My family moved to Canada, from Poland, 30+ years ago and the process was a challenge. Language proficiency or lack thereof, certainly impacts the experience. But I find your experience very normal. Moving countries is a challenge, for a wide variety of reasons. It will get better. Thank you for sharing this with us.
100%. I remember thinking in the midst of my move to Australia, "how the eff do non-speakers figure this out?". Gives you a pespective for the hustle and tenacity immigrants have. Moving isint easy.
When I lived in Barcelona I signed up for the free Catalan classes offered by the Catalan government and it was great. I was able to get the B2 level within 6 months (already being near-fluent in Spanish). It will take longer if you don't know Spanish or another Romance language, but still doable. I would still be there if I could get a visa. I love Catalunya. Also, I actually got back into cycling while I lived there, not having been on a bike in 15 years. I hope to figure out a way to get back one day.
El catalán es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo. No está de mas hablar catalán, pero no es algo realmente útil mas que para cuatro cosas mal contadas... Saludos de un catalán de Berga, Barcelona.
I like this style of video. You are showing a ride but also relaying information and interviewing each other. It’s kind of like hanging out with you guys!
when we moved to Spain in 2018, it took about 4 months to get settled. Lack of language skills, bureaucracy (as you say) and, at the time, a completely revamped immigration web site and appointment system that failed regularly.... so we got a lawyer. Very inexpensive compared to the US. He spoke excellent English, and in a matter of weeks we were set. You'll have to figure on 6 months to really settle. Year 1 ends well. Year 2 is when you'll really start to get comfy. We joined InterNations in Madrid and found that about 79% of the members were Spaniards rather than expats. There isn't an InterNations chapter in Girona, but the one in Barcelona probably has over 10,000 members. It helped us practice Spanish and make Spanish friends. But we found it wonderful overall as Spain is such a social place, and yet, 5 minutes outside a city you get these beautiful images you've shown us. So, hang in there ! It's gonna work out fine.
Having learned a couple of languages formally and informally, a little thing you can do is have radio or tv on all the time while at home. Not even loud enough to follow, but having the language constantly in your ears helps a lot.
You nailed it. I’m a Spanish speaker but sometimes I get rusty when I live in an area without other Spanish speakers. That’s when I start watching Spanish language television. It helps quite a bit.
Another thing is listen to children's stories if you are semi napping, if you have some basics it is surprising how much you absorb and understand. A French shopkeeper gave several of us some advice after seeing us struggling to recall the French word for an item - use the English word with a French accent, most of the time a unilingual French person is very likely to comprehend what you are looking for and give you the actual word... then practice the word and phrases associated. If the shopkeeper is not very busy, don't be afraid to try your limited vocabulary on them along with asking what different items are called then practice phrases, most appreciate seeing you trying to learn their language and will help you get the odd local dialect and variations that you may encounter. Before you know it you will stop internally translating and start speaking Spanish or English.
We moved to Portugal 4 years ago and it does get easier, but sometimes, we still spend all day doing some jobs which should only take a couple of hours. But hey, the sun shines, (most of the year) and the cycling is fantastic on very quiet roads. Next year we are heading into Spain to the Badlands area, Spanish Lappland and possibly Barcelona! Will be looking out for you on our travels.
Saw a video on 90% or so of rural Spain being minimally populated, think it said Lapland was similar...oh and the Scottish Highlands where I am lol is about the same.... at least they're still biking we've just come out of a -10c spell that's lasted a couple of weeks and winter hasn't really started!! (indoor trainer time....)
Europe was already overpopulated a few centuries ago, that's why they colonized the world... of course technology among other thing is making these densities easier to live today. Also most cities in Europe were build long ago, and before cars were available, that's the main reason they are so different than in the US - at least city centers.
You probably know this already but there's a number of roads that the Romans built one of pro walk tours rides he took one of the Roman roads outside of Rome.
Having lived overseas I can identify with nearly everything in the video: the language, the bureaucracy, the frustration, and the adventure. My tip for learning the language is to move to a town where nobody speaks English. Hanging out with expats will greatly slow the learning.
As someone who recently moved to France I can 100% relate to your language and bureaucracy struggles. The state of constant confusion is real! Doing administrative stuff and making friendships in a foreign language is one of the hardest things, I've ever had to do. Hang in there though, and you'll get there, one step at a time!
Spain is a cespool of bureaucracy... I had a friend living in the center of Granada and he had NO water in his apartment for 6 weeks (yes, 6 weeks) while he was trying to get the water turned on in his new apartment. I lived in Spain for 3 years. Amazing place but the government bureaucracy is absolutely soul crushing...
A good tip is to say “Todo bien, muchas gracias” Also, do it with a smile since most of what they find you doing is unorthodox so just like keep arms open eye contact ya know
shopping for food gets easier. You learn what stuff is where and then stock up when you do go to each spot. And on the plus side the food is WAY better.
My advice…RELAX! and enjoy this journey. Please. Yes, the difference between USA and Spain is real, and also, very forgiving/rewarding. Looking forward to a similar video after your first year. And please visit this old American cyclist in the village of Cómpeta, along the coast in Andalucia! I’ve go a room for you a campo of excellent cycling to share!
You'll have to ride the Montanas Vacias route. As far as the language and all, you'll get it. You are both intelligent people and intelligent people are adaptable.
What I liked about Barcelona was that every corner store had a decent selection of cava for like €5 for a bottle. And your comments about learning language in a foreign country hit home for me because I do volunteer ESL tutoring and I try to keep that very thing in mind when I'm working with a learner.
I used to work with an American guy, we both reported into an office in france but had very different roles, mine was still mainly in the UK where i lived, his was in france. He said he had to deliberately detach from is ex pat and English speaking colleagues in the social setting to go from transactional French to conversational. My experience with European colleagues with good english moving into an english speaking international team was they struggled with UK regional accents and banter, but not for long once it was the only choice. Basically join a local speaking community for hobbies or volunteering and shake of the Jupiter sized gravity wells of EX Pat friends, probably harder in Spain /Catalunya where there are big ex pat British communities and international corporates where English is spoken as a business language.
Re language - look into intercambios. An intercambio is a local who you spend say an hour with to speak in Spanish/Catalan for half the time and the other half you get to tech them conversational English. So a mutually beneficial arrangement.
I´m From Castilla and I have been living in Barcelona for some moths and Catalán is not needed at all, people in Barcelona is more open than in other small villages of cataluña, but I didn´t feel any necesity of learning catalan. The same in Valencia, were I pass many months every year. That is one of the best parts os Spain, it is not very big but has lot of cultures and languages and feels diferent but has lot of common. I don´t feel strange in a small village in Pais Vasco or Andalucia or Estremadura, it has the same layout but with his own caracter. I like this 🙂
Una cosa son las grandes ciudades. Otra, muy diferente, las pequeñas y los pueblos. Una consulta: ¿tienes hijos y has intentado inscribirlos en Cataluña o País Vasco en un colegio público para que estudien mayoritariamente en español? Cuando lo consigas, dime algo. Saludos.
I've only visited Barcelona once, but one obvious thing is that drivers in the city seemed to be much, much more aware of cyclists. I personally witnessed cyclists doing some things that would get them hit in the US but Barcelona drivers didn't even honk.
I moved to Spain 17 years ago from Colorado. I have enjoyed the relaxed lifestyle in Terrassa and the people are amazing. The rides in the area are great once you hit the hillsides. There are roads and gravel paths. Motorists in general are more accomodating than when I was in Colorado. Bike shops are numerous, luckily I met great people at #bikingpointterrassa. Many bike shops are not terribly interested in servicing brands they dont sell. These guys have been amazing and always make me feel welcome. I think that is important because people are kind but more reserved and it does take time and you need to be patient. If you ever want to come to my neck of the woods and ride to Montserrat, let me know. My wife is a native Spanish speaker fluent in Catalan, so you can practice.
