Posted By Cat Gaa on Jun 25, 2014 | 9 comments

There’s no denying that Spain is a picturesque country, from the shiny azulejo tiles in Andalucía to the stark plains of La Mancha, and the snow capped Pyrenees mountains, there is beauty in ever corner of the Peninsula.

But what happens when your life in Spain is more than just what you see in a guide book?

COMO set out to find what sorts of things make your Spain Life tick. Is it the red tape? Solomillo al whisky at your favorite neighborhood bar? Remembering that Spain is crazy old? We wanted to know what la vida española is to you.

Picking a winner from 25 entries was hard. Many of you tweeted us with pictures of mundane household chores and incredible views from your humble abodes. To both of our whims, we also got loads of food pictures! But, alas, there was a prize up for grabs, and we had to choose.

However, before we get the winners, we’d like to thank all of the participants in the #MySpainLife photo challenge, with a very special gracias going to @CaserExpat, our co-sponsors of the contest, who are providing the winner with a 100€ gift card to El Corte Inglés.

We based our selection on more than just aesthetic pleasure (and we’re very much into photography) – because we wanted you to give us a taste of YOUR Spain Life. Reviewing the entries, we’d nod our heads in agreement with your vignettes. Each of the photos carried an essence of life in Spain, without a doubt.

Second runner up goes to Courtney M. and her ukulele. Spain may be famous for its beaches and late-night parties but those fortunate enough to live here also work hard for that privilege. Winding down after a long day at work is crucial and Courtney does so by playing her ukulele. Keep on strumming!

Follow Courtney on Twitter @cjminifee

We had several similar entries depicting one of Spain’s most emblematic past-times and it’s probably not what you might think. Forget flamenco dancing and bull fighting, because the simple act of hanging ones laundry out to dry on clotheslines (and not losing a sock or two in the process) plays a much larger part in an average Spaniard’s daily life. Congratulations to first runner-up Dina, whose artistic take on this daily chore was simply beautiful.

Follow Dina: @buenosdinas

And now, drum roll, please.

First prize goes to John of @John_malaga. Spain may be well known for many things, jamón and Don Quixote among them, but to us, nothing speaks more to Spain’s core values than family. We love how jovial John’s son looks as he leaps fearlessly into the pool below.

Honorable mentions to pictures that made us giggle. We had a good laugh with John L, who had a few unconventional running buddies – an Andalusian stallion and his rider, in full Cordobés dress! And Jennifer in Barcelona, who reminded us that orderly fashion has no place in Spain when it comes to walking on the sidewalk or even in the hallway.

So, to all, muchísimas gracias – it was fun to host!

If you’re considering moving to Spain, there’s of course room for the typical – chances are you’ll catch a flamenco show and take part in el tapeo – but there are so many more things that make living in Spain special. If you’re interested in making Spain your home, we’re here to help!

If you haven’t seen all of the entries, follow us on Pinterest and check out the #MySpainLife board!