My Tenerife Friends (Mi Amigas)

In less than 48 hours, I should be sitting in Tenerife with my much loved friends (who I call my family and who are sisters of my heart). It is a challenging trip for me but a one where friendship, respect and love plays a huge part. I say challenging because most of the family do not speak English (Guaci speaks very good English and Ani is much better than what she thinks, she just needs more confidence but she is good). I speak only a little Spanish, although I am learning and I do know many words. It is a treat when Guaci is about (or her partner Jose) as they become my translator. It is not easy but to be honest, I prefer it this way as it stops me from being lazy and I am forced to learn the language. The dreaded Google Translate plays a part but I find it translates differently on the iPhone to the laptop (don’t know why) but it just does. It also does not translate to a good standard but we have to try and make do with what we can. Last year, I found I didn’t use Google Translate for most of the week and I only used it to look up words and then I tried to put them in my own sentence; must have been ok as I could get by.

I think my plan for the future is to take a month and book a villa or apartment and stay where the locals live. This way I will be forced to learn the language quicker and I will also get to learn much more about the culture of the people and their day to day lifestyle.

Let me introduce you to my hosts in Tenerife!

Nita and my dear friend who stays at the hotel with me

Nita is a such a lovely person who has recently started guitar lessons in Los Cristianos. I will tell you something, I am shocked at how well she plays and writes songs in such a short time. I love when she records a little song and she sends it to me via Whatsapp. So beautiful, just like the person she is. We intend to have a lot of fun this year and Nita will help me with a lot of culture of the Island.

Chelo, Yara and Me

Chelo is a sister to Nita and Loreta and I am very to close to all three sisters. What can I say about Chelo? Well she is a hard working single mother who has been through a lot of similar circumstances, pretty much like myself. It is strange how we have experienced these but it has made us both stronger. Chelo was the very first sister that I got to know and meet and we had a close bond, right from the beginning. She is such a wonderful person and I have a lot of respect for this woman.

Loreta and me

Loreta is a good friend and very dear to me and I will tell you something, what a cook! She will make you the best paella that you have ever tasted. Forget all the tourist paella places, bin it and visit her new restaurant to try her food. If you are visiting near Teide then call into her place for a drink and food.

Bodegon Hornos Del Teide – Gral. Chiguergue 19, Guia de Isora (Restaurant)

Loreta can pack a good tune as she often sings in her restaurant and she has a talented singing family with her son Fran and daughter Anna. To add to the joys, Frans partner Jessica, is also a great singer and sings with Fran, a duo FranJess. Loreta’s husband Pancho is also a good cook, I cannot say if he is a good singer as I am yet to hear him.

Ani, Yara and Me

Gentle and sophisticated Ani always reminds me of an ‘English Rose’. She is so polite and a lovely natured person who will do anything for you. She is such a lady and really special to me. Ani is the sister to Guaci (who are daughters to Nita). She adores her Niece Yara and they have such a close, loving relationship.

Guaci (my great English interpreter and her daughter, beautiful Yara)

Guaci is simply stunning and such a fantastic dancer. She has won many competitions over the years for Salsa dancing and is a true professional. It is great to hear her speaking English as she doesn’t get the opportunity to do this much but I will say, she is very good and I am super proud of her. Princess Yara is a little cutie and she is not shy at speaking English with me. She makes me laugh so much as she likes to teach me Spanish words in exchange for English. Beautiful little girl.

Fran and Jessica are recently celebrating the birth of their beautiful little son, Johan. We will need to wait and see if he is as talented as his parents.

So! you have met part of my Tenerife hosts and special people in my life but there are many more to come as I have a lot other friends on the Island. I hope you can join me and read about how our life continues to stay strong, even though there is a language barrier. It shows that if you are determined and want to do something in life, you will achieve it.

We are different people from different countries and who celebrate our own religion and traditions but we embrace each other's culture and accepted who we are. It proves one thing, life can be happy no matter if you have different languages, religious beliefs or traditions. We are all human beings with a big heart which speaks the same language.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and if you would like to follow me on Twitter and Instagram, I would love to see you there!

Stay posted as I will have a lot of stories to show you, once I am back from the beautiful Island of Tenerife.

See you all soon x