Leaving from
Heathrow was traumatic, we felt like fugitives escaping from a nightmare,
not knowing what awaited us next. Arriving at Barajas Airport in
Madrid we were interrogated by an official who eventually and reluctantly
let us through as Luis didn't require a visa and was allowed to
stay for up to three months.
It was then
a mad rush to find somewhere to live and for me to get a job. Luis
was unable to work without the right papers, which he applied for
and was still waiting for when we left.
It was a culture
shock. It wasn't home. Luckily I managed to find a job teaching
English within 5 days of being in Spain. A qualification I fortunately
had. We had a very mixed time but made many friends. We even managed
to get to France to visit my parents for christmas.
Eight months
later we made an application for an EEA Family Permit to allow Luis
to travel to the UK with me. The application was considered and
granted in 2 days by the consulate in Madrid and we arrived home
a month later.
We have been
back for three months, have picked up from where we left and are
moving forward. It's great to be home!!
Claudia Rawlinson
and Luis Sanchez
News
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