All Things Spanish

Wishing everybody a Happy Christmas and prosperous 2012

2011-12-23T14:23:00.000+00:00

Feliz Navidad Merry Christmas

Bon Nadal Frohe Weihnachten

Buon Natale Joyeux Noel

Feliz Natal

Recognising when somebody has had a stroke

2011-11-21T10:40:00.000+00:00

STROKE: Remember the first 3 Letters..... S T R

STROKE IDENTIFICATION: A neurologist has said that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours, the results of a stroke can be completely reversed. The stroke needs to be recognised, diagnosed and the patient needs to be medically cared for within 3 hours.

RECOGNISING A STROKE: Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognise the symptoms of a stroke. Doctors say a bystander can recognise a stroke by asking three simple questions:

Remember the '3' letters and their steps S T R

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (e.g. is the sun out today).

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the controller.

Another Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke:

Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

Sangria Recipe

2011-09-14T16:28:00.000+01:00

Ingredients:

1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
1 Lemon cut into wedges
1 Orange cut into wedges
1 Lime cut into wedges
2 Tbsp sugar
A splash of orange juice or lemonade
2 Shots of gin or triple sec (optional)
1 Cup of raspberries or strawberries (may use thawed or frozen)
1 Small can of diced pineapples (with juice)
4 Cups ginger ale

Preparation:

- Pour wine into a large pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine.

- Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and pineapple then add sugar, orange juice and gin.

- Chill overnight.

- Add ginger ale, berries and ice just before serving.

If you'd like to serve right away, use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice. However, remember that the best Sangrias are chilled around 24 hours in the fridge which allows the flavours to really marinate into each other.

MIJAS FERIA 7th SEPTEMBER TO 11th SEPTEMBER 2011

2011-09-06T19:54:00.002+01:00

Held every year in the second week of September is a fair in the town of Mijas which celebrates in honor of 'Our Lady the Virgin of the Rock' (The Feria Virgen de la Pena). The festival (feria) commences tomorrow and lasts for 5 days, the programme is as follows;

WEDNESDAY 7th:

12:00pm: Bell ringing and rockets announcing the festivity of the patron saint of Mijas, the Virgin of the Rock.
6:30pm: Rockets announce the start of the fair and the parade starts around the village.
10:00pm: Official opening of the casetas and lighting of the fair ground.

THURSDAY 8th:

11:00am: Special Mass at the Parish Church.
2pm – 7pm: Inauguration of the Day Fair around the gardens (by the Parish Church).
6:00pm: Musical bands parade.
9:30pm: Procession of the Virgin of the Rock with different musical bands.
At the end of the night there will be a fantastic firework display.

FRIDAY 9th:

1pm – 8pm: Music and dancing at the Constitution Square & the gardens area.
4:00pm: Seniors Dominoes Championship at the Pensioners Residence.
8:00pm: Grand children´s party at the Official Caseta.
12:00am: Grand performance by the group DANZ A INVISIBLE.
FREE ENTRANCE.

SATURDAY 10th:

11:00am: Parade by CHARANGA musical group.
11:30am: Popular games, painting and remote controlled car racing at La Muralla gardens.
1pm – 8pm: Music and dancing at the Plaza de la Constitución & the garden area.
4:00pm: CRAZY RALLY at the Constitution Square.
6:00pm: Horse exhibition at the Mijas bullring.
12:00am: Grand performance by the groups:
MAITA VEN DE CA + RADIO MACANDE + EL TREN DE LOS SUE ÑOS.
Entrance fee: 5€. The ticket office is open from 7PM.

SUNDAY 11th:

Children´s rides will be 1.50€ for the last day of the Feria.

11:00am: Traditional bicycle tour through the village, ending at La Muralla gardens.
Ribbon race: bicycles and scooters.
1pm – 9pm: Music and dancing at the Constitution Square & Gardens area.
8:00pm: Tribute dinner for the Pensioners at the Official Caseta.
11:00pm: Special performance with comedians:
JULIO A SECAS + SALVA REINA “CHUKI” + TONI RODRIGUEZ
FREE ENTRANCE
Late night dancing with the musical group: “A-COMPAS”

At the end of the performances, a great display of firecrackers will be given to celebrate the end of the Mijas Fair 2011.

The Resident August 2011

2011-08-22T16:17:00.001+01:00

News and information, property, sport and entertainment for the Costa del Sol, Spain in English and Spanish.

