¡Feliz Navidad!

Christmas is nearly upon us, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas!

Going upmarket

The San Antón Market is a gem I only discovered recently. Tucked away in Chueca, one of the trendiest parts of town, this market slash food court offers everything you could possibly ask for. From sushi to traditional Greek cuisine, luxury frozen goods to to seafood fresh from the water, a healthy fruit and veg stand to some of the best homemade cakes I have seen in Madrid- it’s hard to find a gap in the market (if you’ll pardon the pun). 

Free Cinema

Yes, that’s right. A whole week of free cinema is taking place this week at various venues, so don’t miss out! 

10 things to do with your Saturday

Yet again, Saturday is nearly upon us (seems like only a week ago!) which leaves you with two options. Number 1) Turn off the alarm, sleep, sleep and sleep a bit more, and when you can sleep no more whack on the heating and a Christmas film and enjoy the rest of the day feeling festive with a hot drink. Number 2) Get up, seize the day, and explore Madrid (obviously after completing any outstanding homework activities set by your teachers at Inhispania…)! Don’t let the exclamation mark fool you; in my eyes, both options are great. However, if you do choose to go with option number 2, here are some ideas to help you kick-start your day. 

The Ice Palace

Stuck for things to do in the afternoons after your Spanish classes? People coming to visit and you’re not sure how to entertain them? If the answer to those questions is yes, I think I might have found the perfect activity for you. Allow me to introduce the Ice Palace...

A cracking hot chocolate

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying the best hot chocolate of my life, so thought it would be unfair of me not to share this experience with you all. 

Something to brighten up your day

Christmas is just around the corner, which can only mean one thing: Christmas lights! Madrid’s Christmas lights will be turned on this Friday, 30th November and will stay switched on until the 6th January, leaving plenty of time to get out and enjoy the different displays.

Here’s some info regarding the best places to go and see the lights as well as when they’ll actually be switched on.

Lo imposible

A truly horrible film, it must be said. I have a strange friend who’s now been to see it three times, and whilst I wouldn’t recommend it as a “MUST SEE THAT AGAIN” film, it’s certainly worth a watch. One watch. 

The sweet sound of a bargain: Get on your dancing shoes

Sorry if I just raised any hopes; as far as I’m aware the Arctic Monkeys aren’t coming to town any time soon. But lots of acts are, and you need to be careful not to miss out on your favourites for bargain prices! 

The Arte of Flamenco

If you haven’t been to see a flamenco show yet, go! Whether you end up leaving early to rush to reserve a spot for the next show, or because you’re falling asleep in your seat, it is something you should see at least once during your time in Spain. 

A city with a story to tell

Although it would be hard to get bored of Madrid, it’s always nice to have a change of scenery and explore a new place.  Just over half an hour on the train from Madrid, cheap, easy to travel to and with loads of stuff to keep you busy for the whole day, Alcalá de Henares provides the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Inhispania: Out of hours

Enjoying your classes but looking for something extra? Wondering how you can put your extensive knowledge of Spanish grammar into practice? Then look no further, you have come to the right place.

Everyone knows it’s impossible to learn a language overnight, unless of course you’re Stephen Fry and have the capacity to learn a dictionary and a grammar book off by heart in a matter of days (look it up, it’s true). If you’re not Stephen Fry, do not despair. It’s all about practise, practise, practise. And practise can be fun, especially if you’re meeting new people, seeing new sights and experiencing a new culture at the same time.

All that glitters is probably gold

Calling all lovers of things that sparkle.  From the 24th October until the 17th February, El Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is holding a Cartier exhibition.

When in Spain… Eat!

If I'm honest, all I've really done since being in Madrid is eat. And whilst my waistline might be suffering, I don't plan on stopping any time soon.

Madrid, like any city, is the perfect place to try new things and enjoy lots of what you already love. From budget bars to upmarket tapas, from late night takeaways to luxury Asian cuisine, from Telepizza to authentic Italian restaurants; Madrid has it all.

A room with a view

Arriving in Madrid for the first time can be a daunting experience, especially when you have nowhere to stay. I found this out for myself, when I arrived in Madrid a few weeks ago. If you’re taking one of the more intensive courses at Inhispania, the website is a helpful place to start when it comes to finding accommodation and is also a great way to relieve yourself of all the stresses that come with it. But if you’re planning to stay in Madrid for a bit longer or even if you just fancy seeing all the options for yourself, you have come to the right place.

Abono joven, where art thou?

Why is everything so complicated in Spain? This is something I seem to be asking myself several times a day (definitely has nothing to do with the fact that my Spanish is teríble…). Buying an “abono joven”, a monthly ticket for all public transport, (you get the “young persons” discount if you're under 23) was on my list of things to do for three weeks before I actually worked out how to do it. This was partly down to my own laziness, but aside from that, every person I spoke to seemed to tell me something different: “go to a tobacco shop”, “go the the ticket office in the station”, “do it on the website”, “call this number”. The list goes on.

