautiful country

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  12. Hola!
    Que lindo tu meme,papí tambien es expatriado y mami cumplira 3 años acá y extraña mucho las comidas de su pais,pero trata de no perder las costumbres y creo que hoy comieron "Porotos con rienda" Haha ese nombre es extraño pero "suena" bien.
    Linda vista desde tu ventana.
    Saludos
    PD:Mamá te agrego a mis links ;)
    ●๋: ●๋:
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    ´●๋: ●๋: Luna ●๋: ●๋:
    ´´´´´ ●๋: ●๋:
    ´●๋: ´●๋: ´●๋: ´●๋:

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  13. Ok, now I have to book my trip to Spain!

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  14. Great answers, Mar! It must have been a big plus to be able to speak the language, but I'm sure the culture took some getting used to.

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