The Resident August_2011

Selwo Aventura (Adventure Park), Estepona, Costa Del Sol

2011-08-12T15:42:00.004+01:00

Selwo Aventura is a wild animal and nature park located just a couple of miles along the A-7 coastal road heading towards Estepona from Marbella and Puerto Banus. There are more than 2000 animals from 200 different species form every continent living in semi-free conditions on the one million square metre site.

You can take an African photographic safari in the park in all-terrain vehicles. Among the places on your visit are the Route of the Valleys, the Ravine of the Bears, Tiger Gorge, and Lion Hill. The safari ends at Africa's Window, the highest point of the park where one can view the coastline, Gibraltar, and the African Coast. The animals live in surroundings similar to the ones in their native habitat. There is also the Path of the Hanging Bridges, which gives great views of the park and the wild animals and plants of the park.

You can purchase a separate ticket but a good alternative would be for you to purchase a combined ticket for Selwo Aventura and Selwo Marina as well as the Telecabina and consequently make a saving of 40%. As all three are worth visiting (the latter can also be combined with a separate visit to Tivoli World as they are next to each other) it is at least worth considering.

ADDRESS:
SELWO AVENTURA
Autovía Costa del Sol, km 162,5
Las Lomas del Monte s/n
29680 ESTEPONA (MÁLAGA)

Tel: +34 902 19 04 82
Fax: +34 952 57 77 63
Email: selwo@grpr.com
Web: www.selwo.es

The Resident July 2011

2011-07-27T14:36:00.002+01:00

Local newspaper serving the western Costa del Sol specifically aimed at English speakers residing in Manilva, Sabinillas, Puerto Duquesa, Casares, Estepona and La Cancelada.

News, views, information, sport and entertainment, and much more. In English and Spanish.

The Resident July 2011

Benalmádena, Costa Del Sol

2011-07-14T12:14:00.014+01:00

Benalmádena's history is similar to that of any other Andalucian village. Where people led a quiet and peaceful life, villages where time passed slowly, and seemingly they led an idyllic rustic life. Until the late 1950's Benalmadena was a small town when the tourist industry took an interest in this coast. Developers transformed the area virtually destroying its historic past, and changing their way of life forever. The population of the three urban centres mentioned above was scarcely two thousand people which is just a fraction of what is now a bustling metropolis with thousands of residents boosted by many more tourists.

Benalmádena is situated on the Costa del Sol, about 22 km southeast of the provincial capital Málaga. The municipality is divided in three main areas: Benalmádena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmádena Costa, although high urbanization and population growth tends to unify the three towns.

The oldes part is Benalmádena Pueblo, the original settlement on the mountainside, which maintains typical Andalucian style alleyways and whitewashed houses with narrow streets and relaxing squares with formidable viewpoints of the Costa del Sol, given the height at which the town is located (almost 300 meters) and its proximity to the sea.

The next area is Arroyo de la Miel, a district that owes its growth to the local train station and is the economic centre in the town, this area has the largest population and municipal services.

Last but not least is Benalmádena Costa which is the most international area and here lies the tourist offer of sun and beach: large hotels, casino, marina and shops of all kinds.

The Resident Plus July 2011

2011-07-13T14:31:00.005+01:00

Colour supplement to The Resident newspaper, providing extensive what's on information as well as news and features.

The Resident Plus July 2011

Creamfields Music Festival in Andaulcia 2011

2011-06-27T11:10:00.005+01:00

Creamfields Andalucía returns in 2011 with an almighty line up and an extra day.

Creamfields is a dance music DJ festival which takes place all over the world and is organised by Cream club in Liverpool and this is the second year running for Creamfields Andalucia.

The festival, which takes place on Saturday 13 August & Sunday 14 August 2011 will see acts including The Prodigy, Armin Van Buuren, Paul Van Dyk, Richie Hawtin, 2 Many DJs live, Paul Kalkbrenner live, Laurent Garnier and the Bloody Beetroots perform at the festivals brand new site Circuit of Jerez in Cádiz.

Along with the addition of an extra day and a new site, the festival now offers camping facilities adjacent to the festival.

Saturday 15th August 2011

THE PRODIGY (only date in Spain) + PAUL VAN DYK + 2MANYDJS live! + PAUL KALKBRENNER live! + ERIC PRYDZ +FELIX DA HOUSECAT + TIGA + SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO dj set + AZARI & III + MARKUS SCHULZ + ALEX UNDER + MARC MARZENIT live! + UNDO + BRIAN CROSS + GONÇALO + LOLLYPOP + MR. CHAGAR + HORACIO CRUZ + JUANMI LINARES.

