Living In Spain: Running Errands

Truth be told I don’t get out much! Primarily through choice, but largely through fear! No I am not agraphobic I just hate the hassle of parking, queuing, waiting for a payment to process, dealing with jobsworth sales staff, deciding what to buy etc etc.

When we came to live in Spain it was part of a lifestyle change that we wanted to make to get away from the excessive commercialism of the UK, and a strong desire to have a far more relaxed and stress free way of life. As a result I actually don’t have many reasons to go out these days:

• I have enough clothes to last me many years IF (and it is a bigger if by the month these days) I don’t put on any more weight!
• The vast majority of my purchases I make online
• Most of my work is done through the internet

I am not a hermit or a recluse, although I probably have a secret desire to be a recluse in later years!!! and I naturally go out socially and to buy provisions, but in general I am not out and about that much on a day to day basis.

This suits me fine, and it certainly helps contribute to a much less stressful lifestyle here in Spain. It also means that on the rare occasions that I do venture out to run errands I am always very aware of how much easier it is in Spain than I was used to in the UK.

Over the last week or so I have had to run a few errands:

• sorting out a door strip for the Toyota Prius
• getting a tattoo done to remember poor little Orla (one more visit required before it is finished)
• picking up some stuff to strip, de rust and paint the balcony rail (actually doing the job may take a while yet!!)

and I have been pleased and relieved at just how easy it has been. Parking, even in El Ejido, is never really a problem, just stick to the backstreets and it is generally really easy to find a slot. The sales people are generally very friendly, helpful and respectful which makes a nice change from moody, disinterested and resentful in the UK. I recently had to take something back that my parents had bought but subsequently found cheaper in another store ……. no problem at all, no shrug of impatience, or attempt to tell me that I should keep it, and interestingly no attempt to give me back the balance between the two prices.

Probably the biggest difference though is just the overall ease and pace of getting things done. A few errands, then stop for a 1€ coffee, a few more errands and then perhaps a cerveza and tapas for 2€, then on the way home maybe stop off at a bar for a chat and a few drinks ……. it is just so much more affordable, relaxed and enjoyable running errands here in Spain.

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