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Camino Barcelona: Review of my experience in 2019
When I think of Camino Barcelona, I think of the “school with heart”. Throughout the last 3 months here, in many ways it has come to feel like home. I have also experienced a number of situations that would test the school’s limits and flexibility, which is why I now feel licensed to write this review. So here I am – writing a review! How I found Camino Barcelona I first started looking into Spanish language schools in July 2018. I was thinking about a move to Spain at the time, but wasn’t 100% sure I would do it and so was exploring my options. Originally, I was looking…
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Fluency in Spanish: The journey of a wannabe Spanish speaker
I had an amazing epiphany this morning: Spanish is getting easier! It seems so insignificant and yet… for someone who is trying to learn a new language the road to fluency can be tough. My first steps towards learning Spanish started in December 2017. I had been dating my then Mexican boyfriend for a few months and we were planning my trip to Monterrey a little while later to visit him and the family. There was only one problem. His parents spoke no English and my Spanish consisted of little more than “hola”, “gracias” and “sombrero!”. Ay dios mio! Since I’m a pretty social person and I’m not one for awkward silences,…
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Gathering the correct NIE documents in Barcelona (2019)
Ah, the beloved NIE. The Número de Identificación de Extranjero (Foreigner’s Identification Number). Your best friend, when you first move to Spain. With this number in hand, you will be set to navigate the sometimes rather unwieldy system of Spanish bureaucracy. Among other things, you will be able to: Register for commercial services (phones, gas, internet, bank accounts, etc.) Join government services (social security, health care, pension, etc.) Apply for a mortgage Buy a house Apply for a driving license Purchase a car Set up a business or work in Spain Pay taxes Inherit You really won’t know the true value of this tiny card until you land in the…
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Toma Ya Street Food
For those of you who don’t know, I’m a foodie. I just love my food. Every time I experience a new place that plays with my senses and makes my mouth water… well that’s my definition of heaven. Especially with amazing people around! I also happen to be a creature of habit. When I find something I like, I like enjoying it again and again. And when something is really good, it tends to get even better with time. That’s exactly what I’ve found with Toma Ya Street Food in Barcelona. The Introduction and getting there I first ran into this place a few weeks after my arrival in…
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Sunbathing at Poblenou beach – A surprising Saturday at the Platja de la Mar Bella
This weekend, my friend Ineke and I decided to head for the beach. I’ve been to the Poblenou strip many times since moving to Barcelona. It’s usually been in the evening with the sun about to set though – keeps my ghostly complexion in tact, you know (just kidding… well… sort of!). On this particular occasion, however, we decided to go visit the beach on a Saturday. It was around 4pm, the sun was shining. We were pleasantly full after a hearty home-cooked lunch and headed to the ‘Platja de la Mar Bella’. It’s the beach just to the left off the Rambla del Poblenou. Sunscreen applied, smiles on our…
