Going to Spain in Winter (Full Version)

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Munin -> Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 12 2008 10:00:29)

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..



henrym3483 -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 12 2008 10:22:18)

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



Kate -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 12 2008 10:58:06)

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



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 12 2008 23:04:31)

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?



Munin -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 13 2008 12:28:37)

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!



Estevan -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 13 2008 13:08:14)

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 [;)]



omega0684 -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 13 2008 14:33:20)

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.



val -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 13 2008 15:30:53)

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 ...



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 13 2008 23:06:09)

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.[8D]



val -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 14 2008 1:18:48)

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.



henrym3483 -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 14 2008 4:13:11)

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".



Kate -> RE: Going to Spain in Winter (Nov. 14 2008 9:40:50)

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 !



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