adios

Five years ago I wrote my first entry here at mylifeinspain, and on the blog's fifth anniversary I post what will most likely be its last. When I started this project, I did so for several reasons. One was to document the early years of our transition to living in this village, and the second was to provide a way for friends and family to regularly keep up with what was going on in the life of me, Big Jim, and the various critters (especially because I am so bad at keeping up with my e-mail inbox!).

Five years ago the village was a much different place, and I still believed that Big Jim and I were here for the long haul. When I reread those early postings, there was such an air of excitement and thrill and discovery, even though BJ and I were going through a period we now refer to as "The Dark Years", or the 2002 telecom recession which had kept Big Jim out of work for too long. But just a year later, there was signs that perhaps we were having doubts about remaining in this area for the long term.

Now that we know for certain that we no longer want to remain living in this part of the world, it has been difficult at times for me to coax the enthusiasm necessary to write a post that does not come off as stereotypical expat bitterness or the "doom & gloom" report, of which there have been many written about Spain in the past couple years---I have been determined not to turn this into a site full of whinging because goodness knows I hear more than enough complaining from the foreigners who live in the village!

Where we'll go next, we still aren't sure, but rest assured we will continue to enjoy the journey. Because even though our life in Spain didn't exactly turn out the way we originally planned, there are so many good memories and an experience that will be with us forever.

Here's just one that we will be telling at dinner parties for years to come. Soon after the last heavy rain of Spring rolled through the valley, Big Jim noticed a young tomato plant growing in a terracotta pot outside our front door. Obviously the rain waters had washed a young seedling from a maceta on the roof terrace and somehow it managed to take root with a palm three stories below. We planned to dig out and repot the young plant, but before we had a chance, this happened:

One of observant neighbors (and BOY are they observant!!) spotted the growing tomato plant and added the bamboo supports, without even saying a peep to us about it. Because even though we seldom speak of more than the weather or the grocery shopping or the pets, these little gestures let us know that we'll be missed when the day eventually comes to pack up the moving truck. And how we shall miss Almedena's songs as she hangs the laundry, the Herb Thief pinching our basil and rosemary, Antonio Expoliceman's homemade wine (although unfit to drink, it makes a great drain cleaner), besitos from our neighbor's crazy little dog Linda....

Gracias to everyone who has stopped by and spent a little time at mylifeinspain. Your continued presence and comments over the years have been much appreciated. Also, the blog archives are not going anywhere, so if you have just stumbled on the site, feel free to have a read or check out the recipes or look at fotos of our very adorable pets. :-)

Now as the abuelas would say, vaya con dios, and hasta luego from mylifeinspain, Big Jim, the precious Boo, Mr. Beebs, and of course, the Shittykitty.

Comments

[Terry]

Would like to wish you all well on your journey.I'll miss my daily experience of MLIS.
regards Terry

[Nicole Chen]

I've been following your blog for some time now, from when I myself was an expat living in Barcelona to where I am now, back in the Bay Area. I've been vicariously living my memories of Spain through your daily musings, and thank you so much for letting me share in your life. Best of luck to you, may we always have Spain, y un abrazo fuerte para ti y todo la familia (especialmente los mascotas!).

Nicole
http://thinktaboule.typepad.com/scriblings/musings_from_spain/

[mylifeinspain]

Thanks so much for the kind words. :-) And Nicole, soooo good to hear from you! I have wondered where you were these days (I sort of remember your last blog post being from Antwerp?). Nice to know you've been reading all along... :-)

[Brian]

We have a house nearby and also have been following your blog for a number of years. Best wishes to you both and I hope your next destination will give you the life that you are seeking. have you decided where you are going?

Brian and Amalah

[Stef]

You should celebrate 5th year blog anniversary :)
I wish all the best and lots more blogging years.

[Emilie Babcox]

Best wishes for your new adventures - and maybe a new blog? My life in _______?

[Gretchen Henkel]

Haven't visited your blog for a while, and again I am taken by the poignancy of your observations. Ah, village life: the beauties and the curses of it! vaya con dios, both of you! keep us all posted on your next adventure. I still remember hanging out in Philadelphia, and sharing beers! Where does the time go? Gretchen

[Michelle]

I think it takes a certain kind of person to be an expat permanently and very few manage it. I've been in Thailand for just over 6 years and still going strong, although I probably have some of the frustrations you had in Spain.

I will also say that most Americans I've met normally end up back in the US. Most Brits and Aussies end up anywhere but Britain or Australia :-)

But, if I compare my life in Bangkok to going back to the US to live, not a chance in hell. Thailand beats that every time!

Good luck, no matter where you end up :-)