Backpacking in Spain

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dyst0pian

Posts: 43
Joined: Jun. 7 2005
From: Quebec, Canada

Backpacking in Spain

Greetings fellow flamenco lovers.

I have been playing flamenco for about a year now (altough playing is a big word), and since i am taking a year off university, i have been planning a backpacking trip to spain, to take some guitar classes, see some flamenco shows and experience the culture. I was wondering if anyone has any experience doing this type of thing in spain, any suggestions as to places to visit, guitar classes to take and places to hear good flamenco ( i realise i probably wont experience authentic flamenco ). Any info or stories about backpacking in spain would be greatly appreciated !

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 23 2005 22:15:26

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

Hi There,

You dont know how well you know Spain so I may be stating the obvious here but .... Andalucía is the place to come for flamenco, and more specifically Jerez. There is no reason why you should not see authentic flamenco if you got to the Peñas ( flamenco clubs) instead of the tourist Tablaos, or time your visit to coincide with one of the festivals or concursos (competitions).

You will also find a flamenco scene in Madrid, which is a must for travellers anyway especially if you like art as the museums are fantastic.

Buses are very cheap and comfortable as are hostels. There's a backpackers hostel on my street which charges only 16 euros a night.

Best tip though is to master as much of the language as you can to make the most of your visit.

Oh and dont make the mistake of thinking that Spain is always hot. In winter it can get very cold, with cold marble floors and bad heating systems. And yes it is raining again as I write.

Kate

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 26 2005 19:17:27

Cloth Ears

Posts: 152
Joined: Apr. 26 2005

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

La lluvia en España, permanece principalmente en la llanura.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 26 2005 22:29:52

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

When I visited Andalucia, it was record-breaking heat. I don't know if Kate remembers when that was, but it was incredibly hot and I saw things in the news about it. That was the year that people were dying of heat stroke in France, I think. I went to a festival in Moguer and that night it got horribly cold. The German I was with was wearing three layers, but I just had a T-shirt. It was probably 100+ F in the day, but 50 or so at night. A nice lady sitting behind me place her shawl around me because she saw me shivering!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 26 2005 22:58:48

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to Cloth Ears)

quote:

La lluvia en España, permanece principalmente en la llanura.

Y las montañas también

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 26 2005 23:14:43

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

quote:

It was probably 100+ F in the day

Yep, in July max. was 113F in the valley this Summer - and never dropped below 75F in the night not until dawn anyway.

It is 38F at the moment with a biting wind.

My neighbours are always saying it's "too hot" or "too cold"

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 26 2005 23:18:39

dyst0pian

Posts: 43
Joined: Jun. 7 2005
From: Quebec, Canada

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

Thx for the replies !

I've been reading a lot lately as to where some good penas are located, and i intend on spending as much time in Jerez as i possibly can, seeing as how it seems to have the most developped flamenco-guitar scene. Also i took some spanish lessons in school, i can understand most writing, but conversations will probably be quite a challenge ! oh well, i speak french as my native language, and a lot of the words come from the same roots, so i think in 3 months i can learn a lot , flamenco and language. Anyways thanks a lot for the tips, and the replies ! Its much appreciated, specially since i'm leaving in 3 days

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 27 2005 4:09:57

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Miguel de Maria

When I visited Andalucia, it was record-breaking heat. I don't know if Kate remembers when that was, but it was incredibly hot and I saw things in the news about it.

Yes I remember that, but it is always incredibly hot in the summer here, at least during the day. I remember after a day on the beach we drove up to the Alpujarras for a flamenco festival, je je je stupidly wearing beach clothes and when the sun went down we were freezing and that was July.

The higher the altitude the colder it gets. Yesterday I was walking in the snow on the Sierras, great views, cold feet and blue hands.

I thought I would not need to take gloves . Duh !!

Kate

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 27 2005 14:53:49

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

quote:

ORIGINAL: dyst0pian

Thx for the replies !
Its much appreciated, specially since i'm leaving in 3 days

Dont forget to log in and keep us posted. If you do a trip to Granada we could hook up with Simon and go visit Anders in his mountain retreat. Bring warm socks, gloves and a jumper.

Kate

_____________________________

Emilio Maya Temple
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 27 2005 14:57:22

Guest

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

Go to the flamenco festival in Jerez it's on February
Try to buy tickets in advance
and the bienal en Sevilla
Leo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 27 2005 15:50:04

dyst0pian

Posts: 43
Joined: Jun. 7 2005
From: Quebec, Canada

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

quote:

If you do a trip to Granada we could hook up with Simon and go visit Anders in his mountain retreat

Ya, that would be really sweet, I've read in tourist guides that Granada is a must see, specially the grenade maure, la puerta de la justicia and l'Alhambra. I'll keep you guys posted on this topic about my adventures ! I'm landing in Malagua, and i cant wait to see picasso's house and drink some fine wine

. Also Leo, i'm leaving on the 22nd of february in Malagua, is that enough time for the festival de Jerez? I think that would make my trip worth every penny ! Anyways, thanks for the info, i kinda figured tourist posts like these would just annoy most members of the forum

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 27 2005 16:19:45

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

quote:

ORIGINAL: dyst0pian
i kinda figured tourist posts like these would just annoy most members of the forum

One of the great things about this forum is that is not just virtual. Last year I was in Madrid and met up with several forum members or their friends anyway and had some good nights out and caught some excellent flamenco. Actually I said the above without checking with Anders or Simon but not to worry, they are great guys. Any excuse to meet up

So keep your posts coming. And yes Granada is a must for the Alhambra. But then so are Seville and Cordoba for their stunning Moorish buildings and ambience. It's very easy to travel around Andalucía and the bus stations all have great bars and food.

