What do the Spanish words Hasta, Loco, Barrio, Aceite, Moreno, Ojalá, Chaleco, Tarea and Fideo all have in common? They’re all Arabic origin words that have been absorbed into the Spanish language. Spanish has some 1,000 Arabic roots and about 3,000 derived words, so nearly 4,000 in total, that’s 8% of the Spanish language. In … Continue reading Discovering the Arabic Influence on Spanish Language with David Bowles
I speak to Susan Solomont about her new book Lost & Found in Spain – Tales of an Ambassador’s Wife. When Susan’s husband, Alan Solomont was appointed US Ambassador to Spain under President Obama, she left her career in philanthropy, her friends and family to join her husband for three-and-a-half-years in Madrid. In this episode … Continue reading Lost & Found in Spain: Tales of An Ambassador’s Wife
Giving everyone two kisses, mixing up Spanish and English, drinking coffee in glasses, wearing flip-flops indoors, being more stingy when tipping and buying everyone a drink when it’s MY birthday. All things I never used to when I lived in the UK! These are just a handful of habits I’ve picked up since living in … Continue reading Becoming Spanish – 17 habits I’ve picked up since living in Spain
In this episode I talk to Adrian Flude, an avid walker of El Camino de Santiago, Spain´s famous pilgrim route to the city of Santiago de Compostela. Adrian has walked El Camino no fewer than seven times and is something of an expert on The Way of St James. We explore the history of the … Continue reading Walking El Camino de Santiago with Soul Camino’s Adrian Flude
This week I’m talking all about el vino, Spanish wine. To help me explore the world of Spanish wine I’ve enlisted the help of wine lovers, wine experts Luke Darracott and Roque Madrid. In the episode I head along to their wine shop called Madrid & Darracott where we talk about the history of Spanish … Continue reading Discovering Spanish wine with Luke Darracott & Roque Madrid
Talking and tasting tapas with Margit Sperling from Walk and Eat Spain tour. Margit runs her own neighbourhood food tours in Madrid with a focus on the Malasaña barrio where she lives. In this episode we stop off in a couple of Margit´s favorite tapas stops, to sample cheese, wine and cañas. Along the way … Continue reading Tapas – Talking and tasting with Margit Sperling from Walk & Eat Spain
In this episode of When in Spain I’m talking about refugees in Spain and a fantastic project and association based here in Madrid called Chefugee. What is Chefugee? Chefugee collaborates closely with refugees and asylum seekers from all over the world to organize culinary events – from pop up dinners and lunches to catering, team … Continue reading Chefugee: food, Spain’s refugees & a project building appetities not walls
I discuss the growing craft beer scene in Spain with David Ross and Patrick Tuck at their new Madrid pub La Osita. (The little bear) David and Patrick are craft ale brewers, pub owners, friends and business partners. I head along to meet them at their newly-opened craft beer pub in the heart of Madrid. … Continue reading Spain’s evolving craft beer scene: supping ale at Madrid’s La Osita Pub
This week I’m talking Flamenco, that unmistakable Spanish art form, some might argue the very quintessence of Spain. Listen in as I attend a flamenco dance class for professional ‘bailaoras’ or flamenco dancers given by Belén López at Madrid’s Centro de Arte Flamenco y Danza Española Amor de Dios, a prestigious dance school. While I was there … Continue reading Flamenco! Steps, styles, shows & why ‘duende’ is a dirty word! Olé!
An interview with award-winning Spain blogger and Andalucía expert, Molly Piccavey. In this episode dedicated to Spain’s southern region of Andalucía, we talk about how Molly set-up and has grown her blog piccavey.com to a top 50 travel blog. Molly shares here take on what to see, visit, eat and drink in Andalucía. We’ll also … Continue reading Talking Andalucía with Spain blogger Molly Piccavey