An American in Spain

Eight months. Eight months of living on the island of Mallorca. As I write this from the dining room table of my flat, I think back to how I got here and what it took from me to do so. Making the move to a foreign country isn’t for the faint of heart, but I somehow managed to pull it off. Now that I am settled somewhat and have a good routine, I am starting to look ahead at what my future will look like. For the first time in my entire life, I am not beholden to a job for income and have the freedom to decide how I want the rest of my life to be. I recognize the immense privilege I have to be able to do this, nor do I feel this is by mistake. When I first applied to the language assistant program this time year, I had my heart set on being placed in the Canary Islands, more specifically, in Tenerife. When you apply for the language assistant program, you have the option to choose from three different regions. The Canary Islands was my first choice. The Balearic Islands was my second. I had my heart set on going to Tenerife. Everyday, I would say “I’m going to Tenerife, I’m going to Tenerife.” So imagine my surprise when I got the email saying I had placed elsewhere. I was disappointed. This wasn’t what I had planned. But it was really hard to find sympathy from anyone as I was still going to live on an island in Europe. I called my friend Justin who lives in Germany and told him the news; “So I didn’t get placed in the Canaries, I’m so sad. I’m going to the Balearic Islands instead.” His response was a sarcastic “Oh no, you have to move to another set of islands?!?” Putting me back in my place of humility, I sighed and said “yeah, I guess I will manage somehow.”

One thing I have learned in all my years on this Earth is nothing happens by chance. Everything that has happened up until this point has made me realize I am exactly where I am meant to be. Many people go into the language assistance program right after college, or a few years after. But others at an older age like myself, use it as a way to start over or take a break from the American rat race. It grants us the visa to live here because getting a visa as an American isn’t easy. My goal is to eventually work for myself. I have really enjoyed teaching and can definitely see myself teaching English as a lifelong career, even opening my own English academy as they are a very lucrative business here in Spain. But my heart keeps pulling me back to interior design. I’ve started to put myself back out there and offering my design services to people. So far, it’s been in a more consultative capacity as I don’t have an office or design studio. Mallorca has an abundance of affluent people, so I could see myself doing very well if it is the route I choose to pursue. The only thing that stands in my way, is the fact I don’t speak Spanish fluently. Currently I am taking classes online and using Duolingo. My brain doesn’t work as well as it used to so I’m learning at a snail’s pace. Despite being immersed in Spanish on the daily, I’m not learning as much as I would like. I just have to be patient with myself and give myself some grace while trusting the process. But, because there are a lot English speakers here, there may be a way around the language barrier.

Throughout the time I have been in Spain, I’ve heard more times than I can count “you’re so brave for moving.” I never really know how to respond to that statement. Life in America was different. The longer I am in Spain while seeing the soul sucking American news makes me realize I don’t ever want to move back. The idea of moving back to America or even staying in America feels like a brave thing to do, not leaving it. I definitely have a biased perspective, one which I acknowledge but don’t apologize for either. I know timing is everything, but I really wish I had done this sooner. My life is so much more peaceful now. I’m far less stressed here. Of course there are bumps in the road, but I just roll with it without the anxiety hammering in my brain. When I’m not teaching, my life is pretty peaceful and quiet. Teaching has been quite fun. The students are entertaining, and I get to learn with them as well. I also enjoy the teachers I work with, despite their personalities types being all over the place. And because I teach three days out of the week, the other days I’m resting. I sleep. I sleep soundly. And I sleep a lot. Especially the first few months I was here. I absolutely love sleep. And because my mind and body were decompressing from the months of stress leading up to the move, I became so thankful for the siesta. Dak and I nap almost daily. He naps all the time. And we get to spend so much more time together. He absolutely loves the beach. I take him there as much as possible, which lately has been a lot.

Currently, I have two “flatmates”, not roommates like we call them in America. The only “roommate” I have is Dak. And while I can afford to live alone, for many reasons I chose to live with people. Jana, who is from Slovakia, has lived in Mallorca for 4 years on and off. At almost 6 feet tall like myself, she is a strong-headed late twenty something who constantly inspires me. She’s currently working on building a brand for herself in nutrition and because we live together, her eating habits have greatly improved mine. Because of her, I now eat more fresh fruits and vegetables daily and since I have so much time, I actually cook for myself more frequently. Despite the ten year difference between us, we teach each other a lot and I’ve learned so much from her. Our cultural differences have been quite the learning experience for both of us and it’s made us grow into better people. Living with her has also helped me adjust to the area since she knows it far better than I. She really likes Dak. There have been times when I’ve come home and she and Dak are out on a walk. Her voice carries so whenever she needs something from me she will say loudly in her Slovakian accent “Miz Langstun”. It never gets old.

Then there’s Kai. He’s an early thirty something who moved to Mallorca about a month ago from Germany. Mallorca is full of Germans. It’s practically half Spanish, half German. Mallorca is a melting pot of different cultures. It is paradise, who wouldn’t want to live here? Anyway I digress. Quark. I just learned what this stuff is. I think it’s the equivalent to sour cream. And he eats it out of the package. Also he eats his sandwiches with butter. Pretty sure it’s a European thing. Anyway. He and I have bonded on our love of music. Kai has recently discovered John Mayer, so I had a lot to share with him. One morning I overheard him playing JM while he was in the shower. In that moment I thought to myself “I think we will get a long just fine.” Plus, he’s recently out of a LTR so he’s a domesticated fellow, which makes the us ladies of the house very happy. Dak loves him and he Dak. They became best buds super quick.

The three of us have a good vibe and the house runs smoothly. I can’t really ask for anything better. Except maybe for a bigger bathroom.

I’ve also made friends with other people on the island as well. From other people in the program to meeting people in the women’s Facebook groups. But lately, I’ve grown tired of meeting new people. It’s the same questions; “Where are you from? How long have you been in Mallorca? What do you do for work?”. If I sound cynical it’s because my social battery has run low. Also, I’ve started dating again, which will be a whole other blog post I am working on as well, but will publish later.

There’s always something to do here. But I enjoy the simple life. I find my daily happiness in a good cup of coffee, a beautiful sunset, a long walk with Dak, or in a delicious breakfast bowl full of fruit and nuts. I’ll make my way out to socialize a few times a month, but otherwise stick to tutoring and teaching English as my means of social interaction. And of course talk to Kai and Jana almost daily. There’s usually much to say. Or sometimes nothing at all. It’s a nice balance.

Life is good.