Hola
Oct 20th 2011, 10:10 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Madrid
Posts: 3
Hola
Hello, I'm just introducing myself. My name's Gemma and I currently live in Madrid, with my husband and daughter who is 4. We have been here since April and my daughter is going to a school that does 50/50 English and Spanish (although she is struggling with the Spanish a bit) and we are also doing our best at learning the lingo! I don't work, we moved here with my Dh's job and are here for a minimum of 2 years.
I am quite a bit homesick at the moment with the usual missing family and friends and am expecting a baby in May
bit of a shock but pleased none the less.
Looking forward to chatting with you all.
Gem
I am quite a bit homesick at the moment with the usual missing family and friends and am expecting a baby in May
bit of a shock but pleased none the less. Looking forward to chatting with you all.
Gem
Oct 20th 2011, 10:20 am
#2
Retired and loving it!
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
Posts: 5,160
Re: Hola
Hello, I'm just introducing myself. My name's Gemma and I currently live in Madrid, with my husband and daughter who is 4. We have been here since April and my daughter is going to a school that does 50/50 English and Spanish (although she is struggling with the Spanish a bit) and we are also doing our best at learning the lingo! I don't work, we moved here with my Dh's job and are here for a minimum of 2 years.
I am quite a bit homesick at the moment with the usual missing family and friends and am expecting a baby in May bit of a shock but pleased none the less.
Looking forward to chatting with you all.
Gem
I am quite a bit homesick at the moment with the usual missing family and friends and am expecting a baby in May
bit of a shock but pleased none the less. Looking forward to chatting with you all.
Gem
It can seem a bit daunting but it does get better - believe me.
Your daughter will take a while to feel comfortable with the language. Here in the Valencia region, you have to learn both Spanish and Valencian. It took my children over a year before they felt 'reasonably' happy with the language. You'd be surprised how much they will pick up in the playground - ours did anyway.
Best of luck.
Oct 20th 2011, 10:30 am
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Valencia
Posts: 1,249
Re: Hola
Hi there.You will settle over time and when you are able to find your way around a bit more.
Weve been here over two years now and are still settling in.
Weve been here over two years now and are still settling in.
Oct 20th 2011, 11:31 am
#4
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: On Top of the World
Posts: 17,507
Re: Hola
Hi Gemma, hope you settle in ok.
Just remember to take the rough with the smooth and you'll be alright.
We're all good soles at heart really,...aren't we.
Just remember to take the rough with the smooth and you'll be alright.
We're all good soles at heart really,...aren't we.
Oct 20th 2011, 12:22 pm
#5
MODERATOR
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Costa Valencia
Posts: 14,800
Re: Hola
Hello, I'm just introducing myself. My name's Gemma and I currently live in Madrid, with my husband and daughter who is 4. We have been here since April and my daughter is going to a school that does 50/50 English and Spanish (although she is struggling with the Spanish a bit) and we are also doing our best at learning the lingo! I don't work, we moved here with my Dh's job and are here for a minimum of 2 years.
I am quite a bit homesick at the moment with the usual missing family and friends and am expecting a baby in May bit of a shock but pleased none the less.
Looking forward to chatting with you all.
Gem
I am quite a bit homesick at the moment with the usual missing family and friends and am expecting a baby in May
bit of a shock but pleased none the less. Looking forward to chatting with you all.
Gem
BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.
Please let us know if you need any further help.
