Cursos de Inglés

Now that the World Cup is over (¡viva la roja!), I thought it might be a good time to talk about a sport other than football.

And what better sport to discuss than the quintessentially English game of cricket.

Cricket has been traced to shepherds in England who started playing the early forms of cricket sometime in the 17^th century. It is a team sport for two teams of eleven players each. A formal game of cricket can last anything from an afternoon to several days.

 The first laws of cricket were written in 1774. Since then they have been changed on numerous occasions. Pretty much everything has changed since then. The early cricket bats were long curved pieces of wood resembling a thick hockey stick. The stumps consisted of two wickets and one bail in between. The only law of the game that has remained constant is the length of the pitch at 22 yards.

The rules of cricket, old or new, are notoriously complicated and can be confusing for people new to the game.

Although the game play and rules are very different, the basic concept of cricket is similar to that of baseball. Teams bat in successive innings and attempt to score runs, while the opposing team fields and attempts to bring an end to the batting team’s innings. After each team has batted an equal number of innings (either one or two, depending on conditions chosen before the game), the team with the most runs wins.

Have a look at the following link for a “Cricket for Dummies” explanation of the game:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/cricket-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

Or, for those of you who feel like testing your brain power, read this “simple explanation”, courtesy of my father (an avid cricket fan). See if you can figure it out.

NB Out can mean ‘out of the game’ and also ‘out on the playing field’!

You have two sides, one out in the field and one in.  Each man that’s in the side that’s in goes out, and when he’s out he comes in and the next man goes in until he’s out.
When they are all out, the side that’s out comes in and the side that’s been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out.
Sometimes you get men still in and not out.
When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in.
There are two men called umpires who stay out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out.
When both sides have been in and all the men have been out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game!

See? It’s a piece of cake!

TAVIRA!!
By coincidence, two members of the English department in Seville spent the weekend on an island of paradise on Portugal’s Southern coastline. Both found that it would be a great place for their students to have fun and practice their English.  They share their experiences here:

DAVID, Director of Studies

We stayed in a sprawling resort complex with tennis court, swimming pool, two restaurants, bars, and lots of room for our kids to run around. We marveled at the lush grounds with trees, well-positioned shrubs and bushes to some privacy between the various units. Birds chirping and gentle breezes serenaded us while the children played on the well-manicured lawn.

Our two bedroom apartment was located way off in a corner of the complex. Having our own kitchen allowed us the comfort of having breakfast in our pajamas and having snacks whenever we wanted them. Also, after the kids went to bed, we sat on the porch enjoying a full supply of cold drinks.

The beach: Just getting there was exciting. It’s on an island separated from the mainland by an estuary that we crossed on a narrow, pontoon-supported bridge. Then, since the island is about 2 km across, they have a train to take you across while you enjoy spectacular views of the unspoiled dunes.

Once we got to the beach, wow! Incredibly soft sand, a gentle breeze, and The water was clean and clear and cold: not cold in a bad way, but wonderfully refreshing. A very small complex of restaurants, bars and shops provided maximum convenience without being overly intrusive on the natural landscape.

In this somewhat dizzying video of Tavira, you can see Pedras d’el Rei at the 4:15 mark and the train at 6:30 mark, followed by the beach.

After check-out on Sunday, we went to the charming village of Tavira. The riverfront reminded us of the charm of Triana in Sevilla. From a historic stone-arched bridge the kids excitedly pointed to schools of millet swimming against the tide, while we spotted a nice looking restaurant along the opposite bank for our lunch. When we arrived, we were surprised that it turned out to be an Irish Pub serving typical Sunday lunch!
One thing that stood out to us was how affordable everything was. Within the resort, normally one would expect the restaurant and supermarket to charge a bit higher for their convenience, but everything was reasonable. Customer service everywhere was fast and friendly and nearly everyone spoke English: good English! Although we were able to communicate in Spanish, the preferred language was definitely English.

