Como siempre, también tenemos una sorpresa para ti: Inscríbete en nuestra newsletter y recibirás nuestra guía gratuita con los 5 tips para mejorar tu inglés.
Suscribir

Author: Nika

Mr Kale: real food en Las Palmas

Posted on by Nika

El día cuando enviamos las invitaciones para nuestra boda, recibimos un montón de llamadas y mensajes y de repente dice Pedro: Voy a tomar algo con mi mejor amigo. Y digo: ¿Dónde nos vemos? La respuesta fue clarísima: En la terraza de Mr. Kale. Mr Kale real food en Las Palmas

¿Sabes cuál es el sitio que nunca falla? Pues, ya te lo digo yo: Mr. Kale. 

La sensación de saber que vas a llegar y vas a tener sitio para sentarte, comer sano (¡con opciones vegetarianas y veganas!), trato muy agradable y, sobre todo, saber que está abierto durante todo el día, es una maravilla. No sé si lo has pensado alguna vez pero Mr. Kale realmente LO TIENE TODO!

Lee hasta el final y encontrarás una RECOMPENSA!

Hoy quiero compartir los platos que más me gustan.

1   Desayuno y brunch en Mr. Kale

Una variedad muy extensa de desayunos ricos.

Soy de las personas que prefiere la opción salada, pero Mr Kale siempre me sorprende con sus PANCAKES. Mi top 3 sería:

  • Tosta con aguacate & huevo 
  • Pancakes con fruta
  • Uno de sus Açai bowls o yogures naturales
Desayuno y brunch Mr Kale

Si estás ahí antes de las 13.00 y te apetece un brunch, super recomendable la opción de las PANCAKES con pollo estilo cajún, ¡sabrosisimos! Esta es nuestra opción ideal si llegamos a almorzar temprano. 

2   Almuerzo – my fav real food!

Bueno, bueno, bueno.  ¿Sabías que hasta hace poco no me gustaba el salmón? Pero te prometo que cuando vi este plato: ¡me enamoré!

  • Hot bowl con salmón & quinoa

No podía faltar en esta lista el plato preferido de @travel2getthere:

  • Atún a la llama
Almuerzo

3   Cena, simplemente yummy!

Para la cena solemos picar:

  • Pan bao y
  • ensalada César o la Burrata trufada con açai y salmón madurado, te sorprenderá.
  • Pad thai
  • La porción de los nachos para compartir es magnífica 🙂
Pad tai en Mr Kale

Un lugar que se encuentra en todas las partes de la isla:

  • Zona Mesa y Lopez: Ruiz de Alda, 28 (este es mi favorito)
  • Zona Triana: Calle Cano, 35
  • Centro comercial Las Ramblas
  • Maspalomas: Holiday world
Mr Kale & NikaTeacher te ofrecen un 2X1

Tenemos una promoción especial para ti, porque sabemos que te encanta Mr. Kale tanto como a mi. Mostrando este cupón desde la web de nuestro blog, podrás disfrutar de un maravilloso 2×1 en Platos Principales de Lunes a Viernes (promoción válida hasta el 30/12/2022) en todos los Mr. Kale de Gran Canaria. Cuando lo aproveches me lo puedes contar por whatsapp o compartiéndolo en Instagram (haters also! 🤣)

 

Ahora sí, quiero saber de ti: ¿Cuál es tu Mr. Kale favorito? Como ya he dicho al principio, tienes unas opciones sanas y para todos los gustos durante todo el día así que yendo a Mr. Kale a cualquier hora, siempre acertarás. 

 

 

Nota*:La oferta válida hasta el final de 2022! Cada vez que vayas a Mr Kale, muestra este mensaje y el descuento se aplicará automáticamente.

CLASES DE INGLÉS POR TELÉFONO

Posted on by Nika

¿Te imaginas unas clases de inglés por teléfono para practicar única y exclusivamente la conversación? Bueno, empezamos primero imaginándonos este escenario: 

  • Tu jefe te comenta hoy que mañana tendrás una reunión por teléfono en inglés
  • Una parte de tu entrevista de repente se hace en inglés y tienes que cambiar de idioma
  • Tienes que viajar a otro país por trabajo y te tienes que quedar en un hotel donde nadie habla español

¿Cómo te sentirías? ¿Ilusionado o asustado? Cualquier cambio en el trabajo suele traer un poco de estrés y en NikaTeacher no queremos que sea por el inglés. En este blog queremos hablar sobre las clases de inglés por teléfono y por eso vamos a revisar las 20 expresiones que te ayudarán a sentirte más cómodo tanto durante una conversación telefónica como también en una conversación normal:

NikaTeacher clases por telefono

1   Making a call = hacer una llamada 

Do you mind waiting five minutes while I make a call?

2   Hello. This is ___  / it’s ___ (insert your name) =

Hola, soy Juan 

Hello. This is Juan. 

Hello. It’s Juan.

3   May I ask who’s calling?” = ¿Me podría decir quién llama?

A: “Hi, this is Jim. May I ask who’s calling?”

B: Sure, this is Juan.

4   May I speak to … = ¿Podría hablar con…?

Hi, this is Juan. May I speak to the manager?

5   Can you pass me through to…. = ¿Me podrían pasar con…?

Can you pass me through to the sales department? 

6   I’ll forward/pass you through.  Please hold on. =

Te pasaré. Espera por favor.

7   I’m sorry, she/he’s not here today. Can I take a message? =

Lo siento, no está aquí hoy. ¿Le puedo dejar algún mensaje? 

