Month: November 2020

Categories
Ergonomic Travel

The Dry Fast Traveler

Where to go to start a Dry Fast?
Wherever you’ll feel at ease.
Wherever your mind will be ready to play.

  • Why Dry Fast as a traveler?
  • What are the Benefits?
  • How to Dry Fast?
  • What Preparations are needed?
  • What is the Process?
  • What should you do?

Why Dry Fast as a Traveler?

Health & Lifespan
  • Dry fasting could facilitate Autophagy.
  • Autophagy is a physiological state the body essentially uses available resources to sustain itself.
  • Subsequently, normally unusable substances (cells fragments, misfolded proteins, …) are used as nutritive material.
  • Dry fasting may also regulate cholesterol levels and therefore lower risk for heart disease & stroke.
  • It improves mental clarity and cognitive function.
  • And tends to normalize Serotonin production.
    • Serotonin is a neurotransmitter regulating appetite, digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual functions.
  • Dry fasting affects jet lag & fatigue in general.
  • Many anti-jet lag diet show similarities with a dry fast.
  • Most of then include extended periods of fasting going up to 16 hours straight.
  • In many cases irregularly timed meals tend to inhibit brain fog.
  • Some jet lag diets comprise cycle of intense consumption followed by 1-day fast.
  • However, dry fasting has no guidelines regarding organized deregulation of appetite.
  • Therefore, it can be adopted more progressively.
  • 16 hours fast seem to be the most effective type.
Time, Money & Sustainability
  • More time & money to enjoy attractions, landmarks and landscapes.
    • Spending less time eating.
    • Staying at a nicer hotel.
    • More money for shopping.
  • What if you start declining meals in Planes?
  • You allow passengers near you to realize they are not hungry.
  • Subsequently to decline as well.
  • Some companies already propose no meals or light meals flights.
  • Companies realized customers decline their meal more often and there may be some wasted money there.
  • Almost every low cost company proposes a no meal option.
Motivation, Willpower & Religiosity
  • Consumption is a constrain.
  • Free your mind.
  • How many times a day do you want to eat?
  • Not just today, or the upcoming week.
  • How many times in a single day do you deeply want to eat?
  • If you realize you wish to eat only 2 times a day, today, can you say the same for the upcoming week?
  • What about the upcoming month?
  • What do you really want to eat?
  • Limiting your eating frequency, not quantity we’re not there yet, will allow you to choose better.
  • You can eat the same amount of food, just in a narrower window.
  • But what food?
  • If you began dry fast for the mental clarity reasons you may be interested by the willpower boost it induces.
  • Any form of behavioral regulation has an effect of dopamine production.
  • You will be able to pilot your reward system more easily as you navigate your way to homeostasis.

Where to start?

Process
  • Where should you Go?
  • Somewhere where your mind will be busy on something.
  • You’ll have a lot more time.
  • Therefore you’ll need a clear agenda.
  • Prepare your 3 days/weekly itinerary:
  • Which landmarks/cultural locations will you visit?
    • What do you want to learn about German culture?
    • Will you take footage of Yoyogi Park?
  • Which events will you participate to?
    • Will you participate to the San Fermin festival?
    • Will share your experience live on your favorite platform?
  • Will you be practicing your Skills/Hobby?
    • Are you a Painter/Drawer, Musician, Writer, Photographer, Programmer?
    • Want to enhance your communication skills? Bring a volume of How to sell anything to anybody & The 22 Laws of Marketing in your bag.
  • Where will you relax?
    • You’ll be exhausted after such a full day.
    • It may be time for your meal of the day.
    • If you decide to continue your fast look for a place people don’t eat.
  • Will you go in a Country where days are short?
  • Will you go in a Country where days are long?
Locations
  • Limit your distractions easily.
  • Monastery, are the best places to begin.
  • You’ll benefit from the support of experienced practitioners.
  • Offer yourself a rest.
  • A Retirement from the anticipation of future body needs.
  • Rent a room for a week.
  • Don’t hesitate to ask for additional information.
  • Gaming/Sports marathon are another way to go.
  • Games & Sports will target your mind.
  • You don’t have to physically exercise if you don’t want to.
  • The main goal here is for you to do something fun.
  • For an unlimited period of time.
  • Some outdoors activities such as Hiking, Diving, Paragliding will bring you the fun to its fullest.
  • So much so that you’ll forget about drinking & eating.
  • Artist meeting, Concerts & Festivals are other great choices.
  • See them as Casual networking events.
  • Dive into Outdoor locations, mountains, lakes, hiking trails, if you want to explore & contemplate.
  • Go for natural Parks & national Gardens if you can’t get out of the City/Town.
Categories
Arts & Travel Business & Travel

Why Travel more as an Artist?

Wherever you are a Painter, a Sculptor, a Musician, digital or traditional, you draw your resources from Life.

