We were invited to a jazz evening in El Campello and decided to go and check it out. We took the TRAM from Luceros to El Campello which takes about 30 minutes.
Entrance to the TRAM at Luceros in Alicante
We then walked about 5 minutes to the Jazz event being held at the Casa de Cultura.
Casa de Cultura in El Campello
We arrived 15 minutes early but the place was already packed. There was standing room only so we decided to stand at the back to watch the jazz. There was no ventilation and the room was very warm.
Packed room waiting for the jazz band to start playing.
The band came out and began playing some jazz music which was interesting to listen to. It is not our typical type pf music but was a nice change.
We listened to the music for about a half hour then decided to leave because it was very warm and uncomfortable standing.
We headed back towards the TRAM and came across some friends having dinner at an outside patio. They invited us to stay and visit so we enjoyed some time chatting with friends. We then took the TRAM back to Alicante and stopped at one of our favorite restaurants called Mish Mish.
Shelley at Mish Mish restaurant Alicante
The restaurant was busy and there were lots of people outside enjoying the great weather. We had some tasty tapas before heading home.
It was an enjoyable evening of relaxation, Jazz, and good company.
On Sunday we decided to take a nice bike ride with our friend Filipe through parts of Alicante. There are so many beautiful sights and scenes in the city that each day is a great chance to explore. We started in the center of the city and worked our way down towards the waterfront. We cycled along the waterfront enjoying the view
Ray and Shelley along the waterfront in Alicante
We came across a group of people singing and chanting in Russian along the waterfront. Some were dressed in traditional Russian dress.
Russian march along the waterfront
We decided to take a break and watch them for a while before heading on.
Ray, Shelley, and Filipe taking a break on waterfront boardwalk
We continued along the coastline for a few kilometers admiring the vistas.
Shelley and Ray on the coast of Mediterranean Sea.
We came across a lookout area and took some time to admire the views.
Ray, Filipe and Shelley on the lookout admiring the view
After biking along the coast we headed into the old quarter of Alicante. We cycled through the old streets of Alicante and came to a beautiful old neighborhood called Barrio de Santa Cruz.
They decorate the streets with flowers and colorful ornaments to welcome the Fiesta of the Crosses of May. They hold a fiesta and decorate flower crosses which are judged for the best design. The fiesta ends on the 1st of May and we missed the fiesta but we were able to see the winning cross still on display.
Ray and Shelley in front of the Winning Flower cross of the Fiesta in Barrio de Santa Cruz
We then headed back into the center of the city and came across an art exhibit. It was set up with local artist displaying their work and some artist were painting as well. We stopped and decided to check it out.
Shelley looking at some of the artwork on display
There were some very talented artists and we watch several of them work on their art. We could recognize some of the Spanish landmarks they had painted in some of the paintings.
As we walked throughout the displays we came across a beautiful water feature.
Water feature in the park with artist
After viewing the art we stopped at a new Italian restaurant called “ll Typico”. We were introduced to the owner Felice Falanga by our friend Filipe and enjoyed a wonderful meal.
Filipe, the owner Felice Falanga, Shelley and Ray
Overall another great adventure in Alicante. Each day brings new adventures and experiences.
We finally, completed our Spain driver’s process including the final practical exam. The procedure of acquiring a Spanish driver’s license is a major undertaking for people who live in Canada and the USA. The Spanish government does not recognize the equivalency of a Canadian or USA driver’s license. You are required to complete the entire driver license process regardless of your past experience identical to that of a new Spanish driver.
We began the process back in fall with completing the written exam. The written exam was an experience and adventure on its own. If you haven’t followed the post on our progress follow the links below.
We have been taking the practical driving lessons which are a requirement in order to complete the driver exam process. Although we are both experienced drivers and have held a Canadian driver license for years the lessons were of value.
The driving techniques in Spain and Europe are somewhat different from Canada. We do drive on the same side of the road however, there are some notable differences.
Yield signs are common and stop signs are minimal in Alicante. There are numerous roundabouts in Spain and some roundabouts are complex with three or more lanes wide.
