EbroVoice

EbroRose February 12th, 2008

Justin at “Eye on Spain” has once more come up with a forward thinking idea coupled with the Andalucian voice of Deigo Rodriguez Arcas. He will blog every few days in Spanish on the Spanish perspective of their culture, life and current views. It is so imperative that we not only meet other cultures but embrace their language and listen to their understanding of what is going on in Spain. Then you can debate what is written in English or European press.

Diego will write in Spanish and there will be an English summary posted every week. However,  Diego will write in clear and easy to read Spanish. So give it a go. Try and understand what he is saying. You will pick up the language so much faster!

http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/diego.aspx

Here is my comment I sent him earlier on today, but go and read what others have said to.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 @ 9:18 AM“Absolutely fabulous idea and we look forward with interest to reading your articles. Although we are up in Southern Catalonia I am sure my readers will develop their knowledge and language with your inspiration. We will direct them to your link.
Many thanks and it is encouraging to see the cultures working together for a BrighterSpain.La idea absolutamente fabulosa y nosotros miran hacia adelante con interés a leer sus artículos. Aunque estemos arriba en Cataluña Meridional yo estoy seguro que mis lectores desarrollarán su conocimiento y el idioma con su inspiración. Nosotros los dirigiremos a su conexión. Muchas gracias y alentando a culturas de seeteh que trabajan juntos para un www.BrighterSpain. com “

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EbroRose November 9th, 2007

Brighter Catalonia may have warmer and dryer winters than that of northern, western and eastern Europe, but we are not exempt from flu viruses. The health service in Catalonia very effectively practices preventive medicine. Thus, the publications of their informative bulletins are for the benefit of all nationalities.

Their are certain vulnerable sectors which they emphasize should be vaccinated against these ´flu bugs. Namely:

# diabetics

# 60 years or older

# Those with chronic metabolic ailments

# Heart disease

# Chronic lung disorders and asthma sufferers

# Or in contact with people of high risk e.g cystic fibrosis children

Cat Salut started vaccinating on the 1st October but continue on until the end of November. So please don´t leave it too late. If you are not sure whether you or a member of your family should have one, then pop into your local Health Centre and ask the nurse or your doctor. But you will have to make an appointment for the actual vaccination with the nurse.

The old adage is prevalent here – prevention is better than cure !

La grip vacuneu -Vos al vostre centre de Salut. Us podeu vacunar des de l´1 de octubre fins al 30 de novembre de 2007.

# Tenieu 60 anys o mes.

# Patiu malalties croniques

# Sou infants o adolescents que heu estat tractas durant un temps prolongat amb acid acetil solailic

# Esteu embarassada

# Conviu o esteu en contacte amb persones malalties de risc

www.gencat.cat/salut

Remember, when your grandma kept harping on at you to eat more fruit – “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” Sure, fruit is good for you, but it won´t work on its own. So please don´t skip on the ´flu jab.

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EbroRose November 9th, 2007

Are you English speaking and having problems in communicating with the Spanish?

Are you Spanish trying to communicate with the English ?

Whether your communication issue is written or spoken help is now at hand.

Chris Garton is right here in the Lower Ebro Valley to make your life easier by eradicating your English or Spanish dilemmas, for a nominal fee of 15 euros per hour.

A sample of the translation service available to assist you with your everyday matters are:-

# Purchasing Property

# Contract / Letter Reading

# Utilities contracts

# Doctor Registration

# Cat Salut / Social Securty

# General Purchases

# And much, much more.

Your needs may not be listed here. Do not worry! Just give Chris Garton a call. He is an extremely well-spoken, polite, and affable man. He is presentable, friendly and helpful, but extremely discreet. He respects your privacy and guarantees confidentiality.

For more information please telephone :-

                          Chris Garton       (0034) 677 314 228

This is definitely one telephone number to have in your mobile phone address book! You never know when you will need him.

We recommend Chris Garton here at www.BrighterSpain.com 

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EbroRose October 17th, 2007

Ulldecona´s fiesta´s can make you really hungry! So go on and try out a few of their amazing restaurants. Don´t know which one to choose? Why not just wonder around and see which can accommodate you. Do expect them to be busy at this time of the year as even the locals will be dining out.

Yet, you are assured of good food, good wine, good company and you will go away truly satisfied and I would be very surprised if you do not make new friends on the way. If you are worried about coping with the menu in Catalan take a pocket size dictionary with you and do not be embarassed to use it. Failing that, politely ask them to explain, as an area this popular will receive a fair amount of tourists passing through.

