legal
28
5-11 26 MARCH FEBRUARY - APRIL 12010 2010
Leave it to Lucy by
Suzanne O’Connell Freelance reporter
LUCY’S PERSONALITY is larger than life. She is one of those people who can make her presence felt in a busy town hall foyer or police station lobby. Bubbly and warm, but also assertive, she has found her vocation. For Lucila Rodríguez works for Ábaco Asesores; she takes their clients by the hand and sorts out their paper work. Anyone who has tried to navigate the system on their own knows just how complicated it is. But for Lucy, sorting NIEs, residencias, padrons and SIPs is just in a day’s work. “I love my job, I love meeting so many different people and I have so many stories to tell!” And the down side? “The queues!” How many times have you heard it said that Spanish people don’t queue? Lucy puts the record straight, “But they
do, it’s just in a different way. You have to ask ‘Quién es el ultimo?’ ‘Who is the last one?’ and then you know when your turn is. In the meantime, you can go for a coffee or have a wander around if you like.” Of course, she can explain this to her clients as she waits with them in the different town halls and police stations across the region. But some still find it difficult to relax and leave it to Lucy. “Sometimes I know they perhaps want to go to the toilet or take a break but they are worried about losing their place. I know it can be confusing when you are used to a different way of working, but you have to be flexible and understand that this is how it is here.” Another frustration for expats is the minefield of different documents you need. “It can seem complicated. Each area has its own list of
what’s necessary to get your NIE or residencia. I travel to all of them and I know the people and their rules. It really depends who is in charge- you have to do your research.” And it helps when you know everybody. “My sons hate going shopping with me because I’m always stopping for a chat. I know so many people.” So how did Lucy get involved in frequenting the official buildings that the majority of us dread? “I was the only Spanish/ English speaking person on our urbanisation. There were constant knocks at the door with someone asking for advice. So why not do it for a living? I love helping people and I’m often approached by people who need a translator. I help where I can. I even help out the officials sometimes. People ask me, “Don’t you mind getting up
early to be at the front of the queue?” No problem for me – I’m divorced and am happy to leave my bed first thing in the morning!” And in her free time, Lucy plays darts; perhaps a fitting pastime for someone who makes dealing with officialdom her bread and butter.
If you’d like Lucy to help you obtain your official documents, call the AbacoConnect Help-line on 966 70 37 48. If you’d like more information about the different documents you need and when you need them, read our article ‘A rough guide to paperwork’ on the website www.abacoconnect.com
Abaco Connect Helpline 966 70 37 48. Website www.abacoconnect.com
ASSSA inaugurates new delegation
ASSSA’s new office in Beniarbeig
CONTINUING THEIR commercial expansion and coinciding with their 75th Anniversary, ASSSA opened a new delegation in Beniarbeig, in the region of Marina Alta, on 1st March. From this new office on the centric avenue Vergel, ASSSA will offer a high quality service to their policyholders. The newly appointed Gabriela Schäfer, alongside Regional Manager Paola Britos, will
www.seniorscapital.com info@seniorscapital.com
assist and provide information on ASSSA’s services, policies and promotions. In celebration of their landmark anniversary, ASSSA is offering lifetime discounts on any of their health policies. ASSSA may be found at: Avda. de Vergel, 12 Local, Beniarbeig, Alicante Telephone 966 477 694 Fax 966 476 557 email: beniarbeig@asssa.es