Heads Up In Spain, Paper Too Beautiful to UseNew York TimesQuality handmade papers have a lengthy and revered tradition in Spain, and to step into De Papel and other papelerías is to step from the chaos and graffiti and more »
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Google news: Spain
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Heads Up In Spain, Paper Too Beautiful to Use - New York Times
5 Jul 2009 | 8:22 am -
Spain: 3 arrested Basque suspects were armed - The Associated Press
5 Jul 2009 | 6:10 amWashington PostSpain: 3 arrested Basque suspects were armedThe Associated PressMADRID (AP) — Three suspected members of the Basque separatist group ETA who were captured in France were wanted for violent acts within Spain and had been French police arrest leading ETA suspectsTVNZFrench arrest three key ETA suspectsAFPETA suspects among “most active” – Spanish gov'teuronewsReuters India -Typically Spanish -Monsters and Critics.comall 100 news articles » -
Fascist Spain sets the tone in radiant 'Ainadamar' - Cincinnati.com
5 Jul 2009 | 2:24 amFascist Spain sets the tone in radiant 'Ainadamar'Cincinnati.comMany are familiar with the song about the Spanish city, "Granada," romanticized by tenor Placido Latin music powers 'Ainadamar'Cincinnati.comall 2 news articles » -
Spain's Lorenzo wins pole in USGP - Berryessa Sun
4 Jul 2009 | 10:54 pmBBC SportSpain's Lorenzo wins pole in USGPBerryessa SunMONTEREY — Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo's Saturday at the Red Bull US Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca could not have been much more Seca coverage has international feelMonterey County HeraldSpain's Lorenzo captures pole for US motogpAFPRed Bull US Grand Prix: Valentino Rossi on a roll, Casey Stoner's Telegraph.co.ukMonterey County Heraldall 326 news articles » -
For Australian Winemakers, More Turns Out to Be Less - New York Times
4 Jul 2009 | 6:15 amMyFox HoustonFor Australian Winemakers, More Turns Out to Be LessNew York Times Australia was being hailed as the great international success story of the wine business, challenging the dominance of France, Italy and Spain. Wine Cheaper Than WaterMyFox HoustonWine prices driven lower than waterNEWS.com.auWine-makers brace for 2010's grapes of wrathABC OnlineModesto Beeall 44 news articles »
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Spain News
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Jonas hosts engagement party
5 Jul 2009 | 11:37 amKevin Jonas presents Jonas Brothers new album 'Lines, Vines & Trying Times', at the Ritz Hotel on June 13, 2009 in Madrid, Spain. -
Minister: 3 arrested for suspected Basque separatist ties ...
5 Jul 2009 | 7:11 amThree suspected members of the Basque separatist group ETA who were captured in France were wanted for violent acts within Spain and had been on the run from police for months, the interior minister said Sunday. -
Spain's Garo a nuclear plant to remain open until 2013
4 Jul 2009 | 11:43 pmThe government has confirmed that Spaina TMs ageing nuclear power plant, GaroA a in Burgos, is to remain open until 2013, two years after the end of its planned lifespan. -
A guide to Europe's spiritual sites
4 Jul 2009 | 3:26 pmFor years, my travels have prompted me to think about religion. When I got my history degree at the University of Washington, one of my favorite classes was "History of the Christian Church." And for years, I've believed that anyone who enjoys getting close to God should pack their spirituality along with them in their travels. -
Spain Papers Review - Tuesday June 30 2009
4 Jul 2009 | 11:01 amEl Mundo leads with the 150 year prison sentence for Bernie Madoff, and says that victims of his fraud were in court and shouted against his request for forgiveness.
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Typically Spanish
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Spanish PM announces reforms to nuclear power legislation
5 Jul 2009 | 10:40 amA national energy plan up until 2030 will be presented this autumn -
Alicante: the sunniest city of Valencia
5 Jul 2009 | 9:39 amThe Basque Country's San Sebastián had the highest average rainfall in 2007 -
ETA suspects arrested were one of the terrorists' most active groups
5 Jul 2009 | 9:06 amThe two men were responsible for ETA's legal commandos in Spain -
Mijas Mayor says 30% of illegal homes could be made legal
5 Jul 2009 | 8:12 amIt could affect more than 1100 properties -
Government funding to restore two Almería monuments
5 Jul 2009 | 7:37 amThey are the English Railway in Almería and the Torre del Rayo in Carboneras
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Costa Tropical News
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Costa Tropical Business News – July 2009
4 Jul 2009 | 12:37 amCueva De Aladdin based in Cadiár are not just a charity shop. Based at the back of the Church in Cadiár they also have a cafe as well as printing, fax and skype available. English breakfasts are available all day, as well as freshly baked bread and cakes. Fish, Chips, mushy peas, bread and butter and a drink are on the menu for just €5.50 – amazing value. They also have curries and a takeaway service is available. They are open Mon-Fri 9.00-14.00 and 17.00-20.00 and Sat & Sun 10.00-14.00 So drop in, have a browse around their charity shop, bag a bargain and enjoy their… -
All’s quiet in Salobreña
17 Jun 2009 | 2:06 amPlaying music is banned, and police permission for a barbecue must be obtained a week in advance The Town Hall in Salobreña is cracking down on noisy bathers with a new ordinance that bans music on the local beaches. Those who play a radio or a musical instrument while enjoying a day in the sun could find themselves fined between 300 and 3,000 €, Europa Press reports. It’s one of several measures aimed at making a trip to the shore a calm and restful experience, while at the same time guaranteeing the quality of the town’s beaches, the local beaches councillor said. Salobreña has… -
Man arrested for giving his driving points to friends and neighbours
17 Jun 2009 | 2:01 amThe 44 year old from Santander now faces criminal charges A 44 year old man has been arrested in Santander for taking on the traffic fines from 24 of his friends and neighbours in just over a year so that they did not lose any points from their licence. The infractions took place not only in Cantabria, but also in Burgos, Madrid, Asturias and León. The Traffic Civil Guard initially thought they had uncovered an internet point selling scheme, but finally closed in on the man who had a driving licence but no car. The man has had his licence removed, for losing all his points, and now faces… -
Water is not a problem for Granada this year says the Ministry of the Enviroment
17 Jun 2009 | 1:59 amThis winter has been a tough one, but with the rain and snowfall that has been left in the province, after three years of drought, returns to normal, according to data from the Ministry of the Environment. One of the major reservoirs supplying the capital Granada and its metropolitan area, is at 72.8% capacity, when last year at this time did not reach 30%. In Quentar, it has seen its water level has risen from 46% to 98.4%. The Negratin and San Clemente, also from the Guadalquivir basin, are in the same situation, like Beznar (South Basin), which has 58.3% of its capacity to 86.61%. The… -
Junta approves pioneering ‘dignified death’ law for terminally ill patients
11 Jun 2009 | 6:26 amThe Junta de Andalucía cabinet on Monday approved a ‘right to die’ law that, once formally passed by the regional parliament, will be the first of its kind in Spain. The law, aimed at providing terminally ill patients the right to a ‘dignified death’, allows them to reject artificial means of life support, including halting already ongoing treatment such as by disconnecting a respirator. It also allows the use of palliative sedation in terminal cases, which could be used to minimise the suffering of someone who elected to be removed from life support. The rejection of…
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LosGigantes.com
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Puerto De Santiago Fiesta
3 Jul 2009 | 1:33 pmOnce again it’s time to blow the dust off those dancing shoes and get down to some real fiestering at the Puerto Santiago Fiesta which starts tomorrow and runs until 16th July. The famous firework display is Sat 11th July. Click this link for full programme of events http://www.losgigantes.com/evenings.htm -
14th annual swimming race
25 Jun 2009 | 11:04 amThe 14th annual swimming race from Playa De La Arena beach to Puerto de Santiago beach takes place on July 12th at 10am. The distance is aprox 950 mts. If you would like to participate then call 922 868108 or 922 868041 between 08:00 to 15:00 hours, for more information. -
Lions Dinner Dance July 4th
20 Jun 2009 | 9:31 am -
Facelift for La Caldera
17 Jun 2009 | 11:57 pmWorkers from Santiago del Teide council have completed the work on the pavements and roads of the small village of La Caldera. The budget was €16,917.67 and the work took a month to complete. This work has enhanced the visual impact of the village and made it easier for many of the residents to access their homes [...] -
An 88 year old man braves the “Tower of Power”
15 Jun 2009 | 10:25 amOn the 11th of June, Eduar Pommer from Cologne, Germany beat the record as the eldest person to ride the terrifying Tower of Power. Eduard Pommer, an 88 year old man went down the incredible 28m high and 76m long slide. Riders can reach up to 50 km/h down the Tower of power giving you [...]
