The first month in Galicia

Our first month in Galicia has come to an end, and what a month it’s been! As I mentioned before, the initial two weeks were a whirlwind of activity, but now things are slowly starting to feel a bit more “ours.” It’s definitely not home yet, of course, but that sense of familiarity is beginning to creep in.

One of our biggest hurdles, and frankly, a bit of a humbling experience, has been the language. We diligently studied Spanish for a year before buying our house here, only to discover that it’s simply not enough for everyday conversations. Translation apps have become our constant companions, but it’s a real shame when you bump into a neighbor on the street and can’t just chat because your phone isn’t handy. It’s also quite new for many people here to talk into a phone that you’re holding out for them so you can understand what they’re saying. This is clearly a significant task ahead for us: becoming fluent in Spanish as quickly as possible.

Once we’re back in the Netherlands, I’ll be researching intensive language learning methods that go beyond weekly classroom sessions. we really feel like we need to accelerate the process. Yes, we’re heading back to the Netherlands soon, a good deal wiser, and with the firm knowledge that our future truly lies here in Galicia.