  • Where are you the most exposed to this Life you need to create?
  • What form does this Life takes?
  • How much diversity do you need to evolve as an Artist?
  • Do you need to travel very far to find Life?

Outline of the Article:

  • Learning to work with limitations
  • Compose a travel Diary
  • Shopping for rare or discounted items
  • Landmarks, the Soul of a Nation
  • Parks, let your mind flow
  • Restaurants & Cafes, refuel the Body & think
  • Museums, Art Galleries, Ateliers & Artists Residencies
  • Paint the 50, Paint the Union
  • Unique Landscapes, acquire Artistic Awareness
  • Rest, for real & Restart

Learning to work with limitations

  • Limited Material & Tools
    • You don’t need a desk to be productive.
    • No internet is the best way to come up with new designs.
    • Paper and pencil are enough.
  • Limited Time
    • Having less time to create your next project will force better result.
    • Less time means less time to hesitate.
    • Think crucial features through & implement.
  • Focus on 1 project or have multiple one?
    • How long is your trip?
    • How many settings are you visiting? 1 piece = 1 setting?
    • Should you create a global composition for this City, this Country?

Compose a Travel Diary

  • Get organized & Play more, with Mind Maps.
    • Mind maps are by far the easiest way to concentrate data.
    • After practicing for 4 years you could put 500 pages books onto 4 sheets of paper without losing any substantial information.
  • The Process:
    • Take a piece of paper horizontally, separate it with 2 diagonals.
    • Trace 4 circles/ovals/squares/the shape your prefer with 4 different colors, (a 4-color Bic is the easy way to go).
    • Choose 4 topics you want to study.
    • Or the main 4 parts of your next project.
  • Why not Paint & Draw postcards of the places you visit?
  • Or compose your song & then record it.
  • Your diary will become fuller & more diverse with every day passing.
  • Develop a clear unique style.
  • Produce a piece a day.
  • Post daily.
  • People may soon contact you to buy your content.

Shopping for rare or discounted items

  • Looking for Rare Items?
  • Antique shops will give you the inspiration you need.
  • Look for Childhood memories.
  • Look for foreign objects.
  • Look for useless objects with great design.
  • What’s that small box that can contain nothing?
  • You could also go for Brocantes or Brokers.
  • Both have uniques items to sell, if you are willing to ask?
    • What’s the most expensive item you have?
    • What’s the most useless item you have?
    • What’s the most ludicrous item you have?
    • Will you sell it to me?
    • Can I have 30% off of this SNES?
  • Get in with your own stuff & see if you can trade.
  • Visit Discount Art or Tech store.
  • Buy Discounted items, in Bulk.
  • You can buy your clothes online, but most of the time you can’t properly try them, even if your e-seller has a solid return policy.
  • Same thing here with artistic material.
  • Ask to try the items.
  • Meet fellow artists.
  • Ask for recommendations.

Landmarks, the Soul of a Nation

  • What does the Monument looks like, from the outside?
  • How does a Monument visit affect your vision of it?
  • Observe people around you, are they happy to be there?
  • Are they tourists or locals?
  • Asking for the Landmark’s history is the best way to aggregate a little sack of knowledge about the place.
  • Ask for a Guided tour to fill the blanks & you’re ready to go.
  • Grab your tool & make.
  • Make Art With a Sense Of Place, Make Contextual Art.
  • Does your art belong to the location you’re in?
  • Just ask to locals about the City/Town’s symbol or motto.
  • Focusing on travel-related themes: Adventure, Exploration, Epics & Sagas.
  • But also the Mundane, the Daily, the authentic.
  • You can find a ballad on the shores of the sea, or a walk in national gardens.
  • Do you prefer the Extravagant?
    • Go for it.
  • Would you rather paint sailboats & seagulls?
  • Would you compose your next song under cypresses at dusk?

Parks, let your mind flow

  • Source of inspiration for artist over History, the parks are also 1 of the ideal location to rest & focus at the same time.
  • Painter, train your eyes on animated subjects.
    • Train your animation skills by depicting those people moving around.
    • Train your speed by lashing drafts or sketches on paper/canvas.
  • Musicians
    • Go around.
    • Record Background sounds, dialogues, conversations, take quick pictures of animals & people.
    • Do you have some experience with CGI or Video edition/SFX?
    • Why not capture some footage for a future clip?
  • Sculptor.
    • Study the synergy between Living & Inert objects.
    • Take some photos for texture reference.
    • Mold textures?
    • Make some miniatures.
    • Do you have some Blender/Maya skills?
    • Do you have a 3D printer?
  • Meet fellow artists
    • They will be here for similar reasons.
    • It’s a time as good as any to exchange a few words on your upcoming project & maybe contacts.
  • Have you ever wondered why we feel at ease in Parks?

