This Week's Theme: Happiness [Felicidad]

About a week ago, BetterArf and I walked out of the front door of our building, heading for breakfast at Momma's Caff in Plaza de Chueca. I guess it was a pleasant morning. BetterArf declared to anyone within earshot 'I love Madrid, I love our flat, I love my job, I'm so happy!' Or words to that effect.

A couple of days ago, NZM sent us an email: a survey by British Expats found that 91.3% of Brits who have moved to Spain are happy.

And today, an old friend from Dubai who now lives in France emailed me and then Skyped me, and virtually the first thing he said was that I looked and sounded happier than I ever did in the UAE.

It's a funny thing. I don't usually think about whether I'm happy or not - it's more a case of where's the next bunch of money coming from. But I really am happier in Madrid than in Dubai. I feel completely at home here, even though I can barely speak the language. I love the food, the drink, the people, the chaos, the entertainment. The 'lifestyle'. It's just fabulous. They have a saying here - 'De Madrid Al Cielo' - From Madrid To Heaven - meaning that there's only one place better than Madrid. And I think they might be right.