8   Could you please take a message? Please tell her/him that… =

podrían dejarle un mensaje? Le podrían decir que…

9   Speak up = hablar más alto.

I can’t hear you very well. Could you please speak up?

10   Hang up = colgar 

Let me speak to Jennifer before you hang up.

Don’t hang up, I have to tell you something else.

clases de inglés por teléfono

11   Hang on = esperar

Hang on, he’ll be here in a minute. 

Louise’s on the other phone. Would you like to hang on? 

12   Do you mind waiting a few minutes? =

¿No le importaría esperar un par de minutos?

13   Say again  / Can you repeat that please? =

¿Qué dijiste, puedes repetir?

14   How do you say ______ in English? =

Cómo se dice ____ en inglés?

15   I’m phoning on behalf of Mrs Miller. =

Le llamo en nombre de la Señora Miller. 

Hello, this is Sally. I’m calling on behalf of Mr Gonzalez.

16   The line is very bad.  Could I call you back? =

No se te escucha bien. ¿Podría devolverte la llamada?

17   One moment please =

un momento por favor

18   Sure =

por supuesto

19   Thanks for calling. =

Gracias por la llamada

20   Thank you for your time. =

Gracias por su tiempo

Las clases de inglés por teléfono son como una conversación espontánea entre tu profesor y tú. Nuestras clases de inglés por teléfono tienen una duración de 15 minutos y te aseguro que cuantas más clases hagas, más seguro te vas a sentir. Somos muy flexibles en cuanto al horario, así que puedes decidir tú cuando quieres que te llamemos. 

Ahora, tengo un PLAN DE ACCIÓN para tí: 

¿Qué te parece si me llamas tú directamente e intentas confirmar tu primera clase telefónica en inglés o solo para decir hola y pedir información? Recuerda que tienes que empezar: Hi, this is ____(tu nombre). 

Nuestro número de teléfono es: +34617948166 y puedes llamarnos cuando quieras. Si prefieres escribirnos por Whatsapp, pincha aquí 

Thank you for your time and catch up soon!
Nika

Top 5 Mexican restaurants in Las Palmas

Posted on by Nika

Top 5 Mexican restaurants in Las Palmas: Enchiladas, burritos, tacos and “mucho más” are now available in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. When I moved here in 2013 there were basically no Mexican restaurants. Real margarita on the rocks and enchiladas were something I could only get on my trips to Mexico. But things have changed! The city of Las Palmas de GC now offers real Mexican cuisine and after traveling to Mexico 4 times, I can tell you their taste is real!

1   Chiwawa La Cantina

If you want a proper Mexican taco while enjoying some proper Mexican atmosphere, Chiwawa La Cantina is the place to go. They have several restaurants around the city, so you can choose the best one.  

Food to order: I highly recommend tequeños, Nachos Yucatán and yuca (which is delish!!) as a starter and then finish with some tacos. I actually love them all, so have a look at their menu and go with the flow.

Have in mind tacos are quite big, so it’s always better to order one or two and then, if you’re still hungry, go for another one.

 

Mexican Restaurants

2   La Picantina 

Mmmm, as I’m a big fan of enchiladas and proper Mexican cuisine, that’s my place for celebrating a birthday or having a lovely lunch or dinner in Mexican style. 

They are outstanding! Their food reminds me of my trip to Valladolid and Ciudad de México. They are near Santa Catalina Square and I do suggest making a reservation just in case. The food is delicious and what I love about their dishes is that they come with rice, a lot of vegetables and amazing sauces.

It’s amazing to see Jose and Marco working: I still remember them from when they started!

I would even say their restaurant was the first proper Mexican restaurant in town. They opened a tiny little restaurant with some tables very near Farray some and I won’t forget he would always invite me for a margarita shot when I would go there to pick up my order.  

As they have moved to a new, bigger place, I’m now eating there with mine and Pedro’s family and we changed the margarita shots for the ones with tequila!

Food to order: You will absolutely love the chilaquiles, enchilada, and the burrito. 

MEXICAN RESTAURANTS La Picantina
MEXICAN RESTAURANTS La Picantina

3   Nopal Tex Mex

Oh Nopal, I could eat there every day! Nopal is all about Burrito to take away or burrito bowl to take home or to the beach and eat it while enjoying your Saturday beach day. You can also sit at their place and enjoy your food there.

Some of our Spanish students tell me they miss Nopal as their daily lunch place.

Yelika, Julian y Nani make it all with heart and so much energy and the best thing is that they are so oriented to details. They will always make sure to write a beautiful note that makes your day a bit happier somewhere next to the food.

The service is fast, the food is healthy and it’s all done with love.

Nopal

4   Tiki Tako

Tiki Tako is a new Mexican cantina and is just next to my language school NikaTeacher! As there are not many places around, I know this will be my new fav lunch spot when I have to grab something quickly in between classes.

Taco for 1 euro, Mexican taste, great, authentic decoration and lovely staff.

They are fast, nice and the taste of the food is incredible.

Food to order: 1 taco of each type:)

RESTAURANTS IN LAS PALMAS

5   Gallo Negro – Triana

A beautiful Méxican restaurant in the middle of Triana. It’s a very nice restaurant where you should definitely go with a reservation as it gets full very quickly!

Food to order: My favourite dishes are Tacos Culiacan and Flautas de Cochinita. They offer great dish options based on fish (ceviche and aguachile) and also seafood (prawns). It’s a great option to eat in this restaurant if you are visiting Triana/Vegueta and need some “picante”.