• Restaurante “Bon Lloc”

• Restaurante “Casa Santi”

• Restaurante “El Cazador” (Valentins)

• Restaurante “l’Era” (Valentins)

• Restaurante “Marisol” (Valentins)

• Restaurante “Les Moles”

• Restaurante “Nou Sant Lluc”

• Restaurante “Orfeó”

• Restaurante “Ranxo Tomàs”

• Restaurante “Sant Lluc”

• Bar “Celedoni”

• Bar “El Mosset”

• Bar “Nogales” (Barri Castell)

• Bar “La Parra”

• Bar “El Rebost”

• Bar “Valverde”

• Bar “Ximo” (Valentins)

Enjoyed your meal tell us. Did not like it, please also tell us.

Contact us at:- www.BrighterSpain.com

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EbroRose September 10th, 2007

National Holiday in Catalunya und Nationalfeiertag Catalunya -11th September 2007.

With all the activities of family visiting over the summer break I would have completely forgotten tomorrow is the Official National Holiday of Catalunya, had I not picked up my first copy of “Caminos” in Murrays busy cafe´in Sabeco, Tortosa.

So do your shopping today. Tomorrow everything may be shut!

The event calendar or veranstaltungskalender of “Caminos Costa Daurada” is up to date and enlightening. They report there will be various flag hoisting events with “sardanes” (Not Sardines I presume, Mr.Watson?) www.los-caminos.com

In L´Hospitalet -look for the Plaça de Catalunya (most towns in Catalonia have one) and head there for first sombreness and then festivity. Afterwards. you can stroll along their gorgeous sandy beaches and dip your toes into the cooling waters of the Mediterranean.

Chocoholics can embrace the flag ceremony in the mountains of Castell-Vandellos with “hissen den flage und Xocolatada”- the flag is still made of traditional material and design of Catalonia and not chocolate. So how do flags and chocolate go together? Half the fun of the day is finding out so why not venture out to a neighbouring region, meet new friends and try something different.

There is more!

Don´t lie in tomorrow! These things get under way at 10.45 in L´Ampolla on the coast from the Pl. Manel Ferre´. The Sardanes traditional dance (traditionelle tanze mit ) with “Els Dansaires del Penedes” and “la Cobla Principal de Tarrragona”.

The Sardanes is a circle dance and the group can be as large as you like.So do not be surprised if you coached into joining in.

The Costa delights of Salou is not left out. Plaça del Carrilet will see the Sardanes with “Cobla Reus” .

“La Cobla” is not “cobblers” it is all a wind band (a cobla) about music to accompany the dance of Sardana played with 12 typical instruments (Four typical Catalan one´s are tenore, tible, tambori´, flabiol and the more usual trumpet, fiscorn and double base).

Today 130 plus coblas are alive and will be palying to their hearts content in Spanish Catalonia and the French Catalonia. There is even one Cobla in Holland – Cobla La Principal d’Amsterdam.

So lots of fun about to round off the summer season before the leaves start falling and autumn blows in .

But please remember in the history and culture of our neighbours, towns and Catalonians this is a very important day to them.So read more about the history of Catalonia> http://www.odontocat.com/angles/catalonia.htm

So embrace it! Respect it! Join in singing their anthem – we are Expats -but this is our anthem too, now

Catalunya, triomfant,
tornarà a ser rica i plena!
Endarrera aquesta gent
tan ufana i tan superba!

Bon cop de falç!
Bon cop de falç, defensors de la terra!
Bon cop de falç!

Ara és hora, segadors!
Ara és hora d’estar alerta!
Per quan vingui un altre juny
esmolem ben bé les eines!
(tornada)

Que tremoli l’enemic
en veient la nostra ensenya:
com fem caure espigues d’or,
quan convé seguem cadenes!
(tornada)

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EbroRose August 23rd, 2007

The Paths of Sepharad organisation welcomed Tortosa as a member way back in 1998.Since then they have held different activities throughout their calendar year with the focal point being to defend the urban, historic, artistic and cultural heritage of the Sepharic legacy in Southern Catalonia in Spain.

Read more about their activities in Catalan at: www.redjuderias.com or in English at www.jewisheritage.org

For walking tours in Tortosa and the Jewish route, “Red de Juderias de España Camino de Sefarad”, is held on the 2nd Saturday in each month: http://www.brighterspain.com/guide.html and is well worth the 5 euros.

