Dancing in the Fountain: How to Enjoy Living Abroad

by Karen McCann

Living abroad is an opportunity to reinvent yourself that rarely exists outside the witness protection program. You get to hit the reset button on your life.

Dancing in the Fountain takes its title from one blazing hot night when the author and her husband found themselves sitting on the edge of a big stone fountain. Dabbling their feet in the cool water, pretty soon they were wading, then dancing in the fountain. It's technically legal to do this on hot nights in Seville, but an old man passing by growled, "Hey you two, is that any way to behave? You wouldn't do that back where you come from." And that's the whole point. Living overseas, you get to try things you'd never do back home.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Spain, Memoir

232 pages, Paperback

First published August 5, 2012

About the author

My love of convivial company and delectable food are among the top reasons I became a travel writer — and were the inspiration for my newest book, "The Great Mediterranean Comfort Food Tour." This foodie memoir chronicles my five months on the road through ten countries discovering Europe’s most mouthwatering indulgences. It's “a rollicking culinary adventure seasoned with a dash of history, a sprinkling of heart-warming characters, and a liberal shot of humor,” as one reviewer put it.

Seville, Spain has been my home for the better part of two decades. How did I wind up there? I tell all in "Dancing in the Fountain: How to Enjoy Living Abroad." My next memoir ,"Adventures of a Railway Nomad," I describes my three-month train trip through Eastern Europe. Both became Amazon bestsellers, as did my little guides, "Pack Light" and "Seville’s New Normal."

Before moving to Seville I worked as a journalist, copywriter, editor, and marketing director in California, Cleveland, and Boston. So far my travels have taken me to more than 60 countries. I've done volunteer work assignments assisting struggling micro-enterprises in Europe, Africa, the Caucasus, and Central America. These days I divide my time between Seville and my native California — when I'm not on the road in pursuit of another great story or more comfort food.

Reviews

[Liesl Gibson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. A few obvious inaccuracies, even apparent to a newcomer like me. For example, the term "de Rodriguez" refers to a film in with a main character named Rodriguez, not with changing one's name to avoid getting caught cheating. It's a funny term that I adore, but the author didn't describe it accurately. More blatantly, I found the book offensive when it comes to the discussion. The reason healthcare is inexpensive in Spain is precisely because they don't do lots of medical testing like we do in the U.S. As the wife of a former hospital executive, she ought to know that. I was annoyed that she talks about how inexpensive the Spanish healthcare system is while taking full advantage of the U.S. medical system. But those are nit-picky details. The real reason I didn't care much for the book was that it's badly titled. This is a memoir, not a how-to book. I wasn't very interested in reading long sections about selling their house in Ohio or buying an apartment in California. I wanted more about Living Abroad, as the book is titled.

[Lua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I'm not ready to move abroad yet, but do enjoy reading of others who have made the leap. The author made me laugh multiple times with funny stories of language mishaps and cultural misunderstandings, sometimes 'til tears came to my eyes. I kept wanting to read parts of the story out loud to whoever happened to be near by. Highly recommended!

[ML Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book albeit a little…dry? Still it did make my wonder if I would ever have the hutzpah to leave my homeland for extended periods. Add in a language change and I fear for awhile I’d be buying $20 loaves of bread or $5 apples!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir of an American couple moving to Sevilla, Spain struck a chord with me since my husband and I made a similar choice to move to Toledo almost 4 years ago. Her description of the process of obtaining a visa and renting an apartment sounded very familiar as did the process of learning the culture and making friends. Her descriptions of the Spanish way of life and the frequent festivals are also very familiar. The book is a memoir, so it also includes their life back in the States, as they chose to spend part of the year in northern California, but it didn't take anything away from my enjoyment of their story. If you want to know what it is like to move to Spain but not to live in an expat community on the coast, reading this might be a good place to start.

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the fun of traveling is reading about the country I am going to visit beforehand. It's a way for me to extend my vacation a bit. Because we will be going to Spain later this summer, I picked up this book and it gave an enchanting snapshot of Seville. Although the subtitle indicates this is for Americans contemplating living abroad, there was enough about Seville and the Sevillianos to make this a fun book to read before traveling there. Ms. McCann has a humorous writing style that kept me engaged throughout the book. Now I am even more looking forward to that trip.

[Jo-anne Himmelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have read quite a few travel memoirs but this book provided the option that most of us don't think of when moving to another country - renting. I travelled with Ms McCann and her husband looking for the rental, moving back and forth between the States and Spain, learning the language while living in the country and trying to keep up with the language and customs of the locals, grocery shopping using metric measurements, staying out all hours of the night and enjoying the afternoon siestas and making the hard decisions as to home base. When you have finished the book you have a better understanding of life in Seville. This is one of those books which you read in front of a fireplace on a cold North American winters night and dream of YOUR life in Seville..