Gallo Feliz
Gallo Feliz

 Yes, I’m a great fan of Mexican food and I’m really happy to be able to experience all these amazing restaurants! And if you want to be able to order in Spanish, book some classes with us here! 🙂

Ay Carmela

Transport on Gran Canaria

Posted on by Nika

Many people have been asking me about the types of transport there are on the island, how easy public transport is and how expensive everything is. So I thought, why not make a blog about it so you have everything in one link. 

1   Rental car

First type of transport on Gran Canaria  is of course a rental car. With a rental car you can go where you want, when you want, without any limits. We have prepared the best road trips on Gran Canaria, so if you rent a car, I would suggest doing several of our road trips. With these routes you get to know the island like a local! 

There are many different rental places at the airport and around the island. However, I want to share my experience and troubles as a new driver since not every company lets you rent a car if you are a new driver: Feel free to DM me on @travel_gran_canaria and I’ll share the name of the company. Also these companies don’t ask for a credit card deposit. 

If you already have your licence for a while, we highly recommend the number 1 local rental car company that has offices all around the Canary Islands: Cicar.

transport with car

2   Bus (Guagua)

The second type of transport on Gran Canaria is the bus or as they call it here “Guagua”. There are two main types of buses: the yellow ones in the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Global buses (the blue ones) that run in the rest of the island. 

The yellow bus has a fixed fee of 1.40 euros per trip and it doesn’t matter which stop you get in or out. 

The blue buses have different fees per stop, but are still very cheap. Top tip 1: This is the cheapest way to get from the airport to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria or to the South (Maspalomas, Meloneras or Mogán). 

Two of the main lines are bus 60: From Las Palmas to the airport (also called: Airport express bus). The two main stops in Las Palmas are the bus station in Santa Catalina and the bus stop in San Telmo (both underground bus stops). The fee from the airport to San Telmo costs 2.30 euros and to Santa Catalina 2.95 euros. Also good to know it goes every hour on 15 past and 45 to the hour. 

The second line that is good to know is the bus number 90 which goes from the airport to Maspalomas. The bus goes every hour so make sure you time it right. All of the information about timetables, stops and bus numbers you can find in the links above! 

The bus stop at the airport is located close to the departure hall, but throughout the whole airport you will find the sign with the “bus Global”, if you follow this sign you will find the bus stop easily! 

You can check the times of the bus on the websites linked above but I always check the specific bus stop on Google Maps, they usually also have the correct times. 

Another useful one is the bus number 91 which starts in Las Palmas (Santa Catalina) and ends in Puerto de Mogán/Taurito depending on the hour. This one goes every half an hour during the day and early morning and late evening only once an hour. 

Top tip 2: if you have a NIE number and a fixed address here, you can apply for the bus card which is easy if you travel by bus frequently. The card works for both bus types and is very easy to apply for. Check out which card would be good for you here.

transport on Gran canaria

3   Taxi

The third option of transport on Gran Canaria is the Taxi. 

There are many taxis on the island and compared to other places in Europe, the taxis here are very cheap. There are many taxi stands on the island which makes it easy to get a taxi. In the taxis you can pay in cash and card. A taxi from the airport to Las Palmas is more or less 30-35 euros and from the airport to Maspalomas is about 40-45 euros. 

In the centre itself (depending on how far you go of course) a taxi will be around 5 euros.

4   Bicycle 

The fourth option of transport on Gran Canaria is mainly in Las Palmas and it is called the Sitycleta. This is an option where you rent bikes with an app on your phone. It is very easy and convenient as there are many stops for the bikes in Las Palmas so there is always one close to you. 

travel with bicycle, transport on Gran canaria

 

I hope this blog has helped you with your trip to Gran Canaria. 

If there are any questions or doubts, of course feel free to message me on Instagram @travel_gran_canaria. Also let us know in the comments what your favourite type of transport is on the island and why! 

Nelly, digital nomads and Live it up, Las Palmas!

Posted on by Nika

When creating something new, there must be self confidence, constancy and especially loads of inner motivation. As I run a language school where you can learn Spanish and English, I am very excited about sharing this interview with Nelleke (Nelly). Why? Because I think she has created an awesome community where you can meet new people, connect with different businesses and practise speaking a language! The community is not only for digital nomads, but also for the locals. So, if you are an expat, a digital nomad or a local, this interview is a must read. 

Nelly will tell us about the community she has created, where to connect with digital nomads, plus, you will receive a bunch of useful and amazing links where you can connect with like-minded people. 

So, it all started when I announced our Language exchange event in the group of digital nomads she is running on the platform Slack. We started chatting and as I’m always curious about other people’s stories, I had to ask her a bit about her life, her passion and her goals. She replied: 

“My name is Nelleke, but most people here know me as Nelly. I’m from the Netherlands and I moved to Gran Canaria in the Summer of 2018, even though I didn’t know that at the time. I initially came as a digital nomad, for two months only, but I kept extending my stay and well, here we are, almost four years later, with a house, a company and a boyfriend. I am here to stay!   

In January 2016 I opened my own online marketing agency and that’s still going strong. I’m working part time by choice and in my free time I like to read, go to the beach, watch psychological thrillers, go on road trips, do jigsaw puzzles, go out for (a fancy) dinner, pet kitties and sing a song or two.

Over the years, I have built the community Live it up, Las Palmas!, which initially started back in November 2018 with a weekly co-working session for digital nomads.”

