Barcelona tips, Spain Trips, Uncategorized

Sunday Morning Sailing

6 July, 2023

- Barcelona tips, Spain Trips, Uncategorized

Sunday Morning Sailing – A Barcelona Language Exchange Adventure

Looking for a unique and refreshing experience for your next Sunday morning? Join Barcelona Language Exchange Sunday sailboat trip, which includes the combination of language learning and sailing in a stunning coastal setting. I recently had the opportunity to enjoy this unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait to share my recommendation with you.

The Allure of a New Sailing Experience

Over the weekend, I had the special opportunity of going on a Barcelona Language Exchange Sunday sailboat trip. I have been sailing a few times before, but on a small sunfish boat that could not hold more than three people, so I was really excited. This adventure allowed me to explore the open waters with a group of like-minded language enthusiasts. We chatted in various languages and told stories, as the ocean wind ran through my hair. The prospect of expanding my sailing horizons was truly exhilarating.

Setting Sail into Serenity

As our sailboat departed from the coast, the participants introduced themselves, sharing their fluent languages and which languages they would like to learn. With the impressive Barcelona skyline fading in the distance, majestic mountains emerged on our right, captivating us with their grandeur. The breathtaking beauty of the surroundings left me speechless, as the seamless transition between the endless ocean and the sky blurred the horizon. Amidst this awe-inspiring backdrop, engaging conversations with fellow travelers filled the air, while the gentle warmth of the sun provided the perfect excuse to recline on the boat’s bow.

A Refreshing Dive into the Azure Waters

To beat the summer heat, we decided to take a refreshing dip in the ocean. Swimming in the open water, far from the shore, with the sailboat anchored nearby, created a unique sense of adventure. The camaraderie among the participants fostered numerous interesting conversations, it was lovely getting to know a few new people, all from different places!

In summary, the Barcelona Language Exchange Sunday sailboat trip is a remarkable opportunity to combine language learning with a memorable sailing adventure. The breathtaking views, refreshing swims, and engaging conversations create an immersive and enriching experience that will leave you with fond memories. Check out some of my favorite pictures from the day, and get ready to embark on your own extraordinary journey.

If, like Ginger, you also want to take advantage of the summer in Barcelona, sailing and, at the same time, improve your languages, sign up for the next Sailing & Language Exchange, but but hurry up because there are not many spots left! Youalso have the option of watching the sunset from the sailboat during the Sunset Sailing & Language Exchange.
You can also sign up for the Day Trip to Cadaqués and Roses, where a private guide will discover the most beautiful corners of Dalí’s beloved white town.

Or you can join the weekly events we do all year round. You just need to confirm your attendance on Meetup.

And if you want to share your story and see it published as Ginger’s, you can send it to us at info@speakquick.es

See you at the Language Exchange!

Barcelona tips, Special Dates

Revetlla de Sant Joan

By Aina SpeakQuick on

20 June, 2022

- Barcelona tips, Special Dates

This week we celebrate the Revetlla de Sant Joan

(Reading time 2 minutes)
This week, due to the celebration of San Juan, we will only have 2 language exchanges, Wednesday at Soda Bus and Mojito Night on Saturday at the Jardinet de Gràcia.

But, what is it celebrated in the Revetlla de Sant Joan?

It is a magical night that celebrates the summer solstice, the shortest night of the year (June 23-24).
It is popularly known as the Night of Fire or the Night of the Witches, it is celebrated in all the Catalan lands, as well as in different parts of the world.

The origin of the celebration of the Night of Sant Joan is pagan. With a tradition that goes back long before Christianity, it is a cult of the sun and the lengthening of the day, due to the summer solstice. It is a festival with very marked and symbolic elements and customs: the purifying fire, the midnight baths, the herbs of San Juan, the songs, the dance or the cures and more magical rituals. Currently it is a celebration that the Catholic Church makes coincide with the date of birth of Saint John the Baptist.

Bonfires are the central element of the Night of Sant Joan in the Catalan lands. Pyrotechnics have a prominent place in the celebrations. Gastronomically, family gatherings are usually accompanied with coca de Sant Joan, coca de recapte or coca de llardons (pork rinds).

