uk

Depressing thoughts on Brexit

Posted by on Leave a Comment
Depressing thoughts on Brexit

This morning I woke up feeling sad, disappointed, embarrassed, and with a very bad taste in my mouth. And it wasn't because I had one too many cañas last night without having enough tea (but that certainly didn't help matters). I opened up Facebook to see a message from a fellow immigrant asking me, "Are we Spanish now?" and my heart sank. Every sane person's fears had been realised. Brexit. Secession from the European Union. Streams and streams of statistics and depressed, angry and upset statuses filled my timeline, alongside 1 (one) celebratory statement from someone who quickly got deleted … [Read more...]

Things in Spain and Valencia that foreigners find weird

Posted by on 2 Comments
Things in Spain and Valencia that foreigners find weird

Last month, the nation's favourite cultural magazine, Vice, published an article called Immigrants explain what shocked them most about the Spanish culture [in Spanish]. It inspired me to do a similar version about Valencia even though, as you'll see, the majority of things on this list may as well be geared towards Spain in general. Here's our take on some of the things that shocked us most about life in España. Before anyone gets uppity and starts commenting profound thoughts like "Go home and don't come back then if that's how you feel, you dick", please note that this post is by no … [Read more...]

Cosas de España y Valencia que les parecen raras a los guiris

Posted by on 1 Comment
Cosas de España y Valencia que les parecen raras a los guiris

El mes pasado la revista cultural favorita del populacho, Vice, publicó un post llamado Inmigrantes nos explican qué es lo que más les chocó de la cultura española. Y me inspiró hacer una versión para Valencia aunque, ya veréis, que la mayoría de las cosas que figuran abajo también van para España en general. A continuación se puede ver lo que chocó más a mis amigos guiris de la cultura valenciana y española. Antes de que vayáis soltando comentarios en plan "Si no te gusta, vete a tu país y no vuelvas, cabrona", que sepáis este post no sirve para criticar a España/Valencia/TÚ en lo más … [Read more...]

En defensa de la cocina británica

Posted by on 1 Comment
En defensa de la cocina británica

Ah, la comida británica. Un tema a que la gente le gusta poner a parir con regularidad. ¿Y quiénes son los acusados de echar las broncas? Pues, suelen ser los... chan, chan... españoles. Voy a empezar este post con un par de preguntas: ¿Por qué tenéis tanta manía a la cocina británica? ¿Es que habéis oído tanta gente quejarse del tema que creéis que es algo guay? ¿Cuántos platos británicos típicos has probado en tu vida? ¿O solo es que habéis probado un fish and chips de un pequeño, sucio chippy londinense rodeado por turistas? (Algo que se podría comparar con comer una paella en … [Read more...]

Una clase magistral en comedia británica, por una británica

Posted by on Leave a Comment
Una clase magistral en comedia británica, por una británica

¿Así que crees que conoces la comedia británica? Aquí hay 10 series que quizá no conozcas... Yo soy inglesa y soy muy fan de la comedia de mi tierra natal, ya sea que te hace reírte a carcajadas o que sea ese tipo especial de comedia terriblemente incómoda que te hace apartar la vista y retorcerte en tu silla. Aquí os dejo algunas sugerencias... Phoenix Nights [2001-2002, Channel 4] Brian Potter es el dueño tacaño de The Phoenix Club, un pub y club social situado en un pueblo cerca de Manchester. Potter (Peter Kay), su equipo de empleados y su panda de amigos raros luchan para mantener … [Read more...]

«Whatever happened to that old saying, ‘Love thy neighbour’?»

Posted by on 2 Comments
"Whatever happened to that old saying, 'Love thy neighbour'?"

If you grew up in the UK you probably lived in a house, with university halls being your first taste of living in a flat. After that you either get a house of your own or slink off back to your parents' gaff. Unless, of course, you move to another country. In Spain, over 65% of the population live in a piso or flat - something which may take some getting used to if, like me, you grew up in "the new estate" of a small Yorkshire pit village. Here's the view from my bedroom window at my parents' home. On a good day, you hear the odd car, the trickling of the neighbour's water feature and a … [Read more...]

UK vs. Spain: a boozy comparison

Posted by on 12 Comments
UK vs. Spain: a boozy comparison

A nation with a penchant for boozing? We're not so different, you and I... Food, weather, customs, meal times? If you're a Brit and you've ever lived in Spain, or if you're a Spaniard and you've ever called the UK home, then you'll know that there are more than a few things that take some getting used to. One of the main hardships is getting your head (and stomach) around the schedule. It's been said time and time again by every expat blogger out there, but this may be intrinsic in order to understand the subject matter of this post. Lunch in Britain can begin as early as 12 o'clock whereas, … [Read more...]

…But they’ll never take our freedom?

Posted by on 3 Comments
...But they’ll never take our freedom?

I come from Scotland. The land of the free and the home of the brave... or something like that. The country that brought us television, the telephone, and Trainspotting; The land whose national diet screams “YOLO” and whose dialect uses the word “fucking” the same way that most people use a comma. This is, arguably, the most important year in Scottish history for hundreds of years – it’s the year we’ll decide whether to divorce our overbearing husband to the South, or to remain in a loveless marriage for the rest of our days. Let’s be clear from the offset: this has nothing to do with … [Read more...]