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News in the Sun
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Spain Helps Drive European Car Thefts
3 Jul 2009 | 3:55 amAn average of 155,000 cars are stolen in Spain every year. That amounts to 425 every day, or one every three minutes. (more…) -
Swine Flu Outbreak At Madrid School
3 Jul 2009 | 3:10 amA junior school in Madrid has confirmed an outbreak of swine flu among its pupils. The headmistress of the Manuel Núñez de Arenas school, Maria Jose (more…) -
Photo-Happy Divers Decend On Los Gigantes
3 Jul 2009 | 2:44 amThis weekend the waters around Los Gigantes on the west coast of Tenerife will become the focus of attention for underwater photographers. (more…) -
Dance the night away!
2 Jul 2009 | 8:07 amSummer is here and with it come Tenerife’s local fiestas and magnificent fireworks displays. Just published is the program of events for Puerto Santiago, but keep an eye on News In The Sun’s What’s On Section (see the link on the right) as more town and village events are published. -
Shipwreck Survivors Head For Canaries
2 Jul 2009 | 2:34 amThe dead body of the captain of the Spanish fishing boat shipwrecked off the coast of Mauritania yesterday is expected in the Canary Islands today. (more…)
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The Olive Press
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We found Eldorado in Coin
1 Jul 2009 | 3:19 amBest known for the defunct BBC soap the truth is most foreigners who live in Coín have really coined it in, says Jon Clarke IT has been well over a decade since Eldorado slunk from the TV screens with a whimper and an hasta luego. The biggest soap opera flop in British TV history, the BBC drama had hoped to replicate some of the sunshine and glamour of imported Australian soaps like Neighbours, and keep EastEnders on its toes. How wrong could they have been? Ham-strung with problems from the start, the show suffered from poor casting, bad storylines and cringing performances by actors, many… -
From porridge to foie gras
1 Jul 2009 | 2:44 amFive days banged-up in jail for having the wrong name, now Juan Tena gets star treatment HE arrived a criminal but has since returned an ambassador for tourism. Photo: Ruiz de Almodóvar Juan Enrique Tena Martín was wrongly arrested this year during his Semana Santa visit to Granada. The police got his name mixed up with that of a wanted criminal and put him behind bars for five days until the police realised their huge blunder. “Nobody has said sorry to me but I do not harbour bad feelings towards the city or the people of Granada” Fortunately, his second visit to the city has… -
DIAMOND ROBBERS WERE ‘POLITE YOUNG MEN’
29 Jun 2009 | 8:47 amgang breakfasted at Leslie's in Coin By Paul Whitelock and Kevin Guyan AN AUDACIOUS diamond robbery was masterminded by a trio of “well-mannered” British youths, it can be revealed. The gang – who have been charged with more than 30 robberies – regularly took ‘a civilised’ full English breakfast at 4pm each afternoon, near their Coin home. The dangerous gang – who had weapons in the garage of their rented Sierra Gorda property – were however, always impeccably polite at their regular meeting spot Leslie’s Bar. “They were always very… -
One-way ticket home
29 Jun 2009 | 8:09 amOutrage as Spain offers immigrants money to go home IMMIGRANTS are being offered a one-way ticket home in a desperate attempt to ease soaring unemployment. The Spanish government are giving foreign workers the chance to return to their country of origin as the economic crisis shows no sign of easing. Jobless Latin Americans have already been offered money in exchange for the guarantee they will not return for at least three years, while Romanians are now set to be offered the same package. It will be the first time an EU country has actively tried to persuade EU citizens from other member… -
Lets AVE it!
28 Jun 2009 | 8:34 amAs President Obama congratulates Spain on its fast track railways, self-confessed trainspotter Ray Ward licks his lips even as plans to bring a new AVE line from Antequera to Algeciras might come right through the middle of his back garden IMAGINE travelling by train from London to Brighton in 23 minutes or to Southampton in 32 minutes. Imagine letting the train take the strain from Oxford to Brighton via the outskirts of London in just 50 minutes. Unthinkable, of course. But not for those of us living in Andalucia. We will soon be able to travel on a network of AVE (Alta Velocidad Española)…
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Tenerife News Online
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Canaries unemployment highest in Spain
3 Jul 2009 | 7:11 amPaulino Rivero met José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero this week when Zapatero promised an additional 100 million euros to rejuvenate the tourism industry in an effort to bring down unemployment. He also supported a change in legislation to allow under-age immigrants to be transferred to immigration centres on the peninsula. -
Spain holds 18 million vaccines against Flu type A
3 Jul 2009 | 5:59 amThe minister of Health and Social Politics, Trinity Jiménez, said today that Spain has 18 million dose of Flu type A, which will cover 40% of the population of Spain. -
Canary Islands on yellow alert
3 Jul 2009 | 3:05 amThe Agencia Estatal de Meteorología has declared a 'yellow warning' with regard to the risk of high wind all over the islands. -
Obama-Medvedev summit, Moscow, July 7th.
2 Jul 2009 | 10:21 amThe first summit between President Barack Obama and Dmitri Medvedev is only days away and sofar there has only been perfunctory mention of this in the media. -
Cabezo del Tejo viewpoint in Anaga
2 Jul 2009 | 9:22 amThis walk will make a pleasant shady outing for a summer's day. It is one of the few almost level and easy excursions in the Anaga peninsula which can introduce you to some of the treasures of the laurel forest.
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Thinkspain.com
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More and more women delaying pregnancy by freezing eggs in their prime
More and more women in their early thirties are taking the decision to freeze their eggs with the intention of conceiving a child a decade or so later without the risk of diminished fertility due to aging or damage to eggs due to medical... -
Miss Spain 2009 to be held in Mexico
The 52 hopefuls for the title of Miss Spain were officially presented today before they leave for the Riviera Maya in Mexico on Monday, where one of them will be crowned the most beautiful woman in Spain for 2009. The ceremony was... -
Police foil drug dealer's Zeppelin escape plan
Officers from the National Police force have foiled an Italian drug trafficker's plan to escape from prison in the Canary Islands using a remote-controlled Zeppelin airship. The inmate had a support team outside the prison consisting... -
Wrong way driver kills man in oncoming car
A 40-year-old man died today at the wheel of his car when it was hit by another car driving in the wrong direction down the M-50 in Madrid. According to police and emergency service reports, the accident occurred at 5.30pm on... -
Bolivian worker with severed arm claims compensation
Franns Rilles Melgar, the Bolivian worker who lost his arm in an accident at an industrial bakery in Gandia at the end of May, today initiated a civil and criminal case against his former employers for the injuries he sustained. Rilles...
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Big News Network
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Spanish PM announces reforms to nuclear power legislation
5 Jul 2009 | 9:16 amA national energy plan up until 2030 will be presented this autumn The Prime Minister has announced reforms to legislation on nuclear energy which will tighten up requirements for any extension to a p... -
the sunniest city of Valencia
5 Jul 2009 | 9:16 amThe Basque Country's San Sebastián had the highest average rainfall in 2007 Alicante is officially the sunniest city of Valencia, according to the latest data released by the INE National Statistics ... -
ETA suspects arrested were one of the terrorists' most active groups
5 Jul 2009 | 9:16 amThe two men were responsible for ETA's legal commandos in Spain The three armed ETA suspects arrested in France on Saturday were one of the terrorist organisation’s ‘most active groups, if not the... -
See Ronaldo's Real Madrid Unveiling Exclusively with bwin.com
5 Jul 2009 | 9:08 ambwin.com, the official sponsor of Real Madrid, will be providing live and exclusive online streaming of Cristiano Ronaldo's official unveiling as a Real Madrid player on Monday 6th July. LEEDS, Englan... -
* Lapierre trumps Mokoena, Saladino at Madrid Meet
5 Jul 2009 | 9:02 amPHOTO: AFP Fabrice Lapierre of Australia used a favorable wind to win the long jump at the Madrid Meet on Saturday, in what was expected to be a duel between Olympic champion Irving Saladino and sil...
