Well, the 7th of April 2005 was the date I sent out the first Valencia Cronica newsletter to about 30 mums. A few years later I was still at it, sending it out to over 700 email addresses, then in November 2007, I turned to the internet and www.valenciacronica@blogspot.com was born!
AND, Who would have thought we would still be in Valencia!
It has been such an amazing journey for me to be doing this. Everyone who has contributed to make the Valencia Cronica as successful as it is, deserves a big a big bottle of bubbles! If only I had a nice big bank balance, I would have thrown a big 'Cronica' party to say thanks! I wouldn't be able to have Duran Duran there (man that party rocked!), but would have found someone to provide the entertainment.
It has been a while since I have had my say on what is going on in this crazy world we live in, so here I go...
The past year has been one of the hardest that I/we may have all been through, whether we (our partners) have had full time, part time or contract work here and there, or nothing. 2008 is a year to forget.
Those of us that have stayed in Valencia with a team or without, or those that have moved on by choice or forced - it hasn't been ideal for most, but then again, some were more than happy to go!
Families have been split for long periods. Plans changing every month, never knowing what is the right thing to, etc etc. The uncertainty has been stressful for EVERYONE.
BUT because the 32nd America's Cup was one of the most amazing rides I /We have been on, we all have been so very very lucky to have had that experience, I think sometimes, we may forget what it is like to live in the REAL WORLD, cos lets face it, the America's Cup is not normal.
The AC is a huge rollercoster and is so much fun to be on, but the fun does stop sooner or later. The AC does not guarantee continuous work, so you should have some sort of 'plan B' in place.
People I know outside of the America's Cup are loosing jobs, their homes, just by trying to live a normal life, but are being hit by the problems faced with the recession.
For us, so many are quick to point the finger and blame someone else on their recent misfortune (I am talking America's Cup here). Sure, the AC problems stuffed us up personally for a while, but through being (very) patient and some hard work, everything has worked out OK. We are responsible for ourselves. The rich men who pay us the good money are not responsible for how we spend it or how we save for the down time!
I am not sure if I would have survived here for so long, if it wasn't for the amazing friends I have here. To have such an important support group, who is going through the same experience, is so valuable. You rock!
This year, when I returned to Valencia from New Zealand, I got the warm fuzzy feeling when all my Spanish friends welcomed me back with big smiles on their faces. As much as I miss all my family and friends in New Zealand, and can't wait to start a life there with my family, I knew that we had made the right decision to stay here for while longer.
However you have been affected by the delays or maybe you have happily found a new way of life outside of the America's Cup; what ever you choose to do; stay positive, think positive and sooner or later, things will work out. Just live life to the fullest. Life is too short!!! You never know what is around the corner!
¡Felices Pascuas!
Happy Easter!
Cheers
Bridget
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5 comments:
Hi Bridget,
What a lovely letter.
Thank you for helping us all through these years. It's like reading daily newspapers ,I need to check Cronica everyday whereever I am.
I share all your ideas and feelings . Let's hope next year will be better for all.
Un abrazo
Asli
As you said there are no guarantees with the America's Cup. You accept the employment, you take the money, you accept the risk. I am spanish and I can tell you that most valencians cannot afford to live in the areas that the america's cup people live and cannot afford to send their children to the private english schools. It is a very privelleged life, I think. Sorry that there has been the problems in the court but really I don't think america's cup people have a lot to complain about.
Hi Hannah
Thank you for your comment which I do understand where you are coming from, but also find it interesting.
I guess I want to comment on the living arrangements and the schooling. I think what you have said relates to every city in the world. There are the people with lots of money, people earning the average wage, and the people that struggle from Month to month. Everyone works very hard and do long hours for what they do, and deserve the wage they get - including America's Cup people.
When you say that most Valencian's can not afford to send their children to a private school, then tell me why they are all full and most have waiting lists. At Caxton College for example, there are about 8 children there associated with the America's Cup at the moment. Or course we are going to send our children to an international school when they need to learn in their own language. They just happen to be private and cost twice as much as what we would pay in our own country. That doesn't mean that we are privileged, it is just necessary for our children to continue learning their native language.
With where some of us live, I agree with you that we get to live in a lovely area. We all shifted here for work and it is normal for a company to set you up in a comfortable living arrangement. A lot of us had to sell our own homes or rent them out when we came here, so being able to live somewhere comfortable makes sense, Right? Again for example, there are only 3 America's Cup families living in my building (approx 240 apartments)and everyone else is Spanish. They seen to afford to live there OK?
If anything, the America's Cup families put so much money into Valencia, it has made a lot of Valencian people get more money in their pocket. Just the families buying their groceries at Mercadona. 2000 families at 100 0r 200 euros a week. 2000 families renting out apartments. That has made 2000 landlords better off. 2000 families eating out at restaurants a few times month. A lot of people made a lot of money from the AC so they can afford to live in a nicer area and send their children to a private school.
It is not an easy thing to pack up a happy life and move to the other side of the world and start a new life in a foreign country. It is not every day you get the opportunity either and it is something that I definitely do not regret.
Valencia is an amazing place to live and have many happy memories, including my second child born here. I hope I have the opportunity to live another couple of years here.
BB - you are your usual beacon of positive, upbeat shining light. I remember those old email attachments from the first Cronica's....and how my pediatrician, my derm, my dentist, my babysitters and most of the functional elements of "Valencian life for newcomers" were found in those pages. I'm never sure you understand just HOW much you have helped SO many for all these years. Even those of us on the road still look to your light for news and bits and pieces which keep us connected to VLC. Thanks, as always, for all you do! Jac
Hello Bridget
Wow, Congratulations on the Valencia Cronica's 4th Annivesary. Time does fly.
Your letter is really touching and I guess someway or other most of us are going through a difficult time but it is good to have a support network.
Thank you very much for all your hard work and keeping us posted with what is happening in and around Valencia.
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