I can't believe I haven't told you yet! A couple of weeks ago, San Geraldo and I received our new residency cards. This is "Renewal #2" of our temporary residency permits.
Considering the big deal I made when we received our first residency cards when there was a parade
(click here), and a year later when we received our first renewals and enjoyed a sweet celebration
(click here), it's interesting we didn't think a parade or muffins were in order this time around.
I guess it's good that it's become for us like renewing a driver's license
(well, like renewing a driver's license used to be... there will be Spanish stories soon).
 |
| 2011: THE FIRST RESIDENCY CARD PARADE. |
 |
| 2012: THE FIRST RENEWAL SWEET STOP. |
Not Taking Everything for Granted
Although our latest residency cards didn't carry the wallop our first and second cards did, I'm at least not taking everything else for granted about our lives in Spain. And I still have to use most of my self-control to not jump out of bed just about every morning to take pictures of the post-summer sunrises on the Mediterranean Sea.
Saturday morning, Moose and Dudo were a bit rambunctious, so I gave up on trying to sleep in and headed to the terrace with my camera. They were grateful for the company.
(Click any image to enlarge.)
It was a cool and comfortable morning and I spent a long time outside snapping away. It was so quiet and peaceful. But then along came
Jones, I mean
Juan, and I expected to hear his dreaded gas-powered leaf blower
(click here if you missed being introduced).
I was relieved to discover Juan had left the leaf blower behind. My peace was not disturbed... except for the song that looped in my head for the rest of the day.
 |
AND THEN ALONG CAME JONES... JUAN. |
Congratulations on the residency cards renewal! I love the sunset photos - so beautiful
ReplyDeleteHayley:
DeleteThanks! Two more years and then we get PERMANENT residency cards. THAT will be a celebration.
Happy for you! You live in such a beautiful place. So do I, of course, but I think just about every beautiful location can be improved by an ocean, sea or river view.
ReplyDeleteMichael:
DeleteIt is beautiful here, and it's a very easy life. San Geraldo would be much happier without the cyclonic winds.
I love sunrises even more than sunsets - so pretty and such promise of a great new day. Great shots! So glad Juan didn't disturb your peace.
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteToday, we were at El Jazzy Bar for coffee. Gardeners arrived with a leaf-blower midway through our bliss!
When you show Juan in your posts I immediately think of that fellow in Costa Rica who used the mother of all leaf (?) blowers to clean the sidewalks near the cafe we liked. That contraption was so loud you couldn't even hear yourself think. We've been looking at places in Spain to housesit this winter, but so far haven't come up with much. A couple are so far out they require a car just to get groceries. We're still working on it... well, Bill is...
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteI don't know anyone, unfortunately, that uses house-sitters. If I hear something, I'll let you know.
Juan may start too early for our tastes, but at least he's done before we're down on the street trying to enjoy our coffee.
Sharon:
DeleteI've now written this comment three times and Google has lost it three times! So, now I've bored myself! Hugs!
Sharon: AND NOW it found one of the earlier ones!
DeleteHopefully you've paid your dues and now these bureaucratic obligations will come more easily.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteOh, I don't think enough dues could ever be paid. I'm sure we'll have to jump through more hoops in the future. (Wait until I tell you about getting a Spanish drivers' license.)
Your place is wonderful and comfortable one. /I am jealous of the climate.
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteThe climate really is glorious. After years living in Southern California, we had gotten used this and knew we couldn't move someplace without it.
Holy cow, that is one weird song :))) I've never heard it before, so I'm chuckling away, thinking that it immediately jumped into your head -- and then stuck there all day :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunrise photos, and congrats on the residency cards!!
Judy:
DeleteI always have a song stuck in my head. And most are much more obscure than even this one. I blame it all on the Dowager Duchess.
Who needs a parade anyway!
ReplyDeleteNow will Juan be sweeping every morning taking care your every need along the plaza?
That would be a good thing, me thinks!
Ron:
DeleteThe crew may not be here every morning, but they sure do take good care of things. It's an unbelievable clean city.
Congratulations! Which muffin did you get? The one on the right looks packed with chunkier chocolate, and the one on the left is bigger. If I had a choice (not that I do or did), I'd probably swing right on that one. Warm chunks of chocolate are so...mmm...sorry, you side-tracked me, Mitchell. Those sunrise photos are spectacular.
ReplyDeleteKeep celebrating. xo
Robyn:
DeleteSan Geraldo, of course had the jumbo muffin (that was before he started eating healthier). But those muffins were both a chocolate overdose. And that was the only time they weren't slightly stale at that Starbucks. We had coffee at a new bakery nearby today. You would not believe all the "chocolated" pastries. We both abstained (which is why I bought two chocolate bars at IKEA this afternoon). Oh, yeah.. spectacular sunrise. Yeah. Yeah.
Can't get those muffins out of my head!!
ReplyDeleteNot to mention those photos of the sunrise! WOW WOW WOW! I understand that it would be difficult staying in bed and all the while knowing 'that' was out there!
Haven't heard that song in decades!
Jim:
DeleteI don't remember them being as good as they looked. The pastries tended to be kind of dry at that Starbucks.
Maybe I should head off on a musical Jones theme...
I miss those days when people used rakes/brooms/shovels. Now, everything is mechanized, and loud!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why you say you need to use all of your self-control to resist to this daily spectacle. Why resist? If it still has such a hold on you after all of this time, I say, go for it!!! Give in!! We'll all be better for it, as you share pictures of what you see. Dawn is my favorite time of the day, so, you'd always have [at least] one interested party.
:)
TB:
DeleteI love the sunrise (and have about a gazillion photos to prove it), but my mood tends to be better at night and can be iffy in the morning. Sometimes sleeping in is a good idea.
I'm late to the party again but I too want to join the conga line of congratulations wishing you two happy residency!
ReplyDeleteRambunctious cats are up to no good at that hour; beware.
Thanks, Spo! You're never too late. Always a pleasure to hear from you. (These cats are up to no good at just about any hour.)
DeleteBeautiful shots of the sun. Glad you got your reside cy cards again with no problems!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteOh... there were problems, but not too many!