Part of the problem with the shopping is that the US is a very car dominated society. In the US, we're used to buying enough groceries to last us a week at the very least. But ever since I've been living in a walkable city, I don't buy groceries for more than 3 or 4 days at most. If I need something, I just run to the shop. If I have to go further than 10 minutes walking, I ride my bike. I suggest looking for the best shops close to you and if there's something you really want farther away, take the bike, and buy enough to last you awhile.
Good work. The north looks beautiful. Been down in Granada for 7 years and help people with visas and life set up and every single case has been unique and new bureaucratic hindrances. Love the channel. Welcome to this part of the world and to the Penninsula. Come down to Andalucía to ride. Also, right about now is when culture discontent starts to kick in especially with processes here. Let it come so you can move through it with greater ease.
In 2015 we moved to Spain, the north of Spain. It was shocking to cone from multicultural London to a place of only local people who only speak Spanish. No expat community, very few Spanish language schools. It was tough. But the access I now have to the natural environment is spectacular. The rustic costal trails, high mountain hiking, backroad cycling. Its wonderful and I feel I couldn’t go back to city living. Good luck on your journey, you are in a cool area!
The first few years of living as an immigrant are very tough. It will get worse before it gets better. Take it easy. Language in particular is really hard to acquire, with rapid progress only happening at the beginning. Truly understanding the culture, the unwritten social contract, that would take a couple of decades. Do your best to accept the way things are rather than getting frustrated every time your expectations aren't met -- because that's the path to becoming an isolated frustrated "expat" rather than a successful immigrant.
Regarding immigration and bureaucracy, don't be fooled: the bureaucrats can chill out and be super slow to process your paperwork, but that doesn't mean that *you* can do the same. The deadlines are set in stone and if you go over them you can expect things will go your way. Imagine dealing with the DMV or the IRS. Spaniards often rely on companies that specialize on dealing with governmental bureaucracy called "gestorías", in case you guys aren't doing that already. They can help with all sorts of different paperwork.
@@Frostbiker Yeah I cringed a bit hearing them call themselves that. Expat is associated with elderly british people using spain as a cheap retirement home in enclaves and never learning the local language.
I moved to the US from India and had a similar experience, except for the amazing cycling hahah. It’s the immigrant experience! This is what millions of people do every year, and seems like it’s a struggle no matter who you are and where you go
Like California without all the cars! Love it! I’ve lived in both Spain and California and love both, but, there’s no beating this “Fairytale Lane” ride!
As an Italian I can say. Perfect description of southern Europe . Success is living not paperwork just enjoy life all the rest will work out. It’s like a zen path. 😉 challenging bur fulfilling.
I lived and studied in Spain in 1985-86, 5 weeks in Donostia-San Sebastian and 11 months in Madrid. I visited Barcelona and Girona last year, and I visited Cádiz last week. Back in the 80's I could have selected Barcelona for study, but chose Madrid to avoid the language/cultural complexity. To be clear, I have absolutely nothing against Catalunya, in fact I love Catalan art, music, and culture, but my main goal was to learn Castellano, which would also facilitate travel in Mexico, Central America, and South America. If I were to move the Spain, and I'm considering it in the next few years, I'd probably go with somewhere in Andalucia - loved Cádiz - or possibly Asturias. I still have a lot of exploring to do. I love following your adventures! Thanks.
El catalán es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo.
Catalan is also quite difficult, coming from other latin languages, no (or few) common roots. I have no idea if that's the case for English speaking people too, but I guess it's also true to a lesser extent, as some French/Italian/Spanish words are sometimes used or heard...
Something that blows my mind going on 15 years living in Spain is that in Catalonia there doesn't exist a single school-not one-in which a child can receive an education in Spanish as a first language. You can receive an education in English, German, French, I suppose Italian, but not Spanish. If y'all are up for a roadtrip go to Igorre in the Basque Country for a cross race this Sunday (Dec 10). Igorre is the cathedral of cross in Spain. You'd have to hustle but you can find footage of Nys & company racing there. It's grassroots and a cool scene. There are some other races around Valencia or further south. Locally, the race in Les Franqueses del Valles is also very good-and Vic-as far as the Copa Catalana.
Totalmente cierto lo que indicas sobre el idioma en la educación pública en Cataluña. Y te aseguro que es tanto una vergüenza como un atraso en la calidad educativa. Conozco de muy cerca el tema. Y en Cataluña no hacen los políticos mas que ocultar y manipular los resultados de las auditorías educativas externas que dejan por los suelos la calidad en Cataluña.
Oh yes, an upload from my favorite biking channel el sendero menos pedaleado. Best of luck in tour journey, ill follow closely since im looking forward to moving to Spain too! Greetings from Peru :)
Reminds me of Ryan VanDozer learning Spanish while he was spending time in Latin America! You probably already know about his channel. * Thanks for sharing! Tip .... Put labels in Spanish on everything thing you own in the house, including stove, fridge etc
If you have the resources, hire a relocation firm. They manage all the processes. I had this in Germany, and it was effortless; even easier than even a local person. Everything you need can be done correctly and in like 10th the time.
As a returned Peace Corps volunteer, I can identify - I served with my wife in Morocco. Being together all the time made it hard not to speak English. Fortunately, we had opportunities to split: she would hang with women and I hung with men (very distinct gender roles in Morocco). It helped a lot. It’s also hard to have one foot in the US with the channel and the other in Spain - keep searching for the balance. I think I speak for many when I say we love seeing Spain through your eyes!
Anglo-saxon countries ain’t much different than Morocco, with girls doing girlie thingies strictly between themselves, includes riding bikes, see these so-called “Sister rides”, whilst males do boyish thingies, i.e. slingshot target shooting contest, comparing the accuracy of slingshots made by Hunter cycles vs Sour Bicycle vs WZRD Bikes.
I’m sure y’all are more focussed on learning the portion of Spain you’ll be living in, but if you have the opportunity I’d strongly recommend getting up into Asturias for at least a week. My wife and I spent about a month all over Spain this past March including a strong mix of cities and rural communities all over the country, but the Asturian people were far and away the most welcoming and most willing to slow their spanish down enough for us to more confidently speak and connect. The landscapes are stunning, especially the coast around Gijon and the passes in the Picos de Europa and the food and drink culture more unique than we found elsewhere. Public transit is certainly more limited than more populous regions but ALSA offers pretty comprehensive daily coverage if you’re clever with ticketing and willing to walk/hike/bike between villages and the relaxed pace and more health oriented culture were very welcome. Chulilla just inland of Valencia captures a similar experience in a smaller radius, though it’s probably packed with climbers in the summer.
Very cool. This is the video I've been waiting for. Just do your best to figure things out between paperwork and getting settled and figuring out the languages. I know it's hard not to stress about things but you're already there and may as well enjoy it for wherever it goes. Love seeing the riding footage and hope to see you guys taking some trips around Europe in the future. Smile, you had a dream and went for it!
Moving to a different country is much more difficult than most people are prepared. To me, for every incredibly good point there is an equally incredibly bad point. There just is no paradise. You better just exploit the good points and, like the locals, don't worry too much about the bad. While there, for example, you can visit the different regions of Spain which are so diverse with historic villages, mountains, beautiful coastlines, the green north, numerous national parks. Take the bikes on the bus or train and do local tours. There are excellent campsites everywhere or stay at cheap airbnbs. You can criss-cross the country in small roads or trails. Also, you are so close to the Pirenees, France, the Alps, Portugal and Marroco, just get there. Oh, btw, there are huge supermarkets on the outskirts of every city, probably in Girona too, but you need a car. Good luck on your new life.