1   What kind of a community is Live it Up Las Palmas and who can join you?

Live it up, Las Palmas! Is a community for digital nomads, remote workers, expats and local entrepreneurs in Gran Canaria. Most of the community members are located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, but everyone on the island is welcome to join! The spoken language in the community is English, so at least a basic level of English is required to join.

The community has a website with general information about life on the island, livetup-laspalmas.com, an Instagram account with photos of the island, the community (events) and me, a Facebook page (not very active) and most important, Slack: join via this link. 

In Slack is where most of the action happens; it’s where events are being shared, questions are being asked and answered and information is being posted.

 2   You started with the Live it Up Las Palmas community group some years ago. Whoever starts a business, a community or a new job, learns loads of new things, develops professionally and improves over time. What was your goal with the community when you started and what is your goal now?

The goal at the time was to connect digital nomads in Las Palmas de GC and make communication more efficient to share the weekly events I was organizing. Over the years, that goal changed into making Live it up, Las Palmas! the main hub or platform for digital nomads, remote workers, expats and local entrepreneurs in Gran Canaria.

I want people to fall in love with the island, like I did. I want them to feel at home from the moment they arrive and to achieve that, it is so important to find the right people. I want to help them to find their people in our growing community. I want people to feel free to ask for anything they need, anything they are looking for, whether it is an apartment, a recommendation for a restaurant, a shared lunch, a doctor, a collaboration, a day at the beach or where to find that one product they need to buy.

co-working session = Fotografía: Flavio de Stefano
Co-working session; Fotografía: Flavio de Stefano

3   Your community has nearly 3.500 members. As I’m a member too, I can say it’s amazing to have a person who is actually always there and cares about all the things that are happening in the community. Having someone who lives and breathes their job makes such a difference. How much time do you spend organizing everything and taking care of people and replying? 

Good question! I estimate I spend about 20-24 hours a week for hosting the (recurring) events, moderating Slack, managing the socials and replying to PM’s.

Though in general a community manager is a paid job, for me it is not. I am doing this next to my job as an advertising specialist, which is why I have set up a donation website if people want to support me. I am lucky to only work part time, otherwise I would not have had the time to do all of this.

4   What is the most enjoyable thing while running a community like yours?

I think it is connecting people, that I enjoy the most. To provide the platform, to help people meet their tribe in a new city. In the end, it’s the people around you that have a huge impact on your life and your experiences, wherever you are. So if I can contribute in any way, speeding up that process of meeting the right people, I’m happy to do so! I love it when someone arrives alone at one of the community meetups and then leaves with friends that same evening, making plans for the weekend.

Nelleke and Flavio
Nelleke and Flavio; Fotografía: Leopoldo H. Santana

5   I recently read a book about “Built to Belong: discovering the power of Community over competition” written by Natalie Franke. There are many benefits of being a part of a community but sometimes people get lost in competing. What do you think are the 3 main benefits of your community?

  • Direct access to hundreds – thousands of other community members who are on the island right now and are looking for connection;
  • Access to lots of awesome (free) events and information;
  • Ask anything attitude! There’s always someone who will have the answer to your question/request and everyone is very proactive and supportive.

6   What 3 tips would you give to someone who wants to create a life-lasting community? 

  • Be sincere, be yourself and show yourself. Be the community you want to be.
  • Make it inclusive but don’t be afraid to set boundaries.
  • Start a community with the best intentions, make it organic and it will grow naturally. You will reap what you sow.

7    What are your plans for the future? I mean, personal and professional plans 🙂 

Lots of plans! On the 1st of May this year, my boyfriend opened a high quality bakery in Guanarteme bakerydestefano.com and instagram.com/bakerydestefano. He’s been very supportive with me with the community the last year and now I will help him with advertising his business and assisting with minor tasks on site. I am so proud that he now has his own bakery in Las Palmas and I am also very happy for him that he is doing again what he loves doing; making delicious pastry. As you can imagine, this is changing our daily lives a lot! Also in a practical way; the bakery will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so to be able to spend those days together, I also moved my weekend to Mondays and Tuesdays.

I recently opened my company here as well and I will administratively move my clients from the Netherlands to Spain. In that sense, not much is changing for me or my clients.

But opening my Sociedad limitada here also means, that I can start collaborating with local companies, for the community. It’s amazing to see how the community has grown, but with that, also the time I spend managing it grew a lot. Unfortunately I can’t afford to continue to volunteer 3 days a week for the community, so I am looking into partnerships and hopefully financial support from the government. This way, I can keep the community sustainable for me and to keep growing it and improving it for everyone involved.

Puerto de Mogán = Fotografía: Flavio de Stefano
Puerto de Mogán; Fotografía: Flavio de Stefano

8  There are so many people who wanted a shift in their lives during or after the pandemic. Do you think there will be more remote workers in Las Palmas in the future? Do you think the community will keep growing? 

Yes, I believe the community will keep on growing, it’s just such a great place to be! It’s a versatile island, with great weather all year round, awesome restaurants, almost a hundred very nice beaches, fast internet, beautiful nature and a limited time zone difference with other EU countries. Plus, the best remote workers community you can imagine. With more companies going remote and Gran Canaria’s perfect conditions, I think we will see a lot more remote workers coming our way.

9   When you don’t know the answers to your questions (either job, life or relationships), who do you ask for advice?

It really depends on the question, but I would say (in random order) my mom, my boyfriend or the community. Well and there’s Google of course!

10   My favorite question: What does success mean to you?

To me, success means to be happy. To be happy with yourself and to lead the life that you want.

