Mexicana
Inglés
Hola, and welcome to Spanish Obsessed Intermediate! Here, we introduce ourselves: who we are, where we come from, what we do, and what we like to do.
Lis interviews Rob, and finds out what it is that drives him to learn Spanish, and what makes him “Spanish Obsessed”. Apologies for a little fuzziness in this recording – at this early stage we were still trying to figure out how best to record!
Would you consider getting plastic surgery? What part of your body would you reduce/tighten up/enlarge? We talk about “la cirugía plástica,” which is particularly popular in certain parts of Colombia, which brings people from all around the world. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Rob and Liz discuss a recent night of “juerga”, and the unfortunate consequences the next day! Spanish conversation around our experiences with alcohol, particularly the Colombian favourite “Aguardiente”… If you want to learn all of the vocabulary around drinking and its consequences (both good and bad), this is the podcast for you! We discuss:
Liz explains why TV is such a central part of a Latin American’s lifestyle! We cover “telenovelas” such as “Betty La Fea” (Ugly Betty), morning shows, reality TV, and the cult of celebrity. Somos adictos a la tele!
We discuss las mentiras piadosas – white lies! A mentira piadosa literally means a “merciful” or “compassionate” lie, but do we usually end up in a red de mentiras (web of lies)? Lis gives us a couple of stories from her experiences with white lies, and the lessons she’s learnt from those. Of course, Rob never lies…
What is fashion? Is it about wearing and showing off expensive brands, or about combining your clothes with style? Well, I (Rob) don’t proclaim to know much about fashion, but that doesn’t stop me from having an opinion! One thing I noticed about fashion based Spanish vocabulary is how many of the words are borrowed from English (not all official – some you won’t find in the dictionary) – perhaps it sounds fashionable to use English when you speak Spanish!
How many hours do you sleep? Lots of people complain about and suffer from poor sleep, and we are no exception! We talk about our sleeping habits, and how these are affected by our jornadas laborales. Are you a madrugador, and does dios le ayuda? Learn these phrases and many more in our podcast devoted to sleep! Qué duermas con los angelitos
We talk about the most popular drug in the world, not just Colombia! I’m talking, of course, about el café – coffee! We’re coffee addicts, and we’re not the only ones – we talk about other coffee addicts around the world, and the recent coffee aficionados. Would you like a flat white, frapuccino, or skinny latte?
Lis and Rob discuss their favourite tropical fruits, and the central role that fruit plays in Colombian life.
The grease that keeps our capitalist wheels turning, we talk about a topic which is more important for some people than others… What are some different ways you can talk about money? Liz tells us a few cool alternatives to plain old dinero, and we talk about a crazy Ponzi scheme in Colombia. You have to hear it to believe it!
We recently started to shop in markets, rather than supermarkets, and have really come to appreciate them. We talk about the day we went shopping in our local market, and how it compares to the same experience in Colombia!
We talk about our hobbies, pasatiempos, y aficiones – do you know the difference? Do you have any hobbies or pastimes? Or, did you used to have some, but now regret dropping them?
Do you think there’s such a thing as an “addictive personality”? Do you have one? Here, we discuss our various addictions, both good and bad.
Lis tells us about her Aunt and Uncle’s farm in Moniquirá, Colombia!
Lis and Rob talk about their childhood pets, and Lis’ suicidal chickens!
According to recent statistics, 55% of Spanish people between 25-29 live at home with their parents – part of an increasing trend around Europe. Here, we talk about our experiences living with parents, as well as the pros and cons.
Rob tells Lis about 5 surprising things he learnt when he was in Colombia.
We talk about a few of the cultural norms in both England and South America, and how different they can be!
We took some holidays recently (again – we do work sometimes, honest!), starting with a wedding in Toulouse, France. Here, we talk about our experience in a French (and Colombian) wedding.
We talk about the next part of our holidays, where we travel to Barcelona.
We talk about the final few days of our time in Spain, when we visited Rob’s favourite city – Valencia.
Lis tells us of her experience in Glastonbury Festival this June, one of the largest and best known music festivals in the world! Part two follows.
Lis continues telling us of her time in Glastonbury Festival.
