After 3 years of planning, 4 days of travel, 2 airlines, 3 flights, 3 hotels, 3 countries, 5 taxis, and a 5 hour drive from Madrid to Gijon, we arrived at our new apartment! We could not be more excited to start our new life. We covered over 5000 miles to get here but so much of Gijon feels familiar and welcoming.
Gijon is a city of 275,000 on the Bay of Biscay. Many have commented on the fact that we traded in the Tacoma waterfront for the Gijon waterfront. They are not wrong, although here we have the waves and a surfing beach as well as historic stone walls and buildings. Gijon boasts long walkable beaches, many parks, a vibrant city full of restaurants, cafes and shopping and so many well-loved dogs.
How do we know they are loved? Most of them are wearing brightly-colored and very fashionable sweaters! In fact, we’ve been told there are more dogs per capita than children. Wilma loves Gijon because she is welcomed everywhere. Our waitress served us coffee yesterday and quickly dug a dog biscuit out of her pocket for Wilma. Later in the day, another waiter discovered we spoke English and practiced his on Wilma, saying affectionately, “How you, darlin’?” On our many walks around the city, Wilma has met countless other friendly pups with names like Pepe, Diego, CoCo and Phoebe. Of course, they share the universal custom of sniffing butts to get to know each other so Wilma feels right at home.
Most cafe’s and restaurants have outdoor seating that pre-date covid, so the city remains vibrant and active. Many restaurants and cafes also offer indoor seating now although we’ve been comfortable staying outside. This is a very social culture built around visiting with friends, grabbing a coffee, wine or vermouth and sharing an appetizer or meal. Either as a result of living in apartments or the fact that there are so many inviting public spaces, very little entertaining is done in private homes.
Throughout Spain, masks are required everywhere outside of your home unless you are eating, drinking or smoking. School-aged children and the few homeless people we’ve seen are also wearing masks. In addition there is a pandemic-related curfew from 10pm till 6am, which may have cut into the Spanish nightlife but has not affected our enjoyment of the city in the least, since we are usually asleep during those hours.
Before we moved here, Rocky and I chose an apartment online. Were we nervous about choosing something we had not seen in person? Absolutely! My friend Suzy and I have a saying, “We can do anything for 45 minutes.” It was born of a rather challenging yoga class we took years ago with Andre Lappa. Rocky and I adapted that saying to: “We can live anywhere for a year.” We kept repeating that mantra but secretly harbored anxiety about whether the apartment was going to look like the photos we saw online. Would there even be an apartment when we arrived? Would it really be fully furnished?
We arrived in Gijon on Saturday afternoon, March 6th, and met Carlos, the real estate agent who had helped us set up the lease. Meeting him immediately put us at ease because he was so easy-going and friendly. He led us up to the 8th floor in a tiny elevator, two at a time. I don’t know about Rocky, but I was holding my breath for the big reveal. At the 8th floor landing we saw two ornately carved wooden doors across from each other. At one time, the apartment was divided into two living spaces but now both doors would lead to our new life: one to the kitchen, one to the entryway.
When Carlos unlocked the door to the kitchen, it appeared as we had expected: a rather spacious kitchen by Spanish standards that included a European sized refrigerator, a stove top, oven, microwave, dishwasher, built-in cabinets with glass doors filled with white china place settings and a door leading to a glassed-in sun porch. So far so good. I started to breathe a little easier.
We wandered onto the sun porch to see the washer/dryer combo and the more traditional clothes lines that were available as well. The view was a spectacular combination of terra cotta tiled roofs, a church steeple and one of the many beaches in the distance.
We continued our tour, taking in the two guest rooms that were small but charming. Like the smart realtor that he is, Carlos saved the best for last. We rounded the corner to the spacious dining room/living room combination that looked out over another terrace. We could see the marina and much of Cimadevilla, the historic section of Gijon, from this terrace. The site of the water and the boats in the marina really made us feel at home.
The master bedroom was down the hall and also had a breathtaking view of the terrace, water and city. After living in 568 square foot apartment for the past year, the place felt enormous. In fact, Rocky who usually has a brilliant sense of direction, kept losing his way to the kitchen for the first two days. Gratefully, he knows how to get there now since he is the chef in our family!
After Carlos left, Wilma started running around the apartment jumping on and off the beds like an excited kid. Rocky and I kept walking in circles, not fully believing that we get to live here. At 7 pm we made a critical discovery, though. The apartment had everything we needed… except bedding and towels! No sheet.