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News from Spain
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U2 in Barcelona
1 Jul 2009 | 4:25 amU2 wowed the audience with its enormous high technology stage show in Barcelona last night on the first night of their world tour Last night the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona became the stage for the first show of this U2 world tour. The enormous, ultra-modern stage was designed so that all ends of the stadium could enjoy a good view of the band.The concert began with four songs from their latest -
First swine flu death in Spain
29 Jun 2009 | 11:50 pmWoman dies from swine flu in MadridIt has been announced that a 20 year old woman who was admitted to hospital a fortnight ago suffering from swine flu in Spain died in the early hours of this morning.The woman was asthmatic and according to first reports her condition worsened over the weekend due to complications from pneumonia. According to official health sources she is the first person to -
MySpace announces job cuts in Spain
29 Jun 2009 | 12:22 amMySpace to make large numbers of its staff redundant in SpainThe internet social network site ‘MySpace’, which belongs to the media group, NewsCorp, directed by Rupert Murdoch, is about to announce a significant ‘readjustment’ of its workforce in Spain. The company has already served various members of its staff with redundancy notices and the official news of its redundancy plans which will -
Spanish government recession spending
25 Jun 2009 | 5:09 amSpain spending more on fighting the recession than any other EU countryAccording to a report on public finance published this week by the European Commission the Spanish government will use 2.3% of its GDP between 2009 and 2010 on measures to combat the current economic crisis. This is more than double the amount that other EU states are spending which is estimated to be 1.1% of their GDP. It is -
Spain aid to Africa
23 Jun 2009 | 5:11 amZapatero offers 240 million aid package to fight hunger in Africa This week the Spanish President, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, has committed 240 million euros to fighting hunger in Africa. The announcement came in a meeting with 14 other heads of state from Sub-Saharan Africa during the first bilateral summit between Spain and the Economic Community of Western African States which is currently
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World news: Spain | guardian.co.uk
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The Rapa das Bestas horse festival
5 Jul 2009 | 9:32 amHundreds of wild horses are rounded up from the mountains of Sabucedo, north-western Spain, to be sheared and tagged during the 400-year-old Rapas das Bestas festival -
Secret agents force Spanish spy chief to quit
3 Jul 2009 | 8:15 am• Employees turn tables on Alberto Saiz• He lost control of agency, says government sourceSpain's spy chief, Alberto Saiz, has been forced to resign after his own agents turned on him, employing the tricks of the trade to overthrow their boss at the country's National Intelligence Centre (CNI).In a constant flow of black propaganda over several months, disgruntled agents leaked photographs of Saiz's exotic fishing and hunting outings during business trips abroad and claimed that he even used the agency's divers to clean his swimming pool."Every time he goes abroad to work he takes his… -
U2 get round to touring to beat falling sales
1 Jul 2009 | 2:03 pm120 lorries needed to move circular stage but $100m seen as money well spentU2 are not a band to do things by halves. But when their new 360° tour opened in Barcelona yesterday, with a dramatic mid-show live link-up to the International Space Station, it put previous tours in the shade.The band kicked off their first tour in three years to a deafening crowd of 90,000 inside Nou Camp, Barcelona, the first of 3 million fans in 31 cities expected to see the concerts. With more dates expected to be announced in 2010, it is likely to be the band's most profitable tour. Its scale underlines the… -
British skydiver dies in Spain parachute accident
1 Jul 2009 | 2:28 amMan on beginners' course falls to death after apparently going into shock and failing to pull cordA British man on a skydiving beginners' course in Spain fell 13,000ft to his death yesterday after apparently going into a state of shock in the air.Police said Richard Taylor, 34, fell "like a lead weight" after he did not open his parachute and his automatic emergency chute failed. The accident at at the Airelibre school in Ocana, central Spain, happened on Taylor's fifth jump."We are devastated by this tragic accident," said a school spokesman, David Coleman. "He was on his fifth jump and had… -
U2 starts most expensive tour ever in Barcelona
30 Jun 2009 | 11:33 amIrish rock group U2 kick off their first tour in three years tonight, playing to 90,000 fans in Barcelona on one of the biggest concert stages ever built. Over the next four months U2 will perform to an estimated three million fans in 31 cities across Europe and North America, with more dates expected next year. The U2 360 Tour lives up to its name with a round stage which fans surround. Around 500 ticket holders slept outside the venue, hoping to grab a spot by the stage, local media reported. The tour is reported to be U2's most expensive to date, costing an estimated $100m…
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Spanish news all the latest and breaking news in Spain
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Spanish police thwart jail break using remotecontrolled Zeppelin
3 Jul 2009 | 2:01 pmSpanish police have foiled an elaborate bid to free an Italian drug trafficker from jail using a remotecontrolled Zeppelin. -
British couple face trial for hit and run death in Spain
2 Jul 2009 | 5:09 pmA British couple have appeared in court in southern Spain accused of the hit and run death of a teenage moped rider. -
Cristiano Ronaldo admits lashing out at teenage girl
1 Jul 2009 | 9:14 amFootball star lost his temper and lashed out at student filming him. -
Cristiano Ronaldo investigated over attack on 17yearold girl
1 Jul 2009 | 6:40 amCristiano Ronaldo is being investigated by police over an attack on a 17yearold girl is has been claimed. -
British tourist dies in Spanish parachute tragedy as both chutes fail to open
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmA British tourist plunged 13000 feet 4000m to his death in a parachuting tragedy in Spain on Tuesday.
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Notes From Spain
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Why Spain is Great #2 - The Desire To Share
29 Jun 2009 | 11:40 pmLet’s stick with eating and drinking, and look at another reason why Spain is great/the Spanish are great. There is something wonderful about going out to a bar or restaurant with friends, and ordering a few different plates of ‘raciones‘. Like a larger version of tapas, raciones, as you probably know, are just a big plate of only one thing - jamon, calamares, cheese, gambas (pictured above)…. and the idea is to order a few of these and share them. Everyone picks a bit from one plate, a bit from another, and keeps eating until there’s no need to order any more as… -
Why Spain is Great #1 - Honesty in Spanish Bars
26 Jun 2009 | 2:55 amI was recently asked (in reference to my new Madrid Confessions audiobook), just what was so great about Spain, so I’ve decided to dedicate a mini-series this summer to answering just that question. First up, the honesty system… It never ceases to amaze your average Brit that you can walk into most bars in Spain, order as much as you like to eat and drink, and pay nothing until you are about to leave when, quite often, the barman will ask you to remind him what you had! Clearly there is massive room for abuse here. Had 5 cañas one night but only want to admit to 4? The worn out… -
Bringing Up Baby Bilingual in English, Spanish, and Rubbish
15 Jun 2009 | 11:07 pmA common question Marina and I are asked, as a Spanish-British couple, is ‘What language do you speak to each other?’ The answer is that we absolutely interchangeably speak English, Spanish, and rubbish. Let me explain: We are both very good at each other’s language, so we can easily talk to each other in English, or Spanish, and communicate perfectly. I would say we speak a touch more Spanish, but it really depends on factors like how tired one of us is (I always defaults to my own language when I’m tired)… The problem is that our easy interchange between… -
Madrid to Foreigners: “We don’t give a shit”