Is this holiday celebrated in your country? What is it’s name? How it is celebrated? Share your culture with us either in the weekly Language Exchanges in bars, at the Sailing & Language Exchange that we do during the summer, at the Paella & Language Exchange on Saturday July 2nd or at the Brunch & Language Exchange on July 24th. And if you want to see your story published, you can send it to us at info@speakquick.es

Best,
Aina

Barcelona tips, Language Learning

In Barcelona not everyone speaks catalan

By Aina SpeakQuick on

16 May, 2021

- Barcelona tips, Language Learning

A few weeks ago, at the Brunch & Language Exchange, the typical cliché came out when someone said that in Barcelona only Catalan is spoken…

That reminded me of an American guy who crossed the ocean for love and moved to a town in Lleida. Everyone there spoke only Catalan, so that was the language he learned. But after a few years, he and his girlfriend broke up, so he decided to move to Barcelona, thinking that a big city always offers more opportunities. His surprise was when, he arrived in Barcelona, he found that almost no one spoke Catalan; therefore, without speaking Spanish, his options for finding a job were limited.

When someone brings up this cliché, I usually ask: Where? In what part of Barcelona is Catalan the only spoken language?
Then, it usually turns out that it is not in the city, but in a town in Catalonia. Such thing has an explanation as simple as that if in towns people do not usually speak Spanish, it is because they do not need it for their everyday life. That does not mean that they do not understand it, simply that they do not practice it daily, therefore they are not fluent and do not feel comfortable speaking it.

I compare it to English. It is a language that we have studied for years in elementary school, high school, etc. But, generally, it is not a language that we use daily, all the films are dubbed into Spanish and we are not in the habit of using it at all. Then, when a foreigner asks us something on the street, we become paralyzed, we begin to sweat trying to remember what that teacher repeated to us for years and we feel as uncomfortable as those people who live in towns where Spanish is not used.

In short, languages must be practiced regularly to be able to use them without even having to think, it does not matter if it is a language very similar to yours or completely different, the more you practice it, the more fluent you will be and the more comfortable you will feel speaking it.

If you also want to speak fluently in other languages and have fun chatting with native speakers, follow this link.
If you are looking for a language teacher, you can find it on our website.

What about you? Do you practice regularly? Are you comfortable speaking in other languages? Share your story with us either at the ONLINE Language Exchanges, at the weekly face-to-face gatherings or at the Brunch & Language Exchange on Sunday, May 30th. And if you want to see your story published, you can send it to us at info@speakquick.es

Big hug,
Aina

Barcelona tips, Special Dates

La Fira de Santa Llúcia

By Nicolò Mugnani on

27 November, 2018

- Barcelona tips, Special Dates

Christmas is coming and the anxiety for the chase of gifts grows.
Don’t worry, Barcelona offers you the solution.

As every year, Santa Lucia’s Christmas market will open its doors and you will find curious and unique ideas for your gifts.

The market, with 232 years of life, is a mandatory place to feel the typical Catalan Christmas atmosphere, with its handcrafted decorations, jewelery and handmade accessories.

It is common for the inhabitants of Barcelona to buy figures for the nativity scene and nougats for their Christmas festivities.

This year the market will start on November 30th and will end on December 23th and as always will be on the Avinguda de la Catedral, to fill your Christmas with magic.

Barcelona tips

Bunkers del Carmel

By Aina SpeakQuick on

8 August, 2017

- Barcelona tips

Off the metro line 4 and up the hill are the historic Bunkers del Carmel, a great place to check out a full view of Barcelona-without the tourist crowds. On the weekends there are still quite a lot of people but it is definitely off the beaten path!

Go there during the day for a picnic, during the evening to watch the sunset or at night for the views (with a few drinks in tow!)

How to get there: There are a couple of ways to get to the bunkers.

If you take the bus, take the N17 from the Jaume 1 metro station. It takes longer to get there, but the walk is shorter (total time is about 50 minutes from Jaume 1 metro station).

The other option is the metro (and the only option if you stay later than the buses run). Take the Line 4 metro (yellow line) to the stop Alfons X. From there, it is a bit of a walk up the hill (about 1.6 km!), so be prepared (total time about 45 minutes from Jaume 1 metro station).

Of course, you can drive there if you have a car!

Bring your camera/phone and your friends and enjoy the view!

by Lyndee Johnson