Interview with Johanna Rea
What is your name, age and how long have you lived in Calpe?
My name is Johanna Rea and my family and I have lived here for 6.5 years.
What nationality are you and your partner?
My husband is English and I am half Swedish, half English.
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
I have got two boys, Charlie aged 13 and Sam aged 11.
Do you work and if so what to you do?
I have just accomplished my dream and opened a toy shop in Calpe called “PELIROJO” (redhead or Ginger) with a website for online shopping. www.pelirojo.es I had found it really hard sourcing good quality toys here, and saw that there was a huge gap in the market for a shop that A) covered all age groups, (teens are a nightmare) B) supplied things that pleased the parents AND the children (that has been the hardest thing) and C) sold good stocking fillers, pocket money toys and birthday presents within a certain budget, I know most parents groan when there is a party invitation as its so hard to buy a present for a reasonable price. We have really focused on sourcing different, unique things for all age groups but also the fact that we live in such a good climate has influenced our products. we do not sell any computer games or consoles, and have various products that keep´s children (and adults) fit and can be used all year round thanks to the climate. We also work along side Las Antipodas Sailing School who sell stand up paddle boards. As a family we have fantastic fun with them. Anyone can do it, and we go paddle boarding at least once a week all together as a family. Its safe, fun, easy and a really good workout without you evening knowing it. . Our biggest seller has been the wave-boards which we sold out of in the first week and have got back orders already. The Breo watches have flown out the shop as they are cheap, chic, waterproof and look cool. Also kites are popular as children and adults alike can use them and there is something magical about watching a kite fly.
What was your experience of relocating to Calpe with children?
The whole experience looking back was quite over whelming, all the places you need to go, forms to be filled in and of course everything in Spanish, I was lucky enough that my husband spoke some Spanish before we moved here, but once you have done it, it is the fastest way to understand the system and to find out where everything is so although daunting at first, looking back we found out so much by doing it ourselves, you get to know where the Town Hall is and the various other buildings associated with the Town Hall, where to go for NIE numbers, getting boys registered at the local clinic, and at the local football club. All theses places you will go back to in the future so well worth finding out in the beginning. Although it does still amazes me the amount of paperwork that is needed to do anything here. But you do learn quickly and I now always have at least 10 copies of NIE´s the SIPS cards (National health cards) and copies of our Padron´s (proof that you are a registered habitant) just in case. The hardest part I think was when the boys started school, leaving them every morning and torturing myself with all sorts of ideas of them standing by themselves in the playground, when actually within a couple of weeks they had settled in really well. The advantage I think was that they were still quite young 6 and 5.
How well integrated would you say you and your children are?
There is no doubt that its thanks to the children and some very patient Spanish friends of ours that we have integrated so well. Through the children we have met some fantastic parents from all over the world, but particular the Spanish, one Spanish mum took us under her wing in the early days when my Spanish was so basic we could barley converse, but she stuck by me and today our families are really close, my son practically lives at their house and we took her son to Sweden a couple of years ago. Calpe is quite small so after 6 years you do get to know most of the parents and children of your child´s age group.
What language do you speak to your children?
We tend to speak English as now my youngest son´s first language is Spanish, but sometimes I speak Spanish more to practice then anything else, and it must be getting better as the boys no longer fall about on the floor laughing at me whilst I speak Spanish.
What is your impression of childcare and education in Calpe so far?
As a working mother (I worked for 4 years here prior to opening the shop) it is extremely difficult as the hours are so different to the school hours, therefore if you have young children then its hard, most Spanish families we know have relied on family and siblings to look after the younger ones whilst the parents are working. The childcare centres tend only to run till 17:00 which does not help if you work full time and summer holidays can be a nightmare for working parents.
What school do your children go to?
My eldest goes to the local institute, sounds awful does not translate well at all! (Secondary School) and my youngest will start this September.
Why did you choose this school and are you happy with your choice?
There was no choice there is only one Institute (Secondary school) in Calpe so that was easy. Am I happy? I think it really comes down to the parents working with the school, their children and a bit of luck, if your children have friends who´s parents have the same ethics, morals and values as you its easy, your all on the same wave length, but of course when they start secondary school they meet so many new children that its hard to meet all the parents, that´s a problem world over though. The boys are at a disadvantage as we do not speak Valenciano, therefore unable to help them with school work a lot of which is in Valenciano, however there are lots of places that offer extra classes in all subjects after school and throughout the holidays, and to be honest if we were in the UK we would do the same thing if they were struggling in a particular subject.
Where you live, how good are the facilities for children (shops, restaurants, activities etc)?
The facilities here are great if your children like football, basketball or gymnastics, The Town Hall have provided a great Sports Centre, however if the kids don´t enjoy those sports it is harder, I am really lucky as my husband is an IKO Kite Surfing Instructor so my eldest son works with him in the summer helping him whilst he teaches Kite surfing, and my younger son goes to the football camp. Calpe has some really fabulous restaurants, a wonderful Old Town with museums, The main Church square, and really lovely tapas bars, and of course the most amazing beaches.
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the International Community living in Calpe?
My children have been allowed to have a childhood with the freedom to explore, cycle, build camps, and be with their friends without 24 hour adult supervision. They would never have been able to do in London. The fact that it is such an International community is great, the school had a day where all the children had to bring in a typical dish from their country, the choice was huge and the kids get to learn about other cultures just by speaking to their friends.
Is there anything you think would improve children´s lives in Calpe?
Perfect world I would like to see a youth centre open here for the older children, and I would love to see the cinema re-opened that was in the Old Town.
What advice would you give for anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Calpe with children?
Be prepared for the first year being really hard, it can be quite lonely in the beginning and come in winter so you get a proper idea of what it is like here, if you can (I wish I had) learn some basic Spanish before you move, so that when you first get here you have the basics it makes it so much easier. Then I would just say go for it, it is the best thing we have done.
What couldn´t you live without in Calpe?
Tato´s and Vicki's sailing school - Las Antipodas Sailing School - www.lasantipodas.com
What could you live without in Calpe?
Cars!
July 09
