Notes from Spain (Travel)
Travel, living, and working in Spain
Ben and Marina talk to Simon at the Cortijada Los Gazquez, an incredible restored country house in a wild Natural Park in Almeria. The house is totally off-grid, has some amazing eco-enhancements, and tremendous art projects on the go. See www.losgazquez.
Direct download: nfs77_los_gazquez.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 6:02am EDT

The heat returns to Madrid, and Ben has trouble with salad, wonders why shops close at lunchtime in winter, and just can't map his school experiences onto the education system in Spain. www.notesfromspain.com

Direct download: nfs76_summer_salad.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 12:51pm EDT

Ben and Marina discuss the battle to teach their baby their own languages first, and why they want to escape Madrid... for good? See notesfromspain.com for more, and to find the 'Madrid Confessions' audiobook...
Direct download: nfs75_bilingual_battle.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:46pm EDT

Rainy days, Christmas, The state of Spain, and more... comment at notesfromspain.com please!
Direct download: nfs74_new_year.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 9:56am EDT

A trip to the east of Asturias around Llanes.... photos and more info at notesfromspain.com
Direct download: nfs73_asturian_pipas.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 11:42am EDT

Should tax payers support the church? How religious is Spain? When will smoking finally be banned in bars? Come to notesfromspain.com to comment!
Direct download: nfs72_la_renta.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 6:04pm EDT

From Carmona, to Cadiz, and the Costa de la Luz - full details and photos at notesfromspain.com
Direct download: nfs71_palomarbrena.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:41pm EDT

Why does no one wear shorts in the street? Will the new Defense minister change the lot of women forever? Is there a housing crisis in Spain? And is Marina going to have to get the police onto the neighbours? Head over to Notesfromspain.com to join in the discussion!
Direct download: nfs70_spanishwomenwax.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 12:12pm EDT

A true story about the death of a friend - See notesfromspain.com for more details.
Direct download: nfs69_institutodelfrio.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 6:29pm EDT

The Ramirez family has been making guitars in Madrid for 126 years. We visited their workshops in Madrid, spoke to Amalia Ramirez, and heard one of the these instruments being played. See notesfromspain.com for photos and more information.
Direct download: nfs68_ramirez.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 3:34am EDT

If you would like to ride from the Basque country all the way down to the depths of Andalusia, then guess what, you're invited! See notesfromspain.com for more details.
Direct download: nfs67_trans-iberian_express.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 9:22am EDT

This week we talk to Jonathon and Rosie, who set up Kaliyoga, a holistic yoga and detox center in the Alpujarra mountains south of Granada. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
Direct download: nfs66_kaliyoga.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:24pm EDT

Ben and Marina take a trip to the wonderful Alpujarra mountains south of Granada. See notesfromspain.com for photos and links.
Direct download: nfs65_lanjaron.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 7:26am EDT

Lessons learned living in Spain... and questions for you: What did you last learn? What was the motivation? What did it lead to? See notesfromspain.com to comment!
Direct download: nfs64_learningtoliveabroad.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 7:23am EDT

Retro-casting from our terrace, Ben talks about honesty in bars, gypsies, nickers factories, and the future of tourism in Spain. See notesfromspain.com for show notes and to comment.
Direct download: nfs63_bragas.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 11:51am EDT

Ben and Marina head up to Abadia Retuerta for a day sipping wine and exploring the wine-making process. See notesfromspain.com for photos!
Direct download: nfs62_abadia.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 1:08pm EDT

Ben and Marina check out the famous flowery patios competition held every May in Cordoba. See notesfromspain.com for photos and further details.
Direct download: nfs61cordobapatios.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 3:50am EDT

Ben and Marina chat to Jamie about a great way of spending a few months in Madrid. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
Direct download: nfs58_jamie.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 9:10am EDT

One of the greatest fiestas in Spain: fino, horses, and great people watching down in Jerez. Pop over to notesfromspain.com to see all the photos and a short video!
Direct download: nfs59_feriajerez.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:57pm EDT

Notes from Cadiz: faded glory just as it should be. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
Direct download: nfs58a_cadiz.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 5:32pm EDT

Ben and Marina head down to Valenica for Las Fallas fiestas, and chat to one of the locals before heading off to the most extraordinary Paella cooking events ever seen in Spain! See notesfromspain.com for photos and video.
Direct download: nfs57_fallas.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 6:35am EDT

Ben and Marina talk to Scott and Sheryl who gave up everything for a year on the road, and have just spent two months in Andalusia.