10 Jun 2009 | 1:35 amAs some of you know I am recently obscenely biased towards a positive outlook on life, and abhor ‘victim-mentality’ winging and complaining. It only brings bad things upon said victim, and in the case of complaining about Spain on this blog, it has only brought hateful messages from hate-filled people or proud, defensive Spaniards. That said, I have a complaint. If any proud Spanish people are reading this, then please, do not get cross. You do indeed have a wonderful country, but perhaps you too might see this is annoying, badly implemented, and endemic to administrative and… -
Updates: La Presidencia and NIS Forest
5 Jun 2009 | 12:32 amFirst of all, STILL not official confirmation of whether Marina has indeed been landed with the worst job in Spain, and is in fact ‘La Nueva Presidenta de la Comunidad’! We are avoiding bringing up the matter with the porter, who is bound to know, working on the assumption that what you haven’t been told in person, might still not be true! Secondly, some of you know about the ‘Notes in Spanish Forest’, 120 cherry trees in Asturias bought with proceeds from the sale of our ‘Crisis Collection’ pack, over at our Spanish learning sister-site Notes in…
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Buying property in Spain
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Cheaper new housing in Spain
2 Jul 2009 | 1:33 amThe Spanish National Institute for Statistics (INE) has published figures this week which demonstrate that the market for new housing in Spain is deflating significantly. The negative tendency for this sector of the Spanish property market was further underlined yesterday by the Society of Property Valuers. According to the latest research by this organization the price of newly built houses and -
Rise in mortgage defaults in Spain in 2009
25 Jun 2009 | 5:31 amDefaulting on mortgage repayments in Spain in 2009 soars to 4% According to forecasts made by the Spanish Mortgage Association (AHE) defaulting on mortgage repayments is expected to remain at record levels and will close at 4% at the end of 2009 compared to just 2.36% for 2008 due mostly to the rise in unemployment. According to the association ‘the rise in unemployment since the beginning of -
Capital gains tax on property sales in Spain
23 Jun 2009 | 1:20 amSpanish regional authorities ignore slump in property sales and continue to increase capital gains tax With the slump in property sales and the inevitable fall in prices property sellers in Spain are now facing a new problem: the fact that Spanish regional authorities continue to value property at a higher price means that the seller is faced with the problem of having to pay higher capital -
Surplus housing in Spain rises
1 Jun 2009 | 8:56 amConstruction companies will add 385,000 houses to surplus housing stock The surplus housing stock which construction companies have accumulated and for which they are finding it difficult to off load is now the number one problem for those in the housing sector. An internal report compiled by the Ministry for Housing and released by El Pais today has for the first time not only issued a figure -
Property bargains in Spain as banks sell surplus stock
21 May 2009 | 1:23 amHouses and Flats for sale in Spanish Banks and Savings banksThe current economic crisis has forced many Spanish banks and building societies to put properties (the majority houses and flats) up for sale at significantly discounted prices or with some very interesting credit facilities for the consumer. The properties on sale are the result of repossessed properties from individual or business
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AlmerimarLife
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Expat Podcast: To Phlog or Podcast
3 Jul 2009 | 4:23 amWith the addition of My Phlogs to the site we now have two audio options, the phlogs and the podcasts.I am pretty sure how we will be using them ….. phlogs for daily snippets and reviews and news, and podcasts for some more detailed features, but everything remains fluid! In this podcast (which I have also phlogged) I try and explain how the various means of providing content all come together on the site, as there are now so many options that it can be somewhat confusing, for me never mind the readers (and listeners, and viewers of the blog) I have also included some local news in… -
Added My Phlogs To Blog
2 Jul 2009 | 9:46 amWe have added My Phlogs to the site. You can check out what they are and listen to them on the new My Phlogs Page and you can also read my review and interview if you so desire. Phlogs are live audio streamed direct to the site. We intend to use them as another way of updating the site in real time and have a number of user accounts available for anybody that wants to post audio to the site. We have sorted out some FREE PHONE numbers as well so it wont cost you anything to participate. What would you phlog? Here are a few ideas: Flight delays Restaurant reviews Birthday greetings Local… -
90 million handsets unused in UK
30 Jun 2009 | 12:56 amI have just posted something over on my personal blog about the fact that Mobile phone giants to make European one-size-fits-all charger from 2010 which in itself is a good thing! Over the years I have accumulated so many mobile phone chargers it isn’t funny. Every time I had a new phone (and I have had a lot) I used to get at least three chargers …. one for the office, one for home and one for travel. Now I was ‘fortunate’ enough to have the very first mobile phone back in 1987, although to call it mobile is stretching it a bit lot to be honest! A combination of been… -
Chiringuitos: Too Little Too Late
27 Jun 2009 | 3:37 pmJust read this with interest and a huge sense of frustration! It would appear that the 18 year old Ley de Costas which is the main reason behind the removal of the chiringuitos from the beaches here in Almerimar, will now not be rigourosly enforced and in fact the chiringutos will be allowed to remain on the beaches! Of course the ’small print’ and nuances of the wording will no doubt provide enough face saving options for the powers to be. The Ministry for the Environment has now said the restaurants can stay on the sand without disciplinary action taken against them The Ministry… -
Expat Living: Trying To Integrate
26 Jun 2009 | 8:00 amI thought that this week in addition to some specific information on Almerimar, the blog and the odd personal bit of chit chat I would expand the Podcast to include some items of news relevant to the area that I have picked up from the Spanish press. This is part of a ‘much’ wider project that we are trying to get our minds around, and fits very much into the recent theme of Expat Living that we have been doing. In many ways it is an attempt to break into the ‘vicious circle’ i.e. we don’t speak the language that well (or in my case very well at all), so we tend…
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Life in Catalonia - Catalonia Spain
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cine montjuic
19 Jun 2009 | 4:28 amSala Montjuic is about to open its doors again to the public on 29th June for 5 long weeks. A great way to spend the cool breezy evenings in Barcelona in this open air cinema. -
A rather austere Laporta offers 50M for Valencia’s David Villa
15 Jun 2009 | 8:41 amBarcelona's Joan laporta should really take lessons in life and not resort to austerity.He should forget what Real Madrid does and rid himself of his nasty little inferiority complex that is leaving both himself and the great club that employs him in a ridiculed state. -
Primark opens in Diagonal Mar, Barcelona
9 Jun 2009 | 2:58 amPrimark opens today in Barcelona’s Diagonal Mar and this will be Primark’s first store in Catalonia. Diagonal Mar opened in 2001 and is the biggest retail centre in this region of Spain and one of the biggest in the country. No value was placed on the contract. Quinlan Private is led by Irish financier Derek Quinlan. Primark [...] -
Barcelona Extreme Sports Festival 2009
31 May 2009 | 5:26 amThis is the second edition of The Barcelona Extreme Sports Festival. In the first festival last year in October over 40000 people showed up to watch 200 pros and up to 500 amateurs participate in a range of exciting extreme sports. This year you can expect an even bigger turn-out when the extreme festival [...] -
27th International Comic Fair in Barcelona
26 May 2009 | 5:10 amAnyone interested in comics and super heroes should not miss the 27th International Comic Fair in Barcelona. It will take place on may 29th til June 1st and there will be a host of surprises.
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Blogging Loja
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Que Calor hace.....How to survive the heat wave.