YERMA, Profesora

This weekend found two members of Babylon´s English department holidaying on the luxurious island of Tavira in the south of Portugal´s Algarve. The boss in a resort, me in the luxurious surroundings of Tavira´s one and only camp site. My campsite was equipped with trees, sand and four outdoor showers and toilets where hot water cost only one euro. LOL

Only a two hour drive from Seville´s city centre Tavira and the Algarve are a fabulous little getaway from the oven of Seville in the summer. When you arrive to the quaint little town of Tavira you can find the well signposted port to the Ihla Tavira (island of Tavira in Poruguese). There is a boat that takes you across to the island only costing only 1.40 return, and run every 20 minutes.

http://www.campingtavira.com

I’ve heard that there is convenient buses from Sevilla to Tavira via Huelva, but I was lucky enough to hitch a ride with a friend. The campsite is in easy access to the pickup and drop off area on the island and prices are moderately cheap. We had our own tent and for three people it worked out at 14 euros each for two nights. Apart from the flies, the mosquitos and the heat the campsite has a range of amenities to use. BBQ´s and a nice on site bar and shop. Everyone spoke very good English and they were very helpful. The main advantage to the campsite being how closely situated to the beach we were.

The nightlife and laidback ´hippy vibe´ made for a very interesting Saturday night on the island. We started with a nice dinner of mixed grill fish and rum, and then of we wondered to discover the local 5 bars on the island. We were pleasantly surprised to find a very good local Portuguese cover band playing everything from the Doors to ACDC and other great classics. Then there was a D.J on until the early hours of the morning. With the D.J booth overlooking the beach it made for a fun vibe with beautiful people sipping cocktails and dancing on the beach.

The beach of Tavira is obviously its main attraction, and crystal clear green waters are a sure way to escape the hot glare of the midday sun. The beaches are well kept and surrounded by whitewashed dunes and glorious fauna. You can play football, volleyball and take part in a range of water sports. Or my favourite past time, just laying there doing nothing.
We left on the Sunday more tanned and more relaxed that when we arrived and I was pleasantly surprised the parking near the boat only cost 10 euros for two days. So if you want a cheap weekend getaway with sun, sand and sea Tavira is the perfect place to visit.

The Scottish Highlands is an open, rugged area of mountains, islands, wildlife and very few people.  It is more or less the size of Belgium, but is one of Europe’s most sparsely populated areas. 

This week I have been on holiday here with my family in the Highland village of Glenelg, near the Isle of Skye.  We are surrounded by wildlife. Behind our house last night we saw deer running through the trees, and we have also seen wild horses, eagles, seals and even otters.  Of course, there are plenty of sheep!  It was great fun to walk on the beach with my two nephews, Jack (aged 8 ) and Ewan (3), and my niece Abbie (4), looking for shells and crabs among the rocks.

There are many islands here, and if you want to visit them you have to travel by boat.  This morning we crossed to the Isle of Skye, on a small ferry (the same route that “Bonnie Prince Charlie” took in 1746 when he was escaping from the British), and then from Skye we took another ferry to the beautiful island of Raasay, where my family comes from.  Unfortunately, the weather was not good; 11°C, thick mist and heavy rain!  This is the middle of summer, where is the sun?!

On Raasay there are many rhododendrons,  dark green plants with distinctive pink and purple flowers.  The plants are not originally from Raasay – they are from Japan – but they were introduced accidentally about 100 years ago and are now part of the island’s ‘character’.

Yesterday we all went on a different boat, to a place called Knoydart.  Although Knoydart is not an island, there are no roads, and the only way to get there is by a small boat.  The boat trip lasted forty minutes.  Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can see dolphins and whales in the water around here but we didn’t see any, only seals.  100 people live there, and there is a pub, which is “the remotest pub in Britain”.  They make their own beer there, a dark, strong beer which tastes great after a long trip in a boat!

