Going to Spain in Winter

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>General >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

Munin

Posts: 595
Joined: Sep. 30 2008
From: Hong Kong

Going to Spain in Winter

As my financial situation has improved a little, I was spontaneously considering going to Spain this Winter for a week, and hopefully spending that time with a guitar teacher...

Of course Winter might not be the most attractive time weather-wise, but I want to do it for two reasons - first, because my upcoming Christmas holidays will be the only ones where I can go anywhere until next Summer, secondly, to test the waters for another crazy thought I had, which is spending my gap year in Spain (I'm still a high school student).

So I was wondering - as schools like Carmen de las Cuevas don't have any courses during that time (and I'm bound by my holiday dates), and since it's probably somewhere around just before or shortly after New Year, do you think it would still be possible to find a teacher during that time? Or would they all be on vacation themselves?

Additionally, another issue is that I don't speak a word of Spanish (yet..) (though I can understand some bits). If I go to Spain again in Summer, I will of course take care of that, but in this little time period I can't do much...does anyone know of any schools or individual teachers in Andalucia's bigger cities who can speak some basic English?

And at the end, I'd also like to know whether you consider this a good (feasible) idea at all, or whether it would just be a waste of money - regarding the time of the year, my Spanish abilities and the duration of my stay (1 week). I just had this spontaneous burst of enthusiasm over it, and I want to decide before it's too late..

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 12 2008 10:00:29

henrym3483

Posts: 1584
Joined: Nov. 13 2005
From: Limerick,Ireland

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to Munin)

go for it, life's too short.deflamenco has a teacherslist you can check out, so spend an afternoon send a few emails.

http://www.deflamenco.com/sitios/sitios.jsp?sitio=02&p=s

suerte

henry

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 12 2008 10:22:18

Kate

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

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to Munin)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Munin
somewhere around just before or shortly after New Year, do you think it would still be possible to find a teacher during that time? Or would they all be on vacation themselves?

For most westerners New year marks the end of the Xmas vacation but here in Spain the party continues until the Kings, ie twelth night, the 6th January, so yes a lot of people will be still on holiday.

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. 12 2008 10:58:06

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to Munin) 1 votes

Munin.

I think you should go... But not in he week where you can. Its the worst week of the year. As Kate says, its christmas for a loooooong time. 24/12 - 7/1 is an absolutely dead period. Its all family and you´ll be here all alone.

I will be at home... I´ve decided to work and not do family stuff. So if you are near Huelva (or in Sevilla) give me a call and we can swap falsetas an afternoon.

Another thing, your name... Munin. Is it one of Odin´s two black crows, Hunin and Munin?

_____________________________

Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 12 2008 23:04:31

Munin

Posts: 595
Joined: Sep. 30 2008
From: Hong Kong

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to Munin)

Thanks for the replies, guys (and girls). I guess it's just as I feared...that's really too bad. Maybe I can take another week off sometime in February, but probably not. I suppose it has to be Summer, then.

Anders, thanks for your offer - the thing is just, I'm really a beginner at this stage and would need some more elementary teaching (although I've been taking lessons with a great teacher here in my own country for 10 months, I still feel very unconfident). Oh and yes, that's the Munin of Norse mythology.

Maybe some other opportunity will present itself to me, but until then - thanks for the advice!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 13 2008 12:28:37

Estevan

Posts: 1936
Joined: Dec. 20 2006
From: Torontolucía

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to Munin)

quote:

Anders, thanks for your offer - the thing is just, I'm really a beginner at this stage......
Oh and yes, that's the Munin of Norse mythology.

So don't worry about flamenco - you two can trade Black Metal riffs

_____________________________

Me da igual. La música es música.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 13 2008 13:08:14

omega0684

Posts: 41
Joined: Nov. 5 2008

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to Munin)

if you get the chance, go for it!

i wish i was that age again, i had the oppotunity to go to spain for a year when i was 18 but i turned it down to go to uni! i wish i had taken it now, IMHO if you are going to another country to learn (whether it be guitar or language) you really need to spend at least a year there! you won't learn a lot in a week, esp with a language.

good luck with your choice.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 13 2008 14:33:20

val

Posts: 800
Joined: Apr. 4 2007
From: London

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to Munin)

Hi Munin
I agree with Anders and Kate - not such a good time and it's cold at night. Also, I wouldn't recommend Andalucia in July and August unless your can bear extreme temperatures. Some of the schools close then too.

If you can manage a week in May, you might want to consider joining us on our dance and guitar holiday (10 hours tuition with Gabriel Cabrera, 2 hours daily, group class with maximum of 4 students.) 3 places already taken, so check out the website if you're interested.

Everyone else, I just got back from Spain a couple of days ago after a 2 month flamenco-filled stay - awesome. The worse flamenco I saw was in Cordoba - the best in Torremolinos and Fuengirola! Will report in depth when I've sorted out my videos and done the washing. Kate and Pimiento, once again I didn't get to visit, but one day ...

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 13 2008 15:30:53

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to Munin)

July doesnt have to be that bad. Depending on where you are in Andalucia. Here its normally quite nice. There are 2 big festivals, Huelva and Moguer (the best) and some, if not most, of the teachers will be available.
August is really dead. Well if you like small village fistas, it´ll be something special. I go away if I can.

Munin, you dont have to be good to visit me and my workshop. If you know 1 falseta, you can swap, if not bring a bottle of wine and you can swap.

_____________________________

Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 13 2008 23:06:09

val

Posts: 800
Joined: Apr. 4 2007
From: London

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

July doesnt have to be that bad.

Anders, you're right - it's me, I can't take the heat so stay out of the kitchen. Not that I go in the kitchen much at any time of the year.
Even August has got something going for it. Munin, the Bienal starts in Malaga next year sometime in August (not sure when, probably around the middle) and goes on through September. Check it out. There will be loads to see and lots of courses for all levels. Great place to go.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 14 2008 1:18:48

henrym3483

Posts: 1584
Joined: Nov. 13 2005
From: Limerick,Ireland

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to val)

ive went in july for the past two years, the heat does not bother me really. but i wish the nights were a little bit cooler. i like the heat cause we dont get much of it in ireland.

el carbonero said to me one day in class, " you'e sweating so much they'll think you went on an exercise holiday not a guitar study" i kept the joke going for a couple days after saying "another kilo gone today".

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 14 2008 4:13:11

Kate

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

RE: Going to Spain in Winter (in reply to henrym3483)

The place to be in the heat of summer is in the mountains. At least in Granada. When it gets too much to bear we go up and swim in the cool rivers. Also at night in Granada, unlike Sevilla where it just seems to get hotter, the breeze comes down from the Sierra and refreshes the Albaicin, especially Paseo de los Tristes. And in winter when you just need to heat up, there's the hot springs !

_____________________________

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

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 14 2008 9:40:50