The Mermaid Community in Spain

Dancing

2006-09-22T13:59:00.000+02:00

Mermaids love to dance, so I thought I would look for some dance classes. Well I joined a belly dance class in Estepona which I really enjoyed and I am looking for some flamenco classes in the local area. I would go to nightclubs to dance but i am always scared that someone might spill their drink on my legs and then there would be trouble!

Autumn Days

2006-09-21T12:18:00.000+02:00

I love this time of year on dry land. The leaves are turning beautiful shades of yellow, gold and rust. There is a change in the air and the mornings are so crisp and fresh. I suffered tremendously from fin dehydration during the summer and even contempleted having my tail removed in place of permanent legs. I can now walk around Manilva and appreciate the pretty white houses and the numerous mermaid fountains that there are. I was lucky enough to stumble across a mermaid sculpture exhibition in Estepona cultural centre. At last we are being recognised and appreciated at least by the Spanish.

Selwo Marina

2006-08-15T23:14:00.000+02:00

What a wonderful day at Selwo Marina with some fanatastic shows. One of the most impressive shows was the Dolphin Show. I never get tired of dolphins but these were magical! Also, they had a mini theatre show about a sailor and a mermaid or rather a "sirena" as we are known in Spanish. It's so special when you watch something that you can relate to yourself.

Feria in Manilva

2006-08-10T11:31:00.000+02:00

The feria is here and everyone is staying up until the early hours and eating lots of yummy treats, My favourite feria indulgence is, of course, barbequed pulpo (octopus). There are also baked potatoes with hundreds of toppings and yummy sweet buñuelos dunked in chocolate and lots more. The atmosphere is exhilerating and the children are in their element with all the rides.

I wish it would rain!

2006-08-09T10:55:00.000+02:00

This sounds so ungrateful but I would love just a day of refreshing rain. The constant heat is so exhausting and tiresome. A good shower would be so invigorating and I am sure as beneficial as a holiday. Yes, it's true that you can have too much of a good thing.

Laguna Village

2006-08-07T11:47:00.000+02:00

Well it has been a while since my last post despite my promise to post more regularly. I know it's an excuse but it is difficult to motivate oneself to do anything in this heat, which is why I recently decided to seek refuge from the sun. I stumbled across the tropical world of Laguna Village. Designed with the modern day mermaid in mind, Laguna Village will no doubt provide a place of calm and relaxation for those caught up in the day to day shark race.

It offers everything that the "new" merfolk require, a place to hang out by the sea, eat by the backdrop of lagoons and waterfalls and shop for international designer fashion in Escada and Armani.

With a zen like minimalistic theme going on, it is understated, some might say in a contrived pretentious kind of way. Forget about bringing your children, this is a place where children will not be welcomed but "New Money" without kids or with baby sitters most definitely will.

Roman Baths

2006-06-20T18:28:00.000+02:00

If you are ever in the Manilva area don't forget a trip to the ancient Roman Baths. It is a fantastic experience which includes coating the entire body with layer of mud, waiting for it to dry in the hot sun and then plunging into a sulphur bath to remove it. The result: wonderfully soft skin without the price tag of a spa. It is completely free and if you are lucky you may even spot some nude people there indulging in the mud.

Haircuts in Spain

2006-06-20T14:52:00.000+02:00

Forgot to tell you all that I recently had haircut for the bargain price of nine euros. It was in a Spanish hairdressers so you do need to have some related vocabulary to communicate but it is worth learning the phrases as you save so much money.

You've got to take the bull by the horns in Spain!

2006-06-02T14:12:00.000+02:00

Bit gutted today in a fed up kind of way (as opposed to I am now an edible mermaid way). Why, you ask? Because I don't often get great cravings to buy anything specific. In fact, I very rarely flap my fin for anything I see in the shops but about a month ago I spotted a really cute, kitsch bag in a shop in Manilva. I had it in the bag oops back of my mind to return to buy it. A month passed and by then it was too late. They had only had three and they had all sold. I just don't get it I thought in Spain there was no need to hurry for anthing but it appears that sometimes it is a case of the proverbial taking the bull by the horns.

