Making Contacts and Getting Work
I had a fruitful day today. It started when I received a phone call this morning from Casa Andaluza, the estate agents from whom I bought my house. I'd left leaflets advertising my services as translator and Raquel, one of the agents, called to ask me if I'd help one of their British customers. He wanted to get a quote for re-wiring the house he's buying and needed someone to translate as he doesn't speak a word of Spanish. I phoned the electrician for him and made an appointment to meet him at half past three. Then I went to 'El Parque' for cup of coffee and a chat. Isidro, one of the two chaps who run the place, had promised me back in January that if I moved to Alcala he'd like me to teach English to his son. Well, true to his word, today he asked me if I'd teach him up to three hours per week.
I had lunch at home and did some more unpacking. Yes, I'm still unpacking! Today I worked on the kitchen and utility room. I've been putting it off because, honestly, I've hardly used the kitchen up until now except for keeping my beer and Serrano ham cold in the fridge. If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I eat out a lot. Also, I really dislike my kitchen and wish I could gut it right now. The cooker is dreadful and the whole layout of the room sucks but I'm being prudent and waiting until I've got a more steady income before spending loads on the kitchen. Regardless, because I was in such a good mood after securing some more work I decided to tackle that part of the house.
I got a big surprise when I walked into the utility room to fetch a broom. I heard a scratching noise and my first thought was, 'Oh no, rats!' But it wasn't a rat at all, rather a bird that had somehow found its way into the house and ended up in my mop bucket. I'm completely stumped how it got there as there's no obvious means of entry and God knows how long it was there but it didn't look too well. Anyway, I covered the bucket with a piece of cardboard so the bird wouldn't be spooked and try to fly while in the house and carried it outside. I gently tipped the bird out onto the kerb. It was alive but very still and showed no signs of wanting to fly away. I left it and returned to my work. Later, when I checked outside, the bird was gone. Whether it made a miraculous recovery or became lunch for a cat I don't know. Well, wasn't that a charming tale?
I managed to get quite a bit of work done in the kitchen before heading to my translating job. We had to go by car to Alcaudete, the next big town going north in the direction of Jaen. The electrician was there waiting for us. I spent an hour and a half translating between him and my client as they discussed the re-wiring job to be done. I found it great fun and very easy money. It's especially gratifying doing translation for expats as they're generally very grateful for my service. And I charge twice as much as I make teaching English!
I popped into the estate agents afterwards to say thanks for sending work my way. Raquel asked me if I'd consider registering with the local notary's office to be approved as a translator. In Spain, the notary is an office of the government which is responsible for checking and approving all documents related to the sale and purchase of houses and land. Apparently, there is a high demand for translators because of the increasing numbers of foreigners who come to buy properties. Raquel said that once I'm registered, they would send all their clients needing translation to me. I'll also be able to tout for business with all the other agents as well as local solicitors. And apparently the money is very good!
When I was having coffee this morning, I ran into an English couple I'd met a couple Saturdays ago during an evening out. We were chatting about work and I mentioned the translation I'm involved in. They told me about a restaurant that's in dire need of re-writing their English menu and gave the following example: they offer 'strawberries and scum'. We're all hoping that the 'scum' is supposed to be 'scone' but, regardless, I can't imagine there are many requests for that delicacy at the moment! This evening I popped in and had a sneaky peak at the menu to confirm what they said. At a quick glance I spotted 'coils of tuna' and 'all in a muddle' which, believe it or not, is a mis-translation of scrambled eggs! I shall go in for a meal soon and offer my services to improve their menu. Bless them, at least they were kind enough to have a go at an English menu.
Well, that's all for now. Take care!- Posted by bobinspain on 26/04/2007.
- login or register to post comments
A wonderful day!
It's late and I should go to bed but I've had such an excellent finish to my day that I can't sleep without writing first. After waking up way too late, I spent most of the day working, planning this afternoon's lessons at the Academia 'English Centre'. Although I had a good start last week, I was a bit preoccupied about improving on my first set of lessons and, in particular, having a good lesson with the horrors of Class 3a. Well, the preparation paid off as all my classes went well and I think I made some headway in developing a rapport with 3a. On the way out of the academy Pressin, the owner, handed me my first pay packet! The amount is laughable by British standards so I won't bore you but I was grinning ear-to-ear as I walked out holding the envelope in my fist! I've only been here two weeks and already I've earned some money translating and teaching. A good start!