Another feature of the Highlands is Gaelic, the original language of Scotland.  Around 60,000 people still speak Gaelic here, and you can hear people on the ferry, in the pub or in the shop saying “De tha dòl?” (What’s up?).  This is one of the many thing that makes this part of the world unique and fascinating.  Now, where’s my umbrella….?

Now that the heat is becoming more unbearable it’s especially important to keep yourself cool, and what better way than a trip to the beach. Except…in Madrid, there isn’t one.

While we love Madrid, we do recognise its biggest downfall: the lack of beach (and water in general, unless you count the Manzanares, and I don’t!).

But fear not, there are plenty of ways to keep cool in Madrid, and you don’t need to get sand in your sandwiches to have a good time!

Use my guide to see what you can do to keep cool, and how much it’s going to cost you!

Part 1 ……… getting wet!

Water parks   

Thrill seekers and those willing to spend a bit more money should try one of Madrid’s two water parks. Relax in the wave pool and imagine you’re floating in the Mediterranean, or test your nerves (and your cossie!) on one of the scary water slides. Tickets cost about 20€.

Welcome to the Kamikaze – are you daring enough to have a go?

For more information check out the website : http://www.aquopolis.es

Swimming pools  

Madrid has many open air swimming pools that only cost about 4€, and you can stay for as long as you want. Most have a bar to buy drinks and snacks, and several have trees and grass areas to relax in the shade.

My favourite is in Casa de Campo (metro Lago), because it’s enormous and the water is freezing! Perfect!

Check here for a full list of pools with addresses and phone numbers.

www.madridenred.com/piscinas-natacion-madrid.htm  

You are sure to find one close to where you are.

Fountains

Act like a child and play in these fountains at the Polideportivo Daoiz y Villaverde (metro Pacífico)

There are several fountains in Madrid to dip your feet in, and they are totally free! I definitely do not recommend taking on the traffic to get to Cibeles, but some are perfect to cool off in.

 Part 2………eating!

 Curry

Believe it or not, eating Britain’s favourite dish can help to keep you cool. Eating spicy food causes you to perspire more, which cools you down as it evaporates. What better excuse??

Ice cream

The hot weather makes summertime ice cream time! For the best ice cream in Madrid, head to Giuseppe Ricci on c/Huertas 9 (metro: Sol).
This Italian-owned parlour has fresh fruit flavours such as melon and strawberry  to refresh you, and rich favourites such as chocolate hazelnut and chunky pistachio for those with a sweet tooth. It is also one of the few places in Madrid that serves soya ice cream, so you can pretend it’s healthy! Yay!

Fruit

Everyone knows that early summer is the best time to buy great fresh fruit especially cherries, strawberries and watermelon at the best price. As well as tasting delicious, these refreshing fruits have a high water content so that you can keep yourself hydrated, and can be bought at incredibly low prices!

 And if all else fails……

……as our English teacher Sarah suggests….buy a hat! Woof woof!

I was talking to my old china from Poor man’s gruel and he said he didn’t understand a word I said. I said he must be a bit mutton or it might be my Quentin Crisp or maybe because he’s not a David Hockney and doesn’t understand the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
So I taught him the basics and he learnt pretty fast and now the Mickey Mouse has got it, even if it is a bit currant cakey.
So he said Baked potato I said Spanish Waiter and off he went having just learnt what we call Cockney Ryhming Slang

Cockney Rhyming Slang is a form of slang that originates from East London. A Cockney is someone who is born within hearing distance of the bells of Bow church in Cheapside, London. It originated around the 1840′s and people believe that it started as a way for market traders to communicate to eachother so that the buyer couldn’t understand. Others believe it was a type of criminal code used to confuse the police. Nowadays it is heard less in Central London but many expressions have entered common usage in the south of England.

It works by taking one word, for example “face” and rhyming it with a word or a name in this case “boat race”. Often the rhyming word is ommitted so the cockney would say simply “What’s wrong with your boat?”

So the paragraph above reads:

I was talking to my old china (china plate = mate) from Poor man’s gruel (Liverpool). I said he must be a bit mutton (Mutt and Jeff = deaf) or it might be my Quentin Crisp (lisp) or maybe because he’s not a David Hockney (cockney) and doesn’t understand the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Cockney Rhyming Slang). I taught him the basics and now the Mickey Mouse (scouse – a person from Liverpool) has got it even if it is a bit currant cakey (shaky). So he said Baked potato (See you later) I said Spanish Waiter (See you later) and off he went.

Here are few classic rhyming slangs and a few modern additions – feel free to add your own.

Classic :

Adam and Eve = Believe Would you Adam and Eve it?
Trouble and Strife = Wife Are you having problems with the trouble and strife?
Butcher’s hook = look Let’s have a butcher’s
Pony and trap = crap That song is pony
Barnet Fair = hair What’s wrong with your barnet today?

Modern :

Ruby Murray (a singer) = Curry Let’s go for a Ruby
Pete Tong (a DJ) = wrong It’s all gone a bt Pete Tong
Scooby Doo = clue I haven’t got a scooby
Ayrton Senna = Tenner (10 pound note) Can you lend me an Ayrton?
Bacardi Breezer = Geezer (a good guy/mate) Alright my ol bacardi

For more ryhming slang have a look at www.cockneyryhmingslang.co.uk

This weekend I received the following text message from a friend: “K acs wpa? Qdms + trde? Dim algo. Bs.” I was tempted to reply “WTF” (What the f**k?) , but managed to resist. After a little reflexion, I realised that the message meant “Qué haces guapa? Quedamos mas tarde? Dime algo. Besos”.

It occurred to me that my internet and text English is very similar to my friend’s SMS Spanish. Indeed, sometimes I spend more time abbreviating my “txt msgs” (text messages) than I do writing them -if only to save the 30 cents that it would cost me to send it as two separate messages.

To a non-native speaker of internet and text English, however, these abbreviations sometimes seem like a foreign language of their own. Below, I have listed some of the most common abbreviations and “standard” English “translations” to help anyone who has been left confused after receiving a text or internet message in English – and for people daring enough to use this “language” themselves!:

2 = to

2dy= today

4 = for

bday = birthday

brb = (I’ll) be right back

btw = by the way

cnt w8 = (I) can’t wait

cu l8r = see you later

frm = from

gr8 = great

gtg = (I’ve) got to go

h8 = hate

k = 0.k.

lmk = let me know

lol = laugh out loud

lst = last

msg = message

nxt = next

omg = oh my god!

pls = Please

ppl = people

thx = thanks

txt – text

u = you

wk =week

x = kisses

On June 26, 2010 legendary hard-rock band, AC-DC, will take the stage at Sevilla’s Olympic Stadium in what is sure to be a night to remember. The group is nearing the conclusion of their ‘Black Ice’ Tour which, according to critics, has given the fans everything they have come to expect from AC-DC.

According to an informal survey of reviews posted world-wide, this blogger has high expectations for a night of head-banging like no other. The concert tour started in October, 2008 then circled the globe with stops in Japan, South America, and their native Australia, spliced between 5 stints in North America and 3 in Europe.

The concert opens with a three giant video screens showing a cartoon version of the band aboard a huge train. Guitarist Angus Young is at the wheel until he is ‘attacked’ by attractive women. The train careens out of control until fireworks explode and a gigantic prop train engine appears to serve as the backdrop of the concert. The real Angus appears in his customary school boy outfit, white socks and solid black shoes and lays into the energetic riff of ‘Rock and Roll Train’ from the new album and the show takes off.

Said one critic:

Anchoring the AC/DC sound are Angus’ brother Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, Cliff Williams on bass, and Phil Rudd on drums. They keep the groove rock solid while the showmen, Angus and burly singer Brian Johnson, sporting his trademark tweed cap, cut off shirt, and clench jawed, banshee wail, work the crowd into a frenzy.  R L Rheubottom, AssociatedContent.com

Without giving too much away, we can expect to be treated to a ten-minute guitar solo, complete with a small, elevated stage during “Whole Lotta Rosie”. When it’s time for “Hells Bells”, Brian Johnson will swing around on a rope in order to ‘ring’ a giant bell high above the set. Angus will perform his traditional striptease during “The Jack” while drummer Phil Rudd goes off on a long solo.

Hells Bells:

The set list has remained nearly identical every show, so we are nearly certain to have our ears blown out by the following.  This blogger can’t wait!
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Train”
“Hell Ain’t a Bad Place To Be”
“Back In Black”
“Big Jack”
“Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”
“Thunderstruck”
“Black Ice”
“The Jack”
“Hells Bells”
“Shoot To Thrill”
“War Machine”
“Anything Goes”
“You Shook Me All Night Long”
“T.N.T.”
“Whole Lotta Rosie”
“Let There Be Rock”

Encore:
“Highway To Hell”
“For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)”

“The Best League in the World” scream Sky as they build up the next Premier League match. “La major liga del mundo” proclaim the Spanish media while watching the highlights of Messi and company tear apart the lesser beings of the Spanish top division.

But which is it? In a year when neither league contained teams that made the Champions League final but both will be represented in UEFA’s second tier cup, who can lay claim to offering the pinnacle of European football?

Most state that while England’s Premier League is faster, more exciting and, as the advertising hoardings and shirt sponsors written in Chinese and Thai profess, the most marketable, it is the Spanish league which contains the most technically gifted players.

Watching the Spanish national side in action, toying with the opposition like a hyena plays with its isolated and vulnerable prey before going in for the kill, you would be inclined to agree. But then the number of players who have failed massively in England before going on to win plaudits and acclaim in Spain is big and growing. Cesar Sanchez, who was painfully bad between the sticks at Tottenham, has been doing so well at Valencia there were calls for his inclusion in the squad for South Africa.

Kanoute, who was a half decent striker at middling clubs in England, was recently called one of the most complete strikers in the world after a couple of seasons of banging in the goals at Sevilla. Diego Forlan likewise. These are patently players of quality but to fail so badly then triumph to this extent raises the suspicion that perhaps they are afforded more time and space by defenders and that goals are easier to come by.

 So, to weigh up the merits of both leagues I have pitted my Premier League team of the season against La selección de La Liga. A highly subjective and flawed way to measure what is a highly subjective and flawed argument. But what a game it would be.

 Feel free to tear apart my selections and include your own.

 Premier League team

Joe Hart – Birmingham: Been the best keeper this season, young and English. Deserves to start in South Africa

Patrice Evra – Man Utd: With Ashley Cole out most of the year. Evra has been the best left back in the world.

Michael Dawson – Spurs: Been injured a lot, but looks a class act.

Richard Dunne- Villa: Been really strong at Villa and a key reason for their success this year.

 Ivanovic – Chelsea: Looks very strong after a shaky start.

James Milner – Aston Villa: Had an amazing season. I would start him for England

Frank Lampard – Chelsea: over 20 goals again from midfield.

Cesc Fabregas – Arsenal: Brilliant.

Gareth Bale – Spurs: Been pushed forward more and looks better left mid than defender.

Rooney – Man Utd: Best striker this country has. Best player in the league.

Drogba – Chelsea: Big and bloody strong.

 Manager Roy Hodgson Fulham – taken them to their first European final in the club’s history.

El equipo de La Liga

 Cesar Sanchez – Valencia : Gets the vote ahead of Casillas and Valdez because the others have quality defenders in front of them while Cesar has saved Valencia countless times from the mistakes of a very leaky defence.

 Dani Alvez – Barcelona : How I wish there wasn’t a place for this diving little cheat if only for his horrendous tattoos. But he is a fabulous player in defence and going forward.

