Experiencing Remote Working in the Andalusian Mountains of Spain

Escaping Cold Days and Dark Nights in January

Remote working was something I had wanted to do for a while, the time had come to try it out. I randomly chose a mountain top village in Andalusia as my destination.

I knew that when trying anything new, there will always be challenges. Getting a car from the airport and navigating the steep and windy mountainous route to my temporary home, when I am not the most confident driver on the other side of the road, was the first of those challenges, setting up my temporary office was next. Luckily the WIFI was good and the views of the surrounding mountains inspirational.

Initially sitting in my little mountain village home alone, in a place where I knew no one and no one knew me, I wondered … was this going to be a bit lonely?

I do quite a bit of solo travelling and Camino hiking but somehow arriving in an already established community in a more remote part of Spain where I did not have any friends, felt initially isolating.

Community, both personally and in business is important. It is vital to our sense of wellbeing.

Realising that I needed to build connections here, so I researched what was going on locally, culturally and sports wise. Attending a Spanish conversation group during first few days, I found out about a small New Years party in a local bar. I decided to go along. (note that on a dark night, driving to a place in the mountains that I was not familiar with) I did have to push myself.

I am glad I did, as from that point on, one good thing led to another.

In a room full of people, I do believe that the people you are supposed to talk to find you. At the party in the Table Mountain bar, I randomly spoke to a Dutch man, who after sharing an interesting story about what brought him to this area, invited me to his yoga and meditation group. That conversation led to others with random people and before I knew it, I was having fun.

In a way it was like networking but within an established mixed community of Spanish (locals) English and Dutch, most who had been living in this area for many years (most Pre Brexit)

I was told by the locals that I had picked one of the best areas to stay in. I was pleased. The randomness of my choice was perfect.

Comares is a small village (approximately 1,500 inhabitants) which stands on a rock overlooking the Periana corridor and Axarquia mountains to the north, Velez Valley, and Sierra de Tejeda to the south. The village is Arabic in origin, originally built as a military vantage point. It is made up of many narrow winding streets, lined with quaint one- or two-story whitewashed houses. It is very traditional, steeped in history and surrounded by stunning views. I could even see the coast (Torre del Mar) from my roof top terrace office.

I quickly replaced my morning walks before work along the Thames Path in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, for hikes in the Andalusian mountains. I enjoyed walking through olive and almond groves, pathways flanked by orange and lemon trees, and collecting wood to stoke my log burner in the evening. The light across the mountains at both sunset, and sunrise was always truly spectacular.

In any new place it takes a while to find your feet, to pick up the energy and the vibe, get to know where everything is and start to relax. Day by day I found this happening.

I refused to lock myself away in my new home office and just work, I had come here to experience a different way of life, as well as work remotely. I wanted to get out and do the things that the local inhabitants do here. I needed to embrace my new surroundings and environment. Get to know where I was living and be fully present.

In the time I was there, I was lucky enough to experience a special church service and fiesta in honour of Hilary of Poiltiers, with traditional music, dancing, and the cooking of a huge paella in the town square.

Even although I had only been there for a week, I found myself bumping into friendly faces and enjoying a glass of wine and a chat. It felt good. I realised that it is possible to feel part of a friendly community quite quickly once you make an initial effort to reach out.

I have enjoyed my favourite traditional Spanish food, copious amounts of café con leche in the café in the town square, local yoga, pilates and meditation classes in stunning surroundings led by wonderful people, fantastic hikes in the morning and evening, exploring the natural park region by horseback, visits to the coast and making new friends.

In between all these rich experiences, I worked remotely.

I pushed myself slightly out of my comfort zone coming here alone. I tried something I have not done before. I made it work. A doorway to working remotely from various locations has been opened. That is freedom. I have experienced how good it can be simply being in a different place, doing different things, seeing life from an unfamiliar perspective. New challenges give your brain a different kind of workout whatever your age or life circumstances.

If there are things that you want to experience but have not done yet why not just take that step and give it a go, you never know what gift that experience will have for you.

My time living and remote working from Comares, has given me more trust in myself, more courage, and a greater sense of freedom.

Comares and it's community have been good to me. I am grateful. It is a magical place.

Working remotely from the Andalusian Mountains in January certainly worked for me.