159 - Columbus, la Virgen del Pilar, and Spanish Identity

The anticapitalist left is still camping out in Plaza Catalunya, and nearby in Raval, the drug scene is just as vibrant as always. (At least I assume it is – I'm just a guy taking a walk.) More about the anarchic scene in Barcelona's old town here: https://spaintogo.substack.com/p/barcelona-anarchyDonate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate(Or you could become a paying subscriber over on Substack... Just sayin'.)For much more Spanish culture, check out my YouTube channel, called Learn Spanish with Daniel: https://youtube.com/learnspanishwithdanielThanks for listening!

I'm recording this on October 12th, which is "el Día de la Virgen del Pilar". So in this episode, let's talk about one of the most important apparitions of the Virgin Mary – Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza. Also, Saint James the Great (AKA Santiago, patron of Spain), the tie-in with Christopher Columbus, a bit about the legacy of colonialism and much more. Read the article here: https://spaintogo.substack.com/p/columbus-virgen-pilarDonate to the podcast and I'll give you a shoutout in the next episode: https://expatmadrid.com/donateSign up for a bike tour in La Rioja, Extremadura, Valencia, La Mancha, etc at https://biketourinspain.comTell Raúl there that I sent you. Thanks!

Big news here in Spain! We've got a general election coming up on 29 November, so we'll probably have a new government soon. And before that, on 11 November, the Tenants Unions have called a General Strike to protest the housing situation. So let's talk about Pedro Sánchez's chances in the election (roughly zero), what rights you have in a strike, some of my experiences from previous general strikes and more. Enjoy!To donate to the podcast, head to https://expatmadrid.com/donate/Any amount helps! You can also become a monthly supporter with just one extra click. Thanks to all donors and multi-donors, past, present and future.Also, if you're looking for help with Spanish immigration, or US bureaucracy, talk to Joanne and Roberto over at Continentalis. Roberto is an immigration lawyer, and Joanne can get you fingerprints in Barcelona, Madrid, or Valencia, as well as an FBI background check, the Apostille of the Hague, sworn translations and more. Use my name DANIEL at checkout (or just tell Joanne you heard about them from me, Daniel) and you'll get a discount on their services. Here: https://continentalis.eu/Thanks for listening!

Big news about Spain's housing crisis this week: the tenants unions have decided to make a woman named Maricarmen symbolic of how evil capitalists want to throw old ladies out of their houses. Only problem is, Maricarmen has been benefiting from a Franco-era rent contract for 70 years now. You and I will never get a deal this good. Anyway, here's the latest from the camping protest in Puerta del Sol, Madrid, as well as some memories about last time this happened and how dumb it was. Enjoy! Donate to the podcast and join the prestigious & exclusive club of Spain to Go supporters right here, I'll give you a shoutout on the next episode: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/For your FBI background check, apostille of the Hague, sworn translations, and ALL your immigration law needs, talk to Joanne over at https://continentalis.eu/(Tell her that DANIEL sent you and you'll get a discount, I also get a small commission and it helps the podcast.)Or if you'd like to hear my voice some more, head over to my YouTube channel called Learn Spanish with Daniel: https://youtube.com/learnspanishwithdaniel/Thanks for listening!

Today we're talking about the cities of Bilbao and Getxo up in the Basque country, with reflections on competing nationalities, the ongoing Ceuta crisis, what it means to be "from" somewhere, and more. Basque Cuisine is pretty famous, as is the new-fangled cheesecake they're making, and you can learn about all of it in this new episode. Enjoy!Check out my friends over at WalksDevour for food tours, cooking classes and more in San Sebastian (it's like Bilbao, but better) and other locations around Spain and Europe: https://expatmadrid.com/walks/And if you're into cardio holidays, go sign up for a bike tour from my friend Raúl at Bike Tour in Spain. I just did his tour of La Rioja and Camino del Cid and had a great time: https://biketourinspain.com/

Spain needs new babies. If you're having one soon, congratulations! And thanks. In this episode, we've got a report on prenatal care in Spain, and on baby prepping in Barcelona more specifically. Public and private healthcare, where to get secondhand cribs, doulas, midwives, maternity support, Pregnancy Pilates and much more. Check out the article for links and more: https://expatmadrid.com/prenatal-care-spain/Support this podcast by sending diaper money to Mr Chorizo (AKA Daniel) and Morena here: https://expatmadrid.com/donateIf you have any immigration questions that need a serious answer, or if you need the fingerprint / background check / apostille, talk to my friend Roberto and his partner Joanne at https://continentalis.eu/ (Roberto is the lawyer who got me Spanish nationality – not an easy task, as it turns out. And Joanne did all my background check stuff, plus got my birth certificate, translations and all. Tell them that DANIEL sent you and you'll get a discount – and I'll get a small commission.)Finally, Raúl over at Bike Tour in Spain is sending me on another cycling tour, so I'll be out next week. I'm doing El Camino del Cid and La Rioja. If you want a cardio vacation through some beautiful Spanish landscapes, check out https://biketourinspain.com

Well, Ceuta is still a disaster area, so here's an update about that. Also, we've got a protest from Save Europe Act (it's about "remigration" and a counterprotest from antifa. Plus, the 90th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War and the mysterious death of Federico García Lorca back in 1936. Links and more on the Spain to Go Substack: https://spaintogo.substack.com/p/lorca-antifa-and-ceuta-againAlso, in a few weeks I'll be on the road again, with a cycling tour across La Rioja and part of Castilla. Stay tuned for more about that, or check out my friend Raul's tours over at https://biketourinspain.com(If you do sign up for a tour, let Raul know that you heard about him from Daniel on the Spain to Go podcast, he'll appreciate the business.) Thanks!

I recently went to France (again). In this episode, I talk about Lyon and Montpellier in the south of France, whether backpacking around Europe is dead, slow travel, iced coffee disasters, being an expectant parent, and more. Support the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donateI'll give you a shoutout in my next episode!Spain to Go podcast has a new companion blog over on Substack, check it out at https://spaintogo.substack.com/For all your Spanish immigration needs, talk to Joanne or Roberto at Continentalis.eu – they did my Spanish nationality for me and have my highest recommendation. Mention my name DANIEL and get a discount on your services. Thanks!

Last week the Spanish enclave of Ceuta was overrun by "migrants" crossing the border from Morocco. Up to 70,000 people crossed into Spain, and were (mostly) pushed back by the military. Details and thoughts from a Spanish local in today's episode. Support this podcast: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/You could also sign up to receive new articles (or become a paid subscriber) on Substack: https://spaintogo.substack.com Thanks for listening!

The UK has a small territory called Gibraltar near the southern tip of Spain – or, more accurately, near the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula. So today's episode is about Spanish-Gibraltarian relations, the new open border, the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in Africa, John Lennon's wedding to Yoko Ono and more. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/These days I'm writing a companion blog to the Spain to Go podcast over on Substack, you can read this article and check out some relevant links at: https://spaintogo.substack.com/p/gibraltar