Christmas in Gran Canaria

Christmas in Gran Canaria While most of the northern hemisphere is dreaming of a white Christmas, you´re talking to a California-raised, Canary Island transplant (via Cambodia and the Caribbean). I don´t do cold. So while the rest of the world may be content to cuddle up in cable knit sweaters and sip hot chocolate as…

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Ruta Playa Viva Live Music in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Ruta Playa Viva Live Music in Las Palmas To your right, the smell of the sea as the waves hit the sand. A cocktail in your hand, an ocean breeze and live music floating all around you. It’s the weekend in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s vibrant barrio Guanarteme and Las Canteras beach, and that means the…

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Get Lost in Gran Canaria November Events Calendar

Get Lost in Gran Canaria November 2018 Events While the sun is still shining, we´ve had our first glimpse of autumn with the breezes and a bit of a storm the last week of October just before the Noche de Finaos celebrations. But not to fear! It rarely dips below 22° here and there are plenty…

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Canary Islands Culture: La Noche de Finaos not Halloween

La Noche de Finaos is a tradition in the Canary Islands, linked to All Saint´s Day and held on October 31 annually (the same day as Halloween). Like All Saint´s Day, Finaos in the Canaries celebrates, honors and remembers friends and family who have passed on. Families get together to share a meal, play music and remember stories of deceased loved ones.

Get Lost in Gran Canaria October Events Calendar

Get Lost in Gran Canaria October 2018 Events Autumn is in the air, there’s a chill in the breeze and the leaves are changing shades from green to gold… Just kidding! This is Gran Canaria and the weather forecast expects temperature to remain high until November 😉. From the live music at Festival Cero along the Las…

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Celebrate La Fiesta del Pino in Teror, Gran Canaria

It was past midnight when we neared the top of the mountain. The late summer night was warm and humid and we were already sticky from walking 12km uphill. From here, we were near enough to hear the music and could practically taste a cold, refreshing cerveza Tropical on our lips. We came around a…

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Ultimate Guide: Apartment Hunting in Tenerife

I´ve lived in the Canary Islands since 2014 and my first home was Tenerife. I´ve lived in both Santa Cruz de Tenerife and in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, and I´ve definitely learned a thing or two about apartment hunting in the islands.

Las Fiestas de Agosto in Madrid: La Paloma in La Latina

It´s late afternoon in La Latina, one of the most characteristic and castizo neighborhoods of Spain´s capital city. Colourful flags and vibrant Manilla shawls decorate every street, and the local restaurants are busy blocking off their doorways and setting up makeshift bars outside. It´s stifling hot in the summer heat, but there´s an energy in the air that can only mean one thing: this is gonna be a great party.
And above all else, Madrid loves a good party.

Spreading Those Sunny Vibes: The Sunshine Blogger Award

Sunshine Blogger Award Celebrating Those Who Spread Positivity 🙌 Creativity 🎨 & Sunshine 🌞 Summer in Spain means a lot of good things – island hopping, my favorite local festivals, and sipping refreshing drinks at the seaside. It also means renewing my immigration paperwork. Photocopies in duplicate and triplicate and staples and paperclips and translations and signatures and…

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7 Spanish Drinks You Must Sip on this Summer

Whether you’re desperately trying to beat the heat in Barcelona, soaking up the sun along the southern Spanish coast, or sitting at home wishing you were living the dream in Spain, chances are you’ll be feeling a bit parched this summer.

While there’s no shortage of cerveza and sangria to be sampled, do as the Spanish do and beat the heat with one of these 7 classic summer thirst-quenchers instead!

Charco Azul Blue Lagoon in Gran Canaria

Small as it may be, the sapphire blue water of the Charco Azul (“Blue Pond” – definitely sounds better in Spanish) is worth a visit for anyone who finds themselves near El Risco in the northwest coast of Gran Canaria. The pond is easy enough to reach, with some lovely landscapes on the way and a perfect, picturesque place to take a solitary dip and cool down beneath the small waterfall.

BEDA Language Assistant Enrollment Fee: Confirm Your Placement

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been accepted to the BEDA Language Assistant Program in Spain.
Congrats!! Once you’ve received your acceptance letter, you have just 7 days to confirm your placement as a BEDA Language Assistant, so it’s time to act fast!

7 Unforgettable Experiences Volunteering at the Surin Elephant Project

Tossing and turning against the stifling heat, I rolled over on the thin mat, trying to make myself comfortable in the raised bamboo hut. Tired and hot as I was, I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to the muffled squeaks and rumbles below.

Elephants.
The beautiful, majestic creatures that had fascinated me since childhood, of whom I had seen countless documentaries of their incredible memories, near-human emotional intelligence and fascinating beauty…
And here I was, living amongst them.

Fuerteventura Off the Beaten Track: Camping in the Canary Islands

With only five days to explore Fuerteventura – the second largest of the Canary Islands – we would need to do a lot of moving around. We arrived without an itinerary, determined to follow the advice of locals on our search for the most beautiful beaches, and daily weather reports to avoid the wilder winds (Fuerteventura, after all, translates to “strong wind,” and for good reason.

Discover Moya in Gran Canaria

Perched above deep volcanic valleys and ravines sits the sleepy, whitewashed town of Moya, where time has seemingly stood still. Children play in the small plazas and old women guard the town from their intricately carved wooden balconies. Church bells ring and old men stop to chat about the weather or yesterday’s match. There’s something timeless about an afternoon in Moya, as if this is what’s always been and what always will be.