I treated myself to tea in Bar 'Los Alpes' (I'm trying to eat more meals at home but I felt flush with my pay packet in hand.) I had a massive plate of chicken wings, a gorgeous salad and a beer. Manchester United were playing their first semi-final match in the Champion's League on the telly and fell behind 2-1 to Milan as I walked out the door. I hurried home at half time to drop off my laptop and rucksack then headed to 'El Parque', where I knew I could cheer on United in sympathetic company. It wasn't long before Wayne Rooney scored the equalizer and from then on it was all United's game. I won't bore those of you who don't give a toss about football or Manchester United. Just to say that Rooney went on to score an amazing goal to win the match and put them in the driver's seat for the final leg in Milan.
I was going to leave the bar as soon as the match was over but ended up in a great conversation with a chap called Miguel, a regular at the bar who, until tonight, had always appeared to eye me with suspicion. Or perhaps he just didn't know how to broach a conversation with me. Anyway, football ended up being our first topic of discussion. Then he asked me what I do for a living and, when I told him about my ambitions as an English teacher and translator, he gave me all sorts of advice about setting up a business. I reckon he knows how to make money. He's a property developer and looks like he's worth a few bob.
I finished my beer and was about to make for the exit again when in strolled two cellists carrying their instruments. They asked Antonio, the barman, if they could play for their friends who had been waiting for them. Well, I had to stay. A concert for the price of a beer! I'm so glad I did! The man, who it turns out is a professor at the town's music conservatory that I didn't even know existed, began playing the most wild and amazing jazz on his cello! I wish I had a recording. It had elements of classical music and flamenco mixed in and was out of this world! Then, his woman friend got her instrument out and they began an improvised duet. What a surprise for them so turn up at the bar!
Thus, I began a conversation with Antonio about my own musical experience and my desire to find a group in town with whom I can sing. I'm so glad I did! There's a chorus in town that meets regularly and performs occasionally, and Antonio knows several of its members as well as the director. He promised to introduce me the next time I'm in the bar when anyone from the chorus comes in. I said before I left Rowhedge that one of my priorities is to link up with other musicians. Luck appears to be on my side at the moment!
Well, I'm glad I wrote this all down. Now, at least I can sleep! Goodnight. Thanks to all of you who write to say you're reading my blog and especially for all your positive comments. I love to write it anyway but it's nice to know when someone out there finds it interesting.
- Posted by bobinspain on 24/04/2007.
- login or register to post comments
Can I call myself a professional translator yet?
I've attached my first bit of translation work- the breakfast menu at the bar Rio de Oro. It's not much but many famous people have risen from very humble beginnings! The owner of the bar insisted on paying me double what I asked as well as giving me free drinks all last night. I'm just happy to have begun working and earning at least a bit of money!
Before I go any further, I want to tell you I've uploaded some new photos under the title 'Street Procession'. I won't say much more about them as I've included a good description with the photos but I just want to urge you to look at them. I was sitting on the sofa writing a spreadsheet to keep track of my expenses when I heard an incredible racket! The sounds of a crowd and of awkward drumming kept getting louder and louder! When I got up to have a look at what could be causing the noise, I discovered a long procession of children and their families walking down Calle Veracruz, which descends from the castle.
I went down to the bar to watch football for the second evening in a row. Last night David Beckham had an amazing free kick headed in to help Real Madrid win 2-1 against Valencia. It was great to see him play as he is 'persona non grata' since deciding to leave for Los Angeles in the summer. Tonight Villa Real beat La Barca, which means that Real Madrid and Barcelona swap places in the tables and Madrid now lead the league with just a few matches to play! Okay, enough about boring football!
