About Apocalisanow

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Female

Currently Lives:

Islas Baleares, Spain

Citizen Of:

United States

Past Expat Posts:

France

United States Minor Outlying Islands

About Apocalisanow

I'm a yankee ex-pat, living on and off in Mallorca, Spain since 1973, speak fluent Spanish and Catalán. I have a BA degree in Spanish from a Calif university. For the past 12 years I've been running a staging company for events, i manage jazz & rock bands, do catering for all types, I'm a great chef, involved in local environmental campaigns, into organic gardening, animals, love literature and art... BORED AND LOOKING TO RE-INVENT MYSELF

My Website:

http://http://www.mallorcamatrollisa.blogspot.com

Advice for New Expats

depends on where you are moving.... Spain has lots of different areas and cultures

I would love to live in...

part time in Hawaii and part time in Mallorca

Education:

Balearic International School
  1973 to 1974

American School of Mallorca
  1974 to 1976

American College in Paris
  1976 to 1978

Monterey Institute of Intl Studies
  1982 to 1984

Favorite Cuisine:

fusion mexican/oriental/mediterranean

Favorite Museum:

Impressionist Museum Paris

Favorite Movie:

Pulp Fiction

Favorite Book:

Alexandrian Quartet

Favorite Sports Team:

Lakers

Some Forum Posts:

Spain: Moving to Mallorca!:

Dear Dana, I've lived in Mallorca on and off since 1973. What part of the north are you moving to? I hope you have a car, the transport outside of Palma leaves a lot to be desired unless you live near one of the trains. Can't advise you on work unless you tell me the sector you're in and your skills. I speak perfect Spanish, Catalán and quite a bit of French - plus native English and I had to move to Barcelona because EVERYTHING is German German German.... so if you speak German you've hit the jackpot. In bad economic times the Mallorcans have a nasty habit of saving all jobs for family members whether they are qualified of not - yep, they take care of their own - that's for sure! The yachting scene is SATURATED with brits and they are holding on to their jobs and businesses by the skin of their teeth - most don't speak German but they've been there for so long...so anyone new HAS to have German, full stop. Pollensa and the Port are deserted in winter (that's when it's the best, really) but everything is closed - same for Alcudia and that entire coast. Up in Deia and Soller forget jobs - all taken by old timers or newbie German speakers. Teaching jobs are obtainable if you have a degree - my friend who's a English teacher in the UIB university is being layed off after donkeys ears -... they are phasing the English program out of tourism school.. local schools, again will prefer to have a Mallorcan with English as a second language than a real native newbie... MAFIA... I'm sorry I'm so negative but it's brutally true. NOW, if you want to tutor English under the table in a small town if you move you butt you may be able to get by... there are lots of things to do if you have money to invest as there are lots of holes that need filling still but if the idea is too weird forget it... it takes them a long time to come round to certain concepts and by then you're broke. Catering biz is cut throat like yachting... really hard to break in. The local English speaking newspaper is a D I N O S A U R and they won't let in any new blood nor will they accept any suggestions or articles from anyone else. Same old staff for the past 30 years. Music scene is worse - I hope you're not a musician... eeh gads I hope not, prepare to starve. Carpinters.... forget it... zillions of um... the small town halls are all broke and corrupt so stay away from working for the gov - besides they pay 6months to 1 year AFTER the invoice date. Hey, it's a beautiful place to starve - it's still my home and I will go back but right now we are in a love hate relationship - I hope you have more luck! Signed: Mala LLet Lisa

Spain: Health Care in Spain:

I'm lucky that I have a work permit and have the right to health care even if I am North American and not a member of the EC. Many Spaniards complain about their system and I set them right - they are SPOILED rotten and have no idea how fortunate they really are in comparison to Americans. I have been on BOTH ends of the spectrum - I've been a Spanish business owner (paying payroll taxes) and a regular employee having part of my paycheck deducted for health care. I have lived in a small town as well as a big city and I couldn't be more THRILLED with the system. My GP's have been fantastic and in one case that I didn't like her I was allowed to change. I always get an appointment and never have to wait more that 2 or 3 days. The price of medication is a LAUGHABLE it's so cheap! I've had my regular paps and my mamograms with hardly more than 3 weeks to a months wait... I've had minor surgeries performed - amazing quality. I've been admitted to the ER and held overnight for tests - my care was excellent! In fact, the times I've had a private paid system I ended up never using it because when I did the waiting list and care in a private clinic was virtually the same. If you can qualify for it - don't doubt a second, got for it!

Spain: Summer Activities for Children in Spain:

www.mcm.info they have all sorts of fantastic camps, mostly in Canada, the US & the Uk,,,surf camps, horse camps, sailing, photography, skateboarding, dance - all combined with languages programs. Over 20 years in business!

Spain: I Wish I had Known... Before Moving to Spain:

That I would never go back...

Spain: Americans moving to Spain!!!:

Hi! My name is Lisa, I'm from Calif and my half Calif half Spanish kids have been living here since 1992... I have a BA in Spanish and also speak Catalán. At present we all live in Barcelona, my 2 boys are 23 and 25. Their dad lives in Mallorca were we are originally from - anyway, if you need a consultant, a translator, secretary extraordinaire (!) or if you just need to find extras or actors I have a lot of contacts, I was in the staging business for 13 years and I've worked for Palma Pictures, they do most of the filming in Mallorca. Anyway, I can collaborate of any level you wish... call 34 644533717 PS. Happy Holidays !

Vietnam: THINKING OF MOVING TO HANOI:

I was wondering what the usual salary is for foreigners teaching English and how much to rent a small but clean/modern flat?

Spain: Spain relocation:

I've been in Spain on and off since 1973 and I've owned 3 businesses. I used to work in a realestate appraisal agency and I can tell you that there's little chance of you getting a paid job in appraising here. The red tape is terrible and they have a very different way of conducting appraisals and appraising homes plus there is nothing moving now at all realestate wise. I'd fiind soemthing else to do with myself.. lisa in mallorca

Date Joined:

6/9/2009

Total Posts:

9

Posts/Day:

0.00