Look who responded to our interview, “Through the Eyes of the Traveling Child”. It’s Olivia! This interview is a little unique as she and her parents have moved to La Herradura and live just minuets from us in Almuñécar, what a treat.
Olivia with La Herradura as background and a horsie she found on the beach
We had the pleasure of meeting this family via our blog. We have had the opportunity to meet up a few times in person, once they moved to La Herradura. They are really a great family and Olivia has a wonderful spirit. We have a few extra questions for the parents and then Olivia’s questions will follow. We hope this information is helpful if you are looking to plan long-term stay in Spain.
An American family living in La Herradura, Spain
Olivia’s Parents (Luz and Marvin) were kind enough to answer the following questions:
Why did you choose to move to Spain/ La Herradura?
We want Olivia to learn Spanish and we like the lifestyle. We wanted a small town close to big cities but small enough where we could walk everywhere.
Luz in the Tower of Cerro Gordo
How long did it take you to make the move from the “decision” to do it, to arriving in Spain?
We decided in May 2013 and arrived on November 4th, 2013.
What did you do with your home and belongings in the USA?
We rented out our house with all the furniture. We got a storage place just for personal stuff like documents and clothes.
What monthly budget do you plan to live on?
Around €2700 a month.
How will you make an income or will you work?
We are exploring business option at this point.
Marvin in Chiringuito El Bambu La Hurradura
How long do you plan to stay?
Minimum 2 years.
Through the Eyes of the Traveling Child – Olivia
Provide us with a little background on who you are.
My name is Olivia, I’m 7 years old and I’m in first grade. I’m from Oklahoma and I’m an only child.
Where do you call home?
Oklahoma
Olivia in the Palacete of Cazulas en Orgiva Spain
What do you like most about traveling?
All the new places and the new food.
How long have you been traveling and where have you lived so far?
We are always driving places. I have lived in Oklahoma and Spain and Colombia.
What have you learned from your travels thus far?
I like to learn new things like the tradition of the Wise Men here in Spain.
Tell us about how you are receiving your education?
I go to school in Las Gaviotas in La Herradura. I like my new teacher.
How many languages can you speak and at what level? Was it difficult to learn?
I speak English and I’m learning Spanish.
Do you have many friends?
I have a lot of friends back in Oklahoma but I’m making new friends here. The Spanish kids are very nice and I like the new games
What has been your favorite adventure?
I like going to the beach because you never know what you’re going to find like sea shells or sea glass.
Do you have a favorite game you play when you travel?
I love to play “I spy” with my parents.
Is there anything you miss seeing, having, doing?
I miss my dog, Ruby.
What is the one thing you are happy you brought with you?
My teddy bear and blanket.
Where do you want to go next?
I want to go to Paris.
Do you have your own blog or write about your experiences?
I have a journal and my mom makes write on it once a week.
Olivia, Thank you for sharing with all of us and welcome to Spain!
Read more in our Family travel interview series “Through the Eyes of the Traveling Child”.
We often are asked about what the kids think of their experience as a traveling child and how things are going. Do they have friends, how are they being educated and are they social? We thought these are likely questions for all types of families, so we decided to start a family travel interview series “Through the Eyes of the Traveling Child”.
We don’t often get exposed to the opinion of the kids and perhaps think we should. We all know the Wagoner kids are full of their two cents worth and are loving travel. If you would like to read other interviews in our Traveling Child Series, just click the image below.
Thanks for following along! Do you have a traveling child who would like to be part of our series? Just let us know.
Thanks Emiel. Yes, it is a great experience for kids. From our experience there are most definitely “tough” moments, but the good are in abundance.
Such a great idea! How important it is for kids to experience a new culture, ‘strange’ people and a completely new environment. Must be tough for them sometimes, but I guess Olivia is doing just fine!
Thanks for the comments Andrew.
It’s always best to learn the different languages when you are young, you can soak up so much more. Good on Olivia’s parents, great decision! 🙂
What a great series. We’d volunteer our kids, but two of them were born over here. The other one’s an Essex boy but, for reasons we go into on the blog, learned Spanish before he did English.
Thanks. They could still answer some. Maybe even share about growing up in GC. Just let me know and we could create some custom questions.
Oh thanks Maggie! So glad you found us. Where are you located?
This is so neat! I found your blog via simple mom. What a great series!