Teenagers in Lanzarote – another perspective – Sam

We are often asked about how teengagers settle in to Lanzarote… how easy is it to make friends… how they cope with the change of lifestyle etc.

So we are going to be featuring various teens from around the Island… all with different stories, and letting them speak for themselves.

The first to be featured is Alan’s son (and my stepson)  Sam.

Sam

How old were you when you moved to Lanzarote, Sam?
I was 16. I had just left school. Dad and Elle had always said I would be welcome, so I thought I’d give it a go.

When was this?
It was at the end of October in 2006

Where on the Island are you?
Playa Blanca, in the south

Why did you want to try Lanzarote?
Because Dad and Elle were here, and because it was something new

What did you like when you first arrived?
I loved the weather, and the beach is really close to our house.

What did you NOT like when you first arrived?
It was very hard to make friends of my own age at first. I knew all of Dad & Elle’s mates but they’re obviously older.

How did you deal with that?
Dad & Elle’s friends have a daughter my age called Carly, who had lived here for a bit longer – so I got chatting to her on Facebook. Then Gary and Maria at the Inn Plaice introduced me to Jack, who’s the son of one of their customers. Jack and Carly got me talking to other people that they already knew.

What happened in January 2009?
I was bored. I hadn’t made many friends like the amount I had in Derby, so I wanted to go back and see my old mates. But when I got there I realised how Lanzarote could be good if I gave it a bit more time. So I was back on the Island within a week or two.

How were things different then?
I had just been around for longer and so I knew more people. Now I know loads of people in Blanca and in Puerto so I have lots of mates.

What do you do with your time?
I do a bit of work and helping people if they need a strong pair of hands. I go to the beach with my mates and we just hang out, play footbal or check out the girls lol. I like to keep my tan topped up! I go to Puerto  a lot too because the bus is cheap and we hang out at Playa Chico, diving off the sea walls or having a laugh.

At night we go into Blanca town and I meet up with my mates. It’s much safer here so we don’t have any problems really. If we’re going up to Puerto overnight then I stay at a mate’s house or we all chip in and rent an apartment for the night. I couldn’t do that in England because it’s not as safe there.

Is there anything else you have done since you have been here?
Yeah, I bought a bike so I  go out on that with my mates. I am also doing up a scooter and saving up for my test. I also bought a remote controlled plane but it’s too windy to use it.

Do you speak Spanish yet?
A bit. I have done some learning at home but I have learned most of it from a couple of Spanish mates and some of my British mates are fluent too. It’s more like street Spanish – but with a Lanzarote accent. I’d like to learn more.

What are your long term plans?
I am going to go back to England and study travel and tourism at college. I really want to get into travel and work as a rep or something like that.

Sam – thanks for your time, and we wish you all the best of luck.
Dad & Elle xxx

You may also enjoy reading the following:

1. Living in Lanzarote – Barbarella (aka: The Mad Cat Lady) We have known Barbarella for a couple of years now, and know that she is passionate about her kitties (I think she makes up for...