Accommodation

Fishing

Jesus-Tortosa, Spain
February 2007

Dear Friends,

Having trouble with your car and don't know where to go? Try - Mecanica Miquel - his garage (Taller) is one block away from the cinemas in Roquetes, just down the street from Hotel Corona. Miquel, such a likeable guy, is a great follower of The Isle of Man races and speaks English fluently - I hear you sigh. I know! It is such a relief to find a good mechanic and one knows your mother tongue. He is hard working, fair minded and will help you out with your vehicle as quickly as possible. All the time he is willing for you to practice your Catalan or Spanish on him.

I find you do yourself a favour by first doing some vocabulary legwork before you arrive. Don't worry if your pronunciation is random - he will help you along while explaining the problems with your car.

You may still feel a little apprehensive attempting full sentences at this stage and adverbs may be confusing. Write down the dates in English when you are free for a Car Service and after making the appointment ask Miguel to write it in Spanish or Catalan next to it. One step at a time and you will soon be jogging along and wondering what you were previously so worried about. Obviously, you can always fall back onto pointing in a diary, but try and meet them halfway, even if the Spanish are fluent in your language. It is respectful, if nothing else.

We nrevoulsy waited once more for the daunting ITV (Spanish MOT system) test for our old Vauxhall estate wagon. Last year when I sat with Gareth outside the designated PUERTA 1 I recalled associating the emotions to having teeth pulled without sedation. I felt sick with nerves. Yeh, Gareth gets all the choice jobs when he visits from Germany in 'calming his mother down'! How would I understand what on earth the instructions they would spout at me in Catalan?

- Tranquilla Mama, tranquilla -

This year I had to go on my own. Sunny day, that is a good sign I convince myself as I set off to Campredo, on the outskirts of Tortosa, heading towards L'Aldea. There is a short queue. I have prepared myself better with some essential vocabulary in Castellano (Español) - they speak both lingo's there, and pour over them again as I wait my turn. They have already tested the emissions and that was "bueno". First bonus of the day, as it is an old diesel engine.

Oh well, it was only the tow bar this year. Here we go again off to Mechanica Miquel to sort me out again. Sure, he does. He squeezed me in after his siesta and did the job there and then. It was just after 3.30 same day and I am back at the ITV station heading this time for PUERTA 2 for "Reformas".

Don't forget to smile! A smile travels hundreds of miles in Spain across all cultures and has got me out of awkward situations (least of all, when the "Mossos" -Traffic police stop you for a spot check of your car documents - originals have to be in your vehicle at all times!!).

Always be courteous - remember you have chosen to live in Spain and respect of the person, family and property is paramount.

Regards,

Roseann and family.

PS. Shake off the nerves of the ITV testing and unwind with a good choice of teas at Tea Gardens - there may still be an English paper to browse through, knowing that you have coped in an arduous situation, but having mustered more of the language as well. So pat yourself on the back!