Maria and Ramon, Santiago

[OZAJ]

Maria and Ramon used to have a fruit shop at 80 Ruo del Vilar. They advertised rooms and over a few years I stayed in one or another. My favouite was in Rua da Trinidade, very close to the cathedral. Maria spoke good English, Ramon adequate English and their son spoke English like a native speaker with an English accent.

I was last in SdC in 2019 after a 2 year absence and they were gone!!

Anyone know what became of them?

 

[alexwalker]

They are good friends of mine. I will call Jose Ramon to hear what's happened.. Jose was attending boarding school/education in England and speaks better English than most native English speakers.

 

[alexwalker]

Anyone know what became of them?

Update: I just spoke to Jose and Maria: They are well, as is Jose's father (Ramon), but they have had to give up most rental rooms. They have kept some, and everything is fully rented out long-term, so they have income. They still own the fruit shop but have rented it out to another person for now.

Jose (son) and Maria are lovely people, and I have always stayed with them when in Santiago: Right in the old city centre, Rua do Franco (not bc. of Franco, but French; French street). Close to the cathedral, and 20 m. from A Taberna Do Bispo, my favorite tapas/wine bar (currently closed, of course).

If you want to book a private room (later, of course), Jose's telephone is +34 630 059 055. It is very convenient for those struggling with their Spanish, as their English is up to perfection.

 

[nidarosa]

@alexwalker, thank you for the update! I always went to their shop when I arrived in Santiago, to stock up on pimentón and a few other essentials, taste and buy cheese and have a chat. When I arrived the last time and found them gone, the lady in the shop opposite didn't know what had happened or where they had gone. Good to know they are OK and I am making a note of the number!

 

[alexwalker]

@alexwalkerGood to know they are OK and I am making a note of the number!

Full name is Jose Ramon Villaverde Martinez. That's something, eh?! Imagine the best afffordable place in old town Santiago is booked in a tiny fruit shop?

 

[nidarosa]

@alexwalker People did use to raise an eyebrow when I shared this little secret with them ... I was hoping to stay with them in May 19, but they weren't there and I didn't know the number or if they still rented out rooms. I had to buy my pimentón in a random shop, and there were no tasters of pickled cheese to munch! Fingers crossed for this autumn, or next spring

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Update: I just spoke to Jose and Maria: The are well, as is Jose's father (Ramon), but they have had to give up most rental rooms. They have kept some, and everything is fully rented out long-term, so they have income. They still own the fruit shop but have rented it out to another person for now.

Jose (son) and Maria are lovely people, and I have always stayed with them when in Santiago: Right in the old city centre, Rua do Franco (not bc. of Franco, but French; French street). Close to the cathedral, and 20 m. from A Taberna Do Bispo, my favorite tapas/wine bar (currently closed, of course).

If you want to book a private room (later, of course), Jose's telephone is +34 630 059 055. It is very convenient for those struggling with their Spanish, as their English is up to perfection.

Taberna Do Bispo . . . devine cheesecake - another reason to go back

I was told Rua do Franco was the Street of the Franks ie "any foreigner from east of the Pyrenees"

 

[alexwalker]

Taberna Do Bispo . . . devine cheesecake - another reason to go back

I was told Rua do Franco was the Street of the Franks ie "any foreigner from east of the Pyrenees"

Interesting article... If you do not read Spanish, right-click on the text and select "Translate" or similar:

Rúa do Franco y Rúa da Raiña

RÚA DO FRANCO Nombre que según parece deriva de la presencia de numerosos comerciantes franceses que se instalaron en esta zona en la edad media. Otra de las hipótesis sobre el origen del nombre pu…

compostelahistorica.wordpress.com

 

[OZAJ]

Thanks Alex. I am very glad to hear that Ramon is well. He didn't look too good last time I saw him.

 

[Bert45]

If the street was originally called "Vicus Francorum", 'Francorum' being genitive plural, so meaning Street of the French (people), it seems fairly logical that it would become Rúa dos Franceses. Perhaps it became Rúa Francorum, then shortened to Rúa Franco, then Rúa do Franco.