This dude had refered to me as a racist after sliding into my DM on instragram. I was bewildered, given that i had been roaring at a shop attendant about three weeks ago. I was spitting fire, after being racially profiled at a locally owned shop. Well, if you follow my stories, you would be aware that by now, i know some Spanish here and there, to reprimand someone and put them in their place, honestly racism stinks, it is a royal pain, and laboring over it is a ceaseless struggle. Let´s come back to this incident later.

But first, let us go back to this chap that had refered to me as a racist in my own instragram inbox. So on a quite lazy, slow and sunny Saturday morning, i ran into a DM, from a strange profile with no picture. The fellow minces no words and asks if i am single, i interrogate him about his identity, and, he says he is a Russian national living in Monaco..and voila, i lamost jump out of my bed and throw away my phone , to run away. This combination sounds tangy, would taste like the sweet and sour sauce that accompanies your fried rice and chicken order at a Chinese Restaurant. The mix of Monaco and Russia in one sentence ( If you Know You Know). I digress.

You see, the week before, in Kenya, a story had been trending about a Russian goy who had seduced Kenyan women, and went ahead to record their intimate moments without the women´s consent. The vidoes had been doing rounds on the internet. So when this fellow told me that he is Russian, i told him i do not interact with people from that country, and then, followed the word, the word that we people of color abhore, Racist, he asked directly: Are you a Racist? The word fell on me like a block, the words stuned into silence, and the Ruso justified his accusation to an extent i almost felt guilty. Why? Because i reminiscized to about three weeks ago (not in a pleasant way) how i had been racially abused at a shop, and i was enraged, seething, to the point i almost brought the whole shop to a stand still yelling at the shop attendant – Sois racistas!( You are racists) Eso es una discrminacion!(That is discrimination) No volvere a esta tienda nunca! ( I will never come back to buy in this shop).

So how did this appalling scene materialize? In the depths of winter, i had gone to ALE-HOP, in Burgos to purchase a scarf and a winter hat, and upon doing so and paying, i removed the tags on both items, wore them and left . I headed to a restaurant, before making my way back to the house, when, suddenly a young lady came running after me and in a split seconding was standing in front of me, breathing like she had just finished a marathon. She boldy asked me that i show her the receipt of the items i had bought and was now wearing. Apparently, back at the Ale-hop shop, someone had alerted them that i had picked the products from the shop, removed the tag and wore them without paying. Honestly who does that? Can even the most stupid or clueless thief stoop that low? One would be forgiven to think that in this part of the globe, people of the color are considered automatically clueless. I still had the bag they had offered me after the purchase with the receipt nicely tacked inside. I asked the lass, how are you going to compenaste me in the event that your accusation turns out to be wrong? She shrugged and said: well, we would simply apologise to you and the matter would end there. I showed her the receipt and i, being who i am, decided that the matter would not end as simply as she thought, because racial abuse and discrimination must be called out, whichever way. I paced back to that Shop – ALEHOP Burgos and caused a proper scene, i gave the cashier i piece of my mind, because i knew i was on the right and i was being accused wrongly.

This ugly incident had to gradually began to erase from my mind until i saw what went down last week during the Champoins league match between Real Madrid and Benfica, an Argentinan, Prestianni, allegedly racialy abusing Vinicius Junior on the pitch, and i thought; the abusers have become quite courageous, to think that, covering their mouths with a jersey, during a high profile football match, before the glaring lenses of the cameras, in a jam packed stadium, and going ahead to insult a fellow player would make them get away with the abuse. It irkes me, not only the abuse itself, but the nerve that the abusers got. I hope the relevant body investigate this matter properly, and if found guilty, this Chaval is accorded the discplinary measures he derserves. Dismantling Racism is a continous struggle, speaking up and confronting abusers could be a great way to start.

The Joys of Travelling

Travelling is often portrayed as nothing but sunshine and smiles, with wonderous experiences piled high like your suitcase before a trip. You find yourself fantasizing about exotic destinations, new culinary delights, and maybe even a little romance. But hold on, my intrepid adventurer! What happens when that suitcase especially packed with flair goes mysteriously MIA?