[David Canford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do admire her and her husband for embracing life and moving to Seville, learning a new language and dealing with the challenges rather than just settle into a comfortable retirement of living the familiar. However I felt there was too much about their life back in the USA and not enough about the people of Seville and the surrounding area - as presumably they travelled around Andalusia, or maybe not. It does raise some good issues to consider if you are thinking of moving abroad.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often funny, sometimes sad, but never boring Dancing in The fountain is a wonderful memoir of an American couple's slow (and sometimes painful) integration into the pandemonium that defines Seville. In Karen McCann's hands Seville leaps off the page and assaults you with its sounds, smells, traditions, culture and above all its people.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a fun read, with some good information, but not entirely accurate. The narrative flows well and moves at a good pace, but don't get bogged down in some of her "Spanish" terminology because her translations fall short of being correct.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

McCann's writing style is entertaining and easy to read. When you're done reading, you'll want to get up and start planning your cultural adventure abroad.

[LadyofDreams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book!

I loved the humor and the first person account of a middle aged American couple moving to Spain, and the adjustments and joys of their experience. Reading it was a true pleasure, and it has certainly piqued my curiosity about whether or not it is “doable”’ for the average American in mid-life to consider. They were able to keep a house here in the States, while renting an apartment in Spain, and go back and forth from Spain to the U.S. each year. It sounds like the best of both worlds. It was a quick, easy read, and I could not believe I’d finished it when I was done. I want to read the rest of the story! I would recommend it to anyone considering living in Spain as an expat, especially those in their later years.

[J. A. Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen McCann's memoir is delightful and easy to read. She and her husband decide to move to Seville, Spain for a year to fulfill their dream of living abroad . Her descriptive writing style brings the customs, bars, and nightlife alive so vividly that I had to go online to view the landscape for myself. One simply cannot imagine a life of traveling back and forth from Spain to the United States every four months or so. I must say I am envious of such a rich lifestyle. In this time of covid, I am sorely longing for a trip anywhere right now. This read was very enjoyable and I venture to say that I will read another of Mrs. McCann's books. I did have to skip the chapter on bull fighting.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to prepare for my move to Spain. I learned a lot about cultural norms and practices that I think will help me adapt to Spanish life. Only time will tell.

If I have one real issue with this book it’s what the author wrote about San Francisco lacking tradition in comparison to Cleveland. This is simply untrue, I’ve spent most of my life in Bay Area and there’s plenty of tradition here. San Francisco was even settled (or conquered) before Cleveland...so yeah complete BS.

I loved the snake story, hilarious!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting and delightful story of expat adventures in Seville. The author also relates the sacrifices made in order to acquire the special and alien lifestyle of living abroad. It is a real story written with humour and simplicity. I loved tracing the thread of the melding into Sevillian daily life. As an expat myself, learning how to navigate and then meld into a new culture is part of the excitement and challenge of living overseas. Thanks, Karen. Good one!

[Greeneyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I enjoyed reading about a couple who take the leap of faith to live in a new country, outside their own personal comfort zone. A place where they had some challenges learning the language, cultures, and meeting new friends. It was an interesting, fun, entertaining, easy read sprinkled with good practical advice when living abroad.

[Dulce · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro me pareció interesante porque soy una extranjera viviendo en Sevilla y aunque su narración no tiene nada que ver con el título aún así me reí de cosas que sin darnos cuenta normalizamos al involucrarnos tanto en una cultura pero que no tienen nada que ver con la propia.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

As someone who has always dreamed of traveling, living abroad and enjoying life to its fullest this novel inspired me. It couldn't have been a better book to occupy my extra time.

[Vera Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I read this book in e-format. It is also available as a paperback.

Seville is dangerous. And I don’t mean in the way portrayed by Robert Wilson in his wonderful mysteries, because when it comes to crime, Seville is pretty tame. No, Seville is dangerous because if you visit there, you may not want to go home again.

Dancing in the Fountain reminded me of how much I loved Seville. Karen McCann and her husband Rich came from a home in Ohio. They traveled to many parts of the globe. And when they got to Seville, it drew them back again and again until they finally settled in. I could totally do that. Especially with the help of Dancing In The Fountain: How to Enjoy Living Abroad, the book that Karen wrote about the things they learned in the process of becoming expats.