Carnaval in the Classroom: ESL Lesson Plans

One thing I’ve learnt Teaching English abroad is that there are many great opportunities to share your language, culture, traditions and celebrations, but if you want to keep your students completely engaged, try bringing their culture into the classroom! As an added bonus, you’ll learn a ton about local history, culture and traditions from your students! Read on for 10 Carnival activities and lesson plans for the ESL classroom!

Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife: The Biggest Bash in the Canary Islands

Usually January is considered a time to tighten up the budget and the post-holiday buns and to settle in for the less festive side of winter; but as most of Spain is packing up their poinsettias and nibbling on the last crumbs of turrón and Roscón de Reyes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is just warming up for the real party… Carnaval.

Getting Lost in 2017: A Year in Photos

The end of the year always leaves me with notes of nostalgia, and this morning as I lazily sipped my coffee I got to thinking about all the places I’ve gotten lost in 2017 (and some plans for the coming year!)

11 Ways to Overcome Homesickness Abroad

After the anticipation and farewells back home and the buzz and stress of getting started in your new ‘home’, it finally hits you. You’re here alone. Maybe you won the roommate jackpot or were blessed with a coworker that’s taken you under their wing, but if you’re like many brand new expats, this is probably the time that loneliness and homesickness are starting to set in.

La Fiesta de La Rama: Agaete’s Premiere Summer Party

We arrived around two and the fiesta was already in full force. Squeezing through the mobs of sweaty fiesteros and fishermen selling eucalyptus branches for 2 bucks a pop, we made our way through the crowded, narrow streets to Plaza de la Constitución, the heart of enchanting Agaete.

The Shelter Games: 3 Commandments for Finding a Flat in Spain

Apartment hunting isn’t usually considered fun. Throw in a different language in a different country with different customs and it’s, well, different. Luckily, you’re not the first guiri to make the move to sunny Spain, so save yourself the stress of making all the mistakes yourself and learn from some of ours before you.

Quintessential Cuenca: ´Hanging´Out Amid the Hanging Houses

To describe Cuenca as dramatic would be an understatement. Originally founded by the Moors in the 8th century, the city was built on a peak protected by severe drops down to the gorges of the Huécar and Júcar rivers below. Everything surrounding the city is verdant green, and everything within the city is solid stone that has witnessed thousands of years of history.

La Ruta del Pincho: Thursday Tapas in Historical Vegueta

Every Thursday night in Vegueta, the scent of mojo and mariscos fills the air and hungry patrons – both locals and guiris alike – fill every bar, terrace and square inch of sidewalk. It’s the weekly Ruta del Pincho aka Tapas Thursday in the historic center, where friends gather together to share a bucket (or 10) of botellínes and sample the countless pinchos on offer.

Finding a Flat in Spain: The Basics

Finding a flat is essential.

Finding a flat you love (or at least like, hopefully a lot) will make a huge impact on your overall Spain experience.

Las Palmas Barrios: Finding the Neighbourhood that’s Right for You

Las Palmas Neighborhoods: Finding the Barrio That’s Right for You Finding your little piece of paradise in Las Palmas might just be the most important decision you’ll make when you arrive. There are the obvious factors like price and commute convenience, but for me it’s equally as important to find the barrio of your dreams….

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Language Assistants in Spain: Getting Ready for the Big Move

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably received your regional placement as a Language Assistant in Spain… congrats! If you’re like most first-time auxiliares, this will be your first time living overseas for more than a just study abroad stint, and let’s just say… it’s different. Different in lots of good ways, and a few stressful ways, but absolutely different.
The truth is, there’s quite a bit that you won’t be able to do until you arrive – finding a piso (apartment) you love, setting up a bank account, securing a Spanish SIM card, etc. There are, however, a few things you can do now to make the transition a whole helluvalot easier when you arrive, and here are my top 3: consulates, cash & communication.

A Burning Ring of Fire: Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure statement here. I Fell Into 🔥A Burning Ring of Fire🔥 Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain Ear-splitting explosions, blazing bonfires, enormous…

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Dos & Don’ts of Spain’s #1 Carnaval in Santa Cruz

This month begins the beautiful debauchery of one of Spain’s most cherished festivos. If you’re lucky enough to be celebrating in one of the top Carnaval hotspots in Spain – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Cadiz, Sitges – get ready to be dazzled. From shimmering, sequined gowns and luminous firework displays to blaring Latin beats and the sensation of thousands of people soaking it all in with you, your senses are sure to be on overload.

ESL Games: Current Events Trivia

Current Events Trivia for the ESL Classroom After a couple of years being spread too thin throughout secondary and primary classrooms, I’m finally back in my area of expertise: teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to high school and secondary students in Spain. Thank you, jeebus. To be fair I’m pretty easy going and…

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Gran Canaria Calendar and September Events

While most of the world is getting ready to pull out their fluffy sweaters and get their pumpkin spice on, the sun is still shining and the weather is sweet here in Gran Canaria. Summer isn´t going anywhere any time soon, and this month is packed with events, live music and local festivals.

From the massive Pino party (La Fiesta del Pino in Teror) to the sounds of the SUM music festival and the many romerías and cultural events (especially the biggies on the north and west coasts!), there´s no time to get bored this September!

Canary Island Resident Discount

Residents of the Canary Islands (as well as the Balearic Islands and Ceuta) are eligible for a 75% discount on domestic boat and air travel between the Canary Islands and to mainland Spain.

Ultimate Guide to In-n-Out’s Secret Menu

The menu is short and sweet – burgers, fries and shakes – always made fresh and always cooked to perfection. But as any local will tell you, the best options at In-n-Out are the not-so-secret menu items on the unpublished locals-only menu.