As fate would have it, I was blissfully unaware of this misadventure until it decided to crash my party. You see, during our previous weekly Spanish class, we were knee-deep in vocabulary useful for our escapades abroad, including the finer points of dealing with lost luggage. “Me he perdido mi equipaje” (I’ve lost my luggage)—the phrase rolled off my tongue like a seasoned traveler’s, yet I thought, “Nah, not me!” Well, not until my latest escapade, anyway. Spoiler alert: my suitcase and I parted ways.

What did I lose in that hallowed carry-on of mine? My never worn Michael Kors Designer shoes, a collection of toiletries( I still mourn my Avene Face moisturizer that costs an arm and a leg), I returned home empty-handed, mourning the wardrobe that could have seen me through countless embarrassing tourist traps. But, humor me, isn’t it the price we pay for being an avid traveler? Here’s to the glorious chaos that is travel, complete with baggage claim drama!

Few people ever talk about how Hostels can be a life saver for immigrants who sometimes find themselves in the struggle of trying to achieve stability and settle in, especially in Europe. You see in this struggle, there comes a time when everything is so chaotic – no proper documenation, no work permit, no reliable stream of income, exploitation by employers, and a times no accomodation, yes, things are in shumbles that you even lack a roof over your head. The first time i stayed at the 2060 Newton Hostel at the heart of Madirid and a tourist district, was when i had found myself in a similar situation.

I was lost, homeless, depressed, in the middle of the night, in the heat of deep summer. It was during a long weekend(Puente, like the Spanish call it) , and Spain being a world tourist destination, alsmost everyone was here for vacation, all the affordable hostels booked up and full. I had walked around in the middle of the night asking – of course for the affordable ones – but nothing was coming through, only the expensive ones were available. Well, with the help of a good samaritan, i ended up in a quite expensive one, well out of my budget. At this point it didn´t matter to me spending upto the last euro i had in my bank account, i just needed a place to lay my head on.

The next day, this good samaritan boooked me at Newton Hostel for three nights, and that is how i found myself at this warm, lively, welcoming establishment. When i was finally there with my suitcase in tow, the cold water from the shower in the clean and well kempt bathroom took my worries away and made me relax, i felt a relief, i let out a sigh of relief. Honestly, i had been homeless for the past few hours, but Newton Hostel made me feel like i was home. People never narrate sufficiently what an ordeal it is to be homeless, far away from home. Apart from having to deal with intense winters, language barrier and culture shook, you may find yourself homeless anytime as an immigrant, things can quickly shift against you.

The staff at the Newton Hostel reception are very amiable, helpful and multilingual(last one very importnat). They checked me in into a nice, comfortable capsule bed, the rooms are air condtioned to relieve one of Madrid´s 40 degrees summer heat. Fellow guests at the hostel are very enthusiastic and vibrant , i mean there is something about travellers and explorers – they are social, these people know and recognize their tribe, the openness in interacting with people form around the globe, chatt, exchange of food, laugh etc, and the creme de la creme of all this is that the converstions are in Englis!(Anyone who lives in Spain clearly knows the difficulty of finding a community that speaks English, Spaniards love their language, and will rarely attemtpt to talk to a foreigner in a language the foreigner is more comfortable in, they will see you almost bite your tongue trying to converse in Spanish, but will not come to your rescue to speak to you in English, even if they know it).

Anyway, i digress, next are the night activities at the hostel – the bar crawls, the taco parties in Mexican Restaurants, the nights out dancing, honestly this place is just the vibe, it oozes energy and life, The morning coffee and Churos( on the house), gives one a lively start to the day( the establishment boasts of a fully equiped and clean kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals), and to crown it, in the evening, one is free to wind up their day by making their way to the rooftop bar where a variety of drinks are served. I have since stayed at the hostel several times and the colorful experience is constant. As i write this, i am planning a trip to Madrid for work, and my preffered choice of accommodation…your guess is as right as mine! Here, they envision and imagine the end of the world, presumably in the year 2060, but for me my affair with the hostel is far from ending!