The weather here was mild today but not particularly sunny. The locals keep shaking their heads every time the weather forecast appears on the telly. They swear this is the worst springtime in living history! Boy, I'm so lucky to be able to witness it! Ha! I got quite a lot done around the house today but I've still got boxes to unpack! I keep looking at renovation jobs to be done and I'm itching to get started but I'm hesitant to spend much money until I have a steady income. There is still a stack of boxes on the kitchen floor. Every time I walk in there I want to rip the cupboards of the wall and start to gut the room. I haven't really used the kitchen properly since moving in, particularly as I've been taking most my meals at the bars. I'm trying to avoid being hasty to change things without living here a while.
I enjoyed hearing from friend Tony by Skype today. If you're a friend and are reading this, register on Skype.com so we can talk for free via the internet.
As I'm writing this I'm listening to Enya singing on Radio 4. I watch plenty Spanish television and enjoy it but am comforted by a 'taste of home' now and again. This afternoon I listened to The Now Show while doing jobs around the house. I've got Richard to thank for turning me on to Radio 4 just in the knick of time in the weeks before I left Rowhedge. Now, I'm hooked!
Well, I won't have you suffer any more of this prattle! Goodnight! If you're out there and following my blog, please take the time to send me an email. It's always nice to hear from friends.
Taking charge
The first thing I want to say is that Spanish weather forecasts are crap just like in England. Yesterday, I watched with dismay as the weatherman predicted today would be extremely overcast and very cold. So today, when I set off to deliver my leaflets advertising my various businesses, I was dressed in a long sleeved shirt, thick jumper and coat. Well, I needn't have bothered. By the time I was half way through my rounds, I was carrying my jacket and before much longer I had my jumper tied around my waist. I delivered 400 leaflets today, going door-to-door advertising my services as language teacher and translator. I'm going to have another 400 printed tomorrow. This town is much bigger than I first imagined!
I bought a printer for my computer today. It actually prints, scans and photocopies and it only cost me about £65 pounds. I was very impressed by the price. I should reserve judgment until I've tried it out!
I popped into the bar 'Rio de Oro' to have a drink and Luis, the owner, took me aside. I knew he wanted me to translate his new breakfast menu for him but I had no idea he wanted ME to decide what to serve. He kept asking me what English customers would like to eat. I did my best but struggled a bit, knowing the sorts of things Brits would love to eat but that he'd never find in the shops (e.g. baked beans and Marmite). Anyway, I took the very small piece of paper away and told him I would translate it as a favour (as it will only take me a minute or two) but Luis insisted he must pay me something. I reckon I'll just ask him for a large beer and call it quits.
It's late and I'm knackered so, for a change, I shall keep this blog entry short. If you're reading this, I wish you well and look forward to hearing from you. Cheers!
- Posted by bobinspain on 21/04/2007.
- 1 comment
I'm on line at home!
This is my one week anniversary since picking up the keys to 'Casa Wolz' and moving in though, if you recall, I didn't actually spend the night until Thursday last week so tomorrow will be another milestone. However, I did give pause to think about all I've accomplished here in Spain in a week. First, just getting here was something to write home about. What a journey! I'll always appreciate the opportunity that I had to travel the length of Spain and see all the beautiful countryside. I wonder, however, if the return journey is one my mate Christian, who did ALL the driving, will want to forget- for a while at least. I was relieved when he texted to say he'd arrived back in Rowhedge safe and sound in the wee hours of today.
What else have I to speak of? Well, I've made a good start at unpacking and settling into my new house, which is slowly beginning to feel like a home. It does help that I brought all my familiar things with me. And I was right- my furniture really does suit this place. I've already spent quite a bit of time in my livingroom as my morning ritual is to eat my bowl of cereals and have a cuppa (tea, of course!) in front of the telly. My Spanish is very good but concentrating carefully while listening to the morning news is good practice, as the morning presenters speak at a rate of knots and if I can understand them, I can understand any spoken Spanish!
I've started to make some acquaintances- some of whom I hope will become friends. When Christian texted me last night he made a point of asking whether I'd actually cooked a meal at home yet. Well, I haven't but all with good reason: it's been good to spend time in the local bars, showing my face and chatting with people. Apart from anything else, I get to practise my Spanish and make some business contacts. I've met more Brits than I'd expected (or wanted) to but that too has been a plus. Last Saturday evening spent with the British Brigade really boosted my spirits. It was so difficult leaving all my friends back in Rowhedge, so just knowing there are people with whom I can socialise is a real plus. Also, I did benefit from lots of advice and words of wisdom based on experience, which I'm sure will come in handy.