I came to the US 22 years ago. I still remember those first months trying to figure out a new culture, the uncertainty of the future, the long-term future, and that uneasy feeling of not belonging anywhere. It'll pass. It takes time but it passes. Once you get the visa squared away it'll feel better and you'll settle. The rest, learning the language and culture, the places etc that is all a great adventure. Good luck!
What you're describing I think happens in any expat journey, and the truth is that the journey is always longer and more difficult than you think it will be. When I found myself in my second year teaching English in China (suddenly in a classroom of 2-year-olds and woefully underqualified, but that's definitely another story), I was still reeling from the bureaucracy there. In Spain, at least there tend to be less moments when it is necessary to engage with it, though they are always costly. But as with this and the Catalan/Spanish learning journey -- don't sweat it too much. You'll get used to or adapt to the things you don't like, you'll learn the languages with time, you'll make lots of valuable connections even before you achieve mastery of either language, and you'll end up having had tons of incredible experiences you didn't expect along the way. Good luck and happy trails guys!
Yes i really enjoyed this as if i was riding along with bith of you. Reminded me the good rides that just roll along with good conversation. So nice to hear from both of you.
I'm french, living very close to Spain on the french Pyrenees side. The weather is most of the time better in Spain. Car drivers are more careful with cyclists from what I've been told. Also Spain is the European country with the least amount of people living in the countryside also very mountainous.
Languagewise I know exactly how you are feeling! I lived 6 years in german speaking Switzerland. I speak/spoke a reasonable good german, and could communicate with other using that. But the swiss also speaks switzer dütch, which is really hard to learn. So moving to a dual language place is just very hard!
I think Catalan may be even harder, as it's a different language than Spanish. Schwytzertütsch is basically German, although they transform the words to the point they sound quite different, and also have some of their own, the root is often the same. That said I have to agree that Swiss Germans can make it totally impossible to understand them, if you only know Hochdeutsch! Zürich and Bern might be less problematic, but as soon as you go in the Alps, they obviously enjoy distorting everything German! my theory is that it dates back to the times when they had enough of the Habsburg rule, they had to make sure they would not be understood. And then there are different local Schwytzertütsch dialekts!
Hey Rush and Laura, don't stress to much about the Catalan. Slowly slowly it will come 🙂 But I agree, groceries in Girona aint the best, not a lot of good options.
Totalmente de acuerdo en lo de la comida. Pero no en lo del catalán. Es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo.
One of the things that will really help with language is finding friendly people and neighbors who don't speak English and are patient enough for you to put adult ideas through your toddler Catalan vocabulary
Es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo.
@@fotovalenciaestudio Catalan is a local language, but that's a reason to learn it a participate in the local culture and community. Spanish might be spoken by more people globally, but there's nothing like knowing the local language
Russ, I lived in Madrid years ago where I sought out an “intercambio.” Basically, I would get together with Karlos and speak for 20 minutes or so in English, then 20 minutes or so in Spanish with him. That way we were both learning. It’s a great way to get better with the language. And we became friends! Poco a poco, hombre!
Sounds like a bit of culture shock. You went from Montana, USA to Catalan, Spain and you are a month in. I look forward to future check-ins (i.e. 4 months, 12 months, 18 months, etc).
Imagine you are child and just moved there, your parents enroll you in school, have no friends, don't know the language but have no choice, few months later you have a new life , be that child and become twice the person you are today, moving to a different country doesn't mean you have to replace anything but to add to who you are, cycling if fantastic in EU, from the culture , tradition, passion and infrastructure there is no better place to ride .
Loving the vids & insights. The smaller shops will be a wonder over time - though appreciate it can seem less convenient than getting it all under one roof. Doing a smaller shop regularly helps (fresher ingredients) and is complimented by adopting mediterranean recipes with a handful of ingredients. Ultimately helps support of the multiple family owned businesses too that you frequent, so good for local community rather than supporting the larger chain(s). You find eating out a nice part of the culture too a few times a week - was a fan of eating out in Valencia which was usually quite economical.
It takes lots of time to settle in, I moved from France to UK and it took me 3 years to finally find myself comfortable in the country, you settle in after 2-3 months but it takes way more time to get all the culture and languages tricks. It's also easier for europeans to move from countries to countries, I would probably need a lot of time to adapt if I moved to the US too! Good luck :) stay positive and take your time, settling in will happen naturally.
I’ve found it useful when being immersed in a new language like you guys are to prepare in advance a few likely sentences that I’ll need in each situation. Eg going to the grocery, I’d figure out how to say: How much is this? Where is the…? How do I pay? Where are the bags? Etc etc then over time you’ll start to build up these sentences for different everyday interactions. For me, it’s less “learning the language” and more “figuring out how to handle everyday conversations”. Looking forward to the next video!
As someone that also made the move to Europe from the USA, hang in there! Its absolutely worth it, and you'll only feel more comfortable and happy as time goes on
You should put a rack and panniers on your bikes and use them to get groceries. Forget walking 6 miles (km?). You would also get some dynamo hubs and lights so you can use your bikes at night without charging batteries every day.
I think you've managed quite well for a month. Try to go easy on yourselves, everyone dreams of relocating, few follow through. So ride the rollercoaster, dividends come after :) Love the videos and enjoy your time!
Thanks for the honesty. I am thinking of moving abroad in a few years when I can retire and I know the lauguage and bueracracy will be a challenge but your right it doesn't talked about. Hopefully the rewards will be worth it.
I spend about 3 months a year on the French side of Catalunya. I speak French reasonably well that I can hold up my end of a conversation but the Catalan words they throw in really stump me. AND THEY MUMBLE - it is very hard to make out exactly what the words are, but I have learned to manage. I ride through the vineyards etc. Roads and gravel. I just love it around Perpignan. My wife and I have thought about relocating but the US govt will stop my social security as I'm not a US citizen if I move to France so I won't meet the income requirement for a residence visa. We often pop over to Spain as it's only 40 minutes away by car. Cadaques, Peurto de Selva, etc. Great area to ride and you've been out to Cap de Crues. I hope you get settled soon and can truly enjoy the area. You should stop at Haribo on the way to Banyoles for Gummies!
La Mariposa Spanish School in Nicaragua offers one on one online Skype Spanish classes for only $12/hr. It’s a wonderful program that can be custom tailored to all ages and skill levels.
Good, honest vlog, think that you have to realise that you have moved to a very unique part of Spain and that you highlight a deep and long culture.i am not anti USA but I find that Americans always struggle when they have to do things differently, the old world is more complex but that makes it interesting. I would love to be able to shop in the way you describe, no dirty great Malls full of people wanting a convenience that comes at a cost not only to them, their communities but also the planet with over processed products and foods, and even meat. Sorry if this appears a negative at you but listening to parts was difficult and i felt highlights the reason why the rest of the world doesn’t “get” Americanisation. I am an avid watcher of your content but in the same spirit as your video, wanted to give you an honest assessment. I look forward to how you feel after 6months and suspect you will have become Europeans😊
Most European cities were build when there was no cars around, only horses that are like 60 centimeters wide, and much less horse cars. Also Europe was so overpopulated that they had to invade the rest of the world to survive... It's not all rainbows and roses!
