Category: Spain
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How Can Hailstorms Help Us To Be Happier
The weather in Granada is usually pretty good, however a few weeks ago there was a hailstorm of almost biblical proportions, relatively speaking that is. It hadn’t properly rained here in months so hail, thunder, lightning and dark, dark skies were huge news! I popped into the nearest bar to hide from the elements and while I was…
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The Empty Bandstand
There’s a lovely area I often walk through in Granada called La Plaza Del Humilladero which is used as a public event space such as weekly markets, annual fairs and where many people simply go for a paseo or to walk their dogs. I especially like walking there early in the morning before the city…
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Stop And Take A Breath In Granada
I took the photo below today as I was walking around Granada. It’s one of my favourite places in the city – the Carrera de la Virgen. Often the focal point of local celebrations and processions, while today it was just a pretty, tree-lined avenue to walk down. We often get lost in the day-to-day…
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Decisions, Decisions
I’ve just taken my first ever Spanish exam. Been planning it for a while and am glad it’s finally over but I was struck by the fact that while I’m in my 40s, the other people taking their exam all looked like and probably were in their early 20s. Suddenly I was reminded of being a…
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Where Everybody Knows Your Name…
After seemingly years of spending time in anonymous (inter)national chain cafes, bars and restaurants, it’s such a pleasure having your favourite place where everybody knows your name – though admittedly, Jason often causes a few challenges for the Spanish tongue… It doesn’t matter whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, tapas or just a coffee, the…
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If You Were The Sun…
I can see why painters move to places for the beauty of the light. I can never take a photo nor paint a picture that seems to do it justice though it doesn’t stop me trying. We don’t have an Ibiza-style island sundowner place to hang out here in Granada, primarily because we’re not by the beach…
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The Everydayness Of Beauty
On the way home from a bar with some friends last night, I took a photo of this fountain. I often walk past it but what with the moon, the lights and the water last night, it particularly caught my eye. We often get caught up in our everyday lives not noticing the everyday things that…
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Songs That Take You By Surprise
It’s the weekend, so a bit of music today – with a bit of a twist on perceptions of life of course… I’ve now been living in Spain for 10 months and as a music fan, I like listening to the radio though to be honest, most of the music on the radio is pretty…
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The Sky is Bigger
If you have ever lived in a big city, you know about the countless advantages of doing so. However, one of the downsides which was highlighted to me recently is that the sky can feel so small making city living enclosed and claustrophobic which inevitably has a negative impact on its inhabitants. Kitty Shepherd, a British friend…
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How Spending Time In Cafes Adds To Your Life
It’s Tuesday morning, the sun is shining and I’m spending time in a cafe near my flat watching the world go by. I’m not doing anything else per se, but this ‘freedom’ helps my mind to wander and think about new projects. I always find new ideas come to mind spending time in cafes because I’m…
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Keep It Simple
Earlier today, I was in the park listening to an album I haven’t played in ages. From beginning to end. Just listening. Not doing anything else. Not that unusual you may think, but I can’t remember the last time I did that without the distraction of my phone, Facebook, Twitter, going online or all the…
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I’m So Excited
I recently watched Pedro Almodovar’s most recent film ‘I’m So Excited’ which takes place on a plane. I’m a huge fan of his films, however sadly this one is perhaps not one of his best. However, it did get me thinking about a recent trip to the airport after a recent holiday. I noticed a girl…
I Am Away From The Noise 