And, of course, I've started work already! Yesterday, I had my first evening of English classes and on Friday I've got my first job translating. I'm not going to ask for very much at all as it's only translating the new breakfast menu at the bar 'Rio de Oro'. Luis, the owner of the bar, is a good bloke and I reckon doing him a favour is a good idea as he has lots of contacts in the town. We'll see.
I stayed at home all day today until eight in the evening. My back has been killing me in recent days. I must have injured myself lifting. I'm not too worried, as I've been like this before and always survived, but I definitely felt like spending a day on the sofa. Fortunately, I had a very good excuse as the engineer from the telephone company came to connect my telephone and broadband! Thus, I'm updating my blog at home rather than at the internet cafe. I spent a good part of the day surfing the net and messaging Richard who I now realise, after living with him for five weeks, is as addicted to the net as I am! Ha!
I've promised myself that tomorrow, as long as I'm well enough to stand up straight, I shall pound the 'pavemientos' of Alcala handing out my leaflets door-to-door. At least once that's done I can just wait for the phone calls to come flooding in! I hope that's not wishful thinking.
I made the mistake of checking the forecast for the rest of the week. What a mistake! My heart sunk when I found out it's going to be grey (like today) and with highs of only about 16 or 17 degrees. Of course, like an idiot, I just HAD to compare it with the forecast in Colchester so was doubly disappointed that I've left better weather back in bloody England! Ah, the injustice! All my thoughts during quiet moments have been focused on getting wood burning stoves installed in the house before next winter! Imagine that!
I made a point of saying to friends back in England how impressed I was to find out rubbish is collected daily. Well, in fact, it's nightly. About 11 o'clock at night, more or less, which is a good reason to take advantage of the afternoon siesta so I can stay up late like the Spanish do and avoid being woken up by the racket. The little lorries, which are all that can fit down the VERY narrow streets of Alcala Old Town, trundle noisily up and down with the men chatting merrily away. At least they don't have a confounded recording like in Colchester- 'Attention, this vehicle is reversing'. That would do my nut! Ha!
I had the most delicious battered cod in my life tonight at the bar 'Los Alpes'. I've come to realise that I must be the only non-Spanish person who goes in there, and it is some comfort that I'm beginning to feel accepted when I go in. Mind you, I flatter liberally the woman who is the cook so she's started to take extra care when preparing my meals. The chap behind the bar is nice but a bit dim. The first few times I went in there he looked at me dumbstruck whenever I spoke. Even though I'm quite fluent in Spanish, his brain did not allow him to imagine that I could be speaking intelligibly! Well, it makes it all interesting! He's actually starting to have brief conversations with me so I guess the penny has dropped, or has at least dislodged from the slot!
It's nearly midnight so just about time to tuck up in bed. I've plugged in the oil radiator in my bedroom so it will be toasty and warm (or at least frost free) when I go in there in a moment. I hope that wherever you are, you're snug as a bug in a rug. Goodnight!
- Posted by bobinspain on 18/04/2007.
- 1 comment
Riding a high!
Last night, after updating my blog at the internet cafe and printing out some leaflets to advertise my new ´businesses´, I stopped in the bar at Rio de Oro for a beer. Luis, the owner, took a look at my leaflet offering a translation service to local businesses and asked if he could be my first customer. He wants me to translate his new breakfast menu. It´ll only bring in a few quid but it´s a start! A chap named Kiko was also in the bar and he bought me a round. Little things like that help me to feel accepted.
- Posted by bobinspain on 17/04/2007.
- login or register to post comments
Getting Stuck In
First of all, for those of you who look at my latest photos showing my journey from Rowhedge to Alcala la Real, it´s not my fault the photos are in reverse order! Ha! Richard, get your mates at etribes to sort things out. Every time I upload photos, the program screws up the order! Never mind, start at the bottom of the album and work your way up. Cheers for looking at my website!