This is an informed stroll and is of interest to all cultures irrespective of your religious persuasion. These are the streets / paths where Jewish people have left their mark over the ages of time in the cities architecture, their vibrant language, their innovative

culture, their ardent hard work and crafts, and all is laced with their spiritual creativity.

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EbroRose August 1st, 2007

<< Pergola next to the Canal in Jesus-Tortosa

Outdoor cinema on every Thursday evening in August.

The days are now so hot. So in the evenings around 10 o´clock, walk on down to the village of Jesus near Tortosa. The cinema will be under the pergola, down by the canal and conveniently near the Bar Casal. They assure you a good time and you will be kept cool in the evening breeze. You will meet new friends and don´t worry about the films being in Spanish or Catalan. Just sit down. Open your ears and your mind and listen smarter.

The next morning over coffee, you will be amazed at how much you enjoyed the film, the atmosphere and just how much you understood.

DIJOUS, 2 D´AGOST : EL JEFE

DIJOUS, 9 D´AGOST : BANDIDAS

DIJOUS, 16 D´AGOST : PLAN DE VUELO

DIJOUS, 23 D´AGOST : DE BODA EN BODA

DIJOUS, 30 D´AGOST : UNA NOCHE EN EL MUSEO

“Una serie de sessions de cinema per passar una bona estona i gaudir de la fresca de l´estiu a les 22.00h a la pergola. Cinema a la fresca per a les nits de dijous del mes d´Agost.” www.emdjesus.cat

Thursday, 2nd August : The Man – Samuel L.Johnson

Thursday, 9th August: The Bandidas – Penelope Cruz

Thursday, 16th August: Flight Plan – Jodi Foster

Thursday, 23rd August: The Wedding Crashes – Owen Wilson & Vince Vaughan

Thursday, 30th August: A Night in a Museum – Ben Stiller

See you there!

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EbroRose July 24th, 2007

However, you pronounce James in Brighter Catalonia, one thing is for sure, James Patterson´s books are still a mighty good read in any language! (The translation is available in Spanish on the bookshelves here in Catalonia.)

Oh, thank you Richard and Paula J. for mailing me your copy of “1st To Die” and, yes, my favourite hobby is still reading! I had almost forgotten how good a read James Patterson´s books are to me.

The creator of well loved and respected Alex Cross, now weaves in the enthralling Women´s Murder Club, to make his plots even more absorbing. These professional ladies fight undauntingly together against the criminal minds, creating new dimensions to the already existing suspense.

A homicide inspector, a reporter, an assistant DA and a medical Coroner examinor are all friends united together, always there for each other with their academic accolades and wealth of experience, all with the same end purpose – to stop the criminals!

Nothing but nothing prepares them for these sick murders occuring all over in honeymooners´ paradise gone wrong, again and again and again.

This is definitely going to be a thrilling and spell binding series. Why would a brutal maniac killer target only newly wed couples? Where is his or even her link to them?

Yet, within all this slaughtering action James Patterson weaves a romantic thread – only to end in personal tragedy.

A novel where you, the reader forget about your family, your dogs and cats – they all go unfed, as you are totally oblvious to all of them, as this thriller races your pulse, gathering speed as you “chew up” page after page. When you think they have captured the killer, you stumble into a twist in the story. There is always more.

And when it is all over you are still thinking about it and start surfing immediately to find when the “follow up” is in print.

Astoundingly good read! Never tried one of his books? Go on – you´ll never regret it. www.jamespatterson.com

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EbroRose July 23rd, 2007

You have read the bad press and the scare mongery on what makes good TV viewing ratings on "everything that could possibly go wrong, went wrong" on the Expats who moved to Spain . However, buying property in rural Spain / Catalonia may seem to be a daunting task after watching all this media coverage. Sure! But it need not be a nightmare for you.

So what do you do? Stay at home? Definitely, not!

Instead, you knuckle down and do more research and read every book off the shelf on ´Moving to Spain´and surf and surf the net. Now you want to find out for yourself, whether you can really live your dream in Catalonia. So what do you next?

It is really quite a simple process. All you need to do is, use the tried and trusted professionals who have been out here for many years. Those who work closely with multi-linguistic solicitors, those who have built up a confident and well-informed network with all the planning departments. But, gem above gem is one who is English born, but so fluent in Spanish and Catalan, he speaks it like his mother´s tongue and is very friendly, helpful and of a genuine good character.