Learning the language was much harder than I thought, despite attending a local college twice a week. At first the speed of conversations can be daunting but eventually your ear starts to define words you recognise. For the bureaucracy I found it easier and quicker to use an agency who are familiar with the system and its idiosyncrasies. We have lived here for 8 years now the positives far outweigh the negatives. For cycling it is perfect especially at this time of year, cooler and quieter.
Transitions are quite hard more often than not. It’s a big thing that you’re both doing, and surely will become an exponentially better experience soon enough.
This reminds me of the “Year in Provence” series…so much adaptation required. Also, I worked with a Guatemalan who shared that for a long time he thought in Spanish and translated to English, but eventually caught himself thinking in English.
We moved to Puerto Rico in my senior year of high school. It took me four months to become fluent in Spanish. The day it happened, I was thinking and speaking in Spanish. No more translating in my head. You will make it. The fasted way is to do what you are doing. Total immersion. Best wishes.
Welcome to Europe, I've been here in Holland for a total of 18 years, 10 years on my first tour now going on 9 years with my 2nd tour. I've been through it all when getting here the 1st time. The best I can say just go with it, it's part of life getting into the flow over here and if you have too, get back into your own vibe and tweak it a bit here and there to make things work for you and your other half. As for the narrow roads, this comes from way back when the cars were much smaller and is some cases still are smaller than what's in the U.S. But I feel sorry for the tall Dutch Population here they will cram their tall bodies into these compacts over here, also the street light are like almost right above you not as like in the U.S. where the street lights are on the other side, end game they need to hunch over their steering wheel look up to see when the lights will change, now many are now walking around hunchbacked. One thing I miss about riding in the U.S. where I lived there was a fair amount of mountains if I wanted to go over to the coast we had to ride over the Santa Cruz mountains, here in Holland, it's flat less of course the Southern part, there's some rollers there but that's about it. Enjoy your stay in Spain.
European public officials love bureaucracy. It's in their blood, and it's the basis of Napoleonic law. But the people are generally lovely wherever you are.
Bueno...no olvides que los romanos fueron quienes inventaron de verdad la burocracia y de que fue la Corona Española la que la implantó en Hispanoamérica... Francia poco tuvo que ver en todo eso...
It is pretty cute hearing Americans enjoying the fact that walking is a viable mode of transport. It is the most basic form of transport and we definitely missed something as a species when we started building infrastructure in such a way that walking isn't a viable way to participate in society.
I'm glad you're having an amazing experience but yes, indeed, you are in Catalunya. They are very much into their culture. My wife is from Spain and even she feels like an outsider when she goes to Catalunya. It's just the way it is...
Tienes toda la razón. Se está usando la lengua como arma para enfrentar a españoles contra españoles. Trabajo de torpes y limitados políticos nacionalistas. Ese es precisamente su negocio y de donde consiguen beneficios particulares para ellos mismos. El catalán es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo. Saludos de un catalán de Berga, Barcelona.
@@fotovalenciaestudio Estoy totalmente de acuerdo. Son sandeces de los políticos. Digan lo que digan, Cataluña sigue parte de España. Como todas las comunidades autónomas (Galicia, País Vasco, etc.) Todas los carteles son bilingües y se respeta no sólo el idioma español sino los idiomas que pertenecen a las distintas regiones.
I Mark this one to watch later. We moved to Germany 10 years ago and struggled. Now we are going to move back to Madrid and worried about struggling again. Confort zones are like that... Reach out to me of you come to Madrid this summer :)
Están en España. Junto con Portugal, Andorra y Gibraltar, forman la Península Ibérica. Iberia es una compañía aérea española, no un ente estatal... Saludos.
This is European culture with regard to speciality stores and shopping multiple places for different food items. It's a beautiful part of European culture. People often buy their bread or rolls fresh each morning, and it's a way of life - one that we Americans can learn much from. It can be a much better pace of life.
We've had a very mild fall here in Missoula. I went bicycling yesterday. But the snow is supposed to return tonight. The bicycling there has anywhere in Montana, or most of the US beat, hands down. Enjoy, and keep those nice cycling videos coming. Best wishes getting through the paperwork. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Guys, this will sound strange. But take the helmet mirrors off for a week and see if people talk to you more. Nothing marks you out as USA like those mirrors. You just do not need them in Europe. If you want to meet a bike designer working on a printed gravel bike who lives right there, let me know. LOVE YOUR work - we followed you around the USA when we biked there years ago - our tent pegs were in the same holes!
Watch documentaries about things you like, cycling, fishing, painting, photography etc in the Catalan language, this tunes your ear to the common words, and phrases, then you'll recognise them when you hear them 😊. I do this living in France, and now my French friends say my French is terrible, but my documentary is better than theirs 😂. It's a running joke. Also learn the slang, and day to day speech, formal tongue is only for bureaucracies. Europe is about the living, not the working 😉
El catalán es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo. Y pueden desenvolverse perfectamente en español en Gerona. Sin problema ninguno. Incluso con mas personas que en catalán. Saludos de un catalán de Berga, Barcelona.
Two easy things. Talk only in km and degrees C. Using American terms only serves to isolate you from locals. Talk Catalan or Spanish between the two of you as much as possible. Avoid talking English in earshot of Spanish people. It's a challenge. I live in France, married to a Francaise. We talk French together. Almost all my daily contacts are in French. I belong to a cycling club. I am always looking for opportunity for conversation with one French person. More than that and the conversation can go over my head. But still progress is slow. I am starting to use google translate more for complicated things. You can type in English have a spanish translation and practice saying it. Also good to record spanish speech and practice copying it to improve pronounciation. I think you as a couple have an advantage - your level of Spanish is similar. Use what you have talking between you about everything. Good luck...
El catalán es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo.
Iam from Germany and it is told as good country for cyclist, well maybe compared to the US but Girona is another league. Car drivers really take care about you and the roads are so great. I will go there next year end of march. Maybe we can catch up.
The best thing about what you're doing is that you have each other, doing it together. Nothing sweeter than that.
My family moved to Canada, from Poland, 30+ years ago and the process was a challenge. Language proficiency or lack thereof, certainly impacts the experience. But I find your experience very normal. Moving countries is a challenge, for a wide variety of reasons. It will get better. Thank you for sharing this with us.
100%. I remember thinking in the midst of my move to Australia, "how the eff do non-speakers figure this out?". Gives you a pespective for the hustle and tenacity immigrants have. Moving isint easy.
When I lived in Barcelona I signed up for the free Catalan classes offered by the Catalan government and it was great. I was able to get the B2 level within 6 months (already being near-fluent in Spanish). It will take longer if you don't know Spanish or another Romance language, but still doable. I would still be there if I could get a visa. I love Catalunya. Also, I actually got back into cycling while I lived there, not having been on a bike in 15 years. I hope to figure out a way to get back one day.
El catalán es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo. No está de mas hablar catalán, pero no es algo realmente útil mas que para cuatro cosas mal contadas... Saludos de un catalán de Berga, Barcelona.
I like this style of video. You are showing a ride but also relaying information and interviewing each other. It’s kind of like hanging out with you guys!
when we moved to Spain in 2018, it took about 4 months to get settled. Lack of language skills, bureaucracy (as you say) and, at the time, a completely revamped immigration web site and appointment system that failed regularly.... so we got a lawyer. Very inexpensive compared to the US. He spoke excellent English, and in a matter of weeks we were set. You'll have to figure on 6 months to really settle. Year 1 ends well. Year 2 is when you'll really start to get comfy. We joined InterNations in Madrid and found that about 79% of the members were Spaniards rather than expats. There isn't an InterNations chapter in Girona, but the one in Barcelona probably has over 10,000 members. It helped us practice Spanish and make Spanish friends. But we found it wonderful overall as Spain is such a social place, and yet, 5 minutes outside a city you get these beautiful images you've shown us. So, hang in there ! It's gonna work out fine.