I don’t know how we missed this detail. Apparently, we didn’t think to ask and Carlos did not volunteer the information. Our son Cody, reminded us via text that stores would not be open on Sundays here so we better go in search of what we needed right away.
Thanks to the angels that surely must’ve been guiding us throughout the trip, we found a small bedding store less than a mile from our apartment. They were closing in a half hour. I quickly realized my vocabulary around bedding was limited to bed (cama) and towel (toalla)! How would I describe thread count, fabric and size? We had no time to lose so I didn’t even think to consult the Spanish dictionary app on my phone. With lots of help from the kind sales person, we managed to find pillows, sheets, a comforter, blanket and towels. I hoped that 150 cm was the right size for the sheets on our bed but I wasn’t sure. What we picked was not exactly what we would have chosen if we had more time, a bigger selection or complete mastery of the Spanish language but they would work just fine. We would sleep well and that is what mattered most! At 8:05pm we left the store loaded with bags and walked home to make the bed.
Once again, we lucked out. The new bedding fit the bed perfectly. When we opened the blanket we had chosen to put over the sheets and under the comforter, we were surprised to find a flat furry blanket, a fitted furry blanket and a furry pillow case. Apparently we had bought a set of furry sheets, not a blanket! At 8:30 pm after 4 days of travel, this got us laughing hysterically. We ended up using the flat furry sheet on our bed as a blanket. We didn’t waste the fitted furry sheet and pillowcase though: those are waiting for our first brave guests to arrive! I’m sure you will be very cozy with your furry sheet.
Yesterday, we met the landlord Pieter for the first time. He is originally from Switzerland but met his Spanish wife Luisa in Paris where they were both studying 40 years ago. They lived in the apartment we are renting during the first four years of their marriage and now live in Luisa’s family estate outside of the city. Pieter invited us for coffee and after getting to know each other, he admitted that he and Luisa had decided that Rocky and I must be big gamblers! They could not imagine that we would choose an apartment site unseen and send a good faith deposit and two months of rent unless we were big risk-takers. We all had a good laugh about the level of trust we had that all would work out well.
After all of our planning and a year of living in isolation in 2020, we are loving these new experiences: the yummy food, the gorgeous views, the friendly people. We couldn’t be happier or more grateful. No sheet!
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Leah! Love you too.
Jeni, I love all of this. You are inspiring the adventure in us. Your new casa and life sound perfect for you, Rocky, and Wilma. Thank you so much for sharing and I look forward to seeing you in France next year.
Terry
So much to look forward to! Thank you for sharing our journey.
Wonderful you two plus one 🥰
I’m proud of you guys.
Keep the stories coming.. I laughed out loud abt furry sheet episode.
Thank you Liz! Come try out the fuzzy sheets sometime.
I laughed at that part also! Jeni, thanks for sharing your adventures with us. It’s almost as good as being there!
Thank you, Judith! Glad to have you along for the ride.
Jeni
thanks so much for inviting me to your blog. I’ve had a smile on my face the whole time reading – vicariously enjoying your excitement and your bubbling joy. You are definitely living one of my dreams. I’m guessing you and Rocky are similar age to myself. I so admire your fearless adventuresomeness (is that a word?) When i went to Asturias in 2018 I took the bus along the coast from Bilbao and every corner we turned made me long to get onto that coastline. What an absolute gem of a place this is. I’ll be avidly following your blog. Do post some more photos.
Yours in a somewhat envious delight!
Best
Brid
Thank you Brid! I’ll keep you in my pocket until you can do the same adventure for yourself again. In the meantime, feel free to friend me on my personal FB page so that you can see more photos.
Such a wonderful first entry and can’t wait to try out the furry sheets some day. I love that Wilma can speak Spanish”butt sniffing” too. Sounds like dog heaven there.
I’d love for you to come try out the furry sheets!!
You inspire me to dream!
That’s the ultimate compliment! I’m excited if we can inspire others to dream big!
Jeni,
I learned you arrived safely on Monday in Yoga class. Now, we have to do Tree in every Suzy class!!!
Thank you for including me in your blog.
Sorry about the multiple tree poses! The best kind of honor, for sure!
Thanks for sharing. Your apartment looks awesome. So happy Wilma is embracing Spain also
Thank you Lana! We lucked out that Wilma is as adventurous as we are!
