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AN ENGLISH GIRL IN MARBELLA

This is my new column coming to you all the way from sunny Spain. Having returned to the homeland, I am beginning a new chapter. Hopefully I’ll be able to shed some light on life as a graduate abroad.

This is my first day - no apartment yet, no job. Following my ambitions all the way to the beach, I’m going to try my hand at success and improve my Spanish while I’m at it. Marbella is a strange place, labelled the ‘L.A. of Europe’ you can be sure to meet all different types of people here. Most though are skinny, beautiful, ooze Prada and drip diamonds. No room for Primark here. Topshop will struggle to make the grade. I wonder how I will re-assimilate myself here, having left for the U.K. in pursuit of the all important degree.

I came to see a friend this morning and she sprung on me a proposition that has already left me terrified - an invitation to the beach tomorrow. I’m nowhere near bikini ready. Sangria ready, yes, but not the bikini. Baby steps, please! Did I neglect to mention how pale I am? I’ve already been told that I’m ‘blanquita’, even though I’ve judiciously applied Palmers Bronzing Cocoa Butter everyday for the last ten days. Say goodbye to streaky fake tan disasters in Liverpool, this is the real deal. If you have seen the model for the Harper’s Bazaar June cover, that’s the level I need to be at. And if you haven’t seen it, then I suppose I can only describe it as really, really, really brown. Must not get distracted though by attempts to achieve a gorgeous tan, putting straighteners into overdrive and finding, yes, more clothes, because first of all I need to find myself a job (’un trabajo’)…say it slowly ‘tra-ba-jo’.

Where to start? A close friend of mine works at an exclusive beach bar - a global brand and absolutely loves it. In fact, her younger sister works with her and her little brother starts this summer. Now this is where the money is. People spend lots and tip huge. I won’t divulge the exact amounts but let’s just say that it could potentially equal a young lawyer’s salary. It seems to me like the kind of place where a graduate could work and pay off their entire loan in one summer. Maybe a good place to start. At the end of the summer, the company are sending her to Thailand to train a team there and there are the opportunities to work in Dubai and the Caribbean. You can grow and develop in these types of companies as they value loyalty and hard work above anything else. It’s an added bonus that you can spend all day at the beach.

First, I’m going to go for the job I initially wanted to do. Landing a position on a magazine is tough. Such a competitive market warrants a it’s-not-what-you-know-but-who-you-know attitude. Nevertheless, they are always on the lookout for original thinkers and creative types. The objective today is to start writing my C.V. A real one this time not one where I blag about year 10 work experience and some bar I worked at during the summer. You need to demonstrate specific skills and relevant experience for a really strong C.V. I don’t think my year 8 speaking exam will count for much. Many people I speak to didn’t land the job of their dreams, they just accepted what was available. It’s the money calling you see. So, that said, I’m going to at least attempt it before I’m forced to take something else ‘until something better comes along’. But, before all that I’m going apartment hunting today and hopefully I’ll find somewhere with a view. Will keep you posted. Bye for now x

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