Restaurants & Cafes, refuel the Body & think

  • Find inspiration in a restaurant?
  • Do you have a favorite dish?
  • An evergreen treat?
  • Then, treat yourself plentifully.
  • That’s part of the creation process.
  • You need to refuel this jauge called motivation.
  • By thinking about new projects?
  • By imagining your next composition on that little piece of napkin.
  • Or just by resting…

  • Today was a journey, tomorrow will be too.
  • What are the after effects of this journey?
  • What have you acquired today?
  • What will you do tomorrow?

Museums, Art Galleries, Ateliers & Artists Residencies

Too Obvious?

  • Not exactly, as we may visit Museums & Art galleries only as consumers.
  • In fact, if you’re in the animation/cinematography business do you analyse every movie/series you watch?
  • Go for exhibitions with Travel themes.
  • Look for expeditions driven exhibitions where are exposed multiple pieces of unusual material.
  • Much like what you did for the Antique shops.
  • Where else could you go to develop your foreign art senses?
  • You’re Tuscany…
    • Have you planned to visit an Atelier?
  • You don’t need to participate to group exercises or book for a course, just ask for a quick tour, not even guided.
  • Another way to go is Artist Residencies.
  • It is a lesser known practice but just as useful.
  • These are places where you can enjoy the length of time passed away from home.
  • Away from chores.
  • Residencies may be occupied for a couple of weeks/months.
  • Residencies offer housing for multiple people at once.
  • All is in the hands of the owner.

Paint the 50, Paint the Union

  • It’s cheaper to travel by car or by train?
  • Maybe not always, but it’s easier if you don’t need a visa or have to learn a new language every time you move.
    • Though it could be a missed opportunity.
  • If you are living in the US, it may be easy to make a piece of art for every state.
  • You may also have some favorite cities or monuments.
  • Take a landmark/landscape you like and just add some visual contrast.
  • It may be temporal, spatial, thematic or just colorimetric.
  • Same thing if you’re living in Europe.
  • Start your trip in Lisbon and then all the way to Minsk.
  • As you go around mix & match cultures, monuments, plants, wildlife and so on.

Unique Landscapes, acquire Artistic Awareness

  • Why did you begin to create?
  • When did you begin to create?
  • Where did you begin to create?
  • Maybe in your own room, in your bed or on your desk.
  • But the impulse came from outside.
  • A most distant land you can barely remember.
  • Maybe it didn’t really exist.
  • The memory persists.
  • Where can you rediscover this place?
  • Will it be in the red Mountains, made of Fire & Rocks?
  • While running in the Plains, coursed with Wind & Light?
  • Under the Seas, on lone Islands, where flow wonderful Waters & dismal Currents?
  • Deep in the Forest’s domain, where reign Earth, Wood & Shades?

Rest, for real & Restart

  • Do you have nightmares?
  • Vibrant, violent nightmares.
  • The kind of apparitions that are a blessing for they procure you the art material you need.
  • Yet, are also truly taxing at the same time.
  • And not even literal nightmares because they have nothing to do with being laid off, or…
    • That’s all actually.
    • That’s the only realistic thing that won’t happen into these kind of nightmares that are about mooncalves & other monstrosities that aggregate when your visual library gets saturated.
  • Travel is supposed to be fun.
  • It is also supposed to be the moment when we rest.
  • As in, ‘Do we really have fun?’, think.
  • Did I really rest?
  • Did you rest?
  • Start another project.

Travel is the endless path to new visual stimulation.

Categories
Games & Travel Gamification

Gamification for Travel

  • Travel is fun.
  • Travel is fun?
  • It should be.
  • Is it always the case?
  • Can you enjoy your week in Madrid or your 3 days in Berlin at the fullest?
  • Can you discover Italian, Swedish or Russian culture in such a short time?
  • No, but you can optimize that time to get the most out of your séjour.
  • How?
  • Gamification.
  • Gamification turns Travel into a Real-Life open world Game.
  • How do you create games for your team?

Here’s how:

  • Bigger Goals
  • Status & Progression
  • Teams & Collaboration
  • Learning through Interaction
  • Rewards & Incentives

Bigger Goals

  • It’s the easier part of the Journey.
  • The simplest, the earnest.
  • What do you want to do?
  • Because you can do anything.
  • Do you want to learn Spanish?
  • Do you want to run around the Taiga?
  • Do you want to find the best deals in Instanbul?
  • Choose your hurdles, better yourself & win.
  • Where : At the Beginning.
  • Games : What kind of soup would I be?
  • Customization :
    • Define your symbol, your icon, your motto.
    • It doesn’t have to be fancy, a blue square/green triangle/red circle/purple pentagone could do.
  • Balance :
    • Your Goal will set the difficulty & interest of each game and location you visit..
  • Replayability :
    • Autonomy is Engagement.