Nelleke.

Top 5 towns in the South/middle of Gran Canaria

Posted on by Nika

If you have seen last month’s blog and were wondering if we would make a part two of the must see towns on Gran Canaria, today is your lucky day! We have made a ‘must visit’ towns part 2 just for you! 

If you are staying in Las Palmas and want to head south, once you pass the airport, there are going to be several towns to visit, some on the coast, others up in the mountains. 

Some of the must visit towns are: Arguineguín, Mogán (puerto and pueblo), Agüimes, Ingenio, you can also stop in Puerto Rico, Arguineguin, Tunte or Fataga.

We want you to know there are not only beautiful beaches in the south of the island but also great towns where you can disconnect and enjoy a completely different vibe.

1   Aguïmes

The first town is Aguïmes. An old town close to the airport, which has buildings that are over 300 years old and are still intact. Discover the history of the town in the historic quarter of the town. The Aguïmes History Museum, which used to be a palace, is open to the public to discover the exhibitions that are displayed in the different rooms.

You should definitely try: La Tarteria de Agüimes

Aguïmes Top 5 towns in the South/middle of Gran Canaria

 

2   Puerto de Mogán

The second town that I want to talk to you about is Puerto de Mogán, this town has the nickname: Little Venice due to the canals through the streets. This picturesque town is probably the most visited town on the island and definitely worth strolling through. Its colourful houses and flowers make this town look like a movie set, the harbour with clear blue water and the boats give you the peaceful holiday atmosphere. Make sure to wear an outfit that fits with the colourful houses as this is the perfect location for an instagram photo! 

Restaurant tip: Mi Vida, located in the harbour.

Puerto de Mogan

 

3   Pueblo de Mogán

The third town has almost the same name as Puerto de Mogan but is in a different location. 

Mogán town or Pueblo the Mogán has many plantations such as banana or mango plantations. At the entrance of the town you will find an authentic windmill which is cool to see! The town of Mogán is small but very picturesque. 

If you want to discover a bit of the sights close to Pueblo de Mogán, make sure to check out Los Azulejos! 

Top 5 towns in the South/middle of Gran Canaria

 

4  Tunte

The fourth town I will tell you about is Tunte. This town is known for its olive oil and wine farms. Explore the square and the church as well as all the small streets where you will find the most beautiful houses. There is also a great view point at the entrance of the town.

Top 5 towns in the South/middle of Gran Canaria

 

5   Ingenio

Located close to the airport lies the fifth town that I want to talk to you about: Ingenio. This town has many historical buildings and is a town that is still very local. In the town you can do a (private) tour. During this tour you will discover the local church, a museum, a local cheese farm & bakery and many more locations. Close to Ingenio you also have the Cuatro Puertas, these are caves where the local inhabitants used to live. 

Ingenio

 

There is one more town you cannot forget when you are visiting the island and that is:

6   Artenara

This town is located in the centre of the island, with its rich history and many viewpoints, it is definitely worth a visit! Mirador de Unamuno has amazing views and while you are there you can also learn some fun facts about the town! Did you know there is also a restaurant with an amazing view? It is called: Restaurante La Cilla, and believe me, you want to get a drink there!  Another amazing viewpoint is: Mirador del Corazon de Jesus, here you have a 360 degree angle of the town and the amazing views! 

I hope you enjoyed this blog, and it helped you discover our beautiful island! Check out part one of our must visit towns here: Top 5 towns in the north of Gran Canaia 

Let us know which town is your favourite! For any other questions or doubts feel free to DM @travel_gran_canaria  on Instagram! 

Elise 

Coworking El Núcleo, la asesoría, Ted Talks – Fran Duarte y su magia

Posted on by Nika

La persona que puede hablar con una sonrisa en la cara a pesar de todas las circunstancias, pues, ¡esta es mi persona! La persona que puede llevarme a una charla de TedTalk, esta también es mi persona.  

Hoy en el blog sentiremos la magia de una de mis personas: tenemos la gran suerte de tener una entrevista con Fran Duarte en nuestro blog.

Fran es una persona emprendedora por naturaleza, que aprovecha su trabajo para expandir valores que cree son buenos para la sociedad, como es la solidaridad, generosidad, colaboración , respeto, empatía y cariño hacia la persona que tienes a tu lado.

Tiene la asesoría fiscal / gestoría Roca Duarte Asesores, es también abogado y tiene el coworking El Núcleo. Y lo más importante, una familia maravillosa con la que compartir mi vida.

Y si te preguntas cómo puede con todo, pues muy sencillo: porque tiene la suerte de formar parte de un equipo humano profesional espectacular, sin ellas/os sería imposible nada de lo que hace.

Nada más conocernos, Fran me comentó: Mi trabajo forma parte de mi día a día, porque me encanta aprender algo nuevo cada día, pero de vez en cuando, viajo porque te hace crecer como persona, bailo, o eso intento jajaja porque el baile es una forma muy bonita de expresar tus sentimientos y me gusta pasar tiempo con mi gente. Soy de playa, de escuchar radio, de una buena comida, e intento disfrutar de cada pequeña cosa que pasa a mi alrededor porque la vida es un regalo, aunque reconozco que a veces me olvido de hacerlo y sobre todo intento sonreír y hacer sonreír a los demás, porque la vida es una maravillosa y a la vez difícil sonrisa.

1   Te conocemos sobre todo por tu coworking El Núcleo. Sin embargo, te dedicas a muchas otras cosas. Cuéntanos un poco tu historia.