I´ve been experiencing a roller coaster of emotions since arriving in Alcala six days ago. It´s okay though. Fortunately, having lived and worked around the world, I´ve been in this situation before so know to just accept the feelings as natural and keep plugging away. But I will be honest with you, one moment I´ll be ecstatic and then a short while later down in the dumps thinking ´What have I done?´ Don´t worry. The positive feelings are definitely winning!
Last time I wrote it was Saturday afternoon and I was looking forward to an evening out with three English lasses. Well, I had a blast! In fact, other Brits ended up finding us in a bar and joined us for the evening. I know that some of you are thinking ´Bob, I thought you said you didn´t want to surround yourself with Brits?´ Well, it´s true but when I got the invitation to go out for the evening I was in the mood to be sociable. Anyway, we went to a bar until it closed at 1 am. Then we went to a nightclub. I stayed as long as I could, only til three in the morning, but was forgiven for my lack of stamina as I´d only arrived a few days previous and had not yet got used to the way of life!
One good part of the evening was talking with other expats about the various ways they´re making a living. It gave me more confidence to be an entrepreneur. When I finally woke about midday on Sunday, I had a quick bite to eat outside at ´El Parque´ then spent the rest of the day designing various leaflets that I´m going to have printed tomorrow and start distributing around town. I´m going to try my hand at four different things: teaching English privately, translating documents for Spanish businesses, teaching Spanish to British expats and doing translation for them. I shall begin pounding the pavements Wednesday morning, stuffing letterboxes with my adverts then crossing my fingers. Wish me luck!
The house continues to take shape. Today I hung several mirrors and almost all of my art. I think I must call my study the ´East Anglia Room´ as I´ve got all my paintings, prints and photos of Rowhedge and the rest of the east of England in there. Sorry if you´ve been awaiting photos of the interior of my house. There are still too many boxes and bits of debris lying about. I promise to put some internal photos on the website soon.
I start my first job tomorrow. I´m taking over teaching English at a language academy for a woman I met. She´s been doing it for a while and wants to concentrate on other work she does. I will be teaching five classes straight through from four o´clock until half past eight! All without a break. Ugh! The age of the pupils ranges from five years to fifteen! I reckon my head will be spinning by the time my first evening as an English teacher is over!
I got a text from my dear friend Clare on Saturday morning. She wrote to tell me I was missed at the Shanty Evening at the Albion on Friday. I must admit I felt terribly homesick after reading that message. Still, it´s nice to be thought of and, even better, to be remembered fondly. If you´re a fellow Rowhedgian reading this, take a moment to send me quick email. I miss you all.
And remember, there´s plenty room in my big house for visitors! I´ll write more soon! Hasta ahora!
- Posted by bobinspain on 16/04/2007.
- login or register to post comments
Brrrrrrr!
It´s bloody cold in this country! Ha! How many times did I say that when I lived in the UK and now..... My house, which has external walls a half metre thick, is built perfectly to insulate from the summer heat. Unfortunately, it´s equally efficient at keeping in the cold! Last night was freezing! Fortunately, I have spare duvets which I piled on top of me and slept comfortably but, let me tell you, walking across the frosty tiles to the bathroom in the morning was not fun! I need to buy some slippers!
I had an an anxious wait for the lorry to deliver my gas bottles but I needn´t have worried as they arrived spot on time. The bloody bottles weigh a ton though and I nearly did my back in carrying them up the steps to the first floor, which is the main part of the house. The job was made more tricky by the fact I´ve got a beautiful marble staircase that I didn´t want to chip! But oh, the joy I felt when I hooked up the gas bottles and tested my boiler. I´ve never seen anything so beautiful as the blue flames that told me a lovely hot shower was only moments away! Like they say, simple pleasures for simple people!
After breakfast in ´Bar Alaska´, I went shopping straightaway and bought a ail-filled radiator so I can have a little bit of heat indoors when I need it. At lunchtime I read the local newspaper and discovered that the weather is due to turn warm again on the weekend. Wouldn´t you know it!
