Tag Archives: Retirement abroad

Driver’s Licence Medical process

September 12, 2016 chaput@live.com

This morning we went to the Medical Clinic called “Clinica Ume” for our medical certificate. This clinic is the approved location for the driver’s licence medical certificate, which is a requirement prior to writing the theory component of the driver licence in Spain.

img_20160912_122426634 — Shelley and Ray outside of the Clinica Ume

We arrived at approximately 11 a.m. and spoke to the receptionist who could not speak any English. We explained to her why we were there and after a few attempts at making ourselves clear she understood what we needed. She then took some information from us and we waited in the reception area.

img_20160912_115237046 — Ray and Shelley waiting in reception area for medical test

Approximately 10 minutes later we went into another room with a medical assistant and she conducted a hand and eye coordination test. This test was unique and something we have never done before. It was completed on an old commodore 64 style computer. The test consisted of two parallel lines approximately 1-inch wide which moved down the screen. They moved independently of each other and you needed to maintain two small dots inside both lines as they changed course.

computer-used-in-test-copy — The computer used in medical certification process for driver licence

Once the computer test was completed successfully a digital photo was taken prior to us seeing the doctor. We then attend another room where the doctor did a 10-minute exam that consisted of an eye test and general questions. Once that was completed we were back sent back to the receptionist. We paid our $20. euros each and received our “Informe de Aptitud PSICO-FISICA” aka- medical certificate.

auto-school-copy — Autoescuela Pausa in Alicante

We then returned to the Autoescuela Pausa to drop off the forms and secure our date to write the theory exam. We were required to pay in advance for the cost of the exam which was $90 Euros each. We also were required to complete another form for the upcoming theory exam. We paid the exam fee and completed the documentation so now we are set for the exam. But wait there is always a catch! What was really interesting is the fact that the government does not advise the location or time of the exam until 24 hours before the test. So we need to wait until September 21st to find out the time and location of our test. This is an interesting process and one that requires some patience.

“adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

Getting our Spanish Drivers License

September 9, 2016 chaput@live.com 2 Comments

We are residents of Spain and unfortunately the Spanish government does not recognise our Canadian driver’s licence beyond the first six months in Spain.

We have been studying and preparing for the inevitable task of getting our Spanish driver’s licence. This process began three months ago when we bought the study book in English. The book was very expensive and cost around $150. euros. We also had access to a bank of practice questions online which was a good start for studying.

The system to get your driver’s licence is very different here compared to Canada. All persons getting their driver’s licence are required to take classes at a registered driving school “Autoescuela”. We attended a few of the driving schools to get general information before registering with one of the schools. We decided to go with an autoescuela located not far from where we live.

We registered and paid our $59.95 each for the theory class. It is provided online and is also available in English. We are now working towards the formal written test which we have scheduled for September 22nd.

There are still a few things we need to complete before the test. We are required to obtain a medical certificate at a specific medical facility. This must be done at least one week prior to the test. We are also required to have two passport size photos.

We will be getting these done next week and studying the materials before the test on September 22nd.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Canada

Great time in Canada

August 30, 2016 chaput@live.com

We returned to Spain after a three-week visit to Canada. It was nice to get back to our home country and see everyone. We spent the first week of our time visiting our parents and helping out. It was wonderful seeing the parents and spending quality time with them. We also took some time to visit one of Canada’s iconic spots, “Tim Horton’s”

IMG_20160822_193347319_HDR — My first Tim Horton’s Coffee in almost a year

During our second week, we rented a cottage and our family and friends came for a visit.

IMG_20160820_091432481_HDR — The cottage we rented along the Ottawa River

It was great because we were able to spend time with most of our children and grandchildren for a few days. Our oldest daughter even drove 18 hours from New Brunswick to spend a few days with us. It was a great time and we enjoyed some canoeing, playing in the water and having bonfires. We even saw some turkeys that came through the yard for a visit.

IMG_20160814_124820627 — Keenan, Tyreese and Shantaya with turkeys

It was fabulous seeing the kids and spending some quality time with them. Our friends dropped by and we were able to catch up on things and have a laugh or two. The view and time at the cottage were great.

IMG_20160817_200727678 — View from the cottage deck of the Ottawa River

The last week we stayed close to home and spent more time with family and friends before heading back to Spain. Our trip back to Spain was uneventful and we have arrived home safe and sound.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Unique and quaint restaurant

August 7, 2016 chaput@live.com

On Tuesday evening we went out with friends to a quaint Spanish restaurant called “La Taberna Iberica”. The restaurant is in the old quarter of Alicante in a small alley up some stairs.