Fiesta, fiesta, fiesta

This Friday, the 12th October, is a national holiday in Spain: El “Día de la Fiesta Nacional de España”. Despite being originally intended to commemorate Christopher Columbus’s discovery of South America in 1492, in recent years the Spanish government has been eager to replace the festival’s links to colonialism with a sense of national and military pride. Shop doors will close (Inhispania's too, don't forget!), the people of Madrid will grab their cameras and the city will make way for an impressive military parade.

Da Vinco. El Genio. The Genius.

Until the 2nd of May 2012, the Centro de Arte Canal in Madrid will put on an exhibition recreating the workspaces and machines that this Renaissance genius created.

He was an Italian polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer whose genius, perhaps more than that of any other figure, epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal.

El problema es (SER)

La diferencia es...
In Spanish, the verb ser (to be) works slightly differently to how we would use it in English.
For example: El problema son dos cosas.

In this sentence, the verb “to be” is in the 3rd person plural to agree with the 2 cosas, even though the noun is singular. This is because in Spanish ser agrees with what follows, whereas in English we would say “The difference is 2 things” or “2 things are the difference”.

Llaollao

In my opinion, of all the frozen yoghurt joints in this town, this one is to be avoided. At the very least the one on calle Montera. Inhispania students deserve better.
Firstly, another froyo establishment about 3 doors away (Smooy) is 20 cents cheaper so they’re lucky to have my custom in the first place. Secondly, they are RIDICULOUSLY stingey. For 3,20€, I can go to Simply Market and get a whole punnet of strawberries, yoghurts (plural) and a bottle of honey so I don’t know why I waste my time at LlaoLlao. Every time I think I hope he’ll give me more than what amounts to about one strawberry, 3 walnuts and a Petit-Filous but I am warning you all now: he won’t.

Travelling Around Spain

Madrid (and therefore Inhispania) is one of the most ideal places to do a Spanish course for a multitude of reasons but perhaps one of the most enticing (bar that Inhispania is super cool) is how easy it is to travel around Spain. The capital city’s central location means that it is possible to get to anywhere in Spain without wasting time or money.

The cheapest way to travel is by far the bus but be aware that it will take a lot longer than a plane or train might. The best thing to do, in my experience, is book an overnight bus so you can sleep the whole journey: you don’t lose any tourism/fiesta time and save a night’s accomodation.

The Ideal Summer Cocktail

Summer is upon us and the regular 33 degree heat might be getting to you if, like me, your native land is not so caliente. However, I have a solution: tinto de verano. The name of this drink even translates to red wine of summer and is an ideal antedote to the madrileñan heat.
This wine cocktail is similar to sangria (which, let’s face is, is overdone) but is easier to make has less alcohol in it so is an ideal afternoon tipple. Here is the recipe for you to enjoy:

San Fermín, Pamplona

The bull running in Pamplona, also known as San Fermines, is one of the most famous of Spain’s extreme carnivals and celebrations and is held in honour of Saint Fermin, the region’s patron.
The event is opened annually 12:00pm 6 July by the traditional “chupinazo” firework and is closed at midnight July 14th by the customary rendition of Pobre de Mí.
However, the most exciting part of the carnival is the daily encierro. At 8am this happens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTHHgxFOD_g

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS!

The Spanish are known for many things, among one of them is their passion for football. On Sunday the 1^st of July, Spain thrashed the Italian team 4 goals to a shameful 0. In doing so they became EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS 2012, which basically means champions of the world because everyone knows that europeans are the best at football.

The Spanish enthusiam was INCREDIBLE as they celebrated on Sunday night and again all day Monday and into the night.

Cultura Inquieta

What does “Cultura Inquieta” mean exactly? Where does the name of the platform actually come from?
Friends, it’s not easy to translate into English and there is no direct translation that captures the immediate essence.
Cultura Inquieta could be translated as culture as a living thing, in constant motion without fear of exhibiting new art or giving a platform to new voices. It could also be translated as a condition that gets you jumping out of bed every morning with the enthusiasm to take pleasure in all the beauty that real life has to offer us, from a bondage photo by Nobuyoshi Araki to a watercolour by Paul Klee or a glass of wine to a bin full of rubbish!
Cultura Inquieta integrates and combines, in essence, everything out there that is artistically moving.

Cultura Inquieta dedicate themselves to, basically, having fun.

Gay Pride Madrid

Madrid is world famous for its LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual) community. The city is open and welcoming to everyone and every lifestyle. This is proven by Chueca, a neighbourhood in Madrid which has become internationally recognised as a place for freedom of expression. Inhispania´s satellite school is by the way based in the Chueca area. 

