Alright now that I shared my awesome new job, I can finally share with you how moving abroad is going.

[fedops@fosstodon.org]

@Gina way more than what we paid in monthly installments for the house. Ok, that was 20 years ago but still.

[fedops@fosstodon.org]

@yngmar @Gina you pay them for the privilege of being a stable hand. Plus you either make enough hay for them or have to pay for that also.

[20002ist@thepit.social]

@Gina @VincentTunru Ljubljana is a charming university town with incredible views of the Julian Alps just to the north.

[20002ist@thepit.social]

@Gina @willi Nafplio is much smaller & remains cosmopolitan. And it’s a fairly easy drive to ATH if you need to get on a plane.

[edavies@functional.cafe]

@Gina How many donkeys?

---> goose meme.

[gina@fosstodon.org]

Me, after improving my French for months, now having to learn Spanish. #moveabroad #Spain

[itorres@social.xin.cat]

@Gina if you’re moving to Girona you should be leaning Catalan.

[gina@fosstodon.org]

@itorres stahp

Nah I would. Fortunately Catalan seems like a bit of a mix between Spanish and French?

[itorres@social.xin.cat]

@Gina this kind of arrangements in rural dwellings is related to Masoveria, a contract that comes from the 10th century.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masoveria

People rent the house that usually was used by the Masover.

This happens a lot since the 20th century due to industrialisation of farming and much more now with automatisation.

Also, the Catalan donkey (ruc) is a particular breed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalan_donkey

[codebytom@fosstodon.org]

@Gina what are you using to learn, and how often? I'm a subscriber to DreamingSpanish.com. Consistency is a challenge for me 🫠

[itorres@social.xin.cat]

@Gina in the same way Dutch is a mix of German and French I suppose.

I think no one will expect you to speak Catalan but if you’re open to it and respectful when other people speak it they will love you.

[gina@fosstodon.org]

@codebytom I watch my favorite shows in Spanish and then get upset when I don't know what's happening

[rosannasibora@fosstodon.org]

@Gina What about Berlin/Brandenburg? except mountains it sounds like Brandenburg. many lakes around. Something like Spreewald?

[codebytom@fosstodon.org]

@Gina that happens to me even in English! But good to know, thanks!

[eseilt@mastodon.scot]

@Gina "Bonjour, amigos" is exactly what it's like - when your brain is confident that it knows how to say everyday phrases but your brain brain starts to question whether you've woken up in a different country and need to adjust on the fly...

I kinda love it.

[moritz@social.heiber.im]

@Gina I learned French in school and then worked in Catalonia for 6-7 years, sometimes I wouldn’t know which language I was doing a disservice to, Catalan, Spanish, French or even Italian

[ravenlb@infosec.exchange]

@Gina ¡buena suerte!

[gina@fosstodon.org]

@eseilt lol I call it 'speaking fluent European.'

[eseilt@mastodon.scot]

@Gina the most important thing is not which language you order your coffee in, but knowing what the words "caffe", "espresso", "latte" etc. mean locally. It changes from town to town sometimes.

[marcusgreen@fosstodon.org]

@Gina

I studied Spanish on my own for 15 years, learnt close to nothng. Switched to German 3 years ago (because #Moodle), can hardly say anything. Was in Paris for a weekend recently, kept wanting to say Si instead of Oui...

Pay day soon and I will stop the self study and get some online lessons...