16 Jun 2009 | 11:09 pmOh - how to cope with this insufferable breezeless heat that has hit the peninsular so early this year. With different regions on alert during this premature heat wave, what can we do to get through the day, and even more importantly, sleep at night?Well here are six survival suggestions that should make life a little more bearable around the city of water. - 1. Eat lots of Gazpacho, Salmorejo or Porra.This vegetable dish is the saviour of the summer for me and I have already begun my daily diet that will continue now until September? What is Salmorejo and Porra? Fundamentally they are the… -
Email translations for the Incompetents Amongst Us
25 May 2009 | 8:42 am* Just received a message from your Asesor or Gestor in Spanish and its a tad too difficult toread?* Just received a spam message from your bank and would be able to spot it if it were only in English?* Just received a message from a Spanish acquaintance but just cant fathom out the gist of the letter?Then fear no more.Well, actually fear on but do so with a little help from Googles new lab tool add-on for gmail users. Now you can add a little extra to each email bar that offers you the option of translating the email into your native language.Following up on the subject of suffering… -
The Great Debate: Language and Pueblo Living
24 May 2009 | 4:26 amOne of the 7 Fathers of the Spanish Constitution visited Loja last Friday to receive the Ibn al-Jatib prize for his cultural and social works for the country.Gregorio Peces Barba was a legal rights lawyer and defender of many civil rights cases in Spain during the later Franco period. Arrested, or forbidden to practice law at times, he was eventually requested to be one of the 7 composing fathers of the Constitution of Spain after the death of the Tortilla Dictator.Gregorio Peces Barba was also asked to be a minister in the Felipe Gonzalez government of the early 80´s, but he declined and… -
Art and Movement at the Pósito
19 May 2009 | 2:57 amFellow blogger and contributor to The City of Water, Wild Cherry has written a short and interesting review of local artist María Gallego who currently exhibits at the Pósito in Loja. For a detailed perspective of this exhibition: Contrast and Texures - and a bi-lingual slant on our local artistic life check out her site DialogVisual inEnglish here.Or in Spanish here.For More on Andalucia and Loja visit the Site: www.thecityofwater.com or the Portal at www.teapotmonk.com -
Secret Walks 4
2 May 2009 | 4:08 pmSometimes you just have the leave the municipality if you are really searching for something flat. And its to Huetor Tajor - our small but cute neighbouring town - that we go this time to find a hidden walk that is most definitely not hilly, slopey, climby or in any way whatsoever scalable.There are several starting points, but my fave is the from the new Manzanil Service station as you approach Huetor from Loja along the A92.Park at the back and clamber down to the path that appears to your left, just behind the petrol station. ( A good place I find to check your tyre pressure too with its…
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spain dad, a baby blog
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Paradise
29 Jun 2009 | 11:58 pmThe woman in front of us was holding her sleeping daughter in her arms. Her husband was in front of her pulling their luggage and pushing a stroller with a sleeping baby through the herd of backpackers and the men picketing with their signs for hotels and cars for hire and wine tours and excursions to the top of the volcano.I was relieved when the family pointed at the sign with the name of our hotel written on it and pushed their way over to talk to the man with the sign. I was relieved because I could follow them through this mess of people, and as the woman glanced behind and smiled at… -
Flamenco
22 Jun 2009 | 12:24 amAlleke got her first flamenco lesson in Plaza Mayor while we were walking home from the ice cream shop.Watch Flamenco on Vimeo. -
Natural Childbirth in Madrid, an interview
11 Jun 2009 | 3:52 pmFor those who are curious about what it's like to give birth in Spain, I got to sit down with April this afternoon and interview her about her second pregnancy and how she's gone about choosing a birthing center in Madrid.This interview is also available to listen to as a podcast.Kelly (Spain Dad): In terms of having a natural childbirth in Madrid, what are you looking for in a birthing center? What are your priorities in order of importance?April: What's most important to me is a birthing center's approach to childbirth and pregnancy. I'm looking for an approach that assumes giving birth is… -
Being Berber
7 Jun 2009 | 12:59 pmOur friend Chris sings and plays piano for a band called Being Berber in Madrid. He was eating lunch at our house on Saturday when April asked:"Alleke wants to know why you have hair on your face."Chris grinned at Alleke, then scratched his soul patch in thought."Musicians have hair on their face so they look cool," he said with a shrug.April turned and interpreted this for Alleke. "Chris has hair on his face because he plays piano." -
Amy Swacina School of Dance
5 Jun 2009 | 12:27 pmAlleke is a proud graduate of the Amy Swacina School of Dance in Madrid. In other words, we leave Alleke with Amy (our ballerina friend) while we go to Spanish class, and they twirl around together in her living room. Here are the results:Watch Alleke dancing ballet on Vimeo.
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two crumblies and a cat
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Norman's Bad Day
28 Jun 2009 | 9:51 pmPoor old Significant Other, in his Stormin’ Norman the Weather God persona, had a very bad day last Friday. It was a Michael Fish and the hurricane moment.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPQLl5rupg for those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about. Any Brit of a certain maturity will remember with pleasure the best example of televised hubris that they are ever likely to see.It was SO’s 99th weather forecast for Luna Radio as well, and he has thus far been uncannily correct; so how on earth could he have missed a thunderstorm of that size? He was so sure of his usual accuracy, he… -
Palma
21 Jun 2009 | 9:59 pmWe went on a jolly to Palma on Saturday. Well, summer’s here, and Significant Other’s got a proper job, so it’s allowed.We did the Park and Ride option, which has been possible since the government before this one, lead by the Partido Popular (PP), decided it needed a Metro. Then it seems it started to wonder where to put it. So, many millions of euros later, we have a shortish line – yes, just the one – which potters between Palma and the University. Even this was not without its little hiccups; the line opened and a couple of weeks later it rained, Mallorcan style. And the… -
Barbecue with a Tipsy Tart
14 Jun 2009 | 9:09 pmYesterday I was at a barbecue. Not to enjoy myself, you understand. In response to the word “muggins” which is apparently tattooed across my forehead, I had been nominated as a volunteer at a fundraiser; hey, you don’t just volunteer in our organisation. You get told. I was not just to sit on the gate and relieve people of their money (I was given that job, lucky me, because I have the ability to keep smiling under all circumstances, even if it does get a bit fixed sometimes. I must try to get out of that habit), but to make industrial quantities of pasta salad. And a dessert too,… -
Carla Bruni for Queen?
7 Jun 2009 | 9:43 pmI am turning into a Grumpy Old Woman.I do like those TV programmes where celebrities of both sexes but a certain age are allowed to rant about the things that drive them mad. It’s sort of cathartic for me, who doesn’t have a convenient camera into which to rave, to know that I am not alone. I am also pleased and somewhat surprised to note that I am not the only old biddy getting angrier as the years go by; I thought I was supposed to be mellow by now. Mind you, did you notice that the Grumpy Old Men tended to rant about things outside themselves, like cyclists or world peace, whereas the… -
Proper Job and other stuff
31 May 2009 | 9:01 pmSignificant Other’s got a proper job! With a contract and tax and everything. That is quite an achievement for a wheezy 58-year old barely Spanish-speaking crumbly in a Spanish-speaking island. And just in the nick of time. The financial crisis has almost bought us to our knees so the salary is going to come in more than a bit handy and save further wear on said knees.He is now a Customer Service Rep for a very high end holiday company; yes, he’s one of those poor devils that stand at airports with a piece of cardboard with someone’s name on it, gazing hopefully into 200 pairs of eyes…
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Lloret de Mar Stuff
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Lloret de Mar News
3 Jul 2009 | 11:17 pmJust three snippets of news from Lloret de Mar today.The beach bars are to be given a complete facelift and renovation as they are said to be in poor condition after they have been used for the past few years. No date has been given just yet, but work such as this is normally done at the end of the summer season..............................................................................................................................A documentary is to be made by the Lloret council about the early years of tourism as seen from the viewpoint of women. They are looking for women over the age… -
Lloret de Mar - Tour de France
1 Jul 2009 | 10:57 amAnother new event for Lloret de Mar is the Tour de France which is to pass through the town on Thursday 9th July. The bikes will follow the route as above, coming from Girona and heading towards Sant Feliu on the coast. From there it follows the coast down towards Tossa de Mar and is said to be passing through Lloret on the main road towards Blanes at approx 12.45pm. More details can be found on the Tour de France site.To any one who has no interest in the Tour de France will probably find this a huge inconvenience as the roads on the route will be closed, how this will affect people… -
Tips For Staying Safe on Holiday.
22 Jun 2009 | 1:21 pmA nice relaxing holiday not always turns out the way you intended. Pick pockets can easily pick out a tourist and know that they will always be carrying a nice sum of cash and one or two credit cards. Unfortunately too many holiday makers let down their guard too much and forget to keep an eye on their personal belongings. As a consequence this can sometimes lead to being the target of a pickpocket while out and about.Your hotel should have safety deposit boxes for you to hire, these may seem expensive but you do get the majority of the cost back when you return the key at the end of your… -
Tobacco Price Rise in Spain.
18 Jun 2009 | 8:18 amThis week in Spain cigarette and tobacco prices have all increased in price, the price rise is the largest increase for years. We usually see an increase with most things such as household bills, drinks and cigs in January which may add 5-10 cents or so to packet of cigarettes, but one for instance is a pack of Golden Virginia tobacco that used to cost €3.50 is now €4.85!So just so you all know what your next batch of tobacco will cost I have got the latest price list along with what your allowance is to take back to the UK.(Click on the list to increase the print size) -
Primark Comes to Barcelona!
9 Jun 2009 | 9:15 amAt last Primark has found its way to the Catalan capital Barcelona!The new store which opens today 9th June will be a massive success I'm sure. Primark has 187 stores in Europe including Ireland, Holland and many cities in the UK. This is the 11th store in Spain but the 1st in Catalunya.You can find the new store in the Diagonal Mar shopping centre.Click here for How to get there.Happy Shopping!
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Lloret De Mar Holiday Guide
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Tobacco Prices in Spain.
