It’s New Year’s in Las Palmas… in August?! For the last 7 years, Las Palmas has been celebrating the New Year in a unique way… or at least at a unique time. In August!
Author: Erica
Getting lost and finding myself from sunny southern California to the sunny Spanish Canary Islands - via Central America, Southeast Asia, Oceania and Europe.
Follow me. Get lost!
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.
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.
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…
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 But as any local will tell you, the best options at In-n-Out are the not-so-secret menu items on the unpublished locals-only menu.
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!
Las Alfombras de La Orotava Corpus Christi in the Canaries
La Orotava is easily one of the most charming towns in Tenerife and is worth a visit any time of year, but even more so during its colorful Corpus Christi celebrations held annually from about mid-May to mid-June.
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.
Barranco de las Vacas Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria has a bit of everything packed into it’s 1,560 square kilometers. Black, volcanic beaches, Sahara-like dunes stretching to the sea, impossible rock formations balancing from mountain peaks and dramatic cliffs and ravines dotted with deep, ancient caves that once housed the indigenous Canarii.
If you thought this photograph was shot in Utah’s Antelope Canyon, think again. This intricately carved ravine is located right here in Gran Canaria. Come see it for yourself!
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.
6 Things to do in the Southwest of Gran Canaria: Puerto Rico & Playa Amadores
As much as I tend to bemoan the overly-touristic south, I’m always surprised at how much I enjoy my time here every now and then. There really is plenty to do – from basic beaching to luxury spas and all the water sports you can think of. Plus, sunshine.
The Vallarta–Cabo Compromise: Cruising the Mexican Riviera
Cruising the Mexican Riviera, we had to make a big decision: go with the flow on the organized excursions, or go off exploring on our own. We did both! Find out how it went…
Score Big with 4 Super Bowl Activities for the Classroom
Touchdown! Score Big with These 4 Super Bowl Activities for the ESL Classroom The 2019 Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 3, 2019. To be honest there are very few things in this life I care less about than American football… (Sorry not sorry?? 😏) I suppose that’s why I was banished to…
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.
Free Museum Entry to 7 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Museums
From centuries-old houses transformed into museums showcasing local artists and poets, to ancient cave paintings by the indigenous Canarii, there’s something for everyone in and around Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Read on for the definitive list of 7 Gran Canaria museums that offer free entry on the first weekend of the month, and get to know a deeper side of this island paradise.
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 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Top 6 Must See Events
Vibrant colors, vivacious rhythms, dizzying talcum powder wars and the most diva-licious Drag Queen show I’ve ever seen – ya es Carnaval in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria!
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.
Get Up. Get Out. Get Lost. 