Pues, me formé profesionalmente alrededor del mundo de las gestorías administrativas de la mano de mi suegro que me dio la oportunidad de empezar desde abajo e ir escalando puestos si así lo merecía. Tras la crisis de los años 2010 toca reinventarse y me saco el título de gestor administrativo y abogado y la gestoría se convierte en una asesoría. 

Años difíciles pero la vida es así, a veces estás arriba y a veces abajo y luego vuelves a subir… Y sobre el 2017 pues nos lanzamos a la aventura de abrir un Coworking, y hasta la fecha, pero ya con la idea de más proyectos. Todo esto muy resumido claro porque si empiezo no paro jajaja.

Coworking El Núcleo, la asesoría, Ted Talks - Fran Duarte

2   Me parece que fuiste uno de los primeros en Canarias en abrir un coworking. ¿Es cierto y por qué decides abrirlo?

No fui de los primeros en abrir un coworking pero sí soy de los que tienen muy claro de los beneficios que conlleva trabajar en uno y por eso estoy empeñado en dar a conocer este mundo a la empresa canaria, porque si bien es cierto, que para los llamados nómadas digitales o trabajadores en remoto extranjeros es muy conocido, la empresa canaria desconoce este mundo, y es una verdadera pena la verdad.

3   Has visto a muchas personas crecer sus negocios con tus propios ojos. ¿Qué tienen todos en común?

Pues cosas  básicas, la constancia, y aprender a valorar la importancia de establecer contactos, sinergias y colaboraciones con los demás, porque si trabajas solo, llegas rápido a distancias cortas pero si trabajas en equipo llegas a donde quieras.

Coworking El Núcleo la asesoría Fran Duarte

4   Eres un ejemplo a seguir en cuanto a la constancia, seriedad y sinceridad. ¿Qué valores crees que son los más importantes hoy en día para conseguir un trabajo?

Realmente no me considero un ejemplo, solo intento hacer las cosas bien bajo la premisa de unos valores.

Para conseguir un trabajo, no sé, pero sí tengo claro que para conseguir algo en la vida, hay que querer y hacer, las dos cosas. Si quieres ser abogado o electricista o tener tu propia empresa, quiérelo de verdad, con todo tu ser y luego lánzate a ello, aprende, estudia, fórmate, toca puertas, insiste y no pares hasta conseguirlo, pero sobre todo, aprende en el camino, porque a veces, lo que uno quiere realmente o lo que está destinado a ser, se encuentra en el camino intentando ser o hacer las cosas que pensábamos en un principio.

5   Personalmente te conocí en unos momentos muy duros de mi carrera profesional y creo que tenemos algo en común: la sonrisa. ¿Por qué crees que es tan importante saber sonreírle a los problemas?

A los problemas no, a la vida querida amiga. La vida es dura amiga mía, muy dura, pero es así, es lo que es, y hacemos un flaco favor a las generaciones venideras si seguimos la senda de destacar siempre las cosas malas que pasan a nuestro alrededor. Por naturaleza nos acordamos de lo malo y nos olvidamos de lo bueno, de sonreír, de lo bonito y la alegría que transmites cuando sonríes a alguien, del bien que haces sin darte cuenta, del poder de la sonrisa, yo lo hago porque me nace, esa es la verdad, no porque sepa lo bueno o importante que es, pero tengo claro que es imprescindible sonreír para que el mundo vaya un poco mejor.

Coworking El Núcleo, la asesoría, Ted Talks - Fran Duarte

6   Ser empresario y trabajar por tu propia cuenta tiene muchas ventajas y también desventajas. Puedes compartir 2 ventajas y 2 desventajas que nadie sabe sobre la vida de un emprendedor?

Está claro que puedes desarrollar tu proyecto a tu manera, y que no dependes de alguien que esté por encima de ti para la toma de decisiones, pero ese es un arma de doble filo, porque las consecuencias directas de malas decisiones las sufres tú. 

La responsabilidad de que todo salga bien por ti y por tus empleados es muy alta.

7   Jefe, empresario o padre: qué labor es más difícil y qué le recomendarías a los jóvenes padres?

Todas tienen dificultades y beneficios pero lo más difícil para mí es ser padre, aún así es lo más bonito del mundo. Mi recomendación es que intenten hacerlo lo mejor posible y pasen todo el tiempo que puedan con ellos porque crecen y las etapas no se pueden repetir, en el trabajo puedes volver a hacer cosas otra vez, pero los hijos solo serán niños una vez, y adolescentes una vez.

8   Al llevar tantos negocios, ¿cuál es la forma de desconectar?

Me he acostumbrado a incluir en mi vida personal, la profesional y creo que es un error, la mente necesita su parcela de tiempo para hacer otras cosas y volver con fuerza.

Yo procuro pasar tiempo con la familia, amigos, y bailar, pero cuando tienes una mente inquieta con ganas de aprender y hacer, es difícil.

9- ¿Cuál es tu definición de “éxito”?

Que seas ejemplo a seguir en valores que sabes que son buenos para la sociedad, que hablen bien de ti y que puedas ayudar a los demás.

¡Muchas gracias Fran por esta gran entrevista!

Si necesitas más información sobre el coworking El Nucleo o la asesoría de Fran Duarte, puedes encontrar más información aquí: agenciarocaduarte.com

Top 5 towns in the North of GRAN CANARIA

Posted on by Nika

There are 5 towns in the North of Gran Canaria I think you shouldn’t miss when living here or visiting the island. 

