Language and Culture
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The Beach
A Snapshot of Spain Parasols. As far as the eye can see. You can’t even see the the sand, not from a distance. At least you know the sea is there. It’s a little overwhelming as you pick your way through the people, the ubiquitous blue cold-boxes, the megastructures erected, tent ropes, towels, loungers, all Continue reading
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Team Spirit
With Olympic fever beginning to take hold for Paris 2024, I have begun to think about what this sporting-cultural event means. We can only enjoy the biggest event in the world of sport once every four years. I admit to not enjoying football for what feels like 12 months a year, so when the Games Continue reading
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Blast from the past
I’m not a big fan of shopping. I generally only go when I actually need something and inevitably end up frustrated having been looking for a very specific item and not having had any success. I don’t particularly enjoy the experience of shopping as a leisure activity, let’s say. That said, what I do enjoy Continue reading
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Debut
A micro story Debut is a micro-story which I wrote in Spanish for a competition with the theme of local trains, in 100 words. Needless to say, I didn’t win. So I thought I’d publish it here, in the original Spanish and translated into English. I hope you like it. Al subir, veo solo piernas Continue reading
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Clichés
On how the way we choose to speak is a sign of… something. A follow-up to the article Talking for the Sake of it. 2.30 am and unable to sleep, dark thoughts start entering through the back door of my brain. It has a front door and a back one, my brain being a charming Continue reading
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Tips for non-Spanish in Spain
All in Fun… So, living in another country has its teething problems, wherever you are. It’s one thing to go abroad on holiday and make yourself understood. It’s a whole other ball game to actually spend some time living there. On purpose. So what follow are some rather random tips based on my first experiences Continue reading
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Sunset
A very short story The sun was not shining. There was no soft breeze that caressed a cheek and far from the birds singing, not a sound could be heard coming out of their mouths. They were dead. Somewhere else, the sea seemed angry, infuriated by something inexplicable. No human being walked through the streets. Continue reading
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Tigger
A (very )short story From a very early age, when he still had no hair anywhere on his body, and his voice still sounded like a heavenly angel, he was very clear about what he wanted to do with his life. He was going to be a tiger. But a real tiger. He was not Continue reading
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Crossing the Rubicon
This isn’t how I was going to launch this blog. I’d planned to have it up and running at the beginning of October, but lack of time and, I will admit, discipline on my part made it impossible. But I was still determined to launch before the end of October. And I do so now. Continue reading
Espanglisher 