So there I was, waiting impatiently for the doorbell to ring, practically bouncing off the walls in eager anticipation. After what felt like an eternity, I rushed to the door to finally complete the arduous process of legalizing and translating my education certificates from English to Spanish. My documents had been at the Kenyan Embassy in Madrid over the festive season, finally after the festive season, they did an excellent job of having them translated from English to Spanish, because Spain´s Ministry of Education does not accept processing the documents in any other language! The legalization of the documents begins at one´s home country at the Ministry of Education, then to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then finally at the Embassy – in this case, the Spanish Embassy in Kenya. In order for the documents to be accepted in Spain for processing and recognition, the legalization has to be completed at the country´s Ministry of Education, which the Kenyan Embassy in Madrid does on behalf of Kenyans in Spain at an affordable fee of 30 euros.

The Road Ahead: SEPE and Beyond

But hold on. That’s just the starting point if you want Spain to recognize your hard-earned education. Navigating the job market as a foreigner isn’t a walk in the park, and your past may include a comedy of odd jobs. However, nothing—absolutely nothing—can hold you back from pursuing further education or learning the language to integrate!

Enter the Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE). This place is like a portal to your dreams. You walk in, and the friendly staff makes you feel as though you’re no longer just a foreigner; you’re a candidate with potential! The top-notch customer service ensures you’re treated with respect as you showcase your skills. What have you studied? What are your languages? It’s surreal!

So, to all the brave foreigners out there: don’t let anyone deceive you into thinking your education is only valid in the country where you studied. Step into your host´s country SEPE confidently, and let your journey toward recognition begin—because you are capable of reaching for the stars!

The Wine Whisperer of Spain

Ah, wine! The nectar of the gods, or at least a delightful trickster that winks at your taste buds from the moment you uncork it. And if we’re talking about the divine sips, Spain’s wine is the true magician in this grand performance. With a flair for turning grapes into liquid gold, Spanish wines have bewitched innumerable palates—including this writer’s.

The Allure of Spanish Regions

Forget kale; in Spain, wine is practically considered a food group! As I gallivant through the sun-kissed grapevines, the Ribera del Duero and La Rioja capture my heart like an exciting telenovela. These regions don’t just produce wine; they craft experiences that your mouth sings about. Each sip of La Rioja – Reserva transforms a chilly Friday evening into a warm embrace after a long week of adulting. With every glass, I’m reminded why wine and fine dining enjoy such a close-knit relationship.

The Fountain of Eternal Whimsy

And oh, how the flavors dance! From robust reds that warm your soul to crisp whites that feel like a summer breeze, Spanish wines welcome themselves into your life with open arms and a glass half-full philosophy. You might argue that Spain has quite possibly won the global wine game. Wouldn’t you agree? So raise your glass, my friends, and toast to the land where wine is more than a beverage; it’s a lifestyle, a party, a celebration of everything delicious!

Introduction to the Buscyl Card

The Buscyl Card is an innovative transportation initiative implemented by the autonomous community of Castilla y León, which aims to enhance the mobility of its residents. This card offers a unique opportunity for individuals registered within the community to travel free of charge across the nine provinces of Castilla y León. Designed with inclusivity in mind, the Buscyl Card targets not only daily commuters but also those wishing to explore the diverse cultural and scenic landscapes of the region.

The availability of such a service is particularly striking for individuals who have resided in larger urban areas, where public transport systems often lack similar provisions. In cities where transportation costs can accumulate significantly, the Buscyl Card serves as a refreshing alternative, granting its users the freedom to move without the burden of fares. Many residents express their surprise and delight upon discovering the benefits provided by this program, particularly as it encourages further exploration of the less urbanized areas within the province.

Moreover, the Buscyl Card not only simplifies travel logistics but also promotes local tourism. As residents venture out to neighboring towns and attractions, they contribute to the economies of those regions, enriching both their own lives and the communities they visit. Additionally, the card acts as a catalyst for interpersonal connections, forging relationships among residents from various provinces as they travel and share experiences. In this way, the Buscyl Card stands as a testament to the commitment of the Castilla y León government to improve the quality of life for its residents while fostering a sense of community across the diverse provinces.