18 Jun 2009 | 8:35 amThis week in Spain cigarette and tobacco prices have all increased in price, the price rise is the largest increase for years. We usually see an increase with most things such as household bills, drinks and cigs in January which may add 5-10 cents or so to packet of cigarettes, but one for instance is a pack of Golden Virginia tobacco that used to cost €3.50 is now €4.85!So just so you all know what your next batch of tobacco will cost I have got the latest price list along with what your allowance is to take back to the UK.(Click on the list to increase the print size) -
Reliable Airport Transfers.
6 Jun 2009 | 12:37 pmSo many visitors to the Costa Brava these days make all their own arrangments for their flights, hotels and transfers to their hotel and back to the airport. For a very reliable transfer able to carry 5 passengers plus luggage phone...Tel - 0034 690319022A.A ExcursionsAirport transfers.Girona-Hotel-AirportCosta Brava-Dorada -
Bargain Flights to Spain?
24 May 2009 | 11:57 pmWatch out for bargain flights to Spain during the last six months of this year!In a move to encourage tourism on which the Spanish economy largely depends, the government has announced it will pay the tax on behalf of all passengers of airlines who bring in more passengers than they did for the second half of last year-2008.I would imagine for the airlines to encourage more passengers to travel that they would also have to offer cheaper flights along with the tax cut.More can be read about this on the Typically Spanish site. -
Lloret de Mar Weather
26 Apr 2009 | 11:55 amHere is the weather for the coming week in Lloret de Mar...you can always check the weather in Lloret by clicking on this link for Weatherbug.com. Monday 27/04/2009 Hi: 17° Lo: 10° There is a 0% chance of precipitation. Mostly cloudy. Mild. Temperature of 17°C. Winds NNW 14km. Humidity will be 45% with a dewpoint of 5° and feels-like temperature of 17°C. Tuesday 28/04/2009 Hi: 17° Lo: 9° There is a 0% chance of precipitation. Mostly cloudy. Mild. Temperature of 17°C. Winds SSW 16km. Humidity will be 49% with a dewpoint of 6° and feels-like temperature of 17°C. Wednesday 29/04/2009… -
Tourist Information Centres
5 Apr 2009 | 10:49 amIn Lloret de Mar you'll find three tourist information centres around town, a fourth can be found in Fenals just near the beach front during the summer season. At these offices you can get free street maps and guides for events which are happening during your stay.If you follow this link for Tourist Info you will see the address, phone numbers and opening times for all offices.
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Photos from Spain
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Seville - Plaza de Espana
2 Jul 2009 | 11:03 amThe Plaza de Espana in Seville is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. The horse drawn carriages will take you on a tour of the plaza if the walk is a little too much in the hot Seville summer! The last photo shows the famous Seville oranges which make the very best marmalade to spread on your breakfast toast! -
Lloret de Mar Sights
17 Jun 2009 | 10:50 amJust two streets back from the beach front in Lloret de Mar is this very colourful church.Sant Roma's parish church is one of the most famous landmarks in Lloret, and one of the most photographed. No matter what time of day you pass there are always several people competing for the best place from which to take their shots!Before the construction of the church began back in the 16th century, the building which originally stood on the site was used to store coal, owing to it been so close to the sea for loading the ships.Bet it looked quite different to the grand building which is standing… -
Seville - Spanish Ceramics
2 Jun 2009 | 12:58 pmWhile walking around the streets of Spain you will come across some very 'tacky' souvenir shops, most of which will have come in from China! but this photo is the indoor display of one of the better class ceramic shops in Seville. Something like this would always make a nice present to take back for your family or friends!Click on the picture to enlarge it and see the work that has gone into the detail of the different designs of each piece. -
Mediterranean Diet
12 May 2009 | 11:10 amOne of the main ingredients of the Mediterranean diet is fish. Which is eaten on a regular basis especially in the coastal towns and resorts. Many of the large coastal resorts of Spain were originally fishing villages so fish was and still is today fairly cheap to buy. The above photo shows a selection of fish and seafood ready to be cooked and served to the customers in a beach side restaurant on the Cost del Sol. -
Isle de Cies - Vigo
5 Apr 2009 | 11:18 amThe Isle of Cies are situated just on the Ria de Vigo, on the north-western coast of Spain. This area is considered to be the most beautiful view of the Rais Baixas.In order to reach the isles a catamaran runs during the summer. Once on the islands you are allowed to stay overnight in the camp site, which has approx 800 places, but the maximum length of stay is 15 nights.
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hello from hispania
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Galego course, day 4.5 - enter las vascas
5 Jul 2009 | 3:11 am04/07/09When we got back to Santiago, E. and I made plans with los andaluces to get something to drink a little later. We decided to meet at Praza Galicia at 11:30. Before heading back home though, we ran into a group of girls from E.'s class (she's intermediate two). I didn't really know them so I stood in the background whilst E. invited them to come along. I did get introduced but I was tired and in need of a shower so the names just went in one ear and out the other. I need to do something about this as it happens a lot!When we reached the pensión, we found it full of strangers. Potty… -
Galego course, day 4 - A Terra Chá
5 Jul 2009 | 2:18 am04/07/09This is another one of those delayed posts. You'll find out soon enough just why it's delayed, lol.We had to wake up super early today (in Spanish time, this is anything before nine) in order to be at the Alameda in time to catch our tour buses for this year's very first Galego course road trip. Our destination: A Terra Chá. This translates to 'the wide land.' To be honest, A Terra Chá was really only part of our trip, which encompassed a good deal of the province of Lugo.We were at the foot of the Capilla del Pilar at 8:15 (the buses were leaving at 8:30) and the course secretary… -
Galego course, day 3 - the intro continues
3 Jul 2009 | 4:54 amToday, as I had imagined, was not actually the first day of our course. It was, more than anything, a continuation of yesterday (which is by no means a complaint). Somehow, after staying up until three, I managed to wake up at 7:30. I took the opportunity to shower (there's only one shower for possibly eight people...I haven't even seen everyone yet) and get ready, as I had to be at the Facultade de Filosofía at 9:30.We (E., the Dashas and I) left a bit early to see exactly where we had been placed. This was pretty much the moment we were all dreading. Luckily, I found that I didn't do too… -
Galego course, day 2.5 - As Crechas
2 Jul 2009 | 11:21 pmIf I had possessed the energy last night to post this, I would have...but it still wouldn't have shown up until today because, technically, last night was this morning. And this morning, marked the end of Shy Juan's stay in the house. Fun, confident Juan is here to stay.So what the heck am I talking about? Well, I'm talking about how awesome my roommates are.After getting home from the museum yesterday, I was beat. The sun was really starting to shine and it had gotten the best of me on the way back to the pensión. I find I'm one of those people whose energy gets sucked dry when the sun is… -
Galego course, day 2 - the intro
2 Jul 2009 | 6:37 amToday was really my first day of the Galego course. Well, that's not exactly true. My first day will actually be tomorrow...maybe. The way they do things here is so crazy. The laid-back attitude is just a part of everything, including a thirty-day course that, I am quickly realizing, will probably end up being like a 20 day course max. The reason for this is that there are going to be quite a few days like today.Billed as the "first day" of the course, today was intro day. This meant that I had to be at the Instituto da Lingua Galega this morning (the building is so inconspicuous and totally…
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The Very Best Blog Ever!
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La fiesta de San Juan
28 Jun 2009 | 5:34 amSaturday, 11.30 am, time for mass in the ermita de San Juan, opposite our house.To see the full size image, click left on any photo.The musicians and choir sat at the back.After the mass, it was time for lunch in our bodega Floyd had folded the napkins the night before.One of our favourites, sea-food paellaAfter lunch, time to cool off in our jacuzzi - very relaxing!In the evening, it was "dancing in the street", (or "camino" in this case), in front of our house.Finally, time for supper. We must have worked up quite an appetite with all that dancing!All photos from Floyd. -
Arnes Honey Festival
14 Jun 2009 | 3:55 pmWe last went to Arnes for the BBQ on Easter Monday in April. (To see it, if you missed it at the time, click HERE). Today however, was the Honey Festival, Fiesta de la Miel, (or Festa de la Mel inCatalan)Click left on any photo to enlarge it.Evidently this was the 6th fair......and there was a honey / bee theme everywhere, even the houses had sheets decorated with the occasional bee on display.There were lots of stalls selling local produce such as sausages, fish, cheese......and wax products made from bees wax and smelling of honey.The church there was restored a few years ago. This is just… -
The village trip
6 Jun 2009 | 12:47 pmWe meet, as usual, just before 6.00am at the crossroads and the coach sets off towards Barcelona, stopping for our breakfast of a bocadillo, (made at home the night before), and coffee, at a motorway service station, finally reaching our first destination at around 9.30am.Click left on any picture to see it full size.And here we are at the centre of the Codorníu bodegas. Click HERE to go tho their website. Cava was born here in 1872. Note the "Gaudi" touches to the reception centre above, although buildings here were designed by the Art-Nouveau architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch.The vineyards… -
It's holiday time again!
