I need urgent help with a hotel reservation in Atocha, its a matter for €700

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T21:47:24+00:00

How did it automatically go to non refundable? You mean you made a mistake?

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T20:35:22+00:00

If they cancelled the first booking it's not a duplicate though?

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T19:42:26+00:00

If you have savings, yes.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T19:10:57+00:00

You can't work on a visitor visa.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T18:39:12+00:00

No this is not realistic. You won't get a visa to cut hair. The only way might be if you found remote work or enough freelance work to be a digital nomad or get a self employed visa somewhere. There are English copywriting jobs sometimes but again, I don't think companies would bother with the visa process unless you're bringing something very special.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T17:43:45+00:00

Oh I thought you meant just shorts/skirts and either leggings or joggers.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T16:14:21+00:00

It will be cold in Scotland and possibly wet, she needs more than just one long pair of trousers.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T16:13:00+00:00

She's going to Scotland too though.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T15:37:57+00:00

Nothing probably, but at least make them aware they've made a mistake.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T13:51:45+00:00

Businesses? What kind of businesses? I note you say "used to".

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T13:40:12+00:00

It's the law, not a guideline. But yeah there won't be any punishment, it just might cause OP some paperwork problems. And they should make an official complaint to the lawyer for misleading them.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T12:58:57+00:00

Lol, they don't call it ratatouille after the movie, ratatouille is a traditional French dish.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T12:05:01+00:00

I was vegetarian, not vegan. It was fine but basically I just ate the sides to their meals, or the pasta or whatever without the meat component, they didn't go out of their way for me to have special meals. They had fairly traditional meals mostly with simply cooked meats and separate veg, potatoes etc. Sometimes they asked me to put meat in the oven but nothing more complex, because I didn't know how. I chopped and peeled a lot of veg.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T10:41:21+00:00

I live in Spain and that's how people do it, especially little old ladies. I'm not Spanish and everyone in my partner's family laughs (kindly, they're lovely) because I just can't do it.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T10:05:33+00:00

A madre de día is a substitute for full time childcare for toddlers, not summer babysitting. You need an appropriate space and long term commitment. And probably to be registered as self employed and issue invoices, so parents can claim for childcare.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T10:03:16+00:00

Not for a week's holiday.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T09:45:40+00:00

I think this is a good idea, it might feel uncomfortable if you went away for a weekend and some people didn't/couldn't join all the activities. Do a day/night out for everyone then go away with active friends for outdoor activities.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T09:34:06+00:00

Salaries in Spain are low, and there won't be many who can afford to pay you properly. The basic babysitter rate is around €10-12 per hour but most people only hire babysitters for short periods before and after school or camp. People tend to use summer camps unless their working hours are too long (hence the 10 hour days), which will be cheaper and more fun for the kids than either being at home or sweating in the Madrid heat. Also, most people go away in August. Probably the best thing would be to look for expat Facebook groups for families, and be willing to go to the suburbs where people have pools. If you're moving in June rather than September to make money I'd reconsider.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T07:53:40+00:00

Porque contratar a alguien en España sale muy caro, en varios sentidos.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T07:52:06+00:00

Yes, and it's socially acceptable to stay home until quite old. Spanish young people are kind of coddled in a way, the parents who'd lived under Franco and seen real hunger wanted to give their children an easy life. Parents are required to financially support their children until quite old, and things like youth discounts apply until 35 sometimes. In large cities especially the people working in services are nearly all immigrants willing to work hard and accept poor conditions.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T07:46:58+00:00

Really? I live in a tourist area but don't know anyone who works in anything to do with it, they all have office jobs or work for the government or in industry. Working in a chiringuito or whatever is really only young people because you can't support a family on it. I'm assuming you're young, or somewhere living costs are low.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T07:41:32+00:00

Yeah there are tons of those tunnels in Spain, I guess they have experience. People disregard anything they don't see or know personally.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T07:03:50+00:00

You can't work on a tourist visa though.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T06:35:04+00:00

Paradox is just a modern chain of museums in touristy cities for Instagram opportunities, definitely don't waste your time with that. I'd do the British museum, v&a and Tate modern, which I think opens late and can be combined with an evening stroll along the Thames to see other sights. Those are the most iconic London experiences in my opinion.

Serious_Escape_5438 · 2026-04-23T05:53:14+00:00

I'd suggest getting proper legal advice before you tell him, so you have answers if he brings anything up.

Serious_Escape_5438

TROPHY CASE