Sunday, April 22, 2012

The cars out in Pinoso

I used to own a 1977 MGB GT. It came to Spain and it was beautiful. But poor insurance and a shortage of money turned it into a battered jalopy. I sold it on four years ago.

When we first arrived I had a five year plan. To be a local councillor. I expected my Spanish to improve and being a councillor would indulge an interest in politics and an idea of becoming a part of my new community. Part of the plan was to join a classic car club following Richard Vaughan's advice to join a group where a shared interest would make it easier to practice my Spanish. I joined the Orihuela SEAT 600 Club but somehow it never worked out. There were other Brits in the group and the Spanish, keen to make us feel at home, always coralled us into a little group together. I never had the courage to break away.

Even though I've been without a classic car for four years the secretary of the club continues to send me information about their activities so I knew that today they were out in Pinoso. I drove in to town to say hello. I didn't though; the ever present diffidence. I sat in the café where the group was having breakfast and didn't say anything though Jesús, the secretary, spotted me and came over. He also invited me to lunch. I won't go of course. I might have to speak.

4 comments:

  1. A drink could help... Spanish people love it if you have a go, and respect you for it. And then they'll tell you how THEY'RE not brave enough to try the English they were taught at school...
    Caroline

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  2. In my point of view You sure did put a new twist on something that Ive heard so much about. And How did you manage to make a blog that as smart as it is sleek?

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  3. Weeeeelllllllllllllll . . . just me saying hello really . . . . would the sky fall in if you got a verb wrong? XXXX Samagita

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  4. Well,if I used a verb other than fall in it wouldn't. Maybe it would fall over or fall out or fall off. Who can say?

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