I did not want to write about Machynlleth but about Wales as a whole. I needed a town - therefore Mach.
Okay, all in all it is very hard to write about a country, I think. I could give Wales five stars for various reasons - and also one star for other reasons. This is more my overall feeling about Wales, for me personally. Likewise I could give Germany one point and also five.
Wales - very worth visiting (! ) - but good guides, books and Qype (!) are a good help for you, I think - as SabineN said somewhere about Qype - to avoid disappointment.
I used to come to Wales for holidays and research continuously since 1992 - every year. I could not wait to go again!
I mainly went to Cardiff and Pembrokeshire but over the years I have been almost everywhere.
Here in Cardiff, I had some places I always had and still have to go: Truffles, Cathedral Road, some Indian restaurants, Queen Street and St. Mary's Street for shopping - absolutely brilliant for me!
I liked - and I still do - Pembrokeshire, visiting the Eisteddfodau, being able to communicate in English and in Welsh.
I met some very nice Welsh people. I also met some dickheads - and sorry arselickers (esp. in one national institution in Mid Wales where I worked). In a tiny country there seems to be more gossip. People know each others' business. I do not like that. I was not used to that at all. You have to be in the certain circle to achieve something and say yes - okay, you can get that everywhere.
The landscape is stunning! I like the mountains - and I like good walks - but living in rural Wales is not for me.
It is too remote, too backward in many ways!
I miss certain standards here I am used to.
I miss the good social system (when you are ill, unemployed, need a lawyer - the laws anyway - mmh, some of them), good heating systems, taps for water that mix the water, power showers, good coffee in cafes, good - and affordable food - shopkeepers just tend to see the money-making to get by - they have to! I know that in life there are more important things than modern taps but I miss things like it, cannot help it - or double glazing.
Also there's not many cycle paths, no spas with good saunas, etc.
I absolutely detest the health system!
I miss the seasons! Here, there seems to be one season. The rain season. I miss seeing many beautifully dressed people like Niklas Grabowski describes them in Riga - or as you see them in Italy or in many places. I miss the snow and the summers with long evenings sitting outside.
Most of all in Wales I miss the sunshine! This for me goes hand in hand with well-being, feeling happy and being active.
I like the pubs - great atmospheres, good music, Welsh lamb, bara brith. I love the Welsh sheep. I like the old fashioned newsagent's. I like that people take it easy and seem to worry less. In Wales, the remoteness can be nice on the other hand. The wide beaches such as the one in Aberdyfi - and never ever many people there. Where would you get this elsewhere?
You need to be rich / be tough / or be a worry-free person to live in Wales - then you have no problem.
To be continued. read more