Sunday 14th August 2011

ARMIN VAN BUUREN + RICHIE HAWTIN + LAURENT GARNIER presents LBS + BLOODY BEETROOTS DEATH CREW 77 + UMEK + GARETH EMERY + HYBRID SOUNDSYSTEM + JAMES HOLDEN + FEED ME + GAISER live! + AGORIA + DELOREAN + HENRY SAIZ live! + PAUL RITCH live! + BLAKE JARRELL + JOHN TALABOT + MIGUEL ARRIETA live! + JAVY UNION .

For tickets and more information go to their website (in Spanish)

Andalucian village is painted blue for new Smurf film

2011-06-21T17:47:00.008+01:00

Malaga is famous for its “pueblo blancos”, the little white villages dotted across Andalucia’s mountains. But now Sony Studios have painted Júzcar, near Ronda in Málaga, bright blue, to celebrate the upcoming release of the new Smurf movie.

Juzcar is the world’s first Smurf Village and was chosen by Sony as the location for the film’s premiere. It took a dozen painters and over 4,000 ligres of bright blue paint to paint over the village’s traditional white houses and turn them into blue Smurf homes.

“The Smurfs 3D” is released next month, and it’s a comedy hybrid of live action and animation, where the little blue creatures mingle with real life actors. It’s release date in the UK is on 29th July.

Th Smurf Village which is 113 kilometres from Malaga, will stays blue until September. After that, Sony will repaint the whole village white again.

Click on the link for more pictures and information

The Resident June 2011

2011-06-20T10:34:00.010+01:00

The Resident is a bilingual newspaper for Estepona, Casares, Manilva and San Roque on Spain's western Costa del Sol. With news, sport, information, property, entertainment and much more. Out every month.

The Resident June 2011

Doñana National Park in Andalucia: gateway to nature

2011-06-13T19:00:00.013+01:00

A clip of the Doñana National Park with nearly 3,000km of pine groves, unspoilt beaches and marshes.

Doñana National Park is located in Andalusia, in the provinces of Huelva, and covers 543 km² (337.41 mi²), of which 135 km² (83.89 mi²) are a protected area. The park is an area of marsh, shallow streams, and sand dunes in Las Marismas, the Guadalquivir River Delta region where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The original area was established in 1963 when the World Wildlife Fund joined with the Spanish government and purchased a section of marshes to protect it. There has been a constant threat to the eco-system, that of drainage of the marshes, the use of river water to boost agricultural production by irrigating land along the coast, and the expansion of tourist facilities. In 2011, an archaeological team proposed that the lost city of Atlantis was once located in what are now the swamps of the Doñana National Park having been destroyed by a tsunami.

Tivoli World Amusement Park in Benalmádena

2011-06-12T05:45:00.006+01:00

The biggest theme park on the Costa del So and really good fun for everyone, there are currently 27 rides including merry-go-rounds, drop tower, giant ferris wheel, go-karts, mini train, water slides, mystery ship, pony express.
You can purchase a special pass (SuperTivolino) that allows unlimited use of the attractions included in its offer. There are children's shows, flamenco shows, restaurants, shops and gardens and the park is open until 2:00 am in the summer. Link to Tivoli site

Malaga Airport to change it's name to Malaga Airport Costa del Sol

2011-06-07T15:35:00.011+01:00

The Official State Bulletin (BOE) which was published yesterday, gave information on the change of the official name ‘Malaga Airport’ to ‘Malaga Airport Costa del Sol‘ from now on.

The idea started over a year ago with the Association of Hoteliers in the Costa del Sol (Aehcos), who viewed the change of name as being a great enhancement in the promotion of this area to tourists. The new name links the Costa del Sol, which is internationally recognized, with the first class infrastructure of Malaga airport, which is also highly appreciated.

The airport will also change the AGP code (as the airport is known) into SOL (SUN). In this regard, the airport codes are decided by the international organization for air transport - International Air Transport Association (IATA). This is a three letter code designating each airport in the world. In the case of SOL the proposal is feasible as it is not being registered for any other terminal.

Malaga is a very modern airport; in fact, last year opened the T3, which was a vast improvement on the quality of facilities available to travellers.

