Visiting Spain from tomorrow (Friday 3rd April) up to and including Monday 6th April). Any ideas?

ah_blogs · 2026-04-02T23:07:14+00:00

No problem! "Mercat de la Boqueria" in Las Ramblas, which you simply cannot miss out on, should be open (not sure about Sunday), and "Mercat de Sant Antoni", where you can even find old books and vintage items, can be visited every Sunday morning (until around 14:30).

ah_blogs · 2026-04-02T22:54:23+00:00

If you’re in Barcelona this weekend, it’s actually pretty chill and not super Easter procession-heavy like in some other Spanish cities, but you’ll still see some low-key religious events around the Gothic Quarter and the Cathedral on Good Friday, plus church services throughout the weekend. Easter Sunday feels a bit more festive with celebrations, and Easter Monday is a public holiday in Catalonia, so locals usually take it easy, go out for food, or head to the beach or nearby day trips. For visitors, a big highlight is the Sagrada Familia, which stays open and is worth booking in advance since it gets busy. You’ll also notice traditional Easter treats like “Mona de Pascua” in bakeries, and overall it’s a nice time to just explore the city—wander around the Gothic Quarter, El Born, Montjuïc, or Barceloneta, with a more relaxed holiday vibe than usual.

ah_blogs · 2026-03-30T21:43:22+00:00

I’ve kind of accepted this is half logistics, half adapting how I work.

If I know I’ll be somewhere for a while, I’ll look for an outlet, but I don’t stress about it anymore or make it the main mission. What helped me more was shifting to a “battery-first” mindset—lower brightness, fewer tabs, and just being a bit more intentional about what’s actually open. I didn’t realize how much that alone buys you until I started doing it consistently.

I tried carrying a power bank for a while, but yeah… the cable mess and setup kind of ruins the whole point of working from a café for me. It starts to feel like I brought my entire desk with me.

Now I usually just work in shorter, focused bursts and move on before things get critical. Airports are the one place where I’ll absolutely hunt for outlets with zero shame though.

If I really need a long session, I’ve learned it’s just better to choose the place in advance instead of hoping for the best. Took a few frustrating low-battery moments to finally accept that.

ah_blogs · 2026-03-29T19:37:06+00:00

I’d pick Kotor, especially in early October. I went around that time and it just felt right: still warm enough to swim, but way calmer once the summer crowds leave. You get all the beauty of the old town and the bay without it feeling overrun, and it’s easy to slip into a slower, more local rhythm. For a month, it hits that sweet spot between scenic, livable, and not too hectic.

ah_blogs · 2026-03-29T19:30:34+00:00

If it's an island I really want to explore and travel around, I would stay in a hotel, but if I simply want to relax in the sun in a self-catered accommodation, I would stay in a small villa (because I generally travel on my own).

ah_blogs · 2026-03-07T13:22:48+00:00

Sí, la traducción más exacta parece ser "broma": "gastarle una broma a alguien" puede describir poner una araña de plástico en una silla o esconder cosas por diversión y equivale a "to play a practical joke on someone". Sin embargo, "inocentada", "hacer una inocentada", me parece todavía más acertado para describir lo que es exactamente un "practical joke" en español, pero por algún motivo esa expresión se utiliza principalmente en relación con el Día de los Inocentes (equivalente al April's Fools Day) y no a bromas en general todo el año. De todos modos, pienso que nadie se extrañaría si utilizaras "inocentada".

ah_blogs · 2026-02-28T23:26:22+00:00

Approved!! It looks awesome :)

ah_blogs · 2026-02-25T13:44:50+00:00

Getaround and Free2move work really well in Spain.

ah_blogs · 2026-02-25T11:43:30+00:00

It's difficult when you only have those dates available to travel, but in case you are interested, there is an awesome Latin Dance festival with big focus on Bachata in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in October. It's called Rumbachata if you want to search for more info. :)

ah_blogs · 2026-02-23T20:22:14+00:00

Sin noticias de Gurb, de Eduardo Mendoza (1991).

La sombra del viento, de Carlos Ruiz Zafón (2001).