Dear Jeni and Rocky,
Yes, you are definitely gamblers, of course, professional,
experienced, and trusting human beings! Congratulations on your new adventures. Did you move there or are you just
visiting? Wilma seems to be multilingual to fit in the new
situations so quickly. You were lucky that you got into a “foreign” country, Spain under Corona Pandemic. Hope you can continue Yoga and teach your Spanish students in Spanish. Your long and complicated travel from US to Spain were worth it, yeah?
Enjoy your new life. Hope your new beddings won’t be
waisted unused. I’m sure a lot of visitors like Devin and Cody would appreciate your new beddings. Excite us with your good stories in Spain. What Rocky is going to do beside being a chef? Someday, come over to DC and cook us authentic
Spanish dishes.
Aloha,
Takako
Takako- we have moved here after selling or giving away everything except what we could fit in our five suitcases. I’m sure someone will appreciate the furry sheets eventually. Rocky is going to practice his photography and master Mediterranean cooking, two worthy hobbies for retirement. Love you!
Looking forward to following your adventures!
Oh Jeni …. I admire you’re eloquent writing skills …. I enjoy every word … laughing at the furry sheets ….& love hearing about Wilmas adventures…. thanks for taking the time to pen 🖊 your adventures… we would love to come visit you there ( well stay in a hotel ) ……as we Love that area of the world
Thank you Cindy! We’d love to have you visit. Spain should reopen to tourists by the end of the summer.
Furry Sheets….bwahaha. I don’t know what’s better that or the sardines turned lobstah!
Can’t wait to be a guest and get to see your new life. Sympathetic joy dominates with a sprinkling of inspiration. Keep the posts coming!
Mazel Tov!
Thank you Jen! We love sharing our fun with you even if it is just through stories.
Love you, Jeni! Spain sounds AMAZING and I’m so glad the settling in process is going so smoothly. Can’t wait to come try out the furry sheets! 😉🤗
Those sheets still have us chuckling!
Jeni, I’m so happy to hear your planning is working so beautifully. You and Rocky enjoy every moment of your life in Spain.
Thank you! So far so good!
Beautiful!! I’m filled with joy hearing your words of adventure. Give Wilma a snuggle for me.
Wilma sends her love right back to you!
Glad to read you arrived safely and are relying on your sense of humor as your escort! What a lovely story of how your manifestations of your new life have come to be! Namaste.
Yes, thank goodness for a sense of humor and the ability to laugh at our mistakes!
Sounds absolutely perfect! Experiencing a bit of jealousy…. Love it that you are always so open to new adventures and share them so beautifully.
Thank you Susan! Half the fun is sharing the experience with our friends. Thank you for reading!
Need pictures of the apartment to go along with your story….especially the kitchen!
Michelle- please check out my personal FB page for photos of the apartment. Thank you for following along!
Great adventure! I’m loving being with you in print!
Thank you Becky. So much fun to share it with you!
Such a great picture of Wilma!!! So glad you all made it safe and sound and Gijon is proving to be a great place to live. Let the adventure continue . . .
Thank you Linda! Fun to share it with you even if we can’t do it in person.
Glad that you arrived safely. It looks beautiful. Looking forward to doing one of your Spain hike and yoga tours in the future.
Thank you! How about this September, Melissa? I have room. Spain should reopen to tourists by the end of the summer.
Great to do while you have your health and motivation. You paint a beautiful picture of your trip and new life. I’m happy for both of you. With much like. Tom
Thank you Tom! Miss practicing yoga with you but glad we can stay connected.
Sounds wonderful. Best
To you and Rocky. I sent one comment already. Hope you got it.
Love following your adventures!!!!
Thank you for following along Sarah! More fun to share our adventures than keep them to ourselves!
OMG, perfect choice of cities. I noticed a large marina which would be perfect for the Bud Man. Keep sending me updates
Jim- this marina is called the sport port or puerto depotivo. That would be so much fun if you showed up here!
Great to hear from you, Jeni. I walked Juno at 6:30 this morning and the three of you came to mind. I wondered where you were. Your apartment sounds like a great home base!
Big news here – Jill Biden spent last night in our new Marriott Bonvoy. Quite an entourage – motocops, black SUV’s, white SUV’s and an ambulance – zooming out on the 705 this morning. She was scheduled to talk with soldiers at JBLM.
Let us know what a routine day turns out to look like for you in Gijon.
Kirk
Kirk- I love hearing the news about Dr Biden visiting Tacoma! How cool is that? We have not really found a rhythm yet but our days include a lot of walking and exploring the city, eating amazing food and pinching ourselves! I’m sure we will eventually get a rhythm but in the meantime everyday is a surprise.
Jeni and Rocky.,
I’m so glad the stars keeping lining up on your wonderful adventure. The area is absolutely beautiful and know you two will savor all the flavors. Your letters back home to all us dreamers is a salve to think big.
Love you dearly, got a good laugh at your sheets! Humor a lifeline especially when out of your comfort zone. So enjoy your writing and can’t wait for more snaps from photographer Rocky. 😗
Pat- thank you for the love and encouragement! Love having you with me on this journey.
Sending love and laughter and doggie kisses!
Thank you Amy! Can’t wait to adventure together again!
Hi Jeni! So happy to hear that you, Rocky and Wilma arrived safely in Spain. It sounds like Heaven on Earth! I am looking forward to hearing more of your future adventures! I love the details you include. Until your next post… Urdene Rickard.. namaste 😊
Thank you for following along Urdene!
Love how you are Soooo Real …. Jeni
Real is the only way I know how to be!
Hi Jeni!
I read this blog with absolute delight! I admire your bravery in taking the risk of moving to Spain and am so happy for you that it is going so well! I’m looking forward to hearing about future adventures!
Thank you Emily. Love that we can stay connected this way!
Great pix! I have to admit that I’m a little bit jellie!
Such a fun adventure for two deserving people!
Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you!
Definitely would love to visit someday! 💖
Thank you Patti! We will get the furry sheets ready!
Keep the blogs coming! Love this so much
Hi Jeni, That was such a fun story to read. What a beautiful life you have. Although I haven’t been in your yoga class for a year I do miss it. I look forward to reading more about your new life in Spain, how blessed your are to wonder this beautiful earth.
May God continue to bless your journeys
Michell Flint
Thank you Michelle. Appreciate your enthusiasm and I’m happy to share.
Dear Jeni
You are a light in this world – your joy is so palpable I feel fully swept up in my visualizing all that you so lavishly describe to us!
You are sending adventurous strength in waves please keep them coming with your pen – as another admirer said.
I’m hanging on every word.
( received yesterday what you mailed and thank you )
You are appreciated, Rita
Thank you, Rita! So much fun to share our journey with our friends!!
This is so wonderful, Aunt Jeni! Thank you for sharing! I love the sheet pun–I know how that’s pronounced in Spanish! Haha. So happy to know that you made it and you’re enjoying your new life!
Becky- thank you for reading! I miss seeing you but hope we can stay connected. Eventually you and Landon can try out those furry sheets in person!
Girl, you’re a gift! Im still laughing about the furry sheet set!
Can’t wait to follow your adventures!
Thank you Patti! Like photography for you, writing makes my heart happy!
I love this and we are looking forward to furry sheet evenings….LOL.
We will get them ready for you, Bec!
Oh I am so happy for you guys! I kept thinking about Wilma too hoping she made it ok in her special transport!
This all sounds so magical and you certainly deserve all the rest and adventure you have had and will have!
Can’t wait to visit but I believe I will see you in France first!
Hugs
Thank you! See you in France!
So exciting Jeni! Can’t wait to hear more as your adventure unfolds.
Thank you Rachael!
Ciao Jeni!
Espana perfecto! Multo bene. We breathe a sigh of relief that you guys have accomplished your dream! Miss you and much love,
Ed & Allene
Thank you! Look forward to a time when we can adventure together, Ed and Allene!
Your first day sounds wonderful and comical 😅💝 I hope you have many more days like that ahead of you (well without the stress of lack of bedding) 😊
Thank you Sheri! We are loving every minute.
Hi Jeni and Rocky,
Your apartment sounds wonderful and the view is amazing. Thank you for keeping me posted on your adventures.
Look forward to a time when we can share an adventure in person again. Until then!
Jeni, Rocky, Wilma—really miss seeing you walking along the Foss Waterway, and happy to hear you’re enjoying a different gorgeous waterfront.
Eager to read the ongoing blog!
Love,
Julie
Not quite as much fun as walking together but a good way to stay in touch.
Looking forward to reading about your adventures!
Hopefully you can join us on an adventure in the future as well! Thank you for reading.
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Look forward to seeing you in September. I am walking the Camino the last week of the month and hope to be able to share some time with you.
Wonderful! Are you walking with a group?