We talk about birthdays, and how these are celebrated in Hispanic cultures. You’ll learn about Lis’s family’s birthday songs and traditions, why Rob is sick of birthday cake, and we talk about who exactly is responsible for planning your birthday!
Why do we follow the news? Does it make us good global citizens, or is it merely entertainment? Rob and Lis discuss this and more.
Rob was in Mexico City when it was hit by a massive earthquake. Hear about his experience.
We talk about our experience with Uber, and what the future might hold for them and the “gig economy”.
Lis and Rob have had plenty of jobs between them. In this episode, they tell each other about the worst jobs they’ve ever had.
Lis and Rob discuss their time in lockdown – what habits have they picked up, and how did lockdown differ between countries?
Parts of our house are falling apart, and the neighbours are complaining. This would never happen in Colombia…!
Rob and Lis discuss hipsters around the world, and whether they consider themselves to be hipsters!
We talk about commonly held stereotypes of both English and Spanish, and Lis gives us a quick lesson on competencias interculturales
The shops are finally open again, and Rob and Lis are let loose to go shopping. Hear about their experiences in retail therapy, and learn about “window shopping” in the Spanish-speaking world!
The shops are finally open again, and Rob and Lis are let loose to go shopping. Hear about their experiences in retail therapy, and learn about “window shopping” in the Spanish-speaking world!
We talk about a recent El País article (link in transcription) which discusses why we tend to perceive pessimism as intelligent, and optimism as simplistic. Is this right? And, how do we view ourselves?
Tú and usted… We learn in our first Spanish class how to use these two pronouns, but it seems that native speakers don’t follow the rulebook. We explore the different shades of meaning of usted and tú, and when to really use which.
We tell the story of “Epa” Colombia, an internet sensation who became a millionaire in Colombia, all off the back of the most ridiculous videos we’ve ever seen. However, la “Epa” is now facing a possible prison sentence. What happened?
Some strange things have happened to Rob and Lis over their lives. Hear three stories including witches, fortune tellers, and a strange encounter with a taxi driver…
What would you bring to a deserted island? Rob and Lis discuss their suggestions, to feed both body and mind.
Rob and Lis talk about their decision to move to Colombia in 2021, post pandemic.
Rob and Lis talk about the final few days in London before moving to Colombia: saying goodbye to friends and family, eating out of a saucepan, and forgetting passports…
Rob and Lis talk about their move to Bogotá: arriving at chaotic El Dorado airport, somehow getting picked up, catching covid, and the saga of the apartment.
Rob and Lis discuss he arrival of their daughter, Ana Paz. How were those first days, and do they have any advice for other first time parents?
We’ve been parents to our daughter, Ana Paz, for nearly a year now. Here, we reflect on what we expected going into it, and how things really were in reality.
Rob and Lis talk about their experiences living abroad:
Lis gives Rob her golden rules to win over a girl. Also, we talk about online dating, and the state of dating in England!
In this, our latest advanced Spanish podcast, we meet Sonia, a Cuban who recently moved to England from Spain. As you’ll hear, she’s quite a personality! She tells us all about her culture, country, and experience of moving to London. Prepare yourself, because her Spanish may be quite different to anything you’ve heard before!
We welcome a new invitada to our podcast – thank you very much Stephie! Stephie talks to Rob about “La Rumba”, and how she and her friends celebrate a night out in Bogotá. Stephie lives and studies in London, so she also gives us her opinion on how the London crowd party!
Meet Alberto, Colombian resident of London for nearly 20 years. Having moved to England to avoid problems back home, Alberto has a fascinating story, and has formed some interesting opinions in his various years in both countries. In this podcast he shares with us some of the things he’s learned over the last few years.
It’s about time we went on holiday. Although we haven’t been on any holidays for a while, we discuss a few typical Colombian holiday choices – where do you go in a country that already has it all?!
In Cali, and many other parts of Colombia, people seem to carry Salsa in their blood. Lis is no exception, and here she tells us about how she grew up listening and dancing to Salsa with her sisters in Bogotá. She’s also got some tips for how to get into it if you’re new to Salsa.
To many people, Colombia still has a reputation as a dangerous, risky place to visit. Is this still true? Liz and Rob discuss danger in Colombia, and the recent peace negotiations.
Lis talks to Barbara, a friend from Mexico. Barbara tells us some of the most popular Mexican slang (be careful how you use it – parental guidance advised!), as well as talking to us about her beautiful country.