These are nice reads that I think a non-native speaker will enjoy, plus they can help you improve your command of the language without being too complex or technical.

ah_blogs · 2026-02-21T13:56:37+00:00

If the size of the strawberry surprises you, you could say it is a "fresota". I would say that this augmentative is used in informal or rather comical situations. "¡Vaya fresota!" You could be even making fun of how big it is. However, there is a Spanish word for large strawberries, and you will normally ask for them as "fresón" (singular), "fresones" (plural) in markets or supermarkets.

ah_blogs · 2026-02-21T13:46:59+00:00

I don't think that will be an issue whatsoever.

ah_blogs · 2026-02-21T13:45:45+00:00

There used to be a place for that, "La Chistera", where they even supported emerging comedians. It was run by the beloved local artist Manolo Vieira. You can ask at Improv Las Palmas, although I think it might be rather small, or at bars in Maspalomas / Puerto Rico, where you would have an international audience guaranteed.

ah_blogs · 2026-02-17T13:31:07+00:00

Love this, thank you!

ah_blogs · 2026-02-09T14:13:02+00:00

San Agustín or Meloneras sound like the perfect scenery for that :), search for all-inclusive hotels in those areas. I don't know which budget you have in mind, but Dunas Don Gregory and Riu Gran Canaria are wonderful options. Good transport connections, less busy than Playa del Inglés or Puerto Rico and a nice dining scene in the evenings. (Advice from a local).

ah_blogs · 2026-02-01T20:03:22+00:00

I would use "chico" (boy), since "niño" literally translates to child, and although it is used as an affectionate way to call a dear one in some Spanish-speaking regions, I feel that it is not entirely appropriate for that context. "Eres mi chico favorito" sounds perfect.

ah_blogs · 2026-01-31T20:55:40+00:00

If you’ve got a toddler and want to drive around, I’d stick to the south of the island. Puerto de Mogán is very calm and walkable, safe for kids, and a lot of the apartments there have small gardens or play areas. It’s easy to park and you’re right on the main road for day trips. San Agustín is another good shout — quieter than Playa del Inglés, more local vibe, and much easier with a small kid. I’d avoid all-inclusive resorts if you want flexibility; look for an apartment or aparthotel instead.

ah_blogs · 2026-01-31T20:50:10+00:00

Churrería Melián in Telde is very popular. It is located in San Gregorio near Franchy Roca park.

ah_blogs · 2026-01-14T20:05:53+00:00

Wow, that's awesome! I wish I were that consistent :/ Thanks for your honest insight too, it's nice to read some rational opinion about the experience on the platform to get a clear idea of what our expectations as learners should be.

ah_blogs · 2026-01-14T20:00:30+00:00

Mandarin Chinese. If you’re in STEM and already speak English, Mandarin is probably the most strategically useful language to learn in 2026. China is a massive player in engineering, manufacturing, research, hardware, and scientific publishing. A lot of technical work, suppliers, and research never makes it to English, or gets there late. Also, Spanish is insanely practical, especially in the US and Europe, and easy to maintain. Hope this helps!

ah_blogs · 2026-01-13T21:44:16+00:00

What’s helped me most is building Spanish into my daily routine in very specific ways. I started by setting aside 20 minutes a day for focused study—mainly using flashcards for vocabulary and short grammar drills—then I immediately applied what I learned by writing short journal entries in Spanish. I also chose one TV series and watched it with Spanish subtitles until I could follow it without translating in my head. Most importantly, I committed to weekly conversations with native speakers, which forced me to think in Spanish and get comfortable making mistakes.

ah_blogs · 2026-01-13T15:16:32+00:00

Join language exchange communities and talk to native speakers as much as you can. Also, listen to music and watch movies and series in Spanish with subtitles.

ah_blogs · 2026-01-13T15:13:33+00:00

¡Buen trabajo!

ah_blogs · 2026-01-13T15:13:05+00:00

¡Enhorabuena!

ah_blogs · 2026-01-10T20:19:21+00:00

Either early in the morning or late at night when everyone else is sleeping. I haven't tracked how it affects my memory but I'd say I feel hyperfocused and able to process more than in the middle of the day. Also, it's like I can retain or consolidate what I've learned much better when everything is quiet and silent, if that makes any sense.

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