Would you like to discover and explore the culture of Gran Canaria but are overwhelmed by the amount of towns we have? 

I will make a top 5 must visit towns while in Gran Canaria for you. This blog will be about the towns in the North.

1. Arucas

The town of Arucas is located about 15 minutes from Las Palmas. With its main attraction the church of Parroquia de San Juan Bautista de Arucas. For the best views of the church check out: Terraza la Emblemática. Make sure to make a reservation as the Rooftop bar is very popular. This church is located in the centre of the town. From this town you can enter the main street of Arucas where you will find some shops and also local bars and restaurants. This street ends up at the park of the town. Don’t forget to visit the rum factories while you are here!

Arucas Top 5 towns in the North of GRAN CANARIA

2 Teror

The second town which is a must see is Teror. This town has a rich history and gorgeous architecture. The main square of the town has the local church and it also has an ancient tree in the middle, which makes the square picturesque and informative. In the area of Teror you can also do some hiking for example Barranco de Alamo check out more information about this hike here. 

When you are in Teror, you should definitely try “Bocadillo de Chorizo de Teror with goat cheese” and a typical Canarian fizzy drink “Clipper de fresa” – the traditional one has a taste of strawberry. 

3 Agaete

The third town is a town which has a fisherman’s history. Located in the North part of the island where you can also find the Ferry to Tenerife. Agaete has a Greek atmosphere due to its white and blue houses. The town is perfect for a stroll around but also has a small pebble beach where you can relax and enjoy the views of the mountains. Agaete is also known for its natural pools and for the botanical garden Huerto de las Flores. Discover both and find out which your favourite is.  

Have in mind the following: Agaete Port (Agaete puerto) is not the same as Agaete village (Agaete pueblo). These are two different locations and we think you should visit both. Remember that in the village you can visit the only coffee plantation in Europe.

4 Firgas

The fourth town I want to tell you about is Firgas. A town close to Arucas, which is famous for the ‘fountain street’ , this street is really picturesque and if you walk past the fountain there are also relief models of the different islands on the floor, which is really interesting to see. What is a Canarian town without a viewpoint? Exactly, not very common. Firgas has a square where you can admire the views of the ocean.

5 Moya 

Last but not least, I will talk to you about the town of Moya. Probably the building that will stand out the most is the church, a beautiful church opened in 1957. Also visit the House museum where you will find a lot of historical collections. While walking around in Moya, you can enjoy the cute houses and local shops. Around the town of Moya there are several hiking/ walking paths, which you can enjoy all year round like the Tilos de Moya. 

Moya Top 5 towns in the North of GRAN CANARIA

You should try “Suspiros de Moya” and “Turron de La Moyera.” 

I hope this blog has helped you with your must visit list of Gran Canaria. Let us know which town is your favourite! For any other questions or doubts feel free to DM me on @travel_gran_canaria on Instagram! 

Elise

Interview: Pernilla – yoga teacher

Posted on by Nika

Pernilla is a Yoga Teacher and Founder of Calma Studios. She is Swedish and has 2 kids, 18 and 23 years old. She moved to Gran Canaria in 2018. And when I asked her in our Spanish classes to tell me something about herself before starting with the interview, this is what she said: 

I was born in Sweden and grew up in a small village. As me and my sister moved out, my parents went sailing around the world. This was a huge inspiration for me and opened my eyes to the wonders of travelling. After some years in Sweden I and my husband moved with our children to London where we lived for 10 years. This is also where my interest in Yoga started and eventually I took a yoga teacher certification. However, as time went by we felt that change was needed and 2018 we moved to Gran Canaria. Our son goes to the British School here and our daughter still lives in London.

1   Why did you decide to move to Gran Canaria and when was the idea of the Calma yoga studio born?

Many years ago my husband and I joined my parents for a few weeks of sailing around the Canary Islands, which was an amazing experience. Since then Spain has always been close to my heart. When we decided to leave London, Gran Canaria was our choice since we have had such nice experiences from Las Palmas.

I feel so at home here and the idea of opening a yoga studio had been growing for some time. I know I will never get tired of dwelling deeper into the mystery of yoga and spirituality and I want more people to experience the benefits of Yoga.

 2    I’ve known you since you arrived on the island and your idea of the yoga studio has been present since the very beginning. How long did it take you to start the business? What was the most difficult for you?

I and my husband knew early on that we wanted the studio to be in the Guanarteme part of Las Canteras beach. My main language for teaching yoga is English and this part of Las Palmas is such an international hub with new cool places popping up all the time. I feel so grateful that we found a great venue in this buzzing part of Las Palmas and so close to the beach.

Sourcing a good venue and starting the renovations to comply with all the regulations was a quite daunting business. We were lucky to be working with super professional local trades people who sorted out all the issues and hick ups along the way. Patience is a major quality to cultivate! Everything worked out beautifully in the end. During the renovations COVID hit, so we stayed low for a while before opening the studio for the public.

3   There are many foreigners who would like to either move to Spain or even start a business in Spain. In fact, your sister has a restaurant in Triana too. What is your main advice for those who are moving to Gran Canaria?

There is not a huge job market here, apart from hospitality. So another option is of course to create your own work. My sister and her husband opened their beautiful restaurant Popology a year ago in Vegueta and it has been a great success, both among local people and expats.