Having learned a couple of languages formally and informally, a little thing you can do is have radio or tv on all the time while at home. Not even loud enough to follow, but having the language constantly in your ears helps a lot.
Also turn on closed captioning, so you can read the words at the same time as you hear them. Full immersion works!
You nailed it. I’m a Spanish speaker but sometimes I get rusty when I live in an area without other Spanish speakers. That’s when I start watching Spanish language television. It helps quite a bit.
Another thing is listen to children's stories if you are semi napping, if you have some basics it is surprising how much you absorb and understand.
A French shopkeeper gave several of us some advice after seeing us struggling to recall the French word for an item - use the English word with a French accent, most of the time a unilingual French person is very likely to comprehend what you are looking for and give you the actual word... then practice the word and phrases associated. If the shopkeeper is not very busy, don't be afraid to try your limited vocabulary on them along with asking what different items are called then practice phrases, most appreciate seeing you trying to learn their language and will help you get the odd local dialect and variations that you may encounter. Before you know it you will stop internally translating and start speaking Spanish or English.
Also read and listen to children’s books. As you are learning España has many languages y Español is an American thing.
Enjoy Mi España.
Just recently finished binge watching your entire channel. You must be the hardest working RUclipsr ever! Anyway, wishing you all the best in Girona.
We moved to Portugal 4 years ago and it does get easier, but sometimes, we still spend all day doing some jobs which should only take a couple of hours. But hey, the sun shines, (most of the year) and the cycling is fantastic on very quiet roads. Next year we are heading into Spain to the Badlands area, Spanish Lappland and possibly Barcelona! Will be looking out for you on our travels.
Saw a video on 90% or so of rural Spain being minimally populated, think it said Lapland was similar...oh and the Scottish Highlands where I am lol is about the same.... at least they're still biking we've just come out of a -10c spell that's lasted a couple of weeks and winter hasn't really started!! (indoor trainer time....)
In the USA cities are not dense, but planners and highway engineers are.
Europe was already overpopulated a few centuries ago, that's why they colonized the world... of course technology among other thing is making these densities easier to live today.
Also most cities in Europe were build long ago, and before cars were available, that's the main reason they are so different than in the US - at least city centers.
It all revolves around the automobile, unfortunately
Heyoo underrated joke, thanks for the laugh-cry
You probably know this already but there's a number of roads that the Romans built one of pro walk tours rides he took one of the Roman roads outside of Rome.
Having lived overseas I can identify with nearly everything in the video: the language, the bureaucracy, the frustration, and the adventure. My tip for learning the language is to move to a town where nobody speaks English. Hanging out with expats will greatly slow the learning.
As someone who recently moved to France I can 100% relate to your language and bureaucracy struggles. The state of constant confusion is real! Doing administrative stuff and making friendships in a foreign language is one of the hardest things, I've ever had to do. Hang in there though, and you'll get there, one step at a time!
Spain is a cespool of bureaucracy... I had a friend living in the center of Granada and he had NO water in his apartment for 6 weeks (yes, 6 weeks) while he was trying to get the water turned on in his new apartment. I lived in Spain for 3 years. Amazing place but the government bureaucracy is absolutely soul crushing...
Bueno..."disfrutamos" de tener un gobierno central y 17 gobiernos locales... ¿Qué puede funcionar mal...? ;)
A good tip is to say “Todo bien, muchas gracias”
Also, do it with a smile since most of what they find you doing is unorthodox so just like keep arms open eye contact ya know
shopping for food gets easier. You learn what stuff is where and then stock up when you do go to each spot. And on the plus side the food is WAY better.
My advice…RELAX! and enjoy this journey. Please. Yes, the difference between USA and Spain is real, and also, very forgiving/rewarding. Looking forward to a similar video after your first year. And please visit this old American cyclist in the village of Cómpeta, along the coast in Andalucia! I’ve go a room for you a campo of excellent cycling to share!
You'll have to ride the Montanas Vacias route. As far as the language and all, you'll get it. You are both intelligent people and intelligent people are adaptable.
What I liked about Barcelona was that every corner store had a decent selection of cava for like €5 for a bottle.
And your comments about learning language in a foreign country hit home for me because I do volunteer ESL tutoring and I try to keep that very thing in mind when I'm working with a learner.
I used to work with an American guy, we both reported into an office in france but had very different roles, mine was still mainly in the UK where i lived, his was in france. He said he had to deliberately detach from is ex pat and English speaking colleagues in the social setting to go from transactional French to conversational. My experience with European colleagues with good english moving into an english speaking international team was they struggled with UK regional accents and banter, but not for long once it was the only choice. Basically join a local speaking community for hobbies or volunteering and shake of the Jupiter sized gravity wells of EX Pat friends, probably harder in Spain /Catalunya where there are big ex pat British communities and international corporates where English is spoken as a business language.
Joining a hobby group sounds like a great idea. And not a cycling group, since there are probably tons of expats. Maybe a painting class.
Re language - look into intercambios.
An intercambio is a local who you spend say an hour with to speak in Spanish/Catalan for half the time and the other half you get to tech them conversational English.
So a mutually beneficial arrangement.
I´m From Castilla and I have been living in Barcelona for some moths and Catalán is not needed at all, people in Barcelona is more open than in other small villages of cataluña, but I didn´t feel any necesity of learning catalan. The same in Valencia, were I pass many months every year. That is one of the best parts os Spain, it is not very big but has lot of cultures and languages and feels diferent but has lot of common. I don´t feel strange in a small village in Pais Vasco or Andalucia or Estremadura, it has the same layout but with his own caracter. I like this 🙂
Una cosa son las grandes ciudades. Otra, muy diferente, las pequeñas y los pueblos. Una consulta: ¿tienes hijos y has intentado inscribirlos en Cataluña o País Vasco en un colegio público para que estudien mayoritariamente en español? Cuando lo consigas, dime algo. Saludos.
Welcome to spain, Keep calm and enjoy😎
I've only visited Barcelona once, but one obvious thing is that drivers in the city seemed to be much, much more aware of cyclists. I personally witnessed cyclists doing some things that would get them hit in the US but Barcelona drivers didn't even honk.
France is similar, especially in the countryside. Helps that cycling is a sport that people actually watch there.
I moved to Spain 17 years ago from Colorado. I have enjoyed the relaxed lifestyle in Terrassa and the people are amazing. The rides in the area are great once you hit the hillsides. There are roads and gravel paths. Motorists in general are more accomodating than when I was in Colorado. Bike shops are numerous, luckily I met great people at #bikingpointterrassa. Many bike shops are not terribly interested in servicing brands they dont sell. These guys have been amazing and always make me feel welcome. I think that is important because people are kind but more reserved and it does take time and you need to be patient. If you ever want to come to my neck of the woods and ride to Montserrat, let me know. My wife is a native Spanish speaker fluent in Catalan, so you can practice.
Try the Via Verde to Olot. The Carrilet.
Very tranquil and nice.
Part of the problem with the shopping is that the US is a very car dominated society. In the US, we're used to buying enough groceries to last us a week at the very least. But ever since I've been living in a walkable city, I don't buy groceries for more than 3 or 4 days at most. If I need something, I just run to the shop. If I have to go further than 10 minutes walking, I ride my bike. I suggest looking for the best shops close to you and if there's something you really want farther away, take the bike, and buy enough to last you awhile.