Typical roundabout in Spain
Traffic signs are also slightly different, there are multiple signs for the same intersection which can be confusing at times.
After completing numerous practical driving lessons, we finally had our driving test days. Ray’s test was first and it was done during a torrential downpour. The examiner only speaks Spanish and no translator is permitted for the exam. The exam took approximately 20 minutes and when completed I was informed to wait outside the car. The examiner and the driving instructor remained in the car for a few minutes to discuss the exam. Ray was then allowed back in the vehicle and he was dropped off at the apartment. The results of the exam would not be available for 24 hours.
Shelley’s Driving exam was held on the Wednesday before the Easter long weekend. Traffic was congested and there were three other students in the car when the exam took place. The examiner asks each student a question about the car prior to the practical exam. Shelley’s question was on the colour of the reverse lights on the car when in reverse. Shelley completed the exam and was also asked to wait outside the car with the other students.
The final result is that we both have passed our driver exams and now have a Spanish driver’s license.
Ray and Shelley in front of the Pausa driving school holding their Driver Licence L
In the first year after obtaining your driver’s license in Spain, you are required to have an “L” on your rear window of your car. We received our “L” from our driving school and will display it proudly when we drive.
There is a carnival in Alicante that starts on February 23rd and continues until March 5th. The carnival is full of different activities that include fireworks, dressing in costumes and other events. The carnival begins with a parade through some of the streets of Alicante ending with a big party at the Plaza del Carmen. The parade is full of people walking through the street some are dressed as devils and setting off fireworks and sparklers.
We headed over to the Plaza del Carmen early to check out the area before the big crowds showed up. There was a stage set up for music another section with a bar and some barbecue pits. We then could hear the parade approaching through the narrow streets so we headed over to watch the parade.
Parade procession through the narrow streets of Alicante
We watched the crowds of people gather into the Plaza del Carmen. Some people were dressed in capes, with makeup and wearing devils horns, others were playing musical instruments and singing. People were pushing carts full of fireworks and they were carrying bicycle wheels with fireworks attached.
One of the many carts used to push the fireworksRay standing beside one of the carts
Once everyone was gathered in the plaza they started to set off fireworks in the middle of the plaza. It was an amazing thing to see because the sparkles were raining down on the crowd.
Fireworks and sparklers in Plaza del Carmen
They also stood on the shoulders of other people to elevate the sparklers.
climbing up on the shoulders of another person to set off fireworksStanding on the shoulders of people to set off fireworks
We stayed and watched the fireworks show for a while and left once the live music began. The experience was unique and spectacular. What amazed Ray was the use of handheld fireworks and the lack of apparent concerns for injury.
Here is a small video to give you an example of the fireworks.
It is hard to believe we have been here a year already. We were required to renew our residency card which expired in January 2017. We began the renewal process in November 2016 with the first process attending the “Oficina de Extranjero” to have our documents reviewed to ensure they met the requirements.
We headed to the “Oficina de Extranjero” and arrived early in the hopes of getting served quickly. We took a number and waited our turn. After approximately 30 minutes our number was called and we met with a clerk. She reviewed our papers and informed us that we were missing one form. The form was available online and we needed to return with it completed. We were not permitted to complete it there so off we went back home. We completed the form and returned another day to have our documents reviewed again.
After waiting approximately 45 minutes our number was called and we met with a different clerk. She reviewed our documents and asked for a new document that was not on the list, however, I brought every document we had, including the one she asked for. We provided the additional document and was advised that we would receive a letter in the mail advising if the application was approved.
A month later we received a letter in the mail advising us to proceed to make an appointment at a different office for our residency card. We went online and scheduled an appointment which was three weeks later at a different office.
Campo de Mirra office
We attended the office located on Campo de Mirra with a copy of all our documentation and met with another clerk. They reviewed our documents and the letter we received from the other office. We were then issued with another letter which required us to return again in another month to pick up our new residency cards.
We returned a month later and after having our fingerprints scanned we were able to pick up our new residency cards. We are now good for two years before going through the process again.
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