The newest Expat Interview comes from Erin Ridley, creator of La Tortuga Viajera. Erin is currently living in Madrid, Spain.
You can connect with Erin through Twitter and Facebook.
1. How did you come to be an expat?
At a bar, while visiting Madrid with friends, I had an unspectacular 15-minute conversation with an oddly tall, dark and handsome Spaniard. I hardly remembered him the next day, not to mention the fact that I gave him my email. After leaving the country, I received a message from him, which kicked off our whirlwind email romance. Three months later I returned to Spain, followed by seven more trips that year, and ultimately my move a year and a half after we met. And sure enough, nine months ago we got married in a 700-year-old monastery in the Spanish countryside!
2. What is the cost of living in your new home? The cost of a beer? Bread? A Blouse?
The one thing that perplexes me on a daily basis is the cost of a glass of wine – it’s cheaper than water. Here a bottle of sparkling water at a restaurant will often run you close to 3€, while a glass of wine is usually around 2.50€. The decision between the two kind of makes itself, doesn’t it? Clothes, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive and, in my opinion, lower in quality. Generally, I opt for Zara where you get what you pay for. That said, when it comes to boots, shoes and sandals, Spain is the place. High in quality and low in price – as if I needed another excuse to acquire more zapatos (shoes)!
3. What kind of clothing should you wear? On the street? In the office? What’s weather appropriate?
Take note: Spaniards never dress down. That means no pajamas or gym clothes outside of the house (I say this for the Americans, especially)! They also tend to wear tights and scarves until temperatures reach at least 80?/25?. Bearing your legs before the summer heat arrives will definitely draw weird looks. So will flip-flops. And shorts.
Read more of this story and more at www.LifeOutofaSuitcase.com
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