Day 7 Tuesday My Kingdom for a Photocopy

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Today we got up early and once again set off for San Fernando, taking our usual route along the road.

We found the Police Station and sat in line, once again there was one of those notices advising if we didn’t speak Spanish to depart and return with a translator and indeed when I gave my standard opening of “ Hola, Buenos Dias, Los sientio un solo hablo un poco Espanol” (Good Morning etc I’m sorry I only speak a little Spanish) to the first Police Officer we were directed to the next table along where a different officer also spoke no English but did seem more inclined to help us.

The form I had downloaded from the internet before leaving was slightly different to that produced for us in the Police Station and we were directed to complete it and then return with a copy and two copies of our passports. Next hurdle, try to find a photocopier in San Fernando.

In some ways it is nice to see that the Spanish don’t pander to foreigners as we do in the UK. It’s your choice to come here and if you don’t speak the language or know the area that is your problem. They will try to help you but at the end of the day you are in Spain and you either do it their way or forget it, but on the other hand it can be hard when you are used to having everything done for you back home. Go into a Police Station in the UK and they will find you a translator and photocopy the form for you….

Anyway we found a shopping centre just down the road and although it resembled something out of Beirut in the bad old days with the majority of units derelict or half built and empty and the remaining ones advertising nude modelling or talent agencies, we did glimpse a sign saying copy shop and sure enough when we followed it to the third floor there was a copy shop and not only that but when we entered the two occupants were chatting in English.

It transpired that this was the headquarters of the Canarian News , the only English Language newspaper on the island. In our excitement of finding some fellow English speakers to converse with we just about overlooked the fact that they completely ripped us off by charging us 50 cents per copy and then compounding this by the fact that they charged us 3 Euros for only five copies. Despite their daylight robbery business practices, they were however friendly and helpful even if they did once again give us disheartening news about the recession, the economy and the close to zero chance of getting a job on the island.

Following this we retraced our steps back to Police Station, handed in our paperwork and were advised to come back in five weeks (that will be the day before we are due to leave then) to pick up our NIE numbers.

Next stop the job centre, repeat the same scenario from yesterday, hand in forms, muddle through and get accepted for Job Seekers.

Once again, I cant complain, despite the fact that they did not speak English and I could speak very little Spanish all the staff were very helpful and did try their best to assist us and in the end we managed to complete the process without too much pain on either side. Luckily I only have to sign on once every three months and the only remaining hurdle will be when they write to me to tell me where to collect my money.

Since we were already in San Fernando we decided to do some more food shopping but rather than struggle the 7km all the way home again we decided to catch the bus this time and despite it being rather pricey it was a welcome relief especially since this time our back packs weighed in at 9.55kg (Dee) and 20.35kg (Me).

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Photos

Local Parrots
The Parrots escaped from Palmito Park in the fires of 2007 and now live happily in the wild