Speaking of Spain with the Gazpachomonk

This episode is simply an introduction to the series and to give an idea of what future podcasts will - in theory at least - contain: * 1. Las Noticias: (News) * 2. Lessons from a Lapsed Linguist: (Language tricks and tips) * 3 Integration issues: (The law and our status) * 4 Cultural Corner: (Fiestas, food and flavours) * 5 Other Insights: (The Illuminating Immigrant Interview) So, will it be a show about Coastal life and an opportunity to rent a rural villa with pool that sleeps 6 ? On the contrary, I shan't be peddling the coastal or tourist image of Spain, something that has been - and continues to be - promoted to the point of nausea. Instead, I shall be probing from just inside the interior, from the very geographical centre of Andaluisa. Don't expect tidal forcasts, blue flag reports or the state of the autovias towards Matalscanas on a popular puente weekend. Dont expect airport baggage handling updates, or or exposes on mis-treated donkeys. Instead, expect only the unexpected. So, go now and subscribe to the podcast in itunes, download the episode each fortnight directly here on this web site or just listen to it using the player below. And, Join me in 2 weeks for the first full episode of Speaking of Spain.... Contact: Keep up with all the weekly events by following gazpachomonk on Twitter, gazpachomonk on Instagram, and gazpachomonk on foursquare and of course by visiting the web site. Got a question or just want to give feedback, then email me directly [email protected]

What possesses anyone to buy a house on the Internet, on top of a mountain, with only wild goats, wild boar and wild hunting parties for company? Who but Gerald would fall for the Spanish cliché of Living the Dream? But Gerald, had other plans to fulfil..... Follow the mind set, the mountainous life-style and the mysterious musings of Gerald on this weeks investigative 2 part serial: Gerald's Jungle Grab the jungle sounds of the and accompany Gerald on this special 2 part podcast from the Gazpachomonk:

This is an update on the podcast for 2014 with an explanation of where it is going for the year ahead. Its also a reminder to come over to Youtube channel: Speaking of Spain with the Gazpachomonk to see the spain history series as well as future videos.

Laurie Lee name is synonymous with Spain and travel writing. But how much of what he wrote bears any relationship to the events and moments described in his works? Part 2 of Did Laurie Lie concludes this mini investigation by the Gazpachomonk. In the last episode we traced the background to Lee’s work’s and looked at the 3 reasons why we should question some of the authenticity of his accounts of travelling in Spain. 1. First was the time factor. When I walked out one midsummer morning was written 35 years after his experiences. Time plays games with memories, and the benefits of hind-site can too easily add weight to an otherwise uncertain instinct or impression. 2. Secondly, Lee was a writer of fiction and poetry. He was not a writer of history. And finally there is the ongoing controversy surrounding his role in the civil war, - to what extent he participated and whether his book about participation, is really just a collection of others experiences. All these factors promoted me to look again at his writings on Almunecar. Find out the what the villagers had to say of the man who put their town on the map.

To coincide with the beginning of Spring, many towns celebrate in Spain by holding different fiestas. Here in Loja, we celebrate with the Feria de la Tapa. But what is a tapa? Where did the idea first come from and what can you expect from attending a feria such as this? Find out this week on SPeaking of Spain with the Gazpachomonk.