CHANGES OF SCENERY

August 10, 2009. It’s a hot summer afternoon and the thermometer next to Estación del Norte flashes 33°C. I enter the room where Jane Cage, a 28-year-old English woman, is patiently waiting while enjoying the air conditioner. We shake hands and then she suggests a nearby English pub where the interview can take place. I accept and so we start strolling down the crowded streets to Colón.

You seem to know the area like the back of your hand. How long have you been living here?

I came to Valencia five years ago, in the summer of 2004.

Where did you live before?

I lived in Westminster, Soho area.

That’s a charming place!

Indeed, it is. I lived with my family in one of the houses around the market district. My parents own a greengrocer’s there.

Is your family rich?

Well, we get on pretty well. Besides my parents’ business, I used to work as a tourist guide for Chinese people who visited the city.

It seems you led a contented life. Why did you move to Valencia?

It was because of my boyfriend. I met him in my last year of college, he was an Erasmus student from Valencia. We started going out, things flowed along nicely and we got engaged. We used to pay visits to each other whenever we had a chance, but flights are somewhat expensive and lately, because of our jobs, we couldn’t spend much time together. We decided to buy a house, but couldn’t agree whether we should settle in London or in Valencia, so we accorded to try living in each city for a couple of years before we made our final decision.

So, what are your thoughts on Valencia?

To be honest, I don’t like the city that much.

Why is that?

Well, I mean, it has its pros and cons like any other cities, but I think that the cons outweigh the pros in this case.

What kind of things draw you back?

Financial and labor matters, mainly. Here in Spain, not only in Valencia, salaries are pretty low. I work as a tourist guide here as well, but I earn half of what I did back in Soho. It’s not like we’re having economical difficulties, but in London we could be richer. I don’t want to become a “mileurista”.

We’re now crossing the narrow streets of Pérez Pujol. I reach out to grab Jane’s arm, who has tripped on a pothole.

Watch out! But I completely agree with you. Unemployment and low salaries are two of the biggest problems nowadays.

Not only that, what angers me the most is that money is being wasted in non-sense. Valencian people seem quite fond of pompous architecture. They don’t mind the fact that some of the oldest neighborhoods are falling to pieces, or the great number of run-down buildings that line the potholed roads, as long as they have boastful constructions such as “El Palau de les Arts i les Ciències” or big events like the urban F-1 circuit. I can’t stand that “bread and circuses” attitude.

I’m not trying to defend Valencia, but aren’t those problems present in London and other cities too?

I never said they were exclusive to this city. Of course there’s no place in the world safe from political corruption and class differences, but those problems in this city are quite acute.

What’s your boyfriend’s opinion?

He shares my point of view. It’s not like I’ve forced him to agree with me, one of the reasons he came to London through the Erasmus program was because he couldn’t find a job that suited him. He majored in Computer Engineering and told me that his profession was put down in his country. Some of his friends are living abroad too.

We’ve finally arrived at The News, a small English pub located in the middle of Colon street, where British expatriates hang out and share their experiences abroad. The pub is furnished with wooden tables and leather seats that look colourful under the bright neon lights. We order two mugs of malt beer.

After everything you’ve told me, I presume you’ve already decided on settling in London.

Oh, no, we still haven’t. What I have told you may sound harsh, but there are aspects in which I like Valencia better than London.

And what might those be?

First thing, as cliched as it may sound, would be the food. Back in London it was weird not to see a McDonald's or a Burger King in every other corner. This city is yet unspoilt of such American gastronomic culture. Mediterranean diet is really healthy as well. I’ve come to love olive oil more than butter.

A young man as red as a shrimp who had been eavesdropping exclaims, “don’t forget the weather!”

Oh yes, that’s what I was going to mention next.

Is London weather that different?

Just a little. Not so much in terms of humidity, though, but Mediterranean climate is milder than England’s oceanic climate. Summers and winters are hotter here in Valencia, but there are no beaches in London, so I guess it makes up for all the sweating.

Is there anything else you like about Valencia?

Yes. Well, this applies to all Spanish people, actually. Spaniards are really warm and welcoming. You can strike up a conversation with people you don’t even know. The English are far more reserved. Some people see this as a politeness matter, but I don’t think so. It’s a nice and relaxing change.

Okay, so that finishes our interview. Thank you for your time, and let me know when you’ve decided where to settle!

I’ll definitely contact you when it’s decided.

See you again, Jane! And congratulations on your future marriage!

Thank you! Bye bye!

The rest of the English people in the bar get up and say goodbye while shaking their beer mugs. Everyone was really welcoming. Let’s wish good luck to Jane and his boyfriend!