Erasmus: is there anybody out there?

New to Madrid? Just about to start your Erasmus term at one of Madrid’s many universities? This blog post is for you!

verbs-online.com

Struggling with your verb conjugations? It’s hardly surprising. Unlike the English language, Spanish has a different verb conjugation for each person and each tense. And just when you think you’ve mastered it, along come the stem-changing verbs and there’s a whole new set of rules!

Easter in Madrid

Might sound like I’m stating the obvious, but Easter is a very religious time in Madrid. There are a number of religious parades that take place on various days throughout the city and some of them are quite a spectacle. So regardless of whether or not you celebrate Easter, you should definitely try and get down to one or two!

Preterite v. Imperfect

The problems caused by the preterite and imperfect tenses are certainly up there along with those of the subjunctive and ser and estar for us poor Spanish students. Like both of the above, it’s also something that unfortunately just requires lots of practice to master, but it’s always helpful to start out with a clear set of rules.

Malasaña

Apologies if I’m preaching to the converted, but if you’re not well-acquainted with Madrid’s party district, Malasaña, here’s some info that will change your weekends! 

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike.

What’s stopping you? Here in Madrid there are dozens of ways to get hold of a bike (excluding stealing one, obviously). From free bike hire, to guided city bike tours, you’ll definitely be able to find what you’re looking for.

Be my Valentine

Valentines day: separated from that someone special? Pining over that someone special? Or still looking for that someone special? Why not come along to MadridBabel’s Valentines event, the “Great Saint Valentine’s Language Party”!

Madrid: the scenic route

Now that the weather’s starting to cheer up a bit there’s no better time to get out of the house and start exploring Madrid, especially if you’ve just arrived. Not sure where to head first? Let me give you a few ideas.

Silence! I'm working

Fed up of studying in your room? Fancy a new, interesting environment where you can get your head down and learn those stem-changing verbs? The Cervantes Institute could be just what you’re looking for! 

Hungry?

Fancy going out for dinner this weekend? Allow me to recommend a new find. La Musa in La Latina is a quirky hide-out which offers great food in great atmosphere.

Calling all online film junkies

Watching films online always leaves you with a slight feeling of “What is it I’m doing with my life again?” But, you’ll be pleased to hear I may have discovered a way to banish that thought. Cuevana.com.

Spanishdict.com

Or saveme.com, as I sometimes like to refer to it. For those of us for whom English is our native language, I think Spanishdict is the most comprehensive online Spanish/English dictionary. 

Salamanca

Now that Christmas and New Year are merely a distant memory and we’re all back working hard at Inhispania, I thought it was about time I returned with some top tips for making the most of your time in Madrid. And what’s my tip for today? Leave Madrid, and get on the bus to Salamanca.

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! 

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. 

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! 

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.

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.

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.