3 Jun 2009 | 8:21 amWeek 21 is the week at our timeshare Doña Lola on the Costa del Sol so on Friday 22nd May after dropping Hona off at the kennels in Tortosa, we headed south at a leisurely pace staying overnight at the town of Elche which is exactly half-way. We left our two cats at home this time so they could enjoy their dog-free holiday being looked after by Floyd.To see any picture full size just click on it.This year the weather was great all week.This is the time of year for the palms to be pruned.There was entertainment in the restaurant by Alexandra Avery. Click HERE to see her on YouTube.Here is the… -
Fórnoles, paella and hail!
11 May 2009 | 8:50 amA group of us set off to Fórnoles, a village just 18 kms to the south-west of us, at around 11 am on Sunday morning. One of it's claims to fame is that it is on the Greenwich meridian, longitude 0.000. It is also higher than we are, Torre del Compte is at 500 metres, Fórnoles is at 667 - 706 metres above sea level.Click left on any picture to see it full size.The ermita de la Virgen de Montserrate, also called the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Fórnoles, some 5 kms outside the village, dates from the IX century but has been renovated many times since then.The whole area is in flower at…
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mylifeinspain
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adios
26 Jun 2009 | 8:59 amFive years ago I wrote my first entry here at mylifeinspain, and on the blog's fifth anniversary I post what will most likely be its last. When I started this project, I did so for several reasons. One was to document the early years of our transition to living in this village, and the second was to provide a way for friends and family to regularly keep up with what was going on in the life of me, Big Jim, and the various critters (especially because I am so bad at keeping up with my e-mail inbox!).Five years ago the village was a much different place, and I still believed that Big Jim… -
foto wednesday
24 Jun 2009 | 10:29 amI say dahl-ya; he says dayl-ya. Either way, pretty eh? :-)hasta pronto,mylifeinspain -
is there anything this man can't do?
17 Jun 2009 | 12:09 pmhasta pronto,mylifeinspain -
corpus christi
14 Jun 2009 | 12:09 pmMore than just a town in Texas...I confess, although an act of vandalism, I find it amusing that someone has stolen the farmer's left hand. Because who has screw-on hands on a statue.... hasta pronto,mylifeinspain -
foto friday
5 Jun 2009 | 11:48 amHere's the last bunch of fotos from our little trip out a couple weeks ago:Have a great weekend, everyone! :-)hasta pronto,mylifeinspain
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Spain Dreams
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Tour de France in Spain
5 Jul 2009 | 6:30 am2 of the 21 stages of this year´s Tour de France will be in Spain´s Autonomous Community of Catalonia, north east of the country. The Tour which started yesterday in Monaco, will be in Girona on July 9 for the first time, after the Perpignan stage dedicated to Salvador Dali. The university city of almost 100 thousand inhabitants and the Onyar river crossing the heart, has quite some attractions with an old wellkept historical centre, a cathedral, a roman wall with nice views, some museums, Arabian Baths as well as a Jewish Quarter. Not to mention the gastronomy worthwhile trying. From the… -
Gay Pride Event in Barcelona
26 Jun 2009 | 1:53 pmBarcelona is celebrating until June 28 the Pride Barcelona 09. This event is the Mediterranean’s most important Gay Pride with more than 25 associations, 70 businesses and the LGBT community. It is a free and nonprofit making celebration which shows the best the city has to offer. Until Sunday you can enjoy the city of Barcelona and all the diversity that Catalonia offers at an event which has prepared all sorts of activities, including film, culture, family, entertainment, sport and debates. The event will end with a parade full of colour and a great free party. The setting for this… -
Musician Davide Salvado at the XXVI Folk Segovia festival
24 Jun 2009 | 1:53 amOn Saturday, July 4th. in La Alhondiga, province of Segovia, Spain, you have the option to see Davide Salvado during this year´s annual Segovia Folk Festival. He is a total artist, able to fill the stage with his charismatic presence. He retrieves the most nude tradition and put it in front of us, without any superfluous dressings, but with a careful and personal interpretation. After years accompaning Xose Manuel Budiño worldwide, and, in parallel, making an intimate work from the Galician, Portuguese and Castilian traditional repertoire, Davide has developed a show where his voice,… -
Motorcycle World Championship in Montmelo Barcelona Spain
13 Jun 2009 | 4:11 amUntil tomorrow you can enjoy the Gran Premio Cinzano de Catalunya de MotoGP (Motorcycling World Championship) at the Montmelo circuit, north of Barcelona. The Circuit has seventeen grandstands, of which three are covered. As high temperatures with over 30º C are forecasted for this weekend, it is advisable to be prepared accordingly. Tomorrow´s race of the Catalan Grand Prix can be also followed on the 20 giant screens, viewable from almost any corner of the public areas. Children under 5 years old have free access over the weekend. Motorbikes and cars have free parking space,… -
AC/DC at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona
6 Jun 2009 | 8:58 amThis Sunday, the Australian rock group AC/DC will be back in Barcelona for the second time in just over 2 months. The ‘Black Ice World Tour’ concert will be this time at the Olympic Stadium, after the first one was in the Sant Jordi Hall. The European tour will end on June 30 in Glasgow after about 50 concerts. Tickets are already sold out to see this band which is in business for more than 30 years.
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Spanish Teaching
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Was ist mit den ganzen Papiertücher auf dem Boden?
22 Jun 2009 | 5:54 amEine Tapa ist ein kleines, Appetithäppchen das in Tapas-Bars üblicherweise zu Wein, jedoch auch zu Bier gereicht wird. Tapas entsprechen den im östlichen Mittelmeerraum und im Nahen Osten gebräuchlichen Mezedes. Tapas werden in Spanien üblicherweise in Tapas-Bars und Bodegas serviert und dort im Stehen verzehrt. Jede Tapas-Bar besitzt dabei eine individuelle Auswahl an verschiedenen Tapas. Zu den Tapas wird meist Bier, Wein, Sherry, Wermut oder Portwein getrunken. Tapas im engeren Sinne sind kostenlose Beilagen zum Getränk. Unterwegs um Tapas zu essen? Ganz ehrlich, wie fühlen Sie… -
El Instituto Cervantes celebra la primera gran fiesta mundial del español
17 Jun 2009 | 2:35 amEl próximo 20 de junio se celebrará, en todos los centros del Instituto Cervantes, el Día del Español (el Día e), una jornada de puertas abiertas que pretende incrementar la visibilidad de la lengua española en el mundo y crear un punto de encuentro para todos los hablantes de español. Esta iniciativa del Instituto Cervantes quiere servir para conmemorar el valor del español como lengua de comunicación internacional. Para este día, se han organizado una serie de actividades que tienen como epicentro la palabra, tomando como base la manera en la que se percibe el español, una lengua… -
El Instituto Cervantes enseñará español a los empleados de Starbucks en Estados Unidos
16 Jun 2009 | 2:52 am(To read in English, click hereLos cien mil trabajadores que tiene en Estados Unidos la cadena de cafeterías Starbucks aprenderán español con la plataforma del Aula Virtual de Español (AVE) del Instituto Cervantes, según se establece en el convenio que han firmado ambas partes. El personal de la empresa podrá seguir los estudios de español a través del AVE, que estará disponible en la intranet de la compañía norteamericana, cuya sede central se encuentra en Seattle (Estado de Washington). En Seattle se ubica también la primera Aula Cervantes que el Instituto abrió en Estados… -
OFFER: Intensive Spanish and Accomodation in Salamanca for only 399 euros!