See notesfromspain.com and ayearineurope.com for details.
Direct download: nfs56_yearineurope.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 3:05am EDT

Richard Morely explains to Ben and Marina how he spends his holidays taunting the Spanish! See notesfromspain.com for full details...
Direct download: nfs55_puebloingles.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 1:40pm EDT

Every year on January 17th, people bring their pets to be blessed on the Calle Hortaleza in Madrid. See notesfromspain.com for details.
Direct download: nfs54_sananton.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 3:27pm EDT

A beautiful area of waterfall-filled parkland on the way to Barcelona from Madrid. See notesfromspain.com for photos.
Direct download: nfs53_piedra.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 3:34am EDT

14 minutes in the back streets of Barcelona. Who needs Gaudi? See notesfromspain.com for more Barcelona recommendations.
Direct download: nfs52_barcawalk.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 4:50pm EDT

Despite all appearances no alcohol was consumed before the making of this podcast. See notesfromspain.com to comment...
Direct download: nfs51_ramblers.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:10pm EDT

Ben and Marina spend a night in Siguenza castle, now a Parador, deep in Castilla La Mancha. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
Direct download: nfs50_siguenza.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 11:39am EDT

Many of you will know Alan (AKA 'El listo') and Brian (AKA 'Greytop'), from the forums, and here they are in reality! - See notesfromspain.com for full details.
Direct download: nfs49_alanygreytop.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 12:05pm EDT

Ben and Marina check out Madrid's famous Sunday market. See Notes from Spain for more details.
Direct download: nfs48_rastro.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 4:36pm EDT

Not many people put a trip to Vallecas at the top of their birthday list, but it really appealed to me! Another wonderful market lies at the centre of a very traditional Barrio Madrileño. See notesfromspain.com for details and photos...
Direct download: nfs46_vallecas.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:06pm EDT

Ben and Marina check out the summer fiestas in Madrid. See www.notesfromspain.com for details.
Direct download: nfs45_lavapiesfiestas.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 7:13am EDT

Ben and Marina bring you a soundseeing tour from Ourense Market, see www.notesfromspain.com for details!
Direct download: nfs44_ourense.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 3:50pm EDT

Helpful hints for all of you who hope to make the big move to Spain soon! See www.notesfromspain.com for full details.
Direct download: nfs43_moving.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 5:43pm EDT

Heat stroke may account for these random ramblings from the beach. See notesfromspain.com for details.
Direct download: nfs42_gandia2.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 7:37am EDT

Ryan from www.catavino.net talks to Ben about why it isn't all just Rioja, Rioja, Rioja...
see www.notesfromspain.com for details and to comment...
Direct download: nfs41_catavio.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 4:57am EDT

Ben and Marina wonder what's going on... it's world cup time and although England is festooned with the national flag, the Spanish flag is nowhere to be seen in Spain... see www.notesfromspain.com
Direct download: nfs40_flags.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 11:54am EDT

Ben and Marina visit the Feria del Libro in the Retiro Park and talk about the rise of the book in Spanish culture. See www.notesfromspain.com for details and to comment.
Direct download: nfs39_feria_libro.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 9:17am EDT

Ben and Marina celebrate the NFS 1 year anniversary in Ibiza!
Direct download: nfs38_ibiza.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 11:06am EDT

Ben and Marina take a trip back to their old barrio, the emblematic and fast-changing neighbourhood of Madrid.
Direct download: nfs37_lavapies2.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 4:20pm EDT

Ben and Marina sit in Madrid's Plaza de Oriente discussing Easter celebrations, life in the UK, and Fiestas in Madrid.
Direct download: nfs36_15april06_easter.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 3:25pm EDT

Ben and Marina head up to El Escorial and fullfil a very special request...
Full details at notesfromspain.com
Direct download: nfs35_1april06_escorial.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 1:18pm EDT

Full 22 min version. Don Justo is a man who has spent the last 40 years building a cathedral in Mejorada del Campo, a village about 20 kilometres from Madrid. Marina and I, accompanied by her mother and (architect) father visit and attempt to describe this incredible building, and tell the story of Don Justo's life.
Direct download: nfs34FULL_26mar06_justo.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 4:06pm EDT

