Welcome back, readers! Today, we have a special treat for you as we sit down with author Caleb Gibbons to discuss his latest release, “Trading Beer for Cerveza.” Join us as we delve into the inspiration behind the book, the challenges of relocating to Spain, and the joys of capturing family adventures on paper.
Caleb, thank you for joining us today. Let’s start by discussing the inspiration behind “Trading Beer for Cerveza.”
What inspired you to write “Trading Beer for Cerveza”?
After our move to Spain, I wanted to keep busy but also found myself repeating, “We actually did it!” on a daily basis with my wife and kids. In one of those conversations I was speaking with Mikaela about how it would be impossible for our young kids to understand what we did and how big of a deal it was. I first started writing some notes thinking it might become a blog or something similar but it organically morphed into a book. Buy now on Amazon
Can you provide a brief overview of what readers can expect from your memoir?
Trading Beer for Cerveza takes readers through a bit of my upbringing and history that led me to the point of planning a move to Spain from Canada. The book outlines why we wanted to move, how we chose our destination, and the steps taken to get us there. Readers also will see into the day to day life of living in Spain after our move along with some tips for others who may want to plan a move of their own. Trading Beer for Cerveza is a light book that takes readers through the incredible experience our family had moving abroad not just showcasing the good but also noting some of the challenges we faced.
How did the idea of trading beer for cerveza come about, and what was the most memorable exchange you had?
The name of the book and the general idea came quickly after our arrival in Spain and my idea was to have it be a legacy piece for my kids or grandkids one day. I imagined what it would be like for them to read a book written by their father or grandfather describing the work and risks that went into creating the life they have. One of the most memorable exchanges, if it can be described as such, is looking back on the conversation with Mikaela under the gazebo eight years ago. When we went through the details of what her dream day would be it is remarkable to note how close to the items she listed then her daily routine has become.
What challenges did you face while navigating the cultural differences between beer and cerveza trading?
The biggest cultural differences are found in the holidays in Canada vs Spain and how they are celebrated. The chapter “Who the heck is Ratoncito Perez” was a lot of fun to write and is a great source for others planning a move. Minor items we had not considered before the move ended up being big changes to navigate from who brings a gift for the kids when they lose a tooth to trying to make a proper Thanksgiving supper.
How did your experiences shape your understanding of both beer and cerveza cultures?
I had not travelled much in my life prior to my honeymoon which was a big new experience for me. I was always willing to take risks and move like when I went to Western Canada after completing post secondary education. These experiences gave me the attitude towards travel and change that I have continued to embrace. Life during the Pandemic was the biggest change for us which opened our eyes to a way of life that was not centered around work. A saying we often hear is that is that in places like Spain they “work to live instead of living to work”. This basically means that they are not going for excess but instead do what is needed to allow them the basics of life and more focus is on family and time spent together.
Did you encounter any surprises or lessons while writing trading beer for Cerveza?
I learned several lessons during our journey, but the primary takeaway is that you will never know a new experience unless you take the risk to do it. So many people say, “I want to drop everything and move to _____,” but very few ever make that leap. Reasons not to do something will always be there, but you will never reap the reward if you don’t take the risk.
What do you hope readers will take away from your memoir?
There are two main takeaways for readers;
1. Creating long-term goals for yourself can be difficult, but completing the task, however uncomfortable it may be at times, is the first step in progressing toward your dreams.
2. Anyone can do what my family has done. As my book shows, I grew up without a trust fund or similar to provide the money needed to travel or make this type of change. Instead, it was my hard work and taking risks that allowed for the lifestyle we now have. Buy now on Amazon
Can you share a particularly poignant or humorous moment from your adventures that stands out to you?
The chapter where I describe our arrival to Spain is something we laugh about now. Boarding the plane in Canada, we had what we thought were warm weather clothes, but we arrived at a temperature near 40 degrees Celcius. Sweating like crazy while having everyone pushing luggage carts, as well as a cat meowing and a dog pulling in the opposite direction, was a stressful time for us. Luggage carts flipping over, red faces, nearly no sleep in 36 hours, and changing our clothes in a random parking lot all seem so stressful and terrible, yet we smile and laugh now when thinking back on the experience.
How did the people you met along the way influence your perceptions and experiences?
Taking trips most years following our wedding, Mikaela and I met a lot of people, whether in a restaurant, on a plane, or at a winery tour. Many stories we heard included ones similar to ours now, which we always found interesting and something we would like to do one day. Some friends of ours had also made big moves to Europe and the Middle East, which showed us that it is possible and also gave us some support.
What advice would you give to someone considering embarking on a similar journey of cultural exploration through beverage trading?
Trading Beer for Cerveza is a fun metaphor for any change one makes in one’s life with an international move. Trading beer for Biere if moving to France or Birra if moving to Italy is an interesting play on words to show that it is still the same beverage in the end, and we do not need to be so afraid of it. My book has a lot of good advice for anyone planning to take a similar journey with my tips at the end of each chapter.
Follow
Conclusion: As our conversation with Caleb Gibbons comes to a close, we are left inspired by his family’s courage and resilience in the face of change. “Trading Beer for Cerveza” is more than just a memoir—it’s a testament to the transformative power of embracing new experiences and following your heart. We can’t wait to see what adventures await the Gibbons family next!
Thank you for joining us for this insightful discussion. Be sure to pick up your copy of “Trading Beer for Cerveza” today and embark on a journey of discovery with Caleb and his family. Buy now on Amazon
