Speaking of Spain with the Gazpachomonk

Paul Read
  • 2.7 (3)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL

The Gazpachomonk presents: How to Live, Work and Sweat in Spain, by spouting Garlicky Commentaries about #Spanish culture, history and food. (Holder of a Black Belt in Gazpacho Tasting). More over at SpeakingOfSPain.com

  1. 11/19/2014

    Speaking of Dreams: Podemos and It's Absence of Answers

    If someone were to shout out that the mayor of your town was a corrupt so and so, and should be investigated for syphoning public funds into his Swiss bank account what would be your reaction? Would it be to call for a thorough investigation into the accusations or would it be to call up the accuser and ask why he had not had his shoes cleaned recently? Would it be to interview the mayor about the foreign bank account or would it be to question the accuser about his choice of haircut? Then, were his replies about hair styles not to your satisfaction, you would be forgiven for dismissing his claims against the mayor, because, after all, anyone who walked around with dusty shoes couldn't possibly speak with authority about serious issues. Well this, to many, is how Spanish Politics are being conducted right now. As new political formations are being formed and new calls for regional identity the Gazachomonk goes in search of answers and comes up with not only an insight into why Spain is in so much in pain right now, but also a handy remedy for dusty shoes too.

    19 min

  2. 10/04/2014

    The Slow Route Home: Episode 19

    Chapter One from the Slow Route Home: Narrated by Paul Read. Miguel has sold his truck and bought a mule. Everyone in the village believes he is crazy, but Miguel follows a wisdom far greater than those that mock him. Miguel's neighbours, his dog and the strange neighbour with the burnt trees are about to learn the benefits of going slow. This short story is based on Gandhi's desire to 'live the change you wish to see in the world' and takes place amongst the Olive Groves of Andalusia. Miguel's desire to live the way he thinks the world should be may confound his neighbours, but his simple philosophy and way of life symbolise another path open to us all. Want the whole story - now on Amazon for just 99c or less:

    14 min

  3. 09/19/2014

    George Orwell and Spain: 1984 and the Spanish Civil War

    www.speakingofspain.com: What was the relationship between George Orwell's writings and Spain in 1936? How far was Animal Farm and 1984 his final attempt to tell the story of the lost revolution in Spain? And why are the seeds of that revolution sprouting once more in Spain today? Visit the website for posters, podcasts and more.

    9 min

  4. 01/06/2014

    The past and the future

    This is an update on the podcast for 2014 with an explanation of where it is going for the year ahead. Its also a reminder to come over to Youtube channel: Speaking of Spain with the Gazpachomonk to see the spain history series as well as future videos.

    3 min

  5. 11/15/2013

    Resurrecting the Republic in Spain: Episode 16

    Part 2 of the Forgotten First Republic series. See last episode for Part 1. 150 years after the first Republic was declared in the heart of Andalusia, the Gazpachomonk replays the original resurrection canoeing across the lake of Iznajar, and hiking thought the desert landscape with a group of misguided historians in search of meaning in an otherwise meaningless era. Discover the ordeals and absurdities, discover the truth about the king's moustache and listen to the music, the poems that accompany this historic walk in search of Spain's republican past.

    11 min

  6. 09/22/2013

    The Forgotten First Republic in Spain: Episode 15

    Many students of Spanish history will know of the 2nd Republic in Spain, some may have indeed heard of the 1st republic, but few will have heard of the Forgotten First Republic of Bread And Cheese. Now, Cuba, China and Russia may spring to mind when the word 'revolution' is bandied about in street demonstrations, but rarely did the name of Loja ever come up in one of Fidel's, Hugo Chavez's or Putin´s marathon speeches. It appears the world has never heard of the 'Bread and Cheese Revolution' of 1861.

    12 min

  7. 09/04/2013

    Oh Where oh Where is the Spine in Spain? Episode 14

    Has Spain lost its capacity to protest any more? Has it been reduced to passively taking whatever Brussels and Rajoy throw at it? Today on Speaking Of Spain, the Gazpachomonk digs dip and finds out where the Spine in Spain really is...

    18 min

  8. 06/30/2013

    The Summer Survival Guide for Spain

    Yes, summer has arrived and with it, deancing sown the high street hand in hand comes the Spanish heat. When I say heat, I should clarify what I mean: I don't mean warmth, I mean HEAT. Imagine, if you will the oven has been on all day and you didn't realise. "Is that oven still on?” You ask yourself as you cross the kitchen and spot a small red light that shouldn't be on. You open up the oven door to check that it's not just a faulty switch and...too late! A wave of scorching, eye-brow-removing-heat smacks you across the face Or imagine, if you will, it's mid summer and you are lying drowsily in bed, the sound of crickets chirping in the distance and the gentle sway of a palm leaf sends cooling shadows across the wooden beams of the bedroom ceiling. Sunlight, tip-toes gently across the room, caressing your spring wardrobe, suggesting it may be time to pack away the socks till autumn. Then, in the very same instance, some trickster sneaks up to you and super-glues two steaming hot water bottles to your face. Well, that's what the arrival of a spanish summer is like. In Today's Episode of Speaking of Spain…what to do when you live inside the oven..the Gazpachomonk presents his dastedly 9 point plan to surviving a summer in Spain...

    11 min
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2.7
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3 Ratings

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The Gazpachomonk presents: How to Live, Work and Sweat in Spain, by spouting Garlicky Commentaries about #Spanish culture, history and food. (Holder of a Black Belt in Gazpacho Tasting). More over at SpeakingOfSPain.com

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