Tabern aiberica copy — The walkway towards La Taberna Iberica Restaurant

Inside the restaurant, we were greeted by the owner who welcomed us more like family than customers. We sat down in the quaint restaurant and chatted with the owner for a while.

IMG_20160802_201254244_HDR — Inside La Taberna Iberica Restaurant

IMG_20160802_204742698 — Mike, Ray Liz and Shelley at “La Taberna Iberica” Restaurant

We did not have a menu and only ordered some red wine. What was truly enjoyable was the fact that she decides what to cook and serves us a variety of different dishes.

IMG_20160802_204753781 — One of the many courses served to us over the evening

We were served numerous courses of food, including tapas, fish, shrimp, ham, cheese and an assortment of sweet treats for dessert.

When we were leaving the restaurant she took the time to chat with us and walk with us to the door. It was a very nice spot and the service was friendly.

IMG_20160802_222223210 (1) — One of the owners of “La Taberna Iberica” Restaurant

After our meal, we took a walk and stopped at a terrace bar in a small hotel called “Les Monges Palace”. The terrace bar was quiet and we had a perfect spot to enjoy a nice after dinner drink. The view from the terrace was beautiful and we could see the Castillo de Santa Barbara.

IMG_20160802_223325706_HDR — View of the Castillo de Santa Barbara from the terrace bar

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Italy

The Ruins of Pompeii, Italy

August 5, 2016 chaput@live.com

We were able to tour the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, in Italy. The city of Pompeii was destroyed, along with other communities by the major eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The eruption was so sudden and severe that it covered the city in 4 to 6 meters of ash in a very short period of time. Pompeii was preserved under the ash until it was excavated some 1,600 years later.

The excavation of Pompeii revealed an extremely preserved and detailed insight into the history of the time. It is the best preserved and complete roman ruins in the world and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We arrived at around 10 a.m. and the heat was already extreme at over 30 degrees celsius. We started the walking tour of the site with our first stop in the common square area which was used for the gladiators to practice in.

IMG_20160719_094652841 — Square where gladiators practiced in Pompeii

We then walked through the streets looking at the remains of the houses in Pompeii. Most of the houses we saw had a similar design. In the front of the houses, there was an area for a small storefront or market. The rear of the house was the living space.

IMG_20160719_100912923 — Streets of Pompeii

The cobblestone was well-worn and you could see the grooves made by the wheels of the oxen-drawn carts in the streets.

IMG_20160719_100500983 — The groves in the cobblestone over years of wear by the use of oxen-drawn carts.

We went into several houses and looked at the layout. The Roman city is so well-preserved that in certain areas of the buildings we could still see the original paint on the walls.

IMG_20160719_103018524 — room with original paint on the walls

It was spectacular to see a complete Roman city preserved and excavated in such great detail. We walked several of the streets in Pompeii looking at the different remains of buildings.

We entered a Roman bathhouse and the guide explained how the process worked. The bathhouse was an area where people would meet and socialize. It was considered a social event and people would gather for saunas, baths, and messages. The design of the bathhouse is ingenious. It used steam that flowed under different floor areas heating baths to different temperatures.

IMG_20160719_104444083 — The floor framework in stone where the floorboards would be supported and steam would travel underneath.

IMG_20160719_104418101 — One of the baths in the bathhouse elevated above the steam channels.

IMG_20160719_104312533 — Area in Bathhouse where personal belongings would be stored. Similar to a locker

We walked along a street called “Alley of the Skeletons” one of the main streets of Pompeii . At the end of this street, there was a display containing a cast of a body from Pompeii.

IMG_20160719_105513071 — Cast of body from excavation in Pompeii

The display is not a body but a cast of a body. During the excavation process, it was discovered that there were hollow spaces in the ash. They poured plaster into the hollow area and it formed a cast of the body.

IMG_20160719_105529429 — Cast of body in Pompeii

We walked freely around the streets of Pompeii looking at the different buildings and streets. It was enjoyable but very hot and there was basically no shade throughout the entire three-hour tour of the Roman ruins. It was worth every bit of sweat to see the site. It is hard to put into words the amazing ruins and how well-preserved they were. Below are some of the pictures we took in Pompeii.

“Arrivederci e hanno un grande giorno”