Rain in Spain

2006-06-01T10:06:00.000+02:00

I can't believe that it is raining heavily. I am so confused with this weather that cannot make its mind up. They say that it is nice and sunny in Britain. With all this water I might as well return to the sea where I can wear my tail with pride.

Be productive

2006-05-31T21:53:00.000+02:00

Some days I seem to lose chasing my tail (metaphorically) hence I don't post often enough. I don't even watch television so why can't I be more productive despite feeling that I amconstantly doing "things"and the days are supposedly longer in Spain.

Photography in Spain

2006-05-31T17:43:00.000+02:00

One thing you should never leave home without in Spain is a camera. Photo opportunities arise in the most unexpected places, at the most unexpected times during the day. For example, I was in a fabric shop, incidently for the first time in my life, in Estepona. I was engrossed in housewive's chit chat when all of a sudden I could hear what seemed like the sound of a flute not unlike the sound of the instruments played by the merfolk. To my surprise, on a wednesday at mid-morning there was the most enchanting procession called the "rocio". It was magical and almost surreal considering the context in which it took place. I mean it is not everyday that you see cows carrying a shrine through the streets, proceeded by men, women and children all in traditional attire. Unfortunately, I was unprepared but I vow never to go anywhere without a camera again.

Pools in Spain

2006-05-29T17:34:00.000+02:00

The sun is out and the heat is on. I have been enjoying moonlit swims in our community pool.As a mermaid I don't want to get caught out or startle anybody. Someone has turned the dial up on the temperature gauge so the pool is the only place to be. It can be frustrating not being able to take a dip whenever I please but if I were to sacrifice my fin which of course is my mermaid identity I would never be able to return to the sea. So I live a life like many expats with one foot in the mother land and the other on Spanish soils. Mind you unlike other expats I don't watch mermaid television!

Weather in Spain

2006-05-24T09:38:00.000+02:00

It's windy today and overcast. I cannot decide if I should go out or stay in, wear a jacket or not, short sleeves or long sleeves. I am sure the people from Great Britain can empathise. Went out on Friday night in Sabanillas to a beautiful bar which is tucked away. Then went on to Duquesa which is not a very nice place in the evening.

TB in Spain

2006-05-17T09:50:00.000+02:00

I know at the moment all I seem to talk about is the weather but it really is that bad. Today it is very dull but humid. The air is close and everyone is ill. In fact, there have even been reported cases of TB in the town where I live. I feel very sad for the British people who have come on holiday and left behind the fresh weather. They all look very depressed.

getting ill in Spain

2006-05-12T14:52:00.000+02:00

Well the weather isn't improving and I have become ill. My gills are up and my fin is aching. I never know what to wear as we just can't count on the weather. Off now to check out UK flights. Must sort out my passport!

Weather in Spain in May

2006-05-11T13:31:00.000+02:00

Well I know I promised to blog more regularly and I haven't but I just can't get motivated. The weather in Spain just isn't what it was. In fact all the Brit people, sorry British people are saying that it is nicer in their own country which is closer to the north of the world. As I look from my window all I can see is an uninspiring, hazy sheen. I think I might just catch a flight to Britain to have a look at the island. If the weather is nice there I might think about relocating there. I don't know where to start though as I don't know where to look and where to avoid? Any suggestions welcomed!

April weather in Spain

2006-04-21T21:17:00.000+02:00

Before I decided to permanantly reside on dry land, I used to visit Spain often, particularly during the months of April and May when the weather is more comfortable. Now either the climate has changed since or my heat tolerance level has risen but I am currently finding it a bit nippy to sit out in.

I see British people presumably on holiday that are basking in it and I suppose in contrast for where they come from it must be very hot but I am not yet ready to strip off and I am still wearing my electric fin blanket during the night.

Phones lines in Spain

2006-04-20T13:34:00.000+02:00

So sorry that I didn't blog to you all yesterday but as I don't have a proper internet connection as it is impossible to get a land line where I live sometimes it is difficult for me. I can go to the internet cafe but it is alwas very busy with the people from Britain. I think that they have a similar problem.

