A trip to relieve the pressure of having children in Spain helped the American couple turn a path to a happier life.
Couple Jason Luban and Selena Medlen, living in California, USA, spent 7 years trying to have a child using in vitro fertilization but failed. In 2016, when the husband's health started to deteriorate, they decided to go somewhere to relax. They came to Spain and did not expect that this would be a "life-changing trip".
Two American tourists flew to the capital Madrid and then visited the cities of Toledo, Cordoba, Seville and Ronda, a small town in Malaga province. As soon as he arrived, Jason realized that Ronda was a place full of energy. “The trees were blooming, vibrant colors everywhere,” Jason recalled. They celebrated Selena's 38th birthday here together and were "impressed by the friendliness of the people." After this short trip in Ronda, the two American tourists continued to Granada as planned.
Jason (blue shirt) and Selena (sitting next to Jason) had many friends while living in Ronda. Image: CNN
When returning to the US, the two tourists still remember the exciting feelings and fun experiences they had in Ronda. At this time, Jason's health began to decline again, he often lost sleep. In their free time, the couple often looked up rental prices in Ronda and found them to be 10 times cheaper than what they would pay in California. While lying on the sofa and contemplating the issue of infertility, Jason and Selena began to imagine the life they wanted without children. They all want to enjoy the opportunity to experience life in another country, another culture and learn a new language.
Jason and Selena moved to Ronda in September 9 with a fortune of two suitcases after selling their house and car.
They arrived right after the Feria de Pedro Romero bullfighting festival ended. The town at this time was less attractive than the scene they visited 5 months ago, there weren't many shops open on Sunday, and it was still not tidy after the festival. “It was a different experience,” Jason said. The rental price was also higher than the two tourists' initial expectations but still much cheaper than California.
A street corner in Ronda town. Image: CNN
Despite initial obstacles, the two tourists persevered in finding a room and rented a satisfactory apartment. They both signed up for a Spanish class to communicate and quickly adapted to the Spanish lifestyle even though they were still unfamiliar with some cultures. Selena admitted that she "had difficulty with the concept of a lunch break", when the shops in town were closed 14-17h every day.
However, the friendliness of the local people is what touched the couple, especially after being hospitalized for a bicycle accident and needing urgent surgery. Neighbors continuously brought food to the hospital and asked about the couple's health. In America, people will text and ask questions on the phone. But in Ronda, when Jason left the hospital, they came to say hello and give hugs.
The two realized that if they lived in America they would rarely have time to be together because of their busy work. But in this small town, they can spend more time together. Jason's health also improved when he regularly went cycling with groups. To make ends meet, Selena works remotely for law firms in the US and Jason founded a consulting website related to his expertise.
Jason estimates that when living in Ronda, they only have to spend one-fifth the amount of money on food compared to living in California. The cost of living is only one-eighth or tenth and health care is one-eighth. Therefore, the couple works 20 hours per week and can still live comfortably.
“We have more time to cook so we save more. We have more time to exercise so we feel healthier," Selena said.
Jason took a photo with a bike group in Ronda. Image: CNN
7 years after moving to Ronda, the couple now has a stable life. They have a dog named Lola Supernova. Every year, the two reassess their achievements in life and consider whether they want to stay here or not. They don't buy but still rent because they want everything to be simple and flexible. Renting a house allows them to move anywhere if they change their mind. The couple still regularly returns to the US to visit friends and are often shocked by the rising prices due to inflation.
At age 53, they still don't have children and Jason "feels too old" to be promoted. They also have no intention of adopting a child because of financial issues and other factors. Instead, they focus on making their quality of life as enjoyable as possible.
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