- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2009-2022: CFx6, CP, VdlPx2, Mozarabe, more later.
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
I wish you well good thing your doing it after your walk to get the brain cells fresh. For those of us keeping track of your effort I can only say great idea!I had such high plans for the coming spring: Walking one of the above Caminos, with my (very) imperfect Spanish. Oh, well,
I will spend next Easter in Alicente in 2016 with my girlfriend (heck at 63, she's not a girl, but oh well). Now I discovered that there is a school teaching Spanish in Alicante, so I have decided to enroll at the end of our stay, send the woman back home, and attend 4 weeks of intensive language education, and staying with a host family on half board (br.fast+dinner) all at a total of 1270 Euros for a whole month. Same as my monthly Camino budget, so no difference.
It has always irritated me that I was not fully capable of respecting the Spanish people by speaking other than gibberish pilgrim Spanish. OK, I do better than many, but... Now, I intend to correct it. I will speak Spanish like a priest after 4 intensive weeks (I hope).
So, I have changed focus. 1 1/2 week of holiday with my woman in Alicante, then 4 weeks of intensive language training, and then a month or so on some Camino, practising, repeating and honing my new language skills. Maybe afterwards, I can do the Aragones (or similar) after all, all the way to SdC? Is that a plan, or?
Here is where I am going to book: http://www.enforex.com/ Friendly and very service-minded people. I know I am a bit old (61) compared to most of the students to be, but hopefully there's the odd old crazy person like me there.
Anyway, I have decided I need to speak more of the language of the land I am walking through, and where I know I will spend time in the future.
Thanks Mike!Great decision Alex! I too would like to continue my Spanish language education next year in an immersion program. When I walked the Inglés in October I walked 5 days and didn't speak English. I sure wish my Spanish was better.
This sounds wonderful, Alex; I wish you all the best. Just such a thought is germinating in my mind, so it's wonderful to hear of someone whose plans are already underway. I hope to do exactly what you are planning, and to tack on some 'hospitalera-ing' at some point.....the latter, of course, after my Spanish has improved. Best wishes to you.I had such high plans for the coming spring: Walking one of the above Caminos, with my (very) imperfect Spanish. Oh, well,
I will spend next Easter in Alicente in 2016 with my girlfriend (heck at 63, she's not a girl, but oh well). Now I discovered that there is a school teaching Spanish in Alicante, so I have decided to enroll at the end of our stay, send the woman back home, and attend 4 weeks of intensive language education, and staying with a host family on half board (br.fast+dinner) all at a total of 1270 Euros for a whole month. Same as my monthly Camino budget, so no difference.
It has always irritated me that I was not fully capable of respecting the Spanish people by speaking other than gibberish pilgrim Spanish. OK, I do better than many, but... Now, I intend to correct it. I will speak Spanish like a priest after 4 intensive weeks (I hope).
So, I have changed focus. 1 1/2 week of holiday with my woman in Alicante, then 4 weeks of intensive language training, and then a month or so on some Camino, practising, repeating and honing my new language skills. Maybe afterwards, I can do the Aragones (or similar) after all, all the way to SdC? Is that a plan, or?
Here is where I am going to book: http://www.enforex.com/ Friendly and very service-minded people. I have been doing research and investigation for a few days, and I came up with them as the best choice, for me at least. I especially like the idea of staying with a Spanish family and having for food what they have. I may even teach them a thing or two about Norw. bacalao (salted Norw. cod)
I know I am a bit old (61) compared to most of the students to be, but hopefully there's the odd old crazy person like me there.
Anyway, I have decided I need to speak more of the language of the land I am walking through, and where I know I will spend time in the future.
I hope so, Laurie. My family history is not with me - we men die relatively young. But I hope to have many joyful years of walking ahead of me, and what could be better than indulging in the local language and life, instead of just being a bypasser?Wow, Alex, that is dramatic! But it sounds like a good investment for a long future of walks through Spain -- Laurie
I have been practisising a lot on the fine art of saying the word "Cerveza", and I think by now I sound like a real Spaniard...Hello Alex,
What a wonderful plan for 2016. I did a similar immersion program after university spending time in France. What worked for me is to focus on accent first and foremost.
These words from you put warmth to my heart. Thank you so much. good man.It made me happy to read this today. May your plans bring you much joy and your relationships with the Spanish people grow in warmth, respect, and kindness.
Alex, there's time yet for you to do all this. The problem is that the Camino is so far away for some of us is that, at least for me, I like to get all my ducks in a row before I even set off.....just to keep my options open. Plus, I've just taken the hospitalera training.Icacos: I must be honest and say that the thought has occured to me: Maybe I can qualify as a humble hospitalero somewhere, enhancing the pilgrim experience? I would like to do that, indeed. Why do we not jump at it, then? To me, atleast, it would cost me literally nothing, except from compassion and caretaking.
Indeed. Going overseas must take a lot of planning and money, not to mention the time/money constraints imposed by rigorous work contracts. It's sooo much easier for us Europeans. Nevertheless, I shall offer you water and foot treatment when I one day meet you on the Way.The problem is that the Camino is so far away for some of us is that, at least for me, I like to get all my ducks in a row before I even set off....
