How long have you lived in Spain and how long is your business established?

[ Ruth ]  I originally moved to Spain in 1984. I had already extensively lived and travelled in Europe and the Americas, but I had never been to Spain. I simply arrived in Barcelona with packed bags in August of 1984.

I came by myself and will never forget my feeling of being completely overwhelmed when a bus let me off in the centre of Barcelona. I thought to myself, now what?

I must have looked totally lost because a person I had been speaking to on bus got off and asked me to get back on and invited me to visit their family’s farm.

What a great beginning! I spent a week on an old Catalan masia. Barcelona in the 80’s was a wonder.The dictatorship was behind us, the borders were open and culturally things were hopping. I love Barcelona. I feel that I came of age there.

Why did you choose Marbella?

[ Ruth ]  In 1985 I briefly visited the “white village” of Ojén. Years passed and when I had a child, I began to think about moving to a more child friendly non-urban environment.

I remembered Ojen’s pedestrian streets and imagined my son running around having a great time. So in 1996 we moved. As my son grew, I kept myself very busy with a farm, an orchard and perpetual DIY.

I learned many new skills like how to ride a dirt bike, shoot a rifle, herd cattle and some very handy vocabulary like “abono, “ fertiliser and “mezcla” cement.  

 
Tell us your greatest business or personal accomplishment?

[ Ruth ]  I am proud my son and of our relationship.

Why would you recommend the Costa del Sol for business and Lifestyle?

[ Ruth ]  That vast expanse of calming blue sea, the fresh clean air and the location: 1 hour from Africa and 2 hours by plane to most major European capitals.

If you could change one thing about Spain, what would it be?

[ Ruth ]  Spain would not be a member of the European Union.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

[ Ruth ]  Creative Intuitive Obsessive

What is your favourite Restaurant in Marbella?

[ Ruth ]  The Puerto Pesquero is great. Nearby, the Restaurante California has a nice terrace and is frequented by locals for its excellent seafood (it is diagonally opposite the Hotel Fuerte Miramar Spa)

Avda. Severo Ochoa, 21 in downtown Marbella

Tel: (+34) 952 776 322

In Coín, I adore the sauces at Restaurante Bohemia. Their Andalucian outdoor terrace is marvellously relaxing and the meals are reasonably priced. My current favourite is the braised cabbage salad with roquefort and fried garlic which is lightly tossed in extra virgin olive oil. The solomillo in a port wine sauce with linden berries is mmm...

Located across from Lidl on the Málaga road in Coín.

Website: www.restaurante-bohemia.com

Tel: (+34) 952 450 545

What is the last film you saw at the Cinema or DVD?

[ Ruth ]  “Oh, Brother Where Art Thou” by the Coen Brothers - It is based on Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey" and is set in Mississippi in 1937. Three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure with a bounty hunter on their trail.

George Clooney plays an articulate hillbilly named Everett Ulysses McGill who is prone to singing country songs. He is great! FNAC at the Cañada sells the Coen Brothers films. I also their film “The Big Lebowski.”

What advice would you give to someone moving to Spain?

[ Ruth ] Learn Spanish and travel round the country – you’ll be glad you did! 

Name one other business you would recommend on the Costa Del Sol and why?

[ Ruth ] H20 hires and sells water coolers and are providers of fresh mineral water from the Sierra de las Nieves. Their fees are reasonable and their service is excellent.The key to their popularity is this: They are a family owned and operated business and know each and every customer. They visit every single  customers weekly or bi-weekly and that way noonee ever runs out of water. Free delivery and the maintenance and service are included in the rental charges.  Gordon and  Anita have their offices in Estepona but work out of their warehouse in Nueva Andalucia. They serve the coast from Benalmadena to los Barrios on the other side of Gibraltar. Tel:

We have an eclectic and amazing selection of quality imported items at half of the price that it would cost you on the Coast.  Being in Coín allows us to have over 2000 metres of shop space. It is simply huge. Everyone says the same thing: that Muebles del Mundo is an Aladdin’s cave of treasures. People in the village have asked whether they have to pay admission because they think it is a museum. Well it’s no wonder; we have the largest collection of imported furniture and decoration in Málaga:

Carved mahogany and teak Chippendales and Victorians from Indonesia with a lovely rich finish

Sandstone, bronze and teak statues from northern Thailand that radiate exotic elegance

Rustic palisander wood furniture and unique hand painted furniture from Rajasthan

You name it - I have shopped for it: Red Agra marble columns, teak root tables, bronze Temple goddesses, rickshaws, silk crewel worked tapestries… Luckily I find shopping entertaining and I love to travel. So whether it is Kashmir, the Sahara, or Chichicastenango I always appreciate the spontaneity and nuances that travel produces.  Please stop by, you will be impressed. We are open from 10-8 Monday through Saturday

Muebles del Mundo / Furniture of the World

Avenida Reina Sofia, 77 (across from Mercadona)

Shop Tel/Fax: 952 450 156 Mobile: 647 063 977