Saludos a todos!
Long time no post. It has been 3.5 years since I left Madrid!! Hardly a day goes by without fond memories of my time there with the Riberas and Riojas. Mmmmmmm...

OK, on to the message. Good friends of mine with a boy and girl really want to spend a year abroad in Spain. I think they are leaning toward Andalucia, but are open to alternatives. The boy will be 12-13 and the girl 10-11. Both are great athletes and would be keen on participating in local leagues in basetball and soccer.

The parents badly want the kids to learn Castellano. However, they also want to use the trip to expose the kids to Spain and Europe.

They are thnking of a year, where all four move to Spain. Mom is a well qualified nurse. However if they can avoid it, then would rather avoid work and indulge in the culture themselves.

They were thinking about enrolling the kids in school, but wonder if they could and whether it would prevent them from meeting their trip's objectives.

In terms of income, I would say they can afford a pretty decent rental (say 1000-1500 Euros/month). Mind you my memory for prices are based on being single and renting a room in Madrid in 2003/4. Perhaps my figures are way off in either driection??

Can you guys and gals provide advice on whow they should approach this potential trip? Any links or threads?

Sevilla is so darn enchanting, but probably not cheap. I was thinking they should also consider Cadiz and perhaps somewhere less touristy like Extremadura or Valencia. But of course, I dno;t have really any idea.

Muchissimas Gracias por su ayuda.

Un abrazo,
Almohada
P.D. A special hello to MM, whom I had the pleasure of meeting for beers in Madrid the summer of 2004.