I also bought a Spanish SIM for my mobile phone and signed up for telephone and broadband at home. I´ve been told that I´ll be on line by next Friday but don´t hold your breath! Actually I shouldn´t be so cynical because, in spite of the ´mañana´ reputation Spanish people have, things keep happening when they´re supposed to.
The first text message I sent in Spain was to a woman whose job teaching English I´m meant to take over soon. She called me back and, instead of talking about work, she invited me to go clubbing with her and two of her women friends tomorrow night! Much more important! Well, at least while I have money in my account!
I´ve been on line for two hours today. I only intended to check my emails and write this brief update on my blog but was pleasantly surprised to receive an instant message on Google from Richard Canoe! We had a good natter! What a fabulous technology!
I promise to put some photos on my website soon! If you´re reading my blog, send me an email and let me know! Bye for now!
- Posted by bobinspain on 13/04/2007.
- 1 comment
The Lights Are On!
I felt tired and sore when I awoke this morning but excited to get on with settling into my new house. Christian and I had breakfast and I sat patiently with him while he began to plan the first leg of his return journey back to the UK, though I was getting very anxious about sorting out the electricity. After eating, we went to the ferreteria (hardward shop) to buy a broom so Christian could sweep out the back of the van. Then I left him to do some shopping while I went to make sure Jerome had paid his electricity bill. It´s a good thing I did!
As I walked into his office, Jerome´s eyes went wide and he said, "It´s a good thing you came in! I forgot. Let´s go to the bank." It was twenty to twelve as we crossed the park to go to the bank. There was a queue at the only till for payments. The veins in my neck were throbbing and I couldn´t help thinking that I´d come to Spain to relax! I was sure we wouldn´t make it to the electricity office in time.
In the end, Jerome dropped his bill stamped ´PAID´ on the man´s desk with about thirty seconds to spare! The attendant, still oozing with charm, rolled his eyes then tapped some keys on his computer before declaring with some displeasure that I would indeed have my lights back on by the afternoon! Yeah! Another hurdle crossed successfully!
I met Christian back at the hotel. It was time for him to leave. We carried his things across town to the van and I stood in the cold and spitting rain as he stowed everything. Christian handed me my broom then we shook hands and said farewell. I´d been worried for weeks about how it would feel to be left alone in Alcalá. I was relieved that I felt OKAY! Then, staring at the long-handled broom in my hand, I realised that I had just enough time to get to the bank before they closed. And I had to go because I was down to my last few euros cash. How stupid would I look!
Well, I needn´t have worried because no one at the bank seemed to think it at all strange that I was carrying a broom when I walked in. I did, however, get loads of funny looks when I flashed the thick wad of traveller´s cheques in my hand, exclaiming that I wanted to deposit some and have the rest in cash. In a flash, the entire staff of the bank were flapping about unsure what to do because, as one employee admitted, they´d never even seen a traveller´s cheque before! It took forty-five minutes of phone calls to confirm that they would indeed accept my cheque! I´m not complaining about the bank staff. In fact, they bent over backwards to help. I do think it´s hilarious that the same cheques I´ve used like cash in Turkey and Uganda are such a rarity here! Viva España!
I left the bank smiling, have ticked another box on my list of ´Crises to Solve´, and walked up to the house. I can´t explain the pleasure I felt to be there alone with all my stuff, slowly unpacking and starting to turn the house into a home. In no time at all, the livingroom was nicely arranged. I stood back to admire the room for a minute before walking into the dining room. Suddenly, the radio which I´d plugged in earlier came alive! The electricity was back on! The music gave me a burst of energy and I managed to put my bed together and completely organise my bedroom before forcing myself to stop for lunch.
After a gorgeous meal of seafood paella, roast pork and vegetables, créme caramel and a glass of red wine, I had another job to do: buy some bottles of gas so I can have a hot shower and cook food at home. I found two empty bottles in the utility room but had no idea how to replace them with full ones. I went down to the estate agents and Raquel, who is lovely and patient and ever so fanciable (though sadly spoken for), was pleased to help. She told me where the gas company office is and I walked up there to request a couple bottles be dropped off. They´re coming in the morning at nine o´clock. I´m looking forward to my first shower in the new house! In fact, I might just treat myself to a bath. My sore muscles could use a good, long soak!
