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Welcome to the Hippy-Chic News Page
18/05/2007
New Website:
Check out LOOKinSPAIN - The One Stop Information Portal for the Mar Menor Region - contributions and listings being added daily. Detailed local information and business advertising opportunities for the Costa Calida.
Important Update - 07/02/2007
EHIC and Health advice for travellers
Apply for your EHIC - (what used to be the E111) before you travel:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAdviceForTravellers/fs/en
Having just had to make use of the Spanish hospital system for my daughter who had an accident at school, and is absolutely fine now - I realise without this things could have been very tricky. If you haven't already, apply for this online at the link above as soon as possible. A plastic credit card size card is sent - keep it safe - ITS NEVER TOO LATE - APPLY NOW
On a second note the service at the hospital was outstanding and Sophie was being treated within 5 minutes of our arrival, we didn't even have time to sit in the waiting room. Hats off to the Healthcare system in Spain and thank you so much x |
29/01/2007
Following Your Dream - Moving to Spain - Making it Work
Having 'landed' in Spain in April last year I am pleased to say that we are now well and truly settled into the area, and what a beautiful area it is!
Spanish Schools
My daughter started in the local Spanish school in Los Belones in April 2006, I think it was harder for me than it was for Sophie - for it was me in tears at the school gates... Sophie's response to 'how was your first day?' was simply 'brilliant!'. At aged 7 she floated into the school and grasped the new language with such ease and lack of fear that she has amazed me and made me so immensely proud. If you are worried about your child starting a new school and new language, try not to be - and more importantly give it at least 4 months until the switch happens in their brain and all becomes 'claro' (clear). Sophie I am so proud of you; and for all of the children who have left their extended families back home and followed their parents' dreams, I am proud of you too.
Learning the Language - Immersion
As adults we find it harder to learn new languages, but over time we absorb more than we think. A little extra effort and concentration is required but the Spanish people are lovely and if you show that you are trying (and my mother says I am - very!) then people are much more responsive. You can get by in Spanglish (a hotch potch of Spanish and English) until your vocabulary and accent improves, and believe me it is worth it. For me, not being able to communicate with people is like losing a limb, I can only be thankful I was able to point at what I needed when I first got here and say 'si' 'no' and 'por favor'. Thankfully things have moved on and I can understand much more, it's possible for me to have a conversation in Spanish as long as the other person isn't in a hurry to go anywhere! Immerse yourself and listen, the words separate from each other after a while I promise...
English TV in Spain - Mesh TV
One thing I realise I should have done sooner was to invest in the Mesh TV system - this allows you to watch English TV while enjoying the benefits of living in Spain - and it's much cheaper than a dish. How we survived 7 months without it I shall never know! You pay for the box and then a small monthly fee thereafter and you can take it with you if/when you move. It makes you feel so much more at home, it really does trust me - Phillip Schofield and Richard and Judy - it's so nice to see you again! If you want a recommendation then I would highly recommend Warren Davis from Premier Systems T:600 786 865 - what a lovely chap, he is very focussed on customer care, highly presentable and very polite, if you call him please say hi from the Hippy-Chic!
Local Knowledge of the Murcia Region - Who to Ask..
Local Knowledge and Information, Do you have any questions? If I don't know the answer you can be rest assured I know the people that do, just fill in the reply form and I will get back to you. Alternatively visit our new website: www.lookinspain.com for all the useful information you need to know in one place.
Speak soon
Karen
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