I previously worked as a self employed yoga teacher in UK. As a comparison, there is so much more difficult to work independently here. To register as autonomo you pay for social security which is expensive, even if there are discounts the first year and second year. There is no distinction between how much you earn, if you work part time or full time, the cost is same for all. There is also a lot of bureaucracy, and it is costly in terms of accounting administration and taxes. Comparing to the simplicity of doing business in UK I believe this limits creativity for creating and developing new business ideas.

There is also a large community of digital nomads who work remotely and move around the world. This is of course another way to support yourself when living in Las Palmas.

4    As a foreigner, what do you like most about living here and what are you still getting used to?

I love the people in Gran Canaria! The locals are very welcoming and helpful. It’s a relaxed atmosphere here, less stress and more fun, people are enjoying life. Coming from north of Europe I also love the climate; nice weather all year around.

I’m still getting used to the Canarian way of living. People here eat lunch late, and dinner even later. Parties start after midnight, when we are about to go home and sleep. This is a distinct difference from both Sweden and UK, but we are adjusting. Don’t want to miss out on all the fun!

6    Mother or a business owner: which one do you find more challenging and why?

Impossible to say, as it constantly changes!

5    When moving to Las Palmas, what is your opinion about speaking Spanish. Do you find it useful/helpful or even mandatory? What would you say to someone who wants to move to Gran Canaria in terms of the language?

For any country, language is always the key to understand and appreciate the culture in more depth.

If you come here to live for a longer time I believe you should learn to speak at least a little Spanish. Many locals don’t speak English at all. The private Spanish lessons I took in the beginning quickly brought me up to speed enough to get around and manage daily life.

I would recommend anyone to prepare and study a little Spanish before moving, if there is time. Nowadays there are many fun and accessible options to study, online via zoom, using language apps etc.

7    What differentiate your yoga studio from other studios in Las Palmas?

We aim for Calma Studios to be a boutique yoga centre where students can experience a variety of yoga and spiritual practices such as mindfulness meditation and Reiki energy healing etc. We believe that learning different styles of practices will allow for a more holistic individual development.

The Yoga Shala is a calm and welcoming space for students of all levels. With classes in Spanish as well as English, each teacher brings their unique presence and skill-set to the practice. In collaboration with our teachers the goal is to create an interesting mix of yoga classes and workshops and take the mind/body/soul journey to the next level.

It is also interesting for students to try classes in different languages. As the practice of yoga is similar, a foreign language may provide a different feel, as well as an excellent language learning opportunity.

8    What is your definition of success?

I want to spread the experience of yoga, wellness and spiritual development to more people and I love that the people here are so open to it! Additionally we want to support local teachers and create a community where both teachers and students all can evolve in our practice and as individuals. I believe that not only do students grow when they go to a yoga class, but also the teachers grow when they meet new students and new situations.

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”  Thich Nhat Hanh

 

Pernilla & Nika

North of Gran Canaria

Posted on by Nika

Before I moved to Gran Canaria I thought that Las Palmas was the most northern part of Gran Canaria. Little did I know that probably the most beautiful part of the island is in the (actual) North of the island. 

Many people ask me what locations are a must visit when you are touring the island and in this blog we will focus on the must see location of the North of Gran Canaria! 

1   Natural pools

One thing that can not be left out of this list are the natural pools.In the North of Gran Canaria there are several locations like: Agaete, Galdar and Sardina that have many natural pools, some are more popular than others. It’s definitely worth visiting at least one of these pools to check out how amazing nature is and of course take a swim in the salty natural pools.
Do you want to know the exact locations of our top 5? Check out our natural pool blog.

If you want to have a lovely breakfast in the North of the island before starting with the tour, we highly recommend visiting: Nativo (if you are going during the weekend, ensure you make a reservation) 

Natural Pools

2   Coffee plantation 

The second location that you definitely have to put on your list is the coffee plantation.  When you arrive in Agaete valley, you feel like you are somewhere in Hawaii, especially if you are visiting us in spring.  

Discover Bodega los Berrazales where they don’t only grow coffee beans but also fruit and make wine! This is the only coffee plantation in Europe and started in the 18th century. Plus, they also filmed one part of the famous cooking show: MasterChef Spain there – you will find out exactly where once you visit the finca. 

You can get a tour through the plantation but you can also discover on your own and taste the delicious coffee. 

After visiting the coffee plantation, we recommend you go to Agaete village and have lunch at a local bar in the main square: El Perola or continue to Agaete Puerto.

Coffee plantation

3   Banana plantations

When you are driving through the north of the island you are not able to miss the thousands of banana plants that will surround you. The bananas are not your regular size bananas. The Canarian bananas are smaller and tastier, this is because of the perfect climate that we have for growing bananas. Also the bananas stay on the plants longer, which means they generate more taste. Definitely try some local bananas and you will definitely taste the difference. 

Banana plantations

4   Moya

Last but not least, we will let you in on a town that is not that many tourists know of but is definitely worth a visit: Moya. 

The town is still very historical and the houses are picturesque. Because the town is well kept, there are also many local handicraft places as well as local restaurants and shops. 

Stroll through the streets of Moya and take in all the culture. 

If you prefer to do a small hike in the forest, I would suggest going to Tilos de Moya. This location in the area of Moya has several different paths, all with easy access.

Check out the full hiking routers here. 

There are other towns you probably already know in the north of the island which you should visit: Arucas, Firgas and Terror. 

 

These were a few places that we thought were worth mentioning in a blog dedicated to the north. Of course there are many other places that are worth a visit

For any questions feel free to DM @travel_gran_canaria on Instagram. 

What is your favorite location in the north?