Author: Ben

Treasure hunting in Spain = Piracy!

Post author By Ben
Post date February 7, 2006

‘Pirates’ (Two Hungarian men and one American woman) were arrested this weekend for salvaging buried treasure off the South coast of Spain. Whereas in many countries it is legitimate to retrieve buried treasure from the sea floor, in Spain, where an estimated 1.5 billion dollars worth of loot lies amongst the sunken galleons, it is an arrestable offense.

But piracy? Well, according to the Guardian, apart from a few 17th century canon balls and Roman anchors, they did have five M-16s and a shotgun on board…

p.s. I picked this story up on a very interesting new news site called Newsvine. It’s still in private beta phase, but if anyone wants an invite, just e-mail me.

Technorati Tags: spain, piracy

Spain Travel

Flying to Madrid any time soon?

Post author By Ben
Post date February 6, 2006

Good luck to anyone sent to the brand new Terminal four! Reports abound of chaos on the first day of opening. There is an interesting podcast here featuring an interview with the architect, Carlos Lamela.

Technorati Tags: spain, Madrid, airport

notes

Any Spain travel questions? For a NFS in English

Post author By Ben
Post date February 6, 2006

It’s time you started concreting those plans for your 2006 trip to Spain, and we think it’s time for a good old Notes from Spain podcast full of travel tips and ideas. We’ll record it, hopefully, on Tuesday night, so, if you have any questions or great ideas about a trip to Spain, comment below or e-mail us direct. Thanks!

Technorati Tags: spain, podcast, travel, vacation, ideas

Film Spain Books

Jamon Jamon

Post author By Ben
Post date February 5, 2006

		Everyone trashes Jamon Jamon, but it’s one of Ben’s all time favourite Spanish films. Plenty of ham, naked bullfighting, deserted Castillian landscapes, adultery, a brothel, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. What more could you ask for? So Spanish, so funny, this is a classic piece of cinema. As the cover says, “A film where women eat men and men eat ham.” Pick up a copy at: Amazon.co.uk (Europe) Amazon.com (USA)

notes

How we love our Frappr Map!

Post author By Ben
Post date February 3, 2006

Haven’t put your pin on our map yet? Come on, help us get to the 200 mark!

geek stuff

It’s Groundhog Day

Post author By Ben
Post date February 2, 2006

Last night I saw the film Groundhog Day for the first time in my life, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Wow was I surprised to discover today that it really is a real day!

The excellent Radio Open Source has an interesting post on this must-see film, and is doing a show on it tonight. Should be worth listening to.

Technorati Tags: groundhog

Living and working in Spain Spain Books

Living and Working in Spain 2006: A Survival Handbook

Post author By Ben
Post date February 1, 2006

		David Hampshire is onto a winning formula here, running us through the essentials of where to live in Spain, what work we can expect to pick up, how to buy a house… Even the ins and outs of starting a business in Spain are thoroughly explained. After 7 years in Madrid, I still found this book to be packed with surprisingly useful information. Pick up a copy at: Amazon.co.uk (Europe) Amazon.com (USA)

notes

A wonderful podcast

Post author By Ben
Post date February 1, 2006

Or perhaps it’s a podcast full of wonder… either way, I highly recommend the first episode of the new Alan Watts podcast, especially the first six and a half minutes. It’s philosophy the way philosophy ought to be, and delivered in the finest of British accents!

Escape artists and Travelogues Spain Books

As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning

Post author By Ben
Post date February 1, 2006

		No travel writer loved walking as much as Laurie Lee. With no Spanish and nothing to support him but his violin, Lee manages to cross Spain on foot, narrowly avoiding death from dehydration on the way. With Spain on the brink of war, he finds a country desperately clinging on to the last vestiges of stability. He finally ends up in a fishing village in Andalusia, where he too gets involved in the unfolding events. Beautiful descriptions of landscapes and lives told in Lee’s famous lyrical tones, and a journey we would all love to make. If you enjoy this, then don’t forget the sequel, A Moment of War. Pick up a copy at: Amazon.co.uk (Europe) Amazon.com (USA)

Spanish Culture and News

Spain in the snow.

Post author By Ben
Post date January 30, 2006

Some great pics here of Spain as it is rarely seen, especially Ronda and surrounding countryside.

Technorati Tags: spain, snow