Tales from the River Valley

BY ROSIE REAY

NEVER TOO OLD TO TACKLE ANOTHER LANGUAGE!

For years I have been put off by other Expats about taking up Catalan. Oh how I wish I had not listened to them and started studying it seriously many years afore. Now I am older, the brain is rustier and I have to now study harder and longer. Continually pushing myself daily to find something in Catalan, outside my designated homework period, to not just pick and scan or discard because it looks too difficult.

The beauty of committing to learning another language is so exhilarating. A form of escapism for me from my daily 24 hour Care Duties for 2 family members, (I put my hands up to this. I am guilty of this.)

But it is more than that! It has given me something to focus on, a purpose, a chance to motivate the intellect locked away for far too long in my dormant brain.

It has enabled me to think past today, to live instead of just exist as I have done for all of 2009. I could not then think past the 24 hours schedule I was locked into. I couldn’t think about tomorrow. I dare not think about the day after, let alone “Have I done my Catalan homework for next lesson?” I feel I can start to hope again.

Catalan studying has restored direction back into my life, irrespective of what the future holds for me. Furthermore, even after just 4 lessons (yes, just four …quatre classes) I find it easier to read medical instructions and signs.  But the specialists and nurses are only too please also to help me and explain what certain medical terms are in Catalan.

Admittedly, I do have a somewhat grasp of “Espanyol” But soon you see the correlation of certain words and phrases are similar, if not the same, but just a twist on the pronunciation or the suffix is different. Those years, many moons ago when I sat bored in a hot classroom, with African sunshine beating in through the  windows, yawning away as Mother Superior droned on and on, trying to drum Latin verb declensions into me, is finally paying off!

All of the above is happening because I have found the most delightful teacher. A lady who shares my passion for  all things linguistic, but the mistress of many Romance languages tucked under her belt. What is more amazing is my professora lives within strolling distance d’la meva casa and I didn’t even know until a friend happened to drop it into conversation!

Aside: Kerren Stephens BA Hons( University of Southampton) CertTEFLA. English-Catala- Castellano-Francais = translator, interpreter and teacher. +34 618 571 233

This past week has been very exciting for Valerie Collins and Theresa O’Shea co-authors of “In the Garlic” who were interviewed on Spanish channel 6 http://www.buenafuente.lasexta.com/inicio
by the popular host Andre Beunafuente.

If you missed it you can see them on YouTube in two sections:
1.    #  http://www.buenafuente.lasexta.com/articulos/ver/entrevistas/191/dos_inglesas_preocupadas_por_la_burrocracia/138781
2.    #  http://www.buenafuente.lasexta.com/articulos/ver/entrevistas/191/frases_typical_spanish_traducidas_al_ingles/138783
While chatting with Valerie this week I asked if she could share some amusing or helpful phrases in Catalan. She charmingly obliged.
“Well, of course there’s the famous one ‘Anem per feina’ -let’s get down to work.

Most of my favourites I learned from the TV3 soap operas!
#  És un tros de pa – He/she’s a piece of bread. Meaning = a lovely person, easy to persuade, a soft touch
# Són quatre gats.- (They are four cats). Meaning =  Very few people.
#  Aixó son figues d’un altre paner – (That’s figs from another  basket). Meaning = That’s something very different. That’s another kettle of fish. ”

Some people learn the swear words first. I think it is far more fun to learn phrases! Gracies a Valerie.
The first word I learned off Catalan TV was ” Avui ” – meaning Today, and the programme is similar to the Yorkshire regional channel, where they pop up in local villages, as well as covering the entire region of Catalunya.

Other methods of picking up Catalan is just to switch on Radio Tortosa while you do the household chores or munch your breakfast. Just an hour each day and you will be amazed how quickly you pick up the local accent on these words  -  aquestes paraules-   They suddenly start to mean something or become clear enough for you to look them up in a diccionari or be able to repeat them  ad hoc to a neighbour and ask them what they do mean.

Local agenda de Jesus:
26, 27 i 28 de febrer
XV Fira de l’Oli de les terres de l’Ebre.
X Concurs de Pintura de Jesus
A local Ebro Valley olive oil fiesta held in Jesus just off the C12 on the outskirts of Tortosa and exhibitions of local artists and other stall holders. A very interesting 3 day and night event.

A method of learning Catalan, though less amusing, is to loan your sons your car over the festive season and then have to go and sign for  a certified letter (long after they have returned to the UK) sent to you from Municipi: Tortosa that reads – Estacionar un vehicle en zona de parquimetre, sense l’obtencio’ previa del ticket…Import a pagar: 21,00 euro.

