ELMilligan

Hi,


I'm moving to Lugo in 2 weeks to teach ESL.


School sounds great and that's why I chose it but I find myself a bit worried with what I've been reading.


Some say it's incredibly rural, isolated and I'm not going to find any other foreigners. I'm very much up for the culture but my Spanish is brand new so I'm hoping my charades skills are up to scratch. (Going straight into lessons)


So what can I expect? Also, the weather can't be that bad surely?! (I am from England)


Any tips or advice from people who know the area would be great!


Emma

Rosemary

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst BEVS moderates Europe. Moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. This is so that members gain the information that they are looking for and find their experiences on the forums to be friendly and worthwhile.

Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

cricketman

Lugo is a city located with the province of Lugo, so it will depend where exactly you are

I doubt there will be many foreigners there though - and those that are there will speak Spanish

Just jump right in and only speak Spanish - although remember they also speak Gallego there

It will be hard to make any friends and real relationships if you only speak English

Weather wise, pretty much like the UK, a little warmer and sunnier in the summer, a little wetter in the winter

ELMilligan

Brilliant. Thank you!

I'm working and will be living pretty central. Most likely within the walls. Praza Maior, 13, 27001 Lugo, Spain

I hear locals will be patient any one who is trying to speak the language. Would you agree?

As for the weather, I think that'll be fine!

cricketman

Sure, as long as you are trying then no problem

Northerners are much friendlier than those in the South

Just like in England

ELMilligan

Hahaha. Exactly!

Thanks for that.

Fredbargate

Your knowledge of the UK is as bad as your knowledge of Spain

cricketman

Well I've lived in the North and South of both the UK and Spain so I am qualified to an opinion

Southern Spaniards are smiley but are very insular. Enourmously difficult to enter their social circle

I find people up here to be way more open socially - and neighbours to be much friendlier. Of course this could be because they are not over-run with foreigners

Fredbargate

You are allowed an opinion.

However where ever I have travelled / worked be it UK / Spain or the rest of the world I find that people react to oneself, if you are outgoing and friendly then you get similar reactions regardless of geography.

Mitzyboy

Whilst in Spain I made several visits to Lugo whilst in Galacia. It always seemed quite busy to me with lots to do, albeit a little wet! Galicia doesnt have what you would describe as the best weather in Spain .... in fact one year we were there, there was snow in late April.

It's a lovely area, I'm sure you will enjoy it

cricketman

In terms of being superficially friendly and mildy pleasant then yes I agree

In terms of being able to start and develop meaningful relationships with the people around you then I completely disagree

scot47

Certainly Galicians see themselves as different from Castilians. The language spoken locally has more in common with Portuguese than with Madrilenyo.

rachelk

Too much generalising here sometimes.

I liked the people in th north but only visited for a holiday. I made some good, lasting friends in southern spain whatever others might think about their insularity and/or superficiality

cricketman

One has to generalise a little when making observations about society

Of course each person is an individual and anything is possible

Dondurma

Well it probably is wrong to generalise about people , but still I will never trust the Chinese after Pearl Harbour........scoundrels