 Nunes – Mallorca : A key reason why Mallorca have had such a fabulous season

 Pique – Barcelona : Superb on the ball. He has really come of age this season.

 Arbeloa – Real Madrid : Had Felipe Luis not been injured for much of the season he would have had my vote. Arbeloa has settled in well in a team notoriously difficult to settle

 Silva – The little magician. Fingers crossed Valencia hold on to him, especially as Villa has packed his bags.

 Xavi – Iniesta missed most of the season through injury. Have Barça missed him? Not when they’ve got this little gem pulling the strings for them.

 Pedro – When he returned from injury, los cules were licking their lips. I shrugged my shoulders having never heard of him – he has certainly made his mark this season and deserves a world cup place.

 Ronaldo – I refuse to call him CR9. I would run across the street to avoid the preening fool but when he’s running with the ball at a defender he is a joy to watch. Can he improve on what has been an incredible season?

 Higuain – He has his detractors, not least amongst some Madrid fans, and there were rumours that despite having scored 27 goals he would be shipped out. He had a mare against Lyon in the Champions League but gets in the team for finally putting Raul out to pasture.

 Messi – The wee man. I don’t really need to say anything about why he’s in the team.  He’s just magic.

 Manager           Guardiola – Hard to ignore despite strong claims from Sanchez Flores for taking a dispirited Atletico side and getting them to the verge of a cup double.

Thanks to Jon “the claw” Dyson and Javi “Monson” Ferrer

I´d just like to take a moment to post a few videos of the music I´m currently listening to.

First of all, Aloe Blacc from Stones Throw Records in Los Angeles, he is an American soul singer, rapper and musician and is also fluent in Spanish. His debut album ¨Shine Through¨ has songs both in Spanish and English.

This month he´s come out with a stellar new single I need a dollar and both the song and the video are inspiring to me:

This song is also the intro for the HBO show How to make it in America.

Click here for the lyrics.

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I am also a really big fan of various groups from New Zealand.

There must be something in the water over there on that island because people make really good music, some groups: Fat Freddy´s Drop, Ladi6, Electric Wire Hustle, Julien Dyne etc.

Fat Freddy´s Drop, one of my absolute favorite groups, with Boondigger from their new album “DR.BOONDIGGA and the BIG B.W.”

Click here for the lyrics

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Ladi6 with Walk Right Up, love this track!

Couldn´t find the lyrics out there, she isn´t that well known yet.

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The last two are groups that I´ve been listening to most recently. The production as well as the vocals and the lyrics are all equally inspiring.

Electric Wire Hustle – Perception

Also couldn´t find the lyrics – spread the word!

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And finally the favorite track ¨temazo¨of the year which doesn´t have a video or lyrics but it is dope anyway…

Julien Dyne feat. Mara TK (the vocalist from the Electric Wire Hustle above) – Layer

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And last but not least someone showed me a video the other day which I thought was just beautiful!

A group from France called Hocus Pocus feat. the incredible British singer Alice Russell  – Beautiful Losers…

I just love the animation with Alice´s lyrics!

Hope you all enjoy the tunes! Leave comments with links on what you´re listening to!

Music Festivals

El verano se acerca y cuando sale el sol salen, como pecas en la cara de un guiri, carpas y escenarios llenos de jóvenes borrachos, viejos hippies con ojos como platos y freaks por toda Europa.

En Inglaterra, por lo menos, desde mayo hasta el último fin de semana de agosto hay tantos festivales por cada rincón del país que elegir uno puede resultar muy difícil. El que no quiere elegir solo uno y pase el verano conduciendo de un lado del país al otro para verlos todos; si no quitan las pulseras (y hay muchos que no lo hacen para mostrar como sellos de un pasaporte a donde han estado) parecerán tener una escayola multicolor.