Changing holiday-maker trends

Folk in the UK are starting to think about holidays abroad and the enquiries are filtering through to us at www.BrighterSpain.com. However, it is a buyers market and we are being asked to compete against favourable quotes against reputable hotels along the coasts that are offering them at ridiculously low prices.
One example was for 375 pounds in total for a double room b&b for four weeks. How do they do it? That is not a weekly rate, but the total cost for 2 people!
An enterprising holiday apartment owner (whose property nestles in the Natural Parks of the Els Ports)  who has thought long and hard in the face of adversity and has come up with a novel pricing idea. This is very forward thinking and is matching the enquiry trends we are now seeing. The holiday makers are no longer just accepting the displayed price structure and barter that why should they pay for 5 when there are only two of them. The prices are quoted in sterling in this example and are correct for 2010.
07 March 2010 – 08 May 2010 and 03 October 2010 – 06 November 2010 First 2 occupants 175.00 per week  – Extra occupants 25.00 per week
09 May 2010 – 26 June 2010 and 05 September – 02 October 2010 First 2 occupants 240.00 per week – Extra occupants 30.00 per week
27 June 2010 – 04 September 2010 First 2 occupants 285.00 per week – Extra occupants 35.00 per week

Another option we can offer is a  two centre location by working with two or more holiday property owners in different locations. For example, the first week  the men may wish to fish (ladies and kids may wish too also) or the ladies may wish to “trawl the markets ” and an evening meal in and around the town or villages where you are spoilt for choice in menus. Possibly taking a couple of days out on the incredible beaches and coves along the Costa Daurada and try a meal along one of those delightful seafood restaurants along the marinas before heading home.

The second week they may choose either an exertive family holiday where they can get out on the bikes or hike the trails high up into the Els Ports either on their own or with a proper guide (add on cost). The second choice need not be active. It can be whatever you wish. As tranquil as you please alone with your musings, avid birdwatching or photography, lazing under citrus trees reading, writing or painting or just stretching away  the aches and pains, or tiredness as the sun kisses your bones that have had too harsh a winter in other climes. (How did they survive that winter? I am so glad we sought warmer climes!)

Aside: Will the lady walker-cum-writer (who lives near Tortosa castle) who contacted me over the festive period please, please call me on +34 619 772 492. I apologize profusely. I filed your number and email in a very safe spot. (Sorry, ‘I am only a woman’ & all of us women are guilty of these safe spot(s) to place things, I hear the male Ebrobrites groan., “..never to be seen again.Well, not until next spring clean!”)

Other holiday owners concentrate on couples only and can tailor more to the individual couples interests and desires and even take them around certain wineries or share companionship in an enclosed courtyard with wonderful delights of self catering coming from the most magnificent outdoor kitchen I have ever seen. One you would expect to see on lifestyle living pages in the “Sunset -Living in the West” magazine. Your delightful hosts here can offer a choice of two apartments and the upstairs studio one even has an outdoor jaccuzzi bath where the most amazing sunsets can be viewed while enjoying a glass of cava, or several and relax amongst the bubbles!
But all these properties still allow you to enjoy a day out in Barcelona by taking the train. But first I suggest you buy the book
“…from Barcelona. Stories behind the city: Volume 1 “.

See review in last month’s issue  at www.ChronicCat.com
It will give you so much more the feeling and vibrancy of the real Barcelona, plus hours of enjoyment as you move from one short story to another.
Talking about the author, he describes his 20 helpful Spanish expressions in an article on www.expat.com -well actually 19. One was in Catalan and it did make me laugh. I can share the link but because of copyright can not print the phrase. But do look them up. You will be amused by Jeremy Holland’s 20 phrases  Expatica.com or to learn more interesting facts about Barcelona read his lively blog www.frombarcelona.com .

Large families or two families travelling together – we have choices too. One that would suit those with teenagers more with a huge pool  and open lawns next to a canal where you can walk into a nearby village and not far from the Via Verda, and Tortosa medieval town.
Where as, another has enclosed secured gardens and a delightful range of children play equipment and games and trampoline, pool and more.

Or a posh villa set on the side of the Benifallet mountain with grounds right down to the Ebro River and sleeps 10 people. Past tourists and locals claim this as the most beautiful view of the River Ebro with a GR walking route crossing their access road! Already heavily booked for the 3 summer months, though there are a few free weeks scattered over that period.
Fishermen from Poland and other Eastern Europeans are also looking at holiday spots. So maybe the market is starting to come alive again.

We have many more options available and on both sides of the river! Folk are booking short breaks to Barcelona and then popping down for one day fishing and one night in B&B. Half a loaf is better than no bread at all!
RosieReay@FodenPress.com

Short URL: http://www.chroniccat.com/?p=251

Posted by editor on 2010-04-06 Filed under March 2010. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry