Entries by pixabella

For the last two days we've had some rain in Ronda, and in late March we're told this isn't unusual, but it was cold as well, an extra jumper was definitely needed.

Last night when we looked out the kitchen window the rain looked different, individual drops were white but only while they were in the air and as soon as they touched the ground they were just like any other rain drop.

This morning when we looked out the window we see ice on the street outside our house, and over on the hills of the Sierra de las Nieves a thick blanket of snow. In Late March! Who would have believed it?

Here in Ronda, being one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations, we have maybe 150 or more bars and restaurants, with a lot of them concentrated in the city center where all the tourists tend to be dropped off.

If you live here and make the mistake of speaking English in any of these establishments we get confused for tourists, and then charged extra. It's shameful an they shouldn't be allowed to do it but they do and they get away with it as well.

I've often thought of creating a webpage naming and shaming the bars and restaurants that have two prices but the effort of doing it is too much and of course I'd probably get sued.

The best approach that expats follow is to avoid the central city tapas bars, pizzerias, and other restaurants and to go somewhere else where the staff don't see as many tourists, usually that means finding a bar that Rondeños frequent.

The feeling of being fleeced when you live in a city isn't nice, and the attitude of many of the local business owners to tourists and expats is that we have loads of money so why not double the bill?

It's actually reached the stage where we are no longer willing to be taken advantage of and we're standing our ground more often, I for one expect the same price and quality of service that locals pay, and since I'm making an effort to speak Spanish I believe this is the least I should expect.

Expats who successfully integrate into Spanish society are the people who don't put up with that sort of discrimination, and in most cases tourists wouldn't be able to pick them out of the crowd. That is my aim while I live in Spain.

Spending time in your Spanish holiday home is always exciting however entering a stuffy house is less than desirable. Being hit by that wall of stale air makes you feel short of breathe and the odor can be really unpleasant.

Unfortunately any house that has been under lock and key for some time will smell stuffy and musty, if it isn't also damp. If you don't have your Spanish home cared for by a home minding service, you will want to ask a friend to air out the home a day or two before you arrive. If you don't have a house minding service or a kind friend to rely on you can freshen up your home within a few hours of settling in.

To freshen up your home start by opening up all the doors and windows and let the natural air circulate throughout the house. Clean air will up freshen up your soft furnishings and drapery and help dry out anything that feels a little damp.

Older Spanish homes are more likely to have damp problems so it best to air your home out everyday until the damp ceases to be a problem. If you have soft furnishings that have mildew on them a good soaking in color safe bleach will clean them right up.

Spraying chemical deodorizers will also help alleviate smells as a short term fix but won't rid your house of musty or bad smells. Spraying Natural deodorizers are far more effective and less offensive to your health and the environment.

To invigorate your senses and fragrance the air in your home buy natural deodorizers like fresh cut fragranced flowers. Oriental Lilies look and smell amazing and you can buy them from any florist. The perfumed fragrance will linger through the air and brighten up your casa, piso or finca.

The perfume is just heavenly and your home will smell like spring is in the air.
Oriental lilies can be a little overwhelming so feel free to separate out the floral arrangement and pop one or two flowers into the vase, then place them in and around the home.

Be careful with all the windows being opened as Oriental Lilies are long stemmed and you don't want the wind to knock them over. Enjoy the sweet fragrance while you're on vacation in your Spanish home away from home.