By Christine Giraud in Granada, Spain Today is our last day in one of the strictest lock-downs in the world, according to the media reports. It is the 1st of May 2020 and it seems we are ending seven weeks of almost total confinement in our home in Granada, Spain. From mid March until now, … More A letter from Spain during Coronavirus
It’s interesting how even three years since our return, the lessons keep coming, less frequently but still prevalent. I remember while living in Spain how moved I was by the community’s commitment to celebrating and ritualising important cultural events like Saints’ days, national days, Easter and the annual ‘feria’ among many, many other festivals. I … More What I have learnt from living in Spain
cul·ture shock noun the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes. It’s 1am on a regular Wednesday in June in Granada. The neighbourhood dogs are barking in the usual incessant cacophony, the bars are bursting with people and the rooftop parties … More Culture Shocks and Wonderful Surprises
We wrote this guide to share our knowledge and love of this amazing city with others. It took us a year to find our local rhythm of life in Granada and we wanted to share all that we had learned. We have researched extensively and hope it will provide access to a different experience of Granada. … More Your Local Guide to Granada
A Gap Year for All! Given our geographic distance from the rest of the world, Australians have become accustomed to the concept of a Gap Year – young people taking a year, sometimes more, to explore the world beyond Australia’s shores- however a generational shift is taking place, ushering in a new demographic of gap year enthusiasts. … More When travel means moving country
Although we had a magical year in Granada, I am keenly aware of the many other incredible places in Spain where we could have lived happily during our year away. Each place I looked at offered something special and different which made it hard to choose. Recently I have been talking to my Australian friend Danni … More Ibiza: not just a party island
There is nothing quite like a festival that you would usually celebrate with extended family to remind you that you are far from home. So what happens when you suddenly bump into Christmas while on a sabbatical year? So you have settled into your new home in a new country, found your feet, your daily … More A Christmas far from home
While I don’t usually provide tips and advice, recently I have been asked several times for my top tips for moving to Spain, so today I have decided to share them with you…They range from getting clear about what is important to you and your family when choosing a location to live, organising your finances, learning … More Top 5 Tips for Moving to Spain for a Year
As the full moon rises in the east, hovering above the Pacific Ocean, I contemplate the year that has passed since we returned to Australia from Our Year in Spain. Each full moon signifies a moment of reflection since it was on a glorious, moonlit evening two years ago, that we arrived to our new home in Granada. Whilst we imbibed the new … More One year on…the legacy of our year in Spain
This was the mantra retold to me by my Granadino friends while we were living in Granada. “You’ll see” they followed in response to my quizzical look. As I contemplated the Herculean effort to transport our family of four across the oceans and continents from Australia to Spain, I wasn’t so convinced that we would be … More “Everyone returns to Granada…”
Our Year In Spain 