Is Anybody out There?
August in the city is wonderful! Everyone has gone away leaving, it seems, just me. I can drive into the city of Valencia and at times I find that I am the only car in what is otherwise overcrowded avenues. I can find on-street parking, and in the stores there is a deathly hush.
I made a visit to an office only to find that there was one sole person in attendance. Where was everybody? On vacation!
Spain has changed dramatically over the past ten years. There was a time when all shops closed for the three-hour lunch break and siesta. That is no longer the case as the modern world has caught up with the country. The smaller shops continue this practise but the large chain stores stay open from nine until nine.
It was also the case that during August all businesses except restaurants and bars closed while staff went off on vacation. But international business came to Spain and legal offices that closed during August came back to find that their clients had changed to those offices that stayed open. It’s very difficult when trying to do business with the world. Different time zones make that very hard to cope with, especially when some of your clients are on the West Coast of America and others are in Japan.
While many offices remain open with skeleton staffs, tradition dictates that August is the month of rest and that leads to a wholesale exodus from the city. Business is encouraging staff to split their holiday so that some go in July and the rest in August, but most go in August and the effect is remarkable. The city feels empty, and for those of us who remain here the sense of relief from people everywhere is wonderful.
Valencia plays host to Formula One racing in the third week of August, and that actually brings visitors into the city. Talk has it that city dwellers did not want to be bothered by on-street racing. We have a perfectly good racing circuit on the outskirts of the city and they could not understand why the racing could not be done there. However, City Hall suggested that August could be the month for the races and it was a done deal as most city folk will be away. What’s more, if they play their cards right they could rent out their homes for a very tidy sum.
So, while it is hot in August it is my favourite month as I can I can breath and stretch my arms. Long Live August!
Copyright © 2009 Eugene Carmichael
August in the city is wonderful! Everyone has gone away leaving, it seems, just me. I can drive into the city of Valencia and at times I find that I am the only car in what is otherwise overcrowded avenues. I can find on-street parking, and in the stores there is a deathly hush.
I made a visit to an office only to find that there was one sole person in attendance. Where was everybody? On vacation!
Spain has changed dramatically over the past ten years. There was a time when all shops closed for the three-hour lunch break and siesta. That is no longer the case as the modern world has caught up with the country. The smaller shops continue this practise but the large chain stores stay open from nine until nine.
It was also the case that during August all businesses except restaurants and bars closed while staff went off on vacation. But international business came to Spain and legal offices that closed during August came back to find that their clients had changed to those offices that stayed open. It’s very difficult when trying to do business with the world. Different time zones make that very hard to cope with, especially when some of your clients are on the West Coast of America and others are in Japan.
While many offices remain open with skeleton staffs, tradition dictates that August is the month of rest and that leads to a wholesale exodus from the city. Business is encouraging staff to split their holiday so that some go in July and the rest in August, but most go in August and the effect is remarkable. The city feels empty, and for those of us who remain here the sense of relief from people everywhere is wonderful.
Valencia plays host to Formula One racing in the third week of August, and that actually brings visitors into the city. Talk has it that city dwellers did not want to be bothered by on-street racing. We have a perfectly good racing circuit on the outskirts of the city and they could not understand why the racing could not be done there. However, City Hall suggested that August could be the month for the races and it was a done deal as most city folk will be away. What’s more, if they play their cards right they could rent out their homes for a very tidy sum.
So, while it is hot in August it is my favourite month as I can I can breath and stretch my arms. Long Live August!
Copyright © 2009 Eugene Carmichael
