According to the UK Food Standards Agency, 14% of people in the UK are vegetarian or partly vegetarian. I am one who has the fortune to live in Spain, where tomatoes taste like tomatoes, local markets sell seasonal fruits from down the road and green, nutty olive oil abounds. Unlike in England, I can afford […]
Getting from A to B On Foot Although many Spanish people seem to use their cars for even the shortest of journeys, the fact is that many of Spain’s cities, towns and villages are small enough and the weather is pleasant enough for you to go almost everywhere on foot throughout the year. By Bus
In 2017, the World Economic Forum ranked the travel and tourism competitiveness of 136 countries and Spain was in the top 10. But where in the top 10?
Top 10 Destinations Read More »
What’s on the Box? Television Although there is a large number of TV channels available, programming on all channels is dubbed into Spanish. The frequency and duration of commercial breaks (on all channels, both state-owned and private) can be a bit of a shock to somebody who is only used to British channels. The channels
Warm, sunny days and balmy summer evenings are great but how can you avoid sleeplessness when the heat at night is just too much? Temperatures of 48o are not unusual in the south of Spain in the summer months and most people feel the need to take some action for health and convenience purposes. Health From
Sleeping in the Spanish Heat Read More »
Opening Hours Most businesses are open from 10am to 1:30 pm and then from 5pm to 8:30pm. However, there are many variations on these times. Also, very often businesses will have different opening times at certain times of year – at Christmas, during local festivities, and (in the south) during the summer months. Shopping centres
Is Spanish more sexist than other languages such as English? In Romance languages, such as French, Italian and Spanish, it is common for nouns to be masculine or feminine and, when we talk about a group of things, the masculine form is invariably adopted as the generic form. For example, traditionally the words ‘father’ ‘mother’
Sexist in Language? Read More »
‘Sangre’ is the Spanish word for blood so, despite what they may tell you about sangria made from white wine or Rios-e, authentic Sangría is made with red wine.
Top books recommended by teachers living in Spain As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning (Laurie Lee) It was 1934 and a young man walked to London from the security of the Cotswolds to make his fortune. He was to live by playing the violin and by labouring on a London building site. Then, knowing
10 Must-Pack Items for Your Suitcase It doesn’t matter which airline you travel with, your luggage allowance is always going to seem miserly when you try to pack for a whole new life in Spain. We spoke to some seasoned veterans about the definitive Survival Kit – what’s essential to take with you to Spain and what you can
Guides Daily newspapers such as 20 Minutos (given out for free at distribution points throughout the major cities and towns) are useful sources of information when planning a night out. Similarly, at weekends local newspapers often publish supplements with entertainment listings. As well as details of what’s on at the theatre, reviews, etc., these entertainment guides often
Manspreading, the practice whereby a man travelling on public transport adopts a sitting position with his legs wide apart, in such a way as to encroach on adjacent seats, is a real problem in Madrid. So says, a women’s group (Mujeres en Lucha) and they want it stopped. A women’s group in Madrid has successfully lobbied
Manspreading in Madrid Read More »
