Posted: Wed Jun 3, 2020 11:03am
Hi, you are obviously a pretty cool person to appreciate Lanzarote so much at 19, to want to have a long stay. I'm 70 and found it only 4 years ago and have since bought a house at the north east part of the island, north of Costa Teguise. Since we're still in lockdown, hope you don't mind me enjoying myself spending a few minutes talking about it, cuz I love it so much. (And playing momma I guess.)
So, a couple of points:
1. My daughter, now 28, left the country after Uni and went travelling to South America. Sure there were risks, and the risk of you guys not having jobs when you return is a real one for you to weigh up. Anyway, she had a brilliant time, learned lots about herself, made some very good decisions about her life while out travelling...cuz it gives you a new perspective, and time to think: what will make me happy? (And what's making me unhappy - her boyfriend back home- she ended with him when she got home.)
2. Life is risk and reward. I grew up in the States, lived in NYC for 20 years and then moved to Leeds at 38 because of a relationship and wanting to have a family. The marriage didn't work as a marriage (we're still good friends) but I got so much from it - my family, my stepkids, my profession in the NHS, an amazing set of friends and experiences. I've never looked back. I love being here. But I took a big risk moving countries. I've always said to my kids: you have a long life of work ahead, you'll have any number of different jobs, take breaks when you can - step off the rat race, you can always get back on. And if you two can't do it at 19 and 20...... well, why not?
3. In the 21st century, Lanzarote is one of the heavens on earth - the climate, the landscape, the sea and sun, but most importantly the people and their culture. Canarians are mellow, kind, funny, family orientated, and if you just try speaking some spanish (an easy language to learn) they return the effort mucho. They are also well into music, culture, dancing, surfing, The younger generation here is great. Sundays are chilled days, few work, everyone has a home and a job, a phone, a car, a bike, they dress great, but no one's worried about working harder to make more money - it's a really equal society. The way life ought to be I think.
4. Probably enough of my adoration of freedom and Lanzarote. But can I finally suggest that if you go for awhile, have a car? Autoriesen the cheapest rental I find. Go check out the north of the island. Playa Blanca is beautiful and the south coast is too, but PB is a city created for old, retired British tourists and holidaymakers. Come up north too - see the real Lanzarote. The towns north of Tahiche, and the inland towns, have been there since the earthquakes of the 1800's and before (I assume you've taken the bus tour around Timanfaya National Park and heard the history?). See the vineyards, see Caesar Manrique's house, the Fundacion. Go to Famara Beach, the surfing center of the island, see Orzola and the ferry boats going to Graciosa. If you come to Lanza, come see us in our little village on the sea. The North is equally as gorgeous as the south, but not full of tourists. There's a small tourist town called Costa Teguise there, jobs available there usually.
5. In ending, I guess I would say, if I was 19 and know what I know now, I would give it 6 months! And an open mind about what's going to make me happy in life!
Best wishes from an old busybody,
Susan x