Yes! You do need a Spanish bank account even if you are a non-resident if you are purchasing property in Catalonia.

Yes! You do need an NIE

Yes! It is strongly advisable to have a Spanish will drawn up after the purchase. It is cheaper in the longer run and can save your family money and heartache. Otherwise, the Spanish authorities can stipulate the right of horizontal succession.

Jeff Greensmith stipulates there are 12 main factors to consider:

• Finding a property

• Carrying out a survey

• Negotiating the purchase price

• Notary fees

• VAT and Stamp Duty

• Land Registry Fees

• The reservation contract — Contrato de reserva

• The private contract — Contrato de Arras

• Completion: signing the Deed of Transfer — Escritura Pública de Compraventa

• Registering the Deed of Transfer and paying the sale-purchase expenses

• Do I need an independent lawyer (abogado)?

• Do I need to make a Spanish will (testamento)?

“Buying Property in Inland Spain like other country property, fincas in
Spain have become very popular in recent years. Fincas Direct have extensive experience in dealing with country property in Spain. We can help you find your dream
home in inland Spain and make buying a rural property a pleasant experience.If you are planning to buy a country property in Catalonia – Fincas Direct is the one stop shop for all your needs,” says Jeff Greensmith owner of www.FincasDirect.com

Please do yourself a favour and read this linked article in its entirety. It is of untold current value and will make your relocation to this beautiful part of Catalonia, so much more pleasant. http://www.fincasdirect.com/buying-guide.htm

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EbroRose July 11th, 2007

                          DIMECRES -11 juliol (Catalan) – Wedneday 11th July.

Mid – week and fancy doing something different tonight and not wanting to wait for the weekend to go out, come on down to Jesus in Tortosa and watch the giant paella competition. What is even better you are invited to share in the spoils of the cooking afterwards.

The contenders heavily guard their “secret ingredients” passed down from generation to generation.

No, all paellas do not taste the same!

The evening starts early 18.30 and finishes late. Paellas are cooked slowly and cannot be rushed. It promises to be lively and entertaining and definitely,vocal.

The event is held by the Pergola, next to the canal and the old Immaculada Convent ( now restored for the use of the Jesusencs and the Bar Casal.) If you are coming from Tortosa roundabout at Hotel Corona, pass Sabeco Supermercado and turn left off the C12 at the overhead traffic lights. Should one be coming from the Aldover-Xerta- Benifallet direction, on the C12 pass Clibegas and at the overhead traffic lights, turn right into the village of Jesus. Be prepared to park on the outskirts of the village and show consideration and do not park across someone´s garage or entrance please.

The Paella cooks love to discuss and argue about their ingredients so don´t be shy in asking them what is in it…

Yet, the evening holds out for more than just “stuffing your bellies”.

20.00h Cervesada popular patrocinda del pub LA LLUNA – popular beers!

Also at 18.00 Coctel de cava patrocinat del pub BROADWAY (not quite New York!) – Spanish cava is very good, too good if you are driving. So do elect who is driving home before you start sipping.

The competition ends at 20.30 with the judging and then 22.00 the meal is shared out with XARANGA PA EN TOMATA washed down with more cava or cervesadas or even the much loved Vino Tinto.

But a fiesta (festa) would not be complete without their music, so you can shake off your meal at the popular dance that follows with tha fabulous and highly acclaimed l´ORCHESTRA HIMALAYA.

If you require tables and chairs be early as these are asigned from17.00 at 1 euro a chair and 5 euros a table. Not quite sure how many you can get around a table..should be fun finding out. These will be cleared away between 00.00 and 04.00 (!!) in a calm manner…what after all that cava?

Apartir de les 17:00 h es llogaran taules i cadires per a la Paella.

Pre: 1,00 € cadira i 5,00€ taula

La recollida de les mateixes sera de les 00.00 a les 4.00 h de la matinada.

The main street leading up through the village, round the corner from the Adjuntanment and in front of the junior school will be closed for seating and merriment.

Tancament dels carrer Molins dén Comte i Daniel Mangrame, perque tots els veins hi pinguin col-locar les taules.

# The Fiesta  Major continues on until the 14th July, so more of the same information and the rest of the programme can be found on the :

                                               www.emdjesus.cat

# Por informatiu de les mateixes i mas de programa de la festa major Jesus 2007 – del 6 al 14 de juliol.

# In the words of our popular Mayor, Pere Panisello i Chavarria ( President de l´EMD Jesus -Tortosa ) – Es la nostra festa! -

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