Si estás en Inglaterra este verano echa un vistazo a esta guía de festivales pero recuerda – No olvides las kateuskas y lo siento; el líquido que notabas en la nuca mientras que veías a tu grupo favorito no era cerveza caliente.

Los grandes

Glastonbury : 23 – 27 junio                          Somerset

El grande. Esto año cumple 40 años y ha crecido desde los 70 cuando unos hippies tomaban drogas cerca de Stonehenge hasta convertirse en un mega-festival de casi 200 000 personas. Son muchos los que dicen que ha perdido su espíritu especialmente cuando cobran hasta 8 libras por una hamburguesa pero la verdad es que este es “el jefe” de los festivales y con un cartel muy variado hay algo para todos. Este año tocan U2, Muse, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Doggy Dogg y muchos mas. La cuestión no es si quieres ir, es como conseguir una entrada!

Download : 11-13 junio Donnington Park Leicestershire
Este es para los que les gusta la música un poco mas duro. AC/DC. Rage against the Machine, Aerosmith… El cartel es una lista de los grandes de Heavy Metal.

Reading and Leeds : 27-29 agosto Reading and Leeds
El festival en Reading es el festival más viejo del mundo y es un clásico. Este año toca Guns n Roses, Arcade Fire, Queens of the Stone Age y muchas más. Las fiestas en el camping no paran y también hay un “Disco Silencioso” – Donde todos bailan con auriculares la música de un DJ. Quítatelos y oirás solo los pies.

The Big Chill : 5- 8 agosto Herefordshire
Para los treintañeros que no aguantan a los niñatos de Reading. The Big Chill está en un sitio impresionante al lado de un lago. Da igual quien toca, no vienes para ver los grupos – vienes para abrir tu mente.

WOMAD : 23 – 25 julio Wiltshire
Música de África, Sud America, Asia, de todo tipo menos chicos blancos con guitarras que dominan los otros festivales. Muy familiar y una oportunidad para escuchar música que no se puede oír en la radio.

Mira también: V Festival, T in the Park, Isle of Wight and Bestival

Los pequeños

Si a veces te cansas de la multitud de gente, los precios exorbitantes y de perder tu tienda de campana en un océano de plástico. Más relajados, familiares y con música más alternativa.

Latitude 15-18 July Suffolk Música, Arte, Poesía, Baile

Wakestock 2-4 July Aberscoch, Wales Wakeboarding y dance

Beach Break Live 14-18 June South Wales Música Indie cerca la playa

Winterwell 18-21 June Gloucestershire Todos disfrazados, música electrónica
y burlesque.

Hop Farm 4 July Kent Folk festival con Bob Dylan.

Los festivals de Europa

Si no te gusta la idea de bailar en el barro en Inglaterra y no quieres aguantar la invasión de guiris en Benicássim – mira al este. Hay muchos festivales con un rollo distinto y aprovecha la oportunidad de hacer un poco de turismo.

Exit 8-11 julio Serbia
Electrónica, techno y música del mundo al lado del rio Danubio. The Chemical Brothers, Mika y David Guetta.

The Garden Festival 2-11 julio Croacia

Mi favorito. Pequeña con un ambiente buenísimo. Escuchar la música en los escenarios o coge el barco y ver la puesta del sol escuchando a música de funk y soul.

Hurricane/Southside 18-20 junio Cerca de Múnich
El mejor de rock y electrónica. También hay un circo para los que buscan una cosa diferente. Este año tocan The Strokes, Jack Johnson, Mando Diao y Faithless.

Sziget 11-16 Agosto Budapest
Gigante! El festival es una ciudad en una isla con arte, música y cabaret. Durante el día entra a Budapest para recibir masajes en sus famosos balnearios.

Roskilde 1 – 4 Julio Dinamarca
Uno de los más famosos en Europa. Este año toca Gorillaz, Florence and the Machine, Motorhead y Muse.

Hay muchísimos más. Así que deja tu opinión sobre el mejor festival en el que has estado.