Big supermarkets now have online shopping and dilevery
Good work. The north looks beautiful. Been down in Granada for 7 years and help people with visas and life set up and every single case has been unique and new bureaucratic hindrances. Love the channel. Welcome to this part of the world and to the Penninsula. Come down to Andalucía to ride. Also, right about now is when culture discontent starts to kick in especially with processes here. Let it come so you can move through it with greater ease.
In 2015 we moved to Spain, the north of Spain. It was shocking to cone from multicultural London to a place of only local people who only speak Spanish. No expat community, very few Spanish language schools. It was tough. But the access I now have to the natural environment is spectacular. The rustic costal trails, high mountain hiking, backroad cycling. Its wonderful and I feel I couldn’t go back to city living. Good luck on your journey, you are in a cool area!
The first few years of living as an immigrant are very tough. It will get worse before it gets better. Take it easy. Language in particular is really hard to acquire, with rapid progress only happening at the beginning. Truly understanding the culture, the unwritten social contract, that would take a couple of decades. Do your best to accept the way things are rather than getting frustrated every time your expectations aren't met -- because that's the path to becoming an isolated frustrated "expat" rather than a successful immigrant.
Regarding immigration and bureaucracy, don't be fooled: the bureaucrats can chill out and be super slow to process your paperwork, but that doesn't mean that *you* can do the same. The deadlines are set in stone and if you go over them you can expect things will go your way. Imagine dealing with the DMV or the IRS.
Spaniards often rely on companies that specialize on dealing with governmental bureaucracy called "gestorías", in case you guys aren't doing that already. They can help with all sorts of different paperwork.
@@Frostbiker Yeah I cringed a bit hearing them call themselves that. Expat is associated with elderly british people using spain as a cheap retirement home in enclaves and never learning the local language.
@@Frostbiker
thank u for this!
As a regular viewer and Patreon member, I really enjoyed this episode.
I moved to the US from India and had a similar experience, except for the amazing cycling hahah. It’s the immigrant experience! This is what millions of people do every year, and seems like it’s a struggle no matter who you are and where you go
Hey if the visa doesn’t work come to Georgia. It’s cheap and easy. You don’t need a visa, you can stay for a year every time you enter.
Cold winters, though?
Like California without all the cars! Love it! I’ve lived in both Spain and California and love both, but, there’s no beating this “Fairytale Lane” ride!
As an Italian I can say. Perfect description of southern Europe . Success is living not paperwork just enjoy life all the rest will work out. It’s like a zen path. 😉 challenging bur fulfilling.
I lived and studied in Spain in 1985-86, 5 weeks in Donostia-San Sebastian and 11 months in Madrid. I visited Barcelona and Girona last year, and I visited Cádiz last week. Back in the 80's I could have selected Barcelona for study, but chose Madrid to avoid the language/cultural complexity. To be clear, I have absolutely nothing against Catalunya, in fact I love Catalan art, music, and culture, but my main goal was to learn Castellano, which would also facilitate travel in Mexico, Central America, and South America. If I were to move the Spain, and I'm considering it in the next few years, I'd probably go with somewhere in Andalucia - loved Cádiz - or possibly Asturias. I still have a lot of exploring to do. I love following your adventures! Thanks.
El catalán es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo.
Catalan is also quite difficult, coming from other latin languages, no (or few) common roots. I have no idea if that's the case for English speaking people too, but I guess it's also true to a lesser extent, as some French/Italian/Spanish words are sometimes used or heard...
Something that blows my mind going on 15 years living in Spain is that in Catalonia there doesn't exist a single school-not one-in which a child can receive an education in Spanish as a first language. You can receive an education in English, German, French, I suppose Italian, but not Spanish. If y'all are up for a roadtrip go to Igorre in the Basque Country for a cross race this Sunday (Dec 10). Igorre is the cathedral of cross in Spain. You'd have to hustle but you can find footage of Nys & company racing there. It's grassroots and a cool scene. There are some other races around Valencia or further south. Locally, the race in Les Franqueses del Valles is also very good-and Vic-as far as the Copa Catalana.
Totalmente cierto lo que indicas sobre el idioma en la educación pública en Cataluña. Y te aseguro que es tanto una vergüenza como un atraso en la calidad educativa. Conozco de muy cerca el tema. Y en Cataluña no hacen los políticos mas que ocultar y manipular los resultados de las auditorías educativas externas que dejan por los suelos la calidad en Cataluña.
Oh yes, an upload from my favorite biking channel el sendero menos pedaleado. Best of luck in tour journey, ill follow closely since im looking forward to moving to Spain too! Greetings from Peru :)
Reminds me of Ryan VanDozer learning Spanish while he was spending time in Latin America! You probably already know about his channel. * Thanks for sharing!
Tip .... Put labels in Spanish on everything thing you own in the house, including stove, fridge etc
If you have the resources, hire a relocation firm. They manage all the processes. I had this in Germany, and it was effortless; even easier than even a local person. Everything you need can be done correctly and in like 10th the time.
As a returned Peace Corps volunteer, I can identify - I served with my wife in Morocco. Being together all the time made it hard not to speak English. Fortunately, we had opportunities to split: she would hang with women and I hung with men (very distinct gender roles in Morocco). It helped a lot. It’s also hard to have one foot in the US with the channel and the other in Spain - keep searching for the balance. I think I speak for many when I say we love seeing Spain through your eyes!
Anglo-saxon countries ain’t much different than Morocco, with girls doing girlie thingies strictly between themselves, includes riding bikes, see these so-called “Sister rides”, whilst males do boyish thingies, i.e. slingshot target shooting contest, comparing the accuracy of slingshots made by Hunter cycles vs Sour Bicycle vs WZRD Bikes.
It's just the life of an immigrant (I hate word expat), we all went through that. Good luck.
I’m sure y’all are more focussed on learning the portion of Spain you’ll be living in, but if you have the opportunity I’d strongly recommend getting up into Asturias for at least a week. My wife and I spent about a month all over Spain this past March including a strong mix of cities and rural communities all over the country, but the Asturian people were far and away the most welcoming and most willing to slow their spanish down enough for us to more confidently speak and connect. The landscapes are stunning, especially the coast around Gijon and the passes in the Picos de Europa and the food and drink culture more unique than we found elsewhere. Public transit is certainly more limited than more populous regions but ALSA offers pretty comprehensive daily coverage if you’re clever with ticketing and willing to walk/hike/bike between villages and the relaxed pace and more health oriented culture were very welcome. Chulilla just inland of Valencia captures a similar experience in a smaller radius, though it’s probably packed with climbers in the summer.
Very cool. This is the video I've been waiting for. Just do your best to figure things out between paperwork and getting settled and figuring out the languages. I know it's hard not to stress about things but you're already there and may as well enjoy it for wherever it goes. Love seeing the riding footage and hope to see you guys taking some trips around Europe in the future. Smile, you had a dream and went for it!
Moving to a different country is much more difficult than most people are prepared. To me, for every incredibly good point there is an equally incredibly bad point. There just is no paradise. You better just exploit the good points and, like the locals, don't worry too much about the bad. While there, for example, you can visit the different regions of Spain which are so diverse with historic villages, mountains, beautiful coastlines, the green north, numerous national parks. Take the bikes on the bus or train and do local tours. There are excellent campsites everywhere or stay at cheap airbnbs. You can criss-cross the country in small roads or trails. Also, you are so close to the Pirenees, France, the Alps, Portugal and Marroco, just get there. Oh, btw, there are huge supermarkets on the outskirts of every city, probably in Girona too, but you need a car. Good luck on your new life.
Regarding shopping for everyday stuff... Lidl supermarkets. Well priced and they sell 'everything'.
I’m sure the main market in Girona will have everything you need across its multiple stalls.
I came to the US 22 years ago. I still remember those first months trying to figure out a new culture, the uncertainty of the future, the long-term future, and that uneasy feeling of not belonging anywhere. It'll pass. It takes time but it passes. Once you get the visa squared away it'll feel better and you'll settle. The rest, learning the language and culture, the places etc that is all a great adventure. Good luck!
What you're describing I think happens in any expat journey, and the truth is that the journey is always longer and more difficult than you think it will be. When I found myself in my second year teaching English in China (suddenly in a classroom of 2-year-olds and woefully underqualified, but that's definitely another story), I was still reeling from the bureaucracy there. In Spain, at least there tend to be less moments when it is necessary to engage with it, though they are always costly. But as with this and the Catalan/Spanish learning journey -- don't sweat it too much. You'll get used to or adapt to the things you don't like, you'll learn the languages with time, you'll make lots of valuable connections even before you achieve mastery of either language, and you'll end up having had tons of incredible experiences you didn't expect along the way. Good luck and happy trails guys!
Yes i really enjoyed this as if i was riding along with bith of you. Reminded me the good rides that just roll along with good conversation. So nice to hear from both of you.
I'm french, living very close to Spain on the french Pyrenees side. The weather is most of the time better in Spain. Car drivers are more careful with cyclists from what I've been told. Also Spain is the European country with the least amount of people living in the countryside also very mountainous.
Languagewise I know exactly how you are feeling! I lived 6 years in german speaking Switzerland. I speak/spoke a reasonable good german, and could communicate with other using that. But the swiss also speaks switzer dütch, which is really hard to learn. So moving to a dual language place is just very hard!
Sobre todo cuando desde la política se quiere usar uno de los dos idiomas en contra de la mayor parte de la población... NAcionalismos retrógrados...!
I think Catalan may be even harder, as it's a different language than Spanish.
Schwytzertütsch is basically German, although they transform the words to the point they sound quite different, and also have some of their own, the root is often the same.
That said I have to agree that Swiss Germans can make it totally impossible to understand them, if you only know Hochdeutsch! Zürich and Bern might be less problematic, but as soon as you go in the Alps, they obviously enjoy distorting everything German! my theory is that it dates back to the times when they had enough of the Habsburg rule, they had to make sure they would not be understood.
And then there are different local Schwytzertütsch dialekts!
My family love this content and we tour Spain so your content is perfect, keep it up.
Hey Rush and Laura, don't stress to much about the Catalan. Slowly slowly it will come 🙂 But I agree, groceries in Girona aint the best, not a lot of good options.
Totalmente de acuerdo en lo de la comida. Pero no en lo del catalán. Es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo.
Love watching this new adventure. We are within a year of making our move. Possibly outside of Valencia. Way interested in all you have to say now.
Bravo, you two. Way to embrace La Cultura Española!
One of the things that will really help with language is finding friendly people and neighbors who don't speak English and are patient enough for you to put adult ideas through your toddler Catalan vocabulary
Es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo.
@@fotovalenciaestudio Catalan is a local language, but that's a reason to learn it a participate in the local culture and community. Spanish might be spoken by more people globally, but there's nothing like knowing the local language
Wait for a couple of years until we come over there! I’ll teach you catalan while we ride
Russ, I lived in Madrid years ago where I sought out an “intercambio.” Basically, I would get together with Karlos and speak for 20 minutes or so in English, then 20 minutes or so in Spanish with him. That way we were both learning. It’s a great way to get better with the language. And we became friends! Poco a poco, hombre!
Sounds like a bit of culture shock. You went from Montana, USA to Catalan, Spain and you are a month in. I look forward to future check-ins (i.e. 4 months, 12 months, 18 months, etc).
You guys will settle in. Very American “HURRY UP TO RELAX” 😂
Imagine you are child and just moved there, your parents enroll you in school, have no friends, don't know the language but have no choice, few months later you have a new life , be that child and become twice the person you are today, moving to a different country doesn't mean you have to replace anything but to add to who you are, cycling if fantastic in EU, from the culture , tradition, passion and infrastructure there is no better place to ride .
You guys are brave! Good on you! That said, I would not expect normalization until the anniversary! Best of good fortune!
Thanks for a great reality check on the issues with moving to a new place.
You should come to Tenerife and the Canary islands !
Please note the lack of trash along the roads and paths. 👍👍👍
Loving the vids & insights. The smaller shops will be a wonder over time - though appreciate it can seem less convenient than getting it all under one roof. Doing a smaller shop regularly helps (fresher ingredients) and is complimented by adopting mediterranean recipes with a handful of ingredients. Ultimately helps support of the multiple family owned businesses too that you frequent, so good for local community rather than supporting the larger chain(s). You find eating out a nice part of the culture too a few times a week - was a fan of eating out in Valencia which was usually quite economical.
It takes lots of time to settle in, I moved from France to UK and it took me 3 years to finally find myself comfortable in the country, you settle in after 2-3 months but it takes way more time to get all the culture and languages tricks. It's also easier for europeans to move from countries to countries, I would probably need a lot of time to adapt if I moved to the US too! Good luck :) stay positive and take your time, settling in will happen naturally.
I’ve found it useful when being immersed in a new language like you guys are to prepare in advance a few likely sentences that I’ll need in each situation. Eg going to the grocery, I’d figure out how to say: How much is this? Where is the…? How do I pay? Where are the bags? Etc etc then over time you’ll start to build up these sentences for different everyday interactions.
For me, it’s less “learning the language” and more “figuring out how to handle everyday conversations”.
Looking forward to the next video!
As someone that also made the move to Europe from the USA, hang in there! Its absolutely worth it, and you'll only feel more comfortable and happy as time goes on
You should put a rack and panniers on your bikes and use them to get groceries. Forget walking 6 miles (km?). You would also get some dynamo hubs and lights so you can use your bikes at night without charging batteries every day.
I think you've managed quite well for a month. Try to go easy on yourselves, everyone dreams of relocating, few follow through. So ride the rollercoaster, dividends come after :)
Love the videos and enjoy your time!
Thanks for the honesty. I am thinking of moving abroad in a few years when I can retire and I know the lauguage and bueracracy will be a challenge but your right it doesn't talked about. Hopefully the rewards will be worth it.
I really like the "real time" nature of these updates. Much better than reading a novel written 2 years later. Good luck as always
I spend about 3 months a year on the French side of Catalunya. I speak French reasonably well that I can hold up my end of a conversation but the Catalan words they throw in really stump me. AND THEY MUMBLE - it is very hard to make out exactly what the words are, but I have learned to manage. I ride through the vineyards etc. Roads and gravel. I just love it around Perpignan. My wife and I have thought about relocating but the US govt will stop my social security as I'm not a US citizen if I move to France so I won't meet the income requirement for a residence visa. We often pop over to Spain as it's only 40 minutes away by car. Cadaques, Peurto de Selva, etc. Great area to ride and you've been out to Cap de Crues. I hope you get settled soon and can truly enjoy the area. You should stop at Haribo on the way to Banyoles for Gummies!
From rainy London I'm *very* jealous!
La Mariposa Spanish School in Nicaragua offers one on one online Skype Spanish classes for only $12/hr. It’s a wonderful program that can be custom tailored to all ages and skill levels.
Good, honest vlog, think that you have to realise that you have moved to a very unique part of Spain and that you highlight a deep and long culture.i am not anti USA but I find that Americans always struggle when they have to do things differently, the old world is more complex but that makes it interesting. I would love to be able to shop in the way you describe, no dirty great Malls full of people wanting a convenience that comes at a cost not only to them, their communities but also the planet with over processed products and foods, and even meat. Sorry if this appears a negative at you but listening to parts was difficult and i felt highlights the reason why the rest of the world doesn’t “get” Americanisation. I am an avid watcher of your content but in the same spirit as your video, wanted to give you an honest assessment. I look forward to how you feel after 6months and suspect you will have become Europeans😊
Narrow roads are the best traffic calming measure. The riding sure looks nice.
Most European cities were build when there was no cars around, only horses that are like 60 centimeters wide, and much less horse cars.
Also Europe was so overpopulated that they had to invade the rest of the world to survive...
It's not all rainbows and roses!
Learning the language was much harder than I thought, despite attending a local college twice a week. At first the speed of conversations can be daunting but eventually your ear starts to define words you recognise. For the bureaucracy I found it easier and quicker to use an agency who are familiar with the system and its idiosyncrasies. We have lived here for 8 years now the positives far outweigh the negatives. For cycling it is perfect especially at this time of year, cooler and quieter.
In many European countries you have a legal to walk through private land to access and experience the wild nature.
Transitions are quite hard more often than not. It’s a big thing that you’re both doing, and surely will become an exponentially better experience soon enough.
This reminds me of the “Year in Provence” series…so much adaptation required.
Also, I worked with a Guatemalan who shared that for a long time he thought in Spanish and translated to English, but eventually caught himself thinking in English.
Eventually you will dream in Spanish as the immersion continues..
We moved to Puerto Rico in my senior year of high school. It took me four months to become fluent in Spanish. The day it happened, I was thinking and speaking in Spanish. No more translating in my head. You will make it. The fasted way is to do what you are doing. Total immersion.
Best wishes.
Proud of you both!
cool one for changing it up and taking the risk, and sharing it, thanks
Welcome to Europe, I've been here in Holland for a total of 18 years, 10 years on my first tour now going on 9 years with my 2nd tour. I've been through it all when getting here the 1st time. The best I can say just go with it, it's part of life getting into the flow over here and if you have too, get back into your own vibe and tweak it a bit here and there to make things work for you and your other half. As for the narrow roads, this comes from way back when the cars were much smaller and is some cases still are smaller than what's in the U.S. But I feel sorry for the tall Dutch Population here they will cram their tall bodies into these compacts over here, also the street light are like almost right above you not as like in the U.S. where the street lights are on the other side, end game they need to hunch over their steering wheel look up to see when the lights will change, now many are now walking around hunchbacked. One thing I miss about riding in the U.S. where I lived there was a fair amount of mountains if I wanted to go over to the coast we had to ride over the Santa Cruz mountains, here in Holland, it's flat less of course the Southern part, there's some rollers there but that's about it. Enjoy your stay in Spain.
Great start. Here's to the settling in part of your adventure smoothing out.
European public officials love bureaucracy. It's in their blood, and it's the basis of Napoleonic law. But the people are generally lovely wherever you are.
Bueno...no olvides que los romanos fueron quienes inventaron de verdad la burocracia y de que fue la Corona Española la que la implantó en Hispanoamérica... Francia poco tuvo que ver en todo eso...
It is pretty cute hearing Americans enjoying the fact that walking is a viable mode of transport. It is the most basic form of transport and we definitely missed something as a species when we started building infrastructure in such a way that walking isn't a viable way to participate in society.
As for linguistic passions, my favorite youtubers are Matt vs. Japan, Days and Words, and Steve Kaufman. I like your channel for bike passions.
I'm glad you're having an amazing experience but yes, indeed, you are in Catalunya. They are very much into their culture. My wife is from Spain and even she feels like an outsider when she goes to Catalunya. It's just the way it is...
Tienes toda la razón. Se está usando la lengua como arma para enfrentar a españoles contra españoles. Trabajo de torpes y limitados políticos nacionalistas. Ese es precisamente su negocio y de donde consiguen beneficios particulares para ellos mismos. El catalán es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo. Saludos de un catalán de Berga, Barcelona.
@@fotovalenciaestudio Estoy totalmente de acuerdo. Son sandeces de los políticos. Digan lo que digan, Cataluña sigue parte de España. Como todas las comunidades autónomas (Galicia, País Vasco, etc.) Todas los carteles son bilingües y se respeta no sólo el idioma español sino los idiomas que pertenecen a las distintas regiones.
I Mark this one to watch later. We moved to Germany 10 years ago and struggled. Now we are going to move back to Madrid and worried about struggling again. Confort zones are like that... Reach out to me of you come to Madrid this summer :)
You should see how hard it is to get a social security number as a foreigner in the states let alone to try and get a visa ...
I wasn’t born in the US and immigrated there as well.
Welcome to Iberia! I'm guessing at some point you will come to visit Portugal. If you need any suggestions, fell free to drop a line.
Están en España. Junto con Portugal, Andorra y Gibraltar, forman la Península Ibérica. Iberia es una compañía aérea española, no un ente estatal... Saludos.
This is European culture with regard to speciality stores and shopping multiple places for different food items. It's a beautiful part of European culture. People often buy their bread or rolls fresh each morning, and it's a way of life - one that we Americans can learn much from. It can be a much better pace of life.
We've had a very mild fall here in Missoula. I went bicycling yesterday. But the snow is supposed to return tonight. The bicycling there has anywhere in Montana, or most of the US beat, hands down. Enjoy, and keep those nice cycling videos coming. Best wishes getting through the paperwork. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Guys, this will sound strange. But take the helmet mirrors off for a week and see if people talk to you more. Nothing marks you out as USA like those mirrors. You just do not need them in Europe. If you want to meet a bike designer working on a printed gravel bike who lives right there, let me know. LOVE YOUR work - we followed you around the USA when we biked there years ago - our tent pegs were in the same holes!
Watch documentaries about things you like, cycling, fishing, painting, photography etc in the Catalan language, this tunes your ear to the common words, and phrases, then you'll recognise them when you hear them 😊. I do this living in France, and now my French friends say my French is terrible, but my documentary is better than theirs 😂. It's a running joke.
Also learn the slang, and day to day speech, formal tongue is only for bureaucracies.
Europe is about the living, not the working 😉
El catalán es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo. Y pueden desenvolverse perfectamente en español en Gerona. Sin problema ninguno. Incluso con mas personas que en catalán. Saludos de un catalán de Berga, Barcelona.
Two easy things. Talk only in km and degrees C. Using American terms only serves to isolate you from locals. Talk Catalan or Spanish between the two of you as much as possible. Avoid talking English in earshot of Spanish people.
It's a challenge. I live in France, married to a Francaise. We talk French together. Almost all my daily contacts are in French. I belong to a cycling club. I am always looking for opportunity for conversation with one French person. More than that and the conversation can go over my head. But still progress is slow. I am starting to use google translate more for complicated things. You can type in English have a spanish translation and practice saying it. Also good to record spanish speech and practice copying it to improve pronounciation. I think you as a couple have an advantage - your level of Spanish is similar. Use what you have talking between you about everything.
Good luck...
El catalán es una lengua local, tremendamente limitada tanto en población como en extensión. El español les abre al resto de España y a todos los países de habla hispana. Mas de 500 millones de hablantes. Y la segunda lengua materna del mundo.
Iam from Germany and it is told as good country for cyclist, well maybe compared to the US but Girona is another league. Car drivers really take care about you and the roads are so great. I will go there next year end of march. Maybe we can catch up.