You did not say where you are coming from ? France ? Canada ? Am trying to think of French speaking countries here.

Kate

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 27 2005 17:42:49

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to Kate)

quote:

Actually I said the above without checking with Anders or Simon but not to worry, they are great guys. Any excuse to meet up

et une biere ou deux, pas problem

Bring a warm coat and several jumpers! If you get stuck, you are welcome to stop over a night in my house (if you like big dogs), 38km from Granada with a regular bus service.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 27 2005 18:04:30

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to Kate)

quote:

One of the great things about this forum is that is not just virtual.

Absolutely, I have met Stephen Hill, Kate, Jim Opfer, Emma, Fergusito, our absent friend Melchor, Jonathan, Sean, Estela and Anders. In London, Lewes, Bath, Jerez, Cadiz or Granada.

Always worked out fine.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 27 2005 18:25:41

Guest

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

I can't stress enough the advice one poster mentioned here about learning the language before coming to study Flamenco in Spain, here in Jerez virtually no teachers of cante, toque or baile can explain things in English (or any other language besides andalú for that matter) and I've observed how a recent visitor to the Riad, who spoke no Spanish at all, missed out on so much of what the Jerez flamenco scene has to offer because of the language barrier.

If you are coming to Jerez in December, you couldn't pick a better time to find some of the "authenticity" you're seeking in Flamenco. The Festival is for foreigners, soon we'll be in full blown Zambomba season and it is here when some of the best flamenco is heard.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 28 2005 15:51:47

dyst0pian

Posts: 43
Joined: Jun. 7 2005
From: Quebec, Canada

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

I'm Coming from Quebec, the french part of Canada, so if you think it gets cold in Spain during winter, try working outside at -40 degrees celcius

. As far as the language barrier goes, i can't say i'm very good at spanish, but my girlfriend as been learning it for about 3 months, ( altough she's been in portugal for about 2 months now ) and i'm hoping my knowledge of french will help me out a bit

. I lived in England for a year, i didnt know a word of english before i moved there, after about 3-4 months of complete immersion ( school, friends, tv etc.... ) i was bilingual. I've heard when your young though you pickup languages a lot faster. Anyways i got a french/spanish dictionnary, and i'm hoping to make the best of it !
Its funny, spanish hospitality is known troughout the world ( must be why you guys have the most tourists per population ) and i didnt expect to find it on a forum, but you guys ( and gals ) really show it's truly a part of your culture .
Thanks for the friendly hospitality. I'll keep writing when i get to Malaga ! Maybe people who want to try something familiar will be able to get some info from my experiences.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 28 2005 17:17:10

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

quote:

Anyways i got a french/spanish dictionnary, and i'm hoping to make the best of it !

You'll be fine. I find French a great help and Spanish is easier. As Kate said to me, "it's all in the verbs" so bring your conjugations

Then again, the present tense goes a long way as they use it for the future quite often, as in "tomorrow, I go shopping"

Bonne voyage et m'envoient un message privé si tu veux une réunion

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Foro Flamenco founder and Admin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 28 2005 17:46:25

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

quote:

ORIGINAL: dyst0pian

I'm Coming from Quebec, the french part of Canada, so if you think it gets cold in Spain during winter, try working outside at -40 degrees celcius .

Brrrrrrr but we did get down to -20 degrees in the Vega ( valley) last winter.

Sounds like you will pick up Spanish pretty quickly, my Dutch friend here did so in 3 months. I spent four years at University studying and it was only when I got here that I really learnt it as it is spoken and still feel I have a long way to go. But then again I'm an oldy and what you say about youngsters learning is very true, they do pick up languages quicker.

Kate

_____________________________

Emilio Maya Temple
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000CA6OBC
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/emiliomaya

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 28 2005 18:40:34

dyst0pian

Posts: 43
Joined: Jun. 7 2005
From: Quebec, Canada

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

hey!
Sorry I havent had time to write a lot about my adventure so far, i´ve been pretty busy so far. After arriving in Malaga, i spent about 2 days there didnt find a lot to see. I then went straight to Granada, where there was abviously a lot to see :). i went to the alhambra, saw a couple of flamenco shows, i visited simon ( escribano ). He was really nice, we stayed there for 2 days, had so beer and tapas, played a bit of guitar, he showed me around his really nice quiet village, and shared some insight on life in general. We also visited Anders and his guitar workshop, he was really nice, he showed me how he makes some really beautiful guitars, and even gave us some very good guitar performances by himself ! I´m really enjoying my trip, even if im travelling very cheap, camping with my tent in all kinds of places

. I spent some time in san jose, near the beach just relaxing and taking it easy, we also went to san pedro, were theres a small community of hippies living in the woods for free, with a nice beach, and running water, some people have been living there for months ! Anyways, im having a blast, ill write back when i can !

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 17 2005 12:11:05

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Backpacking in Spain (in reply to dyst0pian)

Very cool! Thanks for the update!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 17 2005 14:27:00