Rosemary and Graham
Oct 20th 2011, 3:17 pm
#7
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: On Top of the World
Posts: 17,507
Oct 20th 2011, 3:54 pm
#8
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Madrid
Posts: 3
Re: Hola
Thanks for all your welcomes 
It's really good to see that there are people on here in a similar boat and willing to give advice. I'm currently experiencing a bit of culture shock although I am not sure which stage I am going through now 
Other than that life here is good and people are great in general (apart from their driving!) It gets a bit hairy behind the wheel here Gem
It's really good to see that there are people on here in a similar boat and willing to give advice. I'm currently experiencing a bit of culture shock although I am not sure which stage I am going through now Other than that life here is good and people are great in general (apart from their driving!) It gets a bit hairy behind the wheel here Gem
Oct 21st 2011, 12:40 pm
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2011
Location: Madrid
Posts: 74
Re: Hola
Thanks for all your welcomes It's really good to see that there are people on here in a similar boat and willing to give advice. I'm currently experiencing a bit of culture shock although I am not sure which stage I am going through now Other than that life here is good and people are great in general (apart from their driving!) It gets a bit hairy behind the wheel here Gem
It's really good to see that there are people on here in a similar boat and willing to give advice. I'm currently experiencing a bit of culture shock although I am not sure which stage I am going through now Other than that life here is good and people are great in general (apart from their driving!) It gets a bit hairy behind the wheel here GemAs a Spaniard who has lived in Madrid all his life, it will be a honour to me to help you with any cultural issues you may face and answer any questions about our culture and about how to live in Madrid and not perish in the attempt. And indeed I'll be glad to help you and your husband to polish your Spanish and to improve your fluency.
I make extent this offer to all BE's living in Madrid, of course.
Oct 21st 2011, 12:45 pm
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: Hola
Thanks for all your welcomes It's really good to see that there are people on here in a similar boat and willing to give advice. I'm currently experiencing a bit of culture shock although I am not sure which stage I am going through now Other than that life here is good and people are great in general (apart from their driving!) It gets a bit hairy behind the wheel here Gem
It's really good to see that there are people on here in a similar boat and willing to give advice. I'm currently experiencing a bit of culture shock although I am not sure which stage I am going through now Other than that life here is good and people are great in general (apart from their driving!) It gets a bit hairy behind the wheel here GemBarcelona by contrast was very easy for driving, the Catalans must be more chilled
Oct 21st 2011, 12:54 pm
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Albuñol. Granada
Posts: 1,532
Re: Hola
Welcome Gemma, am sure you will settle in and enjoy your time here,congratulations for the new baby due in May.
pwwm
pwwm
Oct 21st 2011, 7:05 pm
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2011
Location: Madrid
Posts: 74
Re: Hola
Welcome to Spain and welcome to Madrid.
As a Spaniard who has lived in Madrid all his life, it will be a honour to me to help you with any cultural issues you may face and answer any questions about our culture and about how to live in Madrid and not perish in the attempt. And indeed I'll be glad to help you and your husband to polish your Spanish and to improve your fluency.
I make extent this offer to all BE's living in Madrid, of course.
As a Spaniard who has lived in Madrid all his life, it will be a honour to me to help you with any cultural issues you may face and answer any questions about our culture and about how to live in Madrid and not perish in the attempt. And indeed I'll be glad to help you and your husband to polish your Spanish and to improve your fluency.
I make extent this offer to all BE's living in Madrid, of course.
In Madrid is easier to do face to face but using Skype I have achieved great results with expats living in the coast.
Oct 21st 2011, 8:03 pm
#13
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Madrid
Posts: 3
Re: Hola
Thanks Juan we need all the help we can get. We are at the six month stage and it is quite tricky, and moving on to the dreaded past tenses!!
We noticed that the driving in Valencia was definitely more chilled. I think it's big city driving!
Gem x
We noticed that the driving in Valencia was definitely more chilled. I think it's big city driving!
Gem x
Oct 21st 2011, 8:17 pm
#14
Yaaarp
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Trying to get the hell outta Spain!
Posts: 1,354
Re: Hola
Hello and welcome to the forum, I've just moved from Madrid but was there for 3 years and loved it. I'm sure you'll like it as well, lots to see and do all the time.
Just thought, may have to change my username now lol.
Just thought, may have to change my username now lol.
Oct 21st 2011, 8:20 pm
#15
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
Re: Hola
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