Gay Pride Week takes place usually in the last week of June or first week of July each year and according to MTV is the world’s best.

Summer in the City

Even if we do have excellent airconditioning at Inhispania, the afternoon heat in Madrid can be overpowering in Summer, but NOT when you know the perfect places to relax and embrace the sunshine. Here are my 3 favourite tanning spots to hit after my Spanish lessons (Intensive 20, 10am-1pm Mon-Fri), depending on my mood:

Spanish Study Struggles?

Studying Spanish, or any foreign language for that matter, can be a struggle. However, what were we always taught in school? A problem shared is a problem halved!

Our teachers at Inhispania are always willing to help: the style of our teaching is to treat each other as equals. That is to say, as friends. Therefore, if you ever have a problem with a specific aspect of the course or you are intimidated by anything, tell someone!

La Copa del Rey

On the 25th of May, at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, watch the final of this competition as Barcelona FC and Athletic Bilbao face each other to win the league.

The countless opportunities in Madrid such as this are what Inhispania the ideal place to do a Spanish language course : it’ll be a once in a lifetime experience! 

Even if sport isn’t your thing, the atmosphere will blow you away – everyone knows how much the Spanish love football!

If you don’t go to the stadium, try one of the many bars Madrid and join the locals watching the match on TV such as:

Casa Decor

Casa Decor – the largest exhibition of interior design, architecture, design and art in Europe. From the 17th May to the 24th June this year the Palacete de la Real Compañía de Minas Asturianas hosts an exhibition, open to the public, which allows firms and designers to present their innovative home decor ideas. Here the designers and companies display materials, electronics, and innovative construction solutions.

Pop rock flamenco Arabic music: Manolo Garcia

Manolo Garcia, born in Barcelona, was the lead singer of the rock band “El Ultimo de La Fila” and has managed to have a successful solo career in both Spain and Spanish speaking countries since those crazy 90s.
So if you’re interested in the Spanish pop rock/flamenco/Arabic music genre, then this artist is the one for you.
He is touring his album Los días intactos and will stop at the Palacio Municipal de Congresos here in Madrid on the 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th of April 2012.

Madrid’s Bid!

As I am sure you are well aware, the Summer Olympics are taking place in London this year! But did you know that Madrid might soon play host to these legendary games?

Unfortunately London beat Madrid in the bid for 2012 but, never one to give up, Inhispania´s home town is competing for the third consecutive Olympiad to be the host in 2020!

The Olympic Games took place for the first and only time in Spain in Barcelona in 1992. Prior to this, Barcelona was in fact relatively unknown and only became as developed and popular as it is today due to the billions of euros of investment in the city. Subsequently, quality of life and the attraction for tourism and further investment improved enormously.

Circulo de Bellas Artes

This spot is particularly “guay” because for just 2€ (1€ with student card) you can take the lift up to the 7^th floor roof terrace of the art gallery and look down onto bustling Gran Vía and enjoy a view of practically all of Madrid.

This is ideal for a moment of peace if you need some space from your new flatmates or Spanish course, or even to just appreciate a different view of this impressive city.

Generally the azotea is open every day from 11am-2pm and 4pm-9pm but these hours are subject to change, depending on the time of year, so I advise going at 12:30pm or 5:30pm to avoid missing out.

It’s worth noting that for your 2€ you can also see the exhibitions on the other floors and the cafeteria – which, I can recommend, does a simply delightful chocolate caliente.

photo via: Picture from Wikipedia

El Escorial, Symbol of the Spanish Empire

Each week, we, the good folk of Inhispania, kindly organise a range of optional extra curricular activities for you, the students, to enjoy. These range from the more simple “Tapas en El Tigre” or a football match against the teachers to excursions to local places of interest such as the Monasterio de El Escorial.

So here is a little background information to excite you ...

Exploring Mallorca on a budget

If you are in need of a break from Madrid, Mallorca is your answer. A mere 70 minute flight separates you from fine white beaches, the clear blue Mediterranean and some space to collect your thoughts. Ryanair has regular flights to Palma de Mallorca airport, the 3rd biggest in Spain after Barcelona and our very own Barajas, and the return flights will only cost you about 100€.

Rihanna Rocks Madrid!

Rihanna has just been confirmed as one of the many big names to perform at Madrid’s Rock in Rio music festival (29^th & 30^th June, 5^th & 7^th July) at Ciudad del Rock.

Each year this event is held in Madrid, Rio de Janeiro or Lisbon and is the biggest music festival in the world! This summer marks the first time however that it will take place internationally - it has grown so popular and exciting that the festivities will be going down in Lisbon as well as Madrid.