Malaga Airport to change it's name to Malaga Airport Costa del Sol

Malaga, with 27 blue flags, the most recognized province in Andalucia

2011-06-07T15:12:00.003+01:00

The Blue Flag is an international distinctive that rewards compliance with established standards such as accessibility, water quality and environmental information for users or respect for the established law.

Andaluciain 2011 has won 81 Blue Flags, according to the Association of Environmental and Consumer Education responsible for the distinctions.

By provinces, Malaga is the one with more flags, exactly 27 (22 beaches and 5 ports), followed by Cadiz, with 23. Andalusia, on the other hand, is the region with more miles of blue flag beaches, with a total 112.2 kilometres. Note that the average length of the beaches on the Andalusian coast is three times the national average with about 1,800 square meters.

Fuengirola has three beaches awarded with the Blue Flag: Las Gaviotas-Los Boliches, San Francisco and Santa Amalia. Marbella has four Blue Flag beaches: Rio Verde, Cabo Pino, Casablanca and San Pedro.

The town of Estepona has two blue flags on the shores of La Rada and El Padron. Benalmádena has four beaches listed in the list of Blue Flags 2011:

Carvajal, Fuente de la Salud, Torrevigia and Santa Ana.

So does Nerja on the eastern Costa del Sol, which keeps among the selected beaches La Torrecilla, Burriana, Maro and El Playazo. Velez Málaga also keeps the blue flag beach in Benajarafe beach and Torrox won two blue flags for the beaches of Ferrara and El Morch.

malagaweb.wordpress.com

The Resident May 2011

2011-05-31T13:44:00.007+01:00

News and information for the Costa del Sol. Sport, golf, politics, elections, entertainment and much more. The Resident is a English/Spanish monthly newspaper for Estepona, Casares, Manilva and San Roque on Spain's western Costa del Sol.

With news, sport, information, property, entertainment and much more. Out every month.

The Resident May 2011

Spanish Laws / Marbella Blog / Moving to Spain

2011-05-25T16:42:00.002+01:00

Spanish Laws, Marbella Blog and information on moving to Spain. On this site you'll find some independent reviews on Marbella restaurants, more information on schools in Spain, Spanish tax issues, Spanish property for sale, Puerto Banus hotels and much more.

Spanish Laws link

Paloma Park, Benalmadena, Costa del Sol

2011-05-25T16:37:00.004+01:00

Parque de la Paloma, or Paloma park, is situated right in the heart of Benalmadena Costa. Covering some 200,000m2 and only 300m from the coast, the park is entirely man-made and was only opened in the 1980s. The park is home to several different animals, many running loose.

Link to site

Costa Advice Bureau Spain: Launch of The Resident Plus online

2011-04-27T11:28:00.006+01:00

If you live in Spain or the Islands either as a resident, nonresident or are in possession of a family or holiday home, it is imperative that you are aware about the many changes in the Spanish regulations. Spain continues to move forward therefore frequently improving its infrastructure including the technological and communication systems. The launch of The Resident Plus allows readers to connect rapidly to the current issue; this allows the reader access to the latest information relating to all matters which may affect your life in Spain. If for example you are not in the distribution area of the printed edition of The Resident, you will not be left behind. Open up your computer and you can view the latest copy and browse through earlier issues keeping you up to date. Costa Advice Bureau features written articles on numerous subjects such as, ‘the truth about Inheritance and annual taxes, changes in the rules for registering your family on the census’ Referring to the latter, countless non Spanish are not aware that these details must be updated every two years. To not comply would have consequences such as the annulment of reductions in the annual rates where applicable. You can read up on topics that will assist you in deciding whether or not to take up residency. There will be facts on the differences between fiscal and non fiscal resident status, are you liable to make tax declarations and when? Explanations on the Legality of your driving status. This will include advice about your European license and your foreign vehicle. It is also important to be acquainted with the correct information when either purchasing or selling a property. New rules have come into force and ignorance of these could mean unpleasant surprises in the future. An example of the importance of keeping up to date with occurrences was when in 2010 the regional government gave the go ahead for unregistered country properties to be legalised by drawing up title deeds which were later registered in the land registry. The local Spaniards were quick to take up this offer but most expatriates would not have had the opportunity of receiving this news which was published in the state bulletin giving owners just one month to bring their homes in line with the law. This online version will allow you to keep up with all the above and more. The advantage of having this information online is that you can revise this information for future reference. Costa advice bureau can also be contacted online at the website www.costaadvicebureau.com.

Costa Advice Bureau Spain link