Meet Margarita, Lis’ cousin who’s visiting us from Colombia! Margarita is very well travelled, and here she gives us her three top tips for places to visit in South America.
We have a very special guest in Maria, from Northern Peru. Maria tells Rob and Liz about her experience as an immigrant to the UK, including the difficulties of coming to a country whose language you don’t speak, finding a job, and trying to start a new life!
We talk about the political set up in Colombia. Lis used to work in the Colombian senate, so has some good experience here! We talk about Colombian political parties, politicians, the political system, and key voting issues.
We recently went to an Exhibition at the British Museum in London called “Beyond El Dorado: Power and Gold in Ancient Colombia”. We discuss Colombia’s indigenous roots, their production and use of Gold, and the legend of El Dorado in this podcast, as well as the influence of the Spanish.
We talk about driving – the differences between driving in Colombia and England (can’t be that many…!), what’s required to get a driving licence, and our dreams of a road-trip around Colombia in a jeep!
Meet Clarissa, from Venezuela. Clarissa talks to us about her time in London, and about the current situation in Venezuela. We should say that, while Clarissa is certainly passionate in her views, we have no way of verifying much of what she has said… All the same, enjoy, and keep up if you can!
Colombia just had a big weekend, with the co-incidence of its first world cup game and the second round of the general elections! Update – Colombia won both that game and the following, unfortunately England crashed out after its first two games…
The majority of visitors to Spanish Obsessed come from the USA. We talk about the rise of Spanish in the States! However, we don’t have any first hand experience of this, so we would love to hear from our American visitors’ (or anyone else with experience in this!) opinions on the rise of Spanish in the land of opportunity!
After nearly three years, Lis returned to Colombia to see her family. She tells us about the surprises she had lined up for them, as well as her impressions of her home country after being away for so long.
After a few weeks, Rob also joined Lis in Colombia for a (well deserved) 2 week holiday. We talk about the first couple of days in Bogotá, the capital.
We take a break in our trip to Colombia to bring you a guest podcast, with our friend Mariana, from Puerto de Veracruz, Mexico. Mariana talks with Rob about some of the stereotypes commonly held about Mexico, and how close they are to the truth.
Lis takes the time to have a chat with our Mexican friend Mariana about all sorts of girly things – mainly men. What’s the difference between the Latin and European man? This, and more “relationship advice” from two Latinas.
We welcome another friend to Spanish Obsessed. Meet Vanessa, who’s come to London from Argentina. She talks with Rob about her beloved country, and how she’s getting on in her new life in England!
Meet Nuria, from Alicante, Spain. Believe it or not, despite being called “Spanish Obsessed”, Nuria is the first Spanish person we’ve actually interviewed on the site! She talks to Rob about moving from Spain, and what she’s up to in London.
Meet Javi, from Valladolid in Spain. He works near London as a Spanish teacher, and in this podcast he chats with Lis about teaching in the UK, how he finds English school children, and whether he wants to go back to Spain.
Continuing with Javi (and Castillian Spanish), Rob talks food – a mutually shared passion. We take a gastronomic tour around Spain, Javi gives us his opinion on English food (hint: it’s not all bad), and Rob provides some constructive criticism for Spanish restaurants!
We recently had the opportunity to talk with Gilberto Torres, who was kidnapped by Colombian paramilitaries and held captive for 42 days several years ago. Gilberto was a Trade Union leader, and was kidnapped for organising strikes and getting in the way of some big business interests. He’s taking BP to court in London for events surrounding his kidnapping, and in this podcast he tells his story.
How important is the interview process for finding a job? Lis and Rob discuss their experiences in interviews in both English and Spanish, and how difficult the process can be.
Rob, Lis and Colombian friend Dani talk about the education systems of UK vs Colombia and Latin America
Rob and Lis talk about being popular, having friends, and how to maintain contact in the age of social media…
Rob talks with Lis’ sister, Judith. Judith recently completed her Masters in La Gestión Urbana (Urban Management), and discusses the current global migration to cities, amongst other topics. Here’s what we cover:
Learn the most common subjunctive phrases and triggers in our cheatsheet
95 essential phrases for beginners, designed to guide you towards fluency