A Journey to Valladolid

Traveling to Valladolid using the Buscyl card offers a unique gateway to experience the vibrant culture and rich history of the capital city of Castilla y León. The journey begins with the ease and convenience afforded by the Buscyl card, which enables seamless access to a network of efficient public transportation throughout the region. As one embarks on this adventure, the picturesque landscapes and charming towns along the route provide a delightful backdrop for the travel experience.

Proudly known for its historical significance, Valladolid serves as a reflection of Spain’s artistic and architectural heritage. Nestled within the heart of Castilla y León, the city boasts a captivating blend of medieval charm and modern flair. Upon arrival, travelers are greeted by an array of stunning sites, including the magnificent Plaza Mayor, where one can marvel at the imposing architecture and lively atmosphere, showcasing the essence of local life.

The journey to this enchanting city is characterized by anticipation, as the scenery transforms from rolling hills to vibrant urban settings. Each kilometer traveled with the Buscyl card adds to the excitement of exploring a new locale. The diverse landscapes of the provinces capture the attention of the traveler, striking a balance between serene natural beauty and bustling city life. Such an experience emphasizes not only the joy of travel but also the convenience that the Buscyl card provides, lending itself well to spontaneous exploration.

In this way, the trip to Valladolid is not merely a transition from one point to another, but rather a thoughtful engagement with the region’s character, offering a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and experiences that await discovery. Embracing the journey with the Buscyl card ensures that one is well-equipped to uncover the myriad delights that Valladolid has to offer.

Dining Experience at La Cantina Mariachi

Located in the heart of Valladolid, La Cantina Mariachi is a vibrant Mexican restaurant that offers an inviting atmosphere for diners seeking authentic culinary experiences. Upon entering, guests are greeted by colorful decor reflective of traditional Mexican culture, setting the tone for an enjoyable meal. The restaurant strikes a balance between casual dining and a festive ambiance, making it suitable for both families and groups of friends.

The menu at La Cantina Mariachi showcases a variety of traditional Mexican dishes, but it particularly shines with its tacos and costra queso cerdo. The taco offerings, made with freshly prepared tortillas, are packed with flavor and can be customized with a choice of proteins, such as marinated beef, chicken, or grilled vegetables. The costra queso cerdo, a dish featuring crispy cheese enveloping tender pork, is a standout that showcases the culinary creativity present at this establishment. Each bite reveals a delightful medley of textures and flavors, a testament to the quality of the ingredients used.

During our visit, the service was attentive yet unobtrusive, with staff members demonstrating deep knowledge of the menu and making thoughtful recommendations. The cleanliness of the restaurant also played a significant role in enhancing the overall dining experience, as patrons can appreciate the attention to hygiene standards. With its combination of flavorful food, welcoming atmosphere, and excellent service, La Cantina Mariachi certainly offers a memorable dining experience for both locals and visitors exploring the culinary scene in Valladolid.

Conclusion: The Impact of the Buscyl Card and Culinary Adventures

In reviewing the significance of the Buscyl card, it becomes evident that this initiative serves as a vital tool in promoting local travel within the Castilla y León region. By offering various discounts and access to numerous attractions, the Buscyl card not only encourages tourists to explore the rich cultural heritage but also fosters economic growth for local businesses. This strategic promotion of local travel allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions and history of Valladolid, ultimately enriching the experience and enhancing the community’s value.

Furthermore, the culinary adventures available in Valladolid add another layer of appeal to a visit. Immersing oneself in the local gastronomic scene reveals the authentic flavors and dishes that define the region. From traditional tapas to exquisite local wines, the culinary offerings invite food enthusiasts to indulge in the cultural tapestry of the area. Each meal becomes a discovery, showcasing the handcrafted quality and regional ingredients that highlight the charm of Valladolid. These delightful gastronomic experiences complement the exploration of historical sites, creating a well-rounded journey when visiting the city.