Ben and Marina comment on the historic decision by ETA to declare a permanent ceasefire.
Direct download: nfs33_22mar06_eta.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 4:43pm EDT

Ben's 2000 km marathon motorbike trip in Southern India - see notesfromspain.com for more details and photos.
Direct download: enduro_india.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 8:17am EDT

Ben and Marina answer your questions on Travel in Spain. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
Direct download: nfs31_12feb06_tips.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:22pm EDT

Ben and Marina travel to Asturias for the weekend, to visit the beautiful Asturian capital of Oviedo. See notesfromspain.com for full details.
Direct download: nfs30_29jan06_oviedo.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 6:21am EDT

A walk by the lake in the Retiro Park, Madrid. See NotesfromSpain.com for full details and to comment.
Direct download: nfs28_3jan06_lakewalk.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 1:02pm EDT

Happy New Year! See notesfromspain.com for full details and to comment.
Direct download: nfs27_01jan06_newyear.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 4:24pm EDT

Las Rias Baixas - see notesfromspain.com for details and to comment
Direct download: nfs26_18dec05_riasbajas.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 7:07am EDT

Santiago de Compostela. See www.notesfromspain.com for details and to comment.
Direct download: nfs25_11dec05_santiago.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 11:12am EDT

The first podcast from our Galicia trip. See notesfromspain.com for details and to comment.
Direct download: nfs24_4dec05_galicia1.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:03pm EDT

Live from Madrid's Plaza Mayor, at the beginning of the Christmas fair. A look at the cultural delights ahead in the festive season. See notesfromspain.com for details and to comment.
Direct download: nfs23_27nov05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:09pm EDT

On the anniversary of Franco's death, we take a walk in the woods near his place of rest. See notesfromspain.com for details and to comment.
Direct download: nfs22_20nov05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 3:00pm EDT

Sitting by the river in El Pardo, discussing more culture-clash aspects of life and death in Spain. Plus a request for video-casting inspiration... What would you want to see on a video cast of Spain? See notesfromspain.com for details and to comment.
Direct download: nfs21_6nov05.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:17pm EDT

Live from Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium - this one is a classic! Details and comments at www.notesfromspain.com
Direct download: nfs19_20oct05.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 4:26am EDT

Books on Spain and extracts from Errant in Iberia, a book about my first three years in Spain. See www.notesfromspain.com for details and to comment.
Direct download: nfs18_17oct05.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 9:21am EDT

An evening eating in the mouth-watering pintxo bars in San Sebastian, one of my favourite cities in Spain. See www.notesfromspain.com for details and to comment.
Direct download: nfs17_02oct05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 9:15am EDT

Wonderful sound-seeing edition from a Basque Gastronomic Society in Zarautz. See www.notesfromspain.com for full details.
Direct download: nfs16_26sept05.mp3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:43pm EDT

Flamenco at La Solea in Madrid. For details and to comment please visit www.notesfromspain.com
Direct download: nfs15_13sept05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 4:04am EDT

Notes from the Island of Formentera - lazy days... see http://www.notesfromspain.com for details and http://camera.benjamincurtis.com/thumbnails.php?album=30 for photos.
Direct download: nfs14_31aug05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 11:31am EDT

In Spanish for once - back to English next week! See www.notesfromspain.com for full details...
Direct download: nfs13_22aug05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 3:26am EDT

Show notes:
  • It doesn't rain in Spain
  • Road deaths and lawless Spain
  • Drinking
  • National pride
  • Food and holidays
see www.notesfromspain.com for more...
Direct download: nfs12_17aug05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:36pm EDT

A trip on one of Madrid's most curious attractions. See www.notesfromspain.com for more details.
Direct download: nfs11_04aug05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 2:17am EDT

A postcard from Gandia - see www.notesfromspain.com for full details
Direct download: nfs10_26july05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 12:06pm EDT

A postcard from Cordoba - see notesfromspain.com for full details and show notes.
Direct download: nfs9_11july_2005.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 5:34pm EDT

Learning Spanish and Working in Spain - Go for it! See www.notesfromspain.com for full details and shownotes.
Direct download: nfs8_2july05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 9:57am EDT

Notes from Spain 7 - The Retrio Park Madrid's Retiro Park - See www.notesfromspain.com for shownotes and details.
Direct download: nfs7_22june05.MP3
Category:Travel -- posted at: 4:22pm EDT