- Posted by bobinspain on 12/04/2007.
- login or register to post comments
Moving In
I slept comfortably but woke early, full of excitement about moving into my new house! Once again, I left Christian to have a lie in and went to the bar for breakfast before collecting my keys at the estate agents and double checking that they were sending some men around to help me move in. While Christian had his breakfast, I walked up the hill to the house and opened the doors for the first time as THE OWNER! The air inside smelt damp and stale as the house hadn´t been occupied for five months so I went around pulling up the blinds and throwing the balcony doors open to let the light and fresh air inside once again. As I walked around the house, I felt certain it was right to buy the house and move to Spain!
I met Christian at the bar and we drove together to the house. I thought we´d never arrive as the streets of the Old Town are so narrow and Christian had to drive at a snail´s pace being directed by myself and everyone else in the road to negotiate the treacherous route amongst parked cars. We weren´t outside my house five minutes, however, when the police arrived! They told us we´d have to move the van and come back after half three! And on top of that, they said I had to go to the police station and request permission to park the van and unload it. The two blokes who arrived to help were sent away after three quarters of an hour of standing around and asked to return after three.
Fortunately, getting permission from the police was a snap and we recommenced unloading at three on the dot. At first, I wasn´t sure how keen my two hired hands were to work but their pace gradually picked up and in the end I was quite impressed, particularly when we had to solve the problem of getting my sofa and dresser to the first floor. After several attempts trying to get both up the stairs, we realised they´d never fit so we ended up hauling them up through the balcony doors. The sofa, which is reasonably light albeit bulky, was delivered over the rail of the balcony with ease. Christian and one of the blokes stood on the tail lift and pushed the sofa upwards while I and the other chap pulled from above.
Getting the dresser, which is a hell of a lot heavier, up through the balcony doors was a LOT trickier. After a couple attempts, we realised that because its centre of gravity was so low we´d never be able to pull it over the rail. Luckily, I realised that we could manage to lay it on the top of the van and that´s just what we did. Then one of our helpers got on top of the van as well and together we heaved the dresser over the rail without a scratch. Success!
The previous owner left behind quite a few useful pieces of furniture but a lot of toot as well so, having finished moving in all my things before my hired hands were due to finish, we set about filling the van with rubbish. As I was paying the men for a job well done I realised that it had got very dark in the house. One of them piped up and said, "Oh yeah, someone just came and turned off your electricity. He slapped a sticker on your metre." As if that was an unimportant detail! Indeed there was a sticker informing me that they´d, rather cheekily, come to turn off the electricity while I was moving in. And without so much as a word! I needed to get that sorted but first we had to get to the dump before they closed as Christian didn´t fancy taking my rubbish back to the UK!
We missed the turning for the recycling centre about four times and took much longer than we anticipated but we got there in the end! Christian dropped me off near the electricity company offices and went to park the van. I went in to say what had happened and explained that I´d given the estate agent all my details to set up an account in my name. A rather humourless man gave me a look then turned to his computer before announcing that the previous owner, who was in fact the owner of the estate agency, hadn´t paid his bills for two months and I couldn´t have electricity until he did. Exasperated, I argued that it was nothing to do with me as I hadn´t used the electricity but that got me nowhere. He said the only way to get my electricity turned on would be to get the previous owner to pay his bill.
I stomped down to the estate agents and struggled to keep a pleasant expression as I explained my situation. Jerome, the culprit, sheepishly claimed not to have received the last two bills but agreed to sort things immediately. We arrived back at the electricity office five minutes before closing and were told that if the bill was paid in the morning I´d have electricity by the time siesta started. Jerome promised to pay and to escort me to the office before midday to get the lights turned back on. Leaving the office, I told him I couldn´t possibly spend a night in the house without electricity. Nothing was unpacked because I´d wasted so much time on this problem. I was pleased when he offered to pay for a night in the hotel. My first night in Calle Martinez Montañez would have to wait!
- Posted by bobinspain on 12/04/2007.
- login or register to post comments
