Expat interview – Paul O’Toole

Paul O’Toole has been a friend of ours for a few years now, after he joined the forum on Canary Nightlife. Elle then met him in a walking group on Lanzarote. Enjoy learning more about Paul, as we have!

When did you move to Spain, and where from?

December 2010, from York, but spent a few months in Korea first supervising the building of a ship then sailed with the ship for about 6 weeks before eventually flying here from Grand Cayman.

Who came with you?

I arrived here on my own, but have since met my wife while working together on a cruise ship and she moved here last year.

Where in Spain do you live now?

Lanzarote

What things (apart from loved ones) do you miss from your country of birth?

I was born in just outside Belfast in Ireland and I can honestly say that I don’t miss anything, but I spent 10 years living in England and I do miss English beer.

Do you work? As what?

I still work at sea, so I spend 6 months per year on ships and the other 6 enjoying the beauty of Lanzarote.

How are you with speaking Spanish?

Cada día va mejor.

If you could change one thing about Spain… what would that be?

Apart from deporting the ex-pats who moan about how terrible it is here I wouldn’t change a thing.

What are the best things about living in Spain?

The climate in the Canaries, it has such a positive effect on every other aspect of life, it’s too hot to be stressed, it’s too nice not to spend as much time as possible outdoors.

What are your favourite Spanish dishes?

Without a doubt, pulpo a la plancha.

What is the predominant nationality of your friends in Spain?

An almost equal mix of Irish, British, Spanish and German, with a couple of Moroccans, a couple of Indians and a crazy Finn thrown in for good measure.

If you won the Euromilliones – would you still live where you currently are? Why? Why not?

Yes, but I would never set foot on a ship again.

If a movie was made about your life – who would play you? Why?

Brendan Gleeson, because of “The Guard”

If you had to describe yourself as a cocktail… what would you be, and why?

Mojito, because of rum.

Elle Draper

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.