They struggle with language lessons, adjust their internal clocks to 5 meals a day (breakfast, 2nd breakfast, LUNCH, afternoon snack, tapas and sometimes dinner). She gives up on being a vegetarian and gives in to attending a bullfight. Their dog, the third member of the family, learns to do his business on the sidewalk instead of the fields and woods around their Ohio house. They survive the brutal summers by flying back to their new American pied-à-terre north of San Francisco. And through it all, they demonstrate why they are so successful at living abroad–because they are open minded and outgoing, which puts them in tune with the Sevillanos.

I loved this book. Partly because I love Seville, but also because in telling the story of their adaptation to a new life, McCann teaches us how we can adapt to a lot of things in life–not just Seville, but any place else you travel to. Not just travel, but new circumstances that change your life.

And I loved Dancing in the Fountain for its humor. I must have laughed aloud at least once in every chapter.

I reviewed this book at A Traveler's Library. You can read the entire review here

[Jessica Offenberger (Lipowski) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed “Dancing in the Fountain” by Karen McCann. Being an expat myself, I can relate to her and her husband on so many levels. What I especially loved about this book is that she details the many facets of expat life, in a way weighing the pros and cons. She discusses how it is possible for anyone to move abroad and how to make it happen, whether in Spain like her or elsewhere in the world. By documenting her everyday life, emotions and the process she went through, it's a great read for those who are thinking about moving or perhaps already have. This quote especially resonates with me: “Moving abroad – or anywhere, for that matter – has its challenges and will take time and effort to plan and carry out. But you don’t have to wait until all the stars are aligned, the dog passes away, your grandkids are happily married with good jobs, and you win the lottery.” And as she later says, “You’re going to have to be open to new ways of thinking about everything.”

[Pat Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Seville quite well - not through living there but spending time there often - I can picture what the Author describes in her Memoir - moving from the USA to live in Seville - I enjoyed the way Karen McCan captured the essence of Seville and the people from this part of Spain - it's difficult when you want to be part of a new City - fitting in can be tricky, testing, frustrating and takes quite a lot of guts and determination - you need to be able to take the rough with the smooth / laugh at yourself and join in - make friends - learn the language. I enjoyed reading how the Author and her husband did just this - nice to be reminded of some beautiful architecture, the little streets, the heat - the way the Sevillanos love to live. Well written and kept me interested.

[Heather Richierich · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think there is a very specific audience for this book and I just wasn't it. Her title doesn't reflect the book at all in my opinion. It's a book for people who are married and want to mix it up and move abroad and how exactly that will go each step of the way. I found the personal bits weren't inspiring but just telling of what any individual who made this switch at that point in their life would encounter. I was hoping for more tales of spontaneity and excitement than this had to offer me, however, I think this would be great for someone in a different life situation than I (a 20something travel blogger who's lived in several different countries around the world as an expat already).

[Debbie Tully Lipscomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the way that Karen McCann captured the way of life in Seville, Spain. Her humor and wit were quite entertaining, and her descriptions were delightful. Although I felt that the book started a bit slowly with too many details, it really picked up the pace and flowed smoothly throughout the rest. Chapter organization was good. Ending was strong. I was disappointed to see that there were no other similar books from this author. I could easily see her writing a series, such as those that Victoria Tweed has written.

[E.J. Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I travelled in Spain some years ago, I loved Seville and its vibrance. This book made me realise I wasn't wrong in naming it my favourite Spanish city. While the book clearly covers many practical aspects of living abroad as an expat, every page is so beautifully written it feels like one big fun adventure. Read it before you visit Seville, read it after your visit. It's a book I found hard to put down. I have placed Seville firmly on my bucket list for the second time.

[Patricia O'neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful adventures

Another amazing, entertaining and informative book. I feel like I'm sitting on that IKEA furniture and hearing these wonderful tales from my dear forever friends. I've read this and train nomads, love them both. I live in the Sunset near Ocean beach so know what my "summer" will be like, but the "Indian summer" in September and October are awesome ;-)

[Peta-Dee Rawlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. A found myself being whisked off to Seville and taken on a wonderful and enlightening tour of the fabulous city. The characters are lovely and I just soooo want to pack up our cases and go. A wonderful read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an expat myself (living in France) I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the experiences of a couple making their life in Spain (part of the time). I liked the colorful sense of place and the positive outlook of the author who truly enjoys her new cultural surroundings.

[Myra L Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen and Rich in Spain and the U.S.

I loved this book! I had read Karen McCann's book which follows this one and enjoyed both! Her sense of humor is great and her descriptions are amazing!

[Kathleen Gamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining

[Pam]

Inappropriately titled - unless you are independently wealthy and can afford a second home in Seville, Spain and multiple trips back to California each year.

[Jane Oldenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. Now I want to move to Spain. *sigh*