HeliumTips for renting a home in Spain

HeliumSpanish lifestyle:  The leisurely way to live

HeliumHow to make pan de tomate: A healthy and refreshing Spanish breakfast

Michael Carroll @ Suite101.com - Profile

Getting a Haircut in Spain

So how do you get your haircut? First of all it is nice to be able to talk to the hairdresser, but it isn´t necessary. Practice a few hairdresser conversations like isn´t it hot, ?Mucho calor, no¿ Or maybe talk about el futbol. Don´t worry, you won´t be asked if you want anything for the weekend, and even if you are you won´t end up with a time share in Marbella.

Having said that go for a haircut that is basic and suitable for Spanish weather. Numero tres is reasonably short, numero dos , very short and uno y medio is right down to the timber. You can always wear a sombrero afterwards.

It can be a little more complicated for women. So ask around, get the name of a good hairdresser. Take a friend who has a bit more Spanish than you. Write down your instructions in Spanish and remember that these are instructions and not a conversation. Keep it simple until your language skills improve or you are more confident with your stylist.

Short hair is definitely cooler in Spanish summers!

Entertainment in Andalusia

As boredom seems to be the killer for many ex pats living in Spain it is worth checking out local activities. Even the smallest towns have lots of entertainment on offer.


The nearest Casa de Cultura is a good starting point, often with activities that are never advertised in the Tourist Information office.

Lots of shows are free, or very cheap, and it isn´t always necessary to have a great command of Spanish. Recent free concerts in Coin included a visit by the Moldavian Symphony Orchestra during their tour of Andalusia.

Last year´s theatre season provided the opportunity to see dance combining ballet and flamenco as well as a spoof Hamlet which had enough slapstick comedy to keep everyone laughing. A cheap Spanish lesson at 5 euros a ticket.

Saturday night sees the annual festival of International Dance. Again a free show.

Getting by in Spain

How often do you feel like packing up and going back to UK. You probably took professional advice for the important stuff like accommodation, or health care, but that isn´t really an option for the day to day things. How do you get your haircut? What are the Spanish equivalents of British cuts of meat?

When language barriers turn the simplest transactions into impossible problems the dream can become a nightmare.

I hope to use this blog to answer some of the niggling little questions that can be so frustrating.