Expat Interview. October No 3 – Mariana Calleja
This week’s expat interview features Mariana Calleja who has travelled a bit further than most of us. She came from Costa Rica, and now lives in Barcelona. Enjoy!
When did you move to Spain, and where from?
I arrived in January 2010, all the way from Costa Rica in Central America.
Who came with you?
With my husband (just newlyweds by that time)
Where in Spain do you live now?
In Barcelona downtown.
Do you work? As what?
I am a physician but also a travel blogger and dreaming as an entrepreneur. I work part time in Barcelona at a nursery home in order to have a steady income, and the rest of my time I work hard on my online activities and traveling frequently.
How are you with speaking Spanish?
Mother language. I had to learn Catalan instead which has been an interesting experience.
If you could change one thing about Spain… what would that be?
The crisis for sure…it is making people suffer on daily basis and in many different ways. To me, is quite painful to see such a great country with such a sad face. They will overcome it of course, but it’s sad on actual times.
What is the best thing about living in Spain?
As a Central American, to me the best thing is safety on the streets, at home. The peaceful lifestyle. The walking habit you make and enjoy.
What is your favourite Spanish dish?
Probably somewhere between paella, fideuá, embutidos and pan con tomate!
What is the predominant nationality of your friends in Spain?
Spanish
If you won the Euromilliones – would you still live where you currently are?
Probably yes, as a home base, while traveling frequently too.
If a movie was made about your life – who would play you?
Audrey Tatou as in Amelie, the movie.
If you had to describe yourself as a sandwich filling… what would you be?
Goat cheese with fresh and warm blackberry homemade jam!
Right – now is the chance to tell us all about your business/website/blog if you have one (or more of course). Go for your life!
I’m a Costa Rican entrepreneurial traveller from the heart based in Barcelona since January 2010. I came to study a master degree and ended up learning more than I would’ve imagined, language included! I’ve been working here ever since, searching for opportunities, relating and getting immersed in this community (while living the spanish crisis too), and traveling frequently. Barcelona is a great location to be based for many aspects.
I love finding ways in order to combine my areas of expertise (travel blogging, medicine doctor, freelance writer) while developing new perspectives from them. Travel is my main passion, and from there, I get creative on everything else!
I own 3 sites:
Personal Travel Blog: www.mytravelthirst.com “Sense a City” project.
Online travel guides on 5-senses with 1st destination Costa Rica: www.sensecostarica.com
Basic Medical Guide for Travellers / Under construction: www.travelthy.com
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