Hence, the combination of the Buscyl card and the distinct culinary delights ensures travelers not only engage with the surroundings but also create lasting memories. Encouraging readers to consider a visit to Castilla y León reinforces the idea that exploration extends beyond mere sightseeing. It encompasses the discovery of local cuisine, culture, and community. Those planning future travels would do well to explore what Valladolid has to offer, as the experiences provided by the Buscyl card and its rich culinary landscape promise to be truly rewarding.

The Prize That Opened Doors

What do you get when you win a Spanish language contest? Well, let me tell you, it’s not just a shiny trophy and a pat on the back. This time, I was given the magical opportunity to choose cultural activities, such as attending concerts, movies, or snagging a few Spanish books to deepen my cultural immersion. Naturally, I opted for a concert, specifically, one with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Burgos.

A Night to Remember

Picture this: a chilly evening with the temperature dipping below 5 degrees. Despite the frostbite potential, my excitement kept me warm, especially when I laid eyes on the vibrant orchestra filled with violins, trumpets, flutes, and even a tuba that looked like it had just won a bodybuilding competition. This was unlike anything I encountered back in Africa, where orchestral performances are often reserved for the elite. Instead, it felt like stepping into a dream.

Musical Magic in the Air

The moment the first note pierced the air, I was absolutely captivated. Mouth agape, I couldn’t help but marvel at the coordination of those musicians. They produced tunes so smooth and rich, it felt as if the melodies had crept right into my soul. For an evening that I thought would be just about music, it turned out to be an exhilarating celebration of culture. And, in a classic case of my own forgetfulness, I even left my handbag in the auditorium after the show—a Spanish man jokingly exclaimed, “¡Qué cabeza!” when I dashed back for it. Who knew losing things could be so memorable?

So, let’s dive into this organic wine conundrum. When you hear ‘organic,’ you might think of that magical land where grapes grow in sunlit pastures, nurtured by fairies, and without a hint of chemicals. In Europe, particularly, the emphasis on ecological agriculture is no joke. They’re basically grape whisperers over here, ensuring that every vintage is as pure as a driven snowflake.

The Sweet Taste of Affordable Elegance

Let’s talk about pricing. Here in Spain, I’m convinced the locals view alcohol as a food group. Picture this: a bottle of wine for just 1 euro! Yes, you heard that right. If you’re rolling your eyes, trust me, you’re not alone. This organic wine I picked up for about 4 euros had better be good, right? It’s practically a steal—and it paired wonderfully with my conquests in a language contest.

A Toast to New Beginnings

As luck or perhaps my impeccable wit would have it, I emerged victorious in a language contest! The task: snap a photo of something meaningful in your new Spanish city and spin a tale about it. I chose a humble river that greets me daily on my way to Spanish classes and wrote about how Spain has been my refuge. So here’s to organic wine, adventure, and the sweet taste of success, proving that life, much like this wine, is best enjoyed in moderation (with a side of laughter).

Embracing a New Culture

Moving to Spain was not just a change of scenery; it was a profound transformation for me as an immigrant. Immersing myself in the vibrant culture, I discovered the richness of Spanish traditions and daily life. The joy of tapas dining with locals, the rhythm of flamenco dancing, and the passion for football have all become integral parts of my journey.

Joy and Challenge: The Duality of Experience

Every immigrant can attest to the rollercoaster of emotions that accompany relocation. I faced both painful moments—such as homesickness and cultural barriers—and joyful memories, like celebrating my first Christmas in Spain. Each experience shaped my understanding and acceptance of my new home, turning challenges into cherished lessons.

Traveling Beyond Borders

Spain acts as a gateway to exploring the rest of Europe. Traveling to nearby countries has introduced me to varied cultures, cuisines, and histories. From savoring Italian pasta to experiencing the traditional Bavarian festivals, my journey has been a tapestry of delightful encounters. Each trip enriches my life as an immigrant, allowing me to build connections and embrace diversity.

Through this blog, I invite you to join me as I share stories of struggles and triumphs, showcasing the beauty of life as an immigrant in Spain. Together, we can explore what it means to find a place in this wonderful world.