It is sunny today and I think that we won't see any more rain now for a long time. Although, a Brit man who loves to talk about the weather tells me that there will be stroms this weekend. Does anyone know if this is true?

Supermarkets in Spain

2006-04-18T11:28:00.000+02:00

It appears that if you want to avoid queues the trick is to go to the supermarket very early in the morning. It is also very quiet between 2pm and 4pm as the only people shopping are from Britain. I asked the shop assistant where the people were and she said having lunch. So the people from Britain must eat at a different time. I, personally eat whenever I feel hungry so I am not restricted by a routine.

Disney in Manilva

2006-04-17T21:22:00.000+02:00

Ooh look at me two in one day! I was so excited that I had to share it with you all. The latest news is that it looks like Disney are really interested in setting up another Euro Disney here in Manilva.

Can I play Ariel pleeeease?

Spas in Spain

2006-04-17T11:04:00.000+02:00

Hi I am determined to start blogging more regularly so watch this space!

What do you buy a mermaid who has everything? Easy, a day pass at a spa! If your budget won't stretch to a fur fin coat then this is the next best thing. To avoid the unavoidable, I decided to go early morning with the hope of being the only one there. And, bliss I had the place to myself. As I plunged into the efffervescent waters of the jacuzzi, I was aghast to see the receptionist giving a herd of Brit males a tour of the Spa!!!! What was I to do but remain perfectly still and try not to attract their gaze, a challenge for any mermaid as we are known for our captivating beauty. Thankfully, she ushered them on as she to too did not want them distracted. As I was leaving the spa it began to fill up with brits of the older variety who apparently use the waters to ease their aches and prolong their lives in order to enjoy more sun exposure.

Coffee in a glass

2006-03-10T10:07:00.000+01:00

It seems that spring has sprung and everyone is out and about enjoying the March sunshine. I have noticed some British expats in the bars around Manilva. It seems that they are moving out of their comfort zones and familiar hangouts and joining the Spanish people. They do look confused, however, when they are brought coffee in a glass. Of course, under the sea we generally use shells to drink from but drinking from other materials does not bother me. But I think that the British expats are expecting something else, perhaps something that they are used to from their home land. It would be interesting to know what the conventions are in Britland, any suggestions?

water in spain

2006-02-20T11:03:00.000+01:00

I'd often overheard fellow expats discussing the tap water in Spain. I hadn't given it much thought, myself and had always used the tap water for washing, cooking etc, whilst always drinking the bottled variety. Well, it was just the other day when, to my horror, I discovered that my fin was beginning to show signs of calcification. It really looks quite shabby now. What concerns me the most is the condition of my insides!

During a power cut in Spain get legless.

2006-02-07T00:10:00.000+01:00

Hi, sorry I haven't been back for a while. I keep getting power cuts which apparently is quite common here. We had one last night. I had just had a bath and I was sprawled across the bathroom floor, hairdrying my fin (have you not seen the film Splash?) when it just cut out. What can you do when it's 9pm, the house is darkness and you have a fin on dry land? Crack open a bottle of vino. Well, if you're going to be legless you might as well do it in style!

Welcome to the Mermaid Expat Community in Spain

2006-01-30T21:25:00.000+01:00

I don't really like blogs, I think they are self indulgent and here I am. I suppose they give one an opportunity to reflect or rather to note down our reflections, which can only be positive. We don't blog under water for obvious reasons and keeping a diary is impossible as the ink runs. I am a humble mermaid and I live in Manilva. I have spent the most glorious week on the land as anybody who keeps up with the Spanish weather will know we have had water in abundance. So, I have spent most of my time flapping my fin about the white washed village of Manilva. Do I get funny looks? No, not really because when you are foreigner you are excused for all kinds of strange behaviour as I am sure the stringy vest clad Brits holidaying in Spain during January will agree.

My main language is Mer but like the Scandinavians we have to learn Spanish as the local people only speak English to the foreigners. More about my language and culture soon.