11 Jun 2009 | 6:49 amThe anniversary celebrations in Salamanca are not over yet!Due to the festive mood following the 20th anniversary of our don Quijote school in Salamanca, our high-spirits have animated us to grant another offer - and this time, an "all-inclusive" one:An Intensive Spanish Course (20 classes and 5 cultural classes a week)+ Premium Accommodation complete with full board (3 daily meals) and your own private bath for only 399 euros per weekIt's a wonderful opportunity to live a ‘pure’ Spanish immersion in graceful Salamanca starting anytime you want between now and 31 December 2009. Just make… -
Exhibition: Joaquin Sorolla in the Prado Museum
4 Jun 2009 | 8:25 amValencia- born impressionist painter Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1920) is the star of a memorable retrospective exhibit currently being held by the Prado Museum in Madrid. Not only is this exhibition the first for the Spanish art gallery representing the painter, but it is also the most important exhibition in -as well as- out of SpainUntil September 6, you may delight viewing over 100 of Sorolla’s paintings. Among them are 14 of his magnificent panels painted for the Spanish Society of America in New York in which the painter carefully depicts the many aspects of Spanish Mediterranean…
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MadridMan.com: BLOG Madrid Spain
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Summer Vacation Exodus Begins in Spain
3 Jul 2009 | 8:32 amAlthough it's already July 3rd, many workers finished out the week to start vacations this Friday afternoon. This fact is verified by 32 kilometers of traffic jams on all of Madrid's (and in nearly all of Spain's cities) out-going highways by 3pm. The outpouring of Madrid's residents, it is said, should continue through Sunday, July 5th, leaving a shell of the otherwise bustling Capital City.By Monday, 6th of July, the city becomes somewhat dormant until September 1st. Many say August is the more popular month for Madrileños to take their month-long holidays. So if you think July is quiet,… -
Orgullo Gay Madrid Gay Pride 2009
2 Jul 2009 | 12:27 am"Orgullo Gay Madrid 2009" has begun!Last year, Madrid hosted Europe's Orgullo Gay festival. This year is a more typical year with the somewhat smaller-scale Gran Vía parade and Chueca-wide street parties from 25 June to 5 July 2009. While last year's attendance was HUGE, inviting supporters and partiers throughout Europe, the novice won't see much difference this year because Madrid's Gay Pride Festival is big.While I, MadridMan, am not gay, I do respect the rights of others to do pretty much whatever they want if not harming others - and I always enjoy a good party. One would have to be in… -
Grand Opening: New Cercanias Station in Puerta del Sol
28 Jun 2009 | 10:24 amToday, on its first day of operation, I made my maiden-visit to the brand-new Cercanías station in Madrid's Puerta del Sol. The controversial entryway is in the shape, it is said, of a "Glass Fish" or "Pez de Cristal", and does pose a striking structure in the otherwise traditional space of the plaza.Thousands of people were onhand today, probably not so many to actually ride the cercanias train as they were taking photos and walking about to see their new landmark. Countless media outlets were stringing cable, conducting on-camera interviews, and recording the event for their own television… -
Spain loses to USA in Confederations Cup Semifinal
25 Jun 2009 | 12:27 amThe USA National Soccer Team, never (ever!) known as Giant Killers, came a step closer to earning the title for the first time.Last night, USA stunned Spain in the soccer semifinal of the Confederations Cup in South Africa, a game everyone thought would be an easy win for Spain - the European Champion. Final Score: 2-0. The first goal was scored in the first half by Jozy Altidore. The second goal, much more spectacular, was scored in the second half by Clint Dempsey near the net and through the legs of ex-Atlético de Madrid star (and Madrid-born) Fernando Torres and past… -
Pez de Cristal, Glass Fish: Puerta del Sol's New Landmark
21 Jun 2009 | 9:38 amThe "Pez de Cristal" - or "Glass Fish" - will be inaugurated as the new landmark in Madrid's Puerta del Sol on Saturday, 27 June 2009 at 11am and will be presided over by the President of the Comunidad de Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre & Spain's President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The first day of normal operation will be Sunday, 28 June 2009 at 5:15am. The controversial structure, in the rounded shape of a fish, was likened by Esperanza Aguirre herself (the Regional President of Madrid) as what the glass pyramid is to Paris' The Louvre Museum. Well, I don't know about all that but it…
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Barcepundit (English edition)
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5 Jul 2009 | 6:50 am
5 Jul 2009 | 6:50 amTO ME, this sounds as very significant:The most important group of religious leaders in Iran called the disputed presidential election and the new government illegitimate on Saturday, an act of defiance against the country’s supreme leader and the most public sign of a major split in the country’s clerical establishment.Skip to next paragraphA statement by the group, the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Qum, represents a significant, if so far symbolic, setback for the government and especially the authority of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose word is supposed… -
4 Jul 2009 | 3:47 am
4 Jul 2009 | 3:47 amIRAN AS YOU HAVE RARELY SEEN IT. Because it's more than just mullahs and fundamentalists... -
4 Jul 2009 | 12:22 am
4 Jul 2009 | 12:22 amHAPPY BIRTHDAY! -
3 Jul 2009 | 12:07 pm
3 Jul 2009 | 12:07 pmVENEZUELA TAKES one more step into darkness:The National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) announced on Friday that it will open punitive administrative proceedings to all the media that have broadcasted advertisements advocating private property. Conatel also issued a precautionary measure that prohibits radio and TV stations to broadcast such advertisements.Diosdado Cabello, the Minister of Public Works and director of Conatel, said that the decision was due to the fact that the spots, which are produced by two different organizations: Asoesfuerzo and the Center for Dissemination of… -
3 Jul 2009 | 4:34 am
3 Jul 2009 | 4:34 amRECOVERY OR MIRAGE?Spain's unemployment dole is gradually decreasing but the country is not out of the woods just yet.The number of people filing claims for unemployment benefits in Spain fell for the second straight month, dropping by 55,250 in June, according to government figures published on Thursday. The Labor Ministry said the decline left the total of jobless people at 3,564,889 and marked the first time since mid-2007 that the figure has gone down two months in a row.Too bad that these figures wear more makeup than the late Michael Jackson.First of all, if you look at the seasonal…
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Gruvr.com: Madrid Concerts
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Map of Madrid Spain concerts
5 Jul 2009 | 12:44 pmClick for map of all Madrid Spain shows or on individual concert maps to set email reminders. -
Wednesday 8th: Depeche Mode tickets Valladolid at Estadio Jose Zorila
5 Jul 2009 | 12:41 pmEstadio Jose Zorila 1 Valladolid -
Wednesday 8th: Pet Shop Boys tickets Madrid at Palacio De Vistalegre
5 Jul 2009 | 12:38 pmPalacio De Vistalegre C/ Utebo 1 Madrid 28025 -
Tuesday 7th: Antony And The Johnsons tickets Madrid at in Madrid
5 Jul 2009 | 12:34 pmin Madrid Madrid -
Saturday 11th: Epica Zánka at Balaton Music Wave
5 Jul 2009 | 12:31 pmBalaton Music Wave Zánka
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About.com Spain Travel
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The Onion Article Highlights Common Misconception
4 Jul 2009 | 8:57 amAn article on satirical website The Onion today describes a confused couple's disappointment to find that Mexican and Spanish food are not one and the same. Read the article: Restaurant... -
Going Out in Madrid
2 Jul 2009 | 9:56 amWhenever Madrid lovers talk about their favorite city, the nightlife is always mentioned. But, unfortunately, most tourists arrive in Madrid and head straight for the Irish pubs around Sol at... -
Ryanair vs British Airways - the Real Story
1 Jul 2009 | 5:10 amRyanair and British Airways have recently entered into a war of words through their recently released press releases. BA claim to have shown that Ryanair's added costs can come to... -
Spain News from Around the Web
27 Jun 2009 | 5:22 amCatch up on the funniest and most interesting stories about Spain from around the web. Give Me a Beer, You Imbecile Spain Launches Spanish Language Day Give Me Your Driving Penalties Earthquake Rocks Barcelona Beach... -
Train Travel in Spain (and around the world)
25 Jun 2009 | 12:07 amSusan Breslow Sardone, About.com's Guide to Honeymoons, has produced a great resource on Train Travel, collating all the train related information found on About.com Travel. So if you're thinking of traveling...