Your response is heart-warming. I can feel it through the wires of the iÏnternet.It made me happy to read this today. May your plans bring you much joy and your relationships with the Spanish people grow in warmth, respect, and kindness.
LOL: Now I know what to expect!I did another 4 weeks the following year and now have the Spanish skills of a 2 year old. Well, almost!
I did a 4 week intensive beginner's Spanish course in Granada before my first camino. In the classroom it went well, but in the bars I couldn't understand a thing. This was because I was taught "proper" Spanish, not the version spoken in Andalucia. Nevertheless I left the school with survival level Spanish which was very useful on the camino Mozarabe and VdlP. Even if I understood little of what was said to me, the people could understand what I was saying. I did another 4 weeks the following year and now have the Spanish skills of a 2 year old. Well, almost!
Thank you, my peregrino friends. It is a combination of respect towards the Spanish and dislike of my own disability to fully understand. It is OK to be able to ask for directions, a beer, bed, cama, and so on, but the disability to have a meaningful conversation is really bugging me. In addition, the concept of respect is biting me a little. So I want to speak more. Spanish, that is.
Very young when compared to some of the people that used to train and teach.. . . I know I am a bit old (61) compared to most of the students to be . . .
Been there 2 times the last two years. It is indeed a lovely little city with great tapas bars etc. 5 hours learning each day and then a dip into the Mediteranian before lunch (tapas + cerveza). A daily routine I can easily fit into.Ah~, Alicante. I spent 3 days (not long enough) there last year after completing my camino partly because the city once was listed as one of the best cities in the world to live on a low budget in an article. You will love the city and the beach/port area and local food/wine. Enjoy your stay in Alicante.
http://www.lifeadvancer.com/the-10-...n-a-dime-so-you-can-bring-your-dreams-to-life
Absolutely true. However, be prepared that any newcomer to the classroom will assume that you are the instructor............Not that I speak from experience."You are never too senior to learn."
Thanks a lot!Dang, Alex. how many languages do you already speak? Great the way Norwegians just get after it and learn them. I'm very impressed.
Somewhere just before my 60th birthday I decided I was tired of my French being so bad, so I started one-on-one video Skype lessons with some native teachers. Hard work, but really worth it. One of my teachers lived right off the Via Francigena, and had us over for dinner and a tour of the town. It has really improved my experience in France.
Good luck with that course!
Great idea. I considered an intensive language school with them too, for my recent (2nd) Camino but due to last minute events had to change that plan. How did you find out about the accomodation with a family. That would be a great experience.
Thanks for sharing your experience of Alicante! And: Cerveza for lunch; vino tinto para cenaAnd one other thing ... forget about the cerveza ... try the vino tinto.
Dutch, where exactly did you study in Peru? Thanks!Great plan, Alex! I did this last june for 5 weeks in Peru. Had a great time and learned some good Spanish and afterwards i had a whole camino to test and improve my new found skills.
Now im starting a course back home, just to not forget the newly learned lessons and improve more.
This was in Cuzco, with languageschool Fairservices. Fantastic city to spend a few weeks in. Also lots of hiking in ghe area. The school was wonderful.Dutch, where exactly did you study in Peru? Thanks!
You are thinking of another dish, which is only for people with special interests...Alex, I think it sounds absolutely splendid - all except for the bacalao. I'm assuming you boil it to a jelly as our dear Norwegian friends love it. Almost as bad as brown cheese! Whereas Norwegian smoked beef and smoked salmon, yum yum....nothing better.
Completely agree.I heartily recommend learning as much Spanish as possible because it makes the Spanish people break out in big grins when you speak it
I had such high plans for the coming spring: Walking one of the above Caminos, with my (very) imperfect Spanish. Oh, well,
I will spend next Easter in Alicante in 2016 with my girlfriend (heck at 63, she's not a girl, but oh well). Now I discovered that there is a school teaching Spanish in Alicante, so I have decided to enroll at the end of our stay, send the woman back home, and attend 4 weeks of intensive language education, and staying with a host family on half board (br.fast+dinner) all at a total of 1270 Euros for a whole month. Same as my monthly Camino budget, so no difference.
It has always irritated me that I was not fully capable of respecting the Spanish people by speaking other than gibberish pilgrim Spanish. OK, I do better than many, but... Now, I intend to correct it. I will speak Spanish like a priest after 4 intensive weeks (I hope).
So, I have changed focus. 1 1/2 week of holiday with my woman in Alicante, then 4 weeks of intensive language training, and then a month or so on some Camino, practising, repeating and honing my new language skills. Maybe afterwards, I can do the Aragones (or similar) after all, all the way to SdC? Is that a plan, or?
Here is where I am going to book: http://www.enforex.com/ Friendly and very service-minded people. I have been doing research and investigation for a few days, and I came up with them as the best choice, for me at least. I especially like the idea of staying with a Spanish family and having for food what they have. I may even teach them a thing or two about Norw. bacalao (salted Norw. cod)
I know I am a bit old (61) compared to most of the students to be, but hopefully there's the odd old crazy person like me there.
Anyway, I have decided I need to speak more of the language of the land I am walking through, and where I know I will spend time in the future.
I love you too, amigo.Hola Alex,
Yours is simply one of the finest posts I've ever read on this site.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?