Status & Progression

Your Team
  • A global board would be useful to track everyone’s progress.
  • This could be unequally perceived by your team mates.
  • That’s the occasion to normalize the expectations & the reactions.
  • Additionally, each of your Teammates can make their own character sheet.
  • Let them track their Progression through a leveling system or a small graphic.
  • Team members increase their level/rank/skills through completing games.
  • Let them express their Individuality by designing their own character sheet.
    • Through the game ‘If I were a Pizza’ your teammates define their core goal/mission (the Crust), then choose themselves 4 behavior traits & accessories (Topping) for the duration of the game.
  • Where : Cafes & Hotels, or anywhere you can sit & write.
  • Games : The Final version of myself, Evolution (requires a small insect you’ll keep on yourself), Make your own Sheet, If I were a Pizza.
  • Customization :
    • Let everyone make a different character sheet.
    • Impose no unnecessary standards.
  • Balance :
    • Everyone should have some sort of advantage over the others in order to justify everyone’s role.
    • Start with an easy game and progressively let them get a taste of difficulty & Uneasiness.
  • Replayability :
    • Give them many progression system that they will want to try.
    • For exemple you could give them 1 based on sheer Effort, another on Patience & a last 1 based on Precision or Agility.

Character Sheet

Teams & Collaboration

  • Team members will be essential to solve problems, complete quests & achieve an objective.
  • This will train you to retain, recruit & assign people so that they can play at the top of their game.
  • Context & Culture of your team building is the core of the team building experience.
  • During a Travels there are 4 main categories of Settings : Shopping districts, Landmarks, Parks & Restaurants.
  • Each type of setting will correspond to a different types of Adventurers: The Shopper, The Explorer, The Rester & The Fooder.
  • Each team member possessing a keen interest for a specific category of activity will always be able to help the rest of the group if they aren’t too fond of that particular activity.
  • These 4 types apply for the Urban travels.
  • If you are going through a jungle, a forest, a island, a mountain or even by seas you’ll need other types of adventurer (The survivalist, the trapper, the fisher, the hiker or the sailor).
  • Tailor your group to your needs & to your ambitions.
  • Where to team-build : Everywhere, especially is parks & wild open spaces.
  • Games : A Bet, At the end of the day no one wins, Remember my secret, Find me a Nickname, Find yourself a new name, The Army of Us.
  • Customization :
    • If you’ve got some graphic skills draw a small portrait for each team mate.
    • Finding a name/nickname for the travel will make the journey more memorable.
  • Balance :
    • When determining each players roles balance Skills & Interests.
    • Each player should choose at least 1 activity.
  • Replayability :
    • If you are a group of 4-6 you can make more than 1 team.

Learning through Interaction

  • You can assist your team by offering them Hints, Enigmas & Quizzes through the games.
  • Your Team will go through 3 types of Interactions (or activity types) in order to grow.
  • The Competition is the common game setting.
  • There will be winners & losers.
  • This is the traditional setting in term of offensive behaviors such as beat, brag, taunt, challenge, & fight.
  • The Cooperation is less common, but maybe more desirable as a 1st shot if you wish to develop group cohesion.
  • There may be losers, if some players do not follow the rules.
  • The whole team may win.
  • Cooperation generally requires to unit the whole team against a common threat.
  • Another scenario may be a collect-type quest or a scavenger hunt.
  • This is the traditional setting in term of collaborative behaviors such as gather, recover, share, assist, gift, encourage, & trade.
  • The Exploration is the last type of interaction.
  • The most adapted for an adventure type game, a long quest or campaign.
  • It could also be adapted to a mystery/investigation setting.
  • It’s nice to play this type of game in an outdoor setting as well, such as a hiking trek, a forest trek, or even an underwater environment.
  • This is the traditional setting in term of Seeking behaviors such as Unveil, Questions, Discover, Read, Search, Collect, Complete, Decrypt & curate.
  • The Expression is a subset of Exploration games.
  • It can be construed as a 4th type of interaction.
  • It is a type of mental Exploration and can be exercised through a canvas of some sort.
  • The most common type of expression is the physical art expression.
  • This is the traditional setting in term of Seeking behaviors such as Decide, Customize, Design, & Transform.
  • At this stage your players may want to develop their own games.
  • Encourage them to do so.
  • They will fail to create balanced or replayable games.
  • That’s fine.
  • Give them the chance to do something different.
  • Not better or worse, just different.
  • Where to use it : Landmarks & Museums, can apply to any other place with a little history (10 years or so.)
  • Games : Ask the owner, order the Specialties, Trap the tour guide, The Irregular’s Itinerary, Draw the place you are In, Travel Journal.
  • Customization :
    • If a game is too difficult for now don’t hesitate to delay.
  • Balance :
    • Let them struggle, and let them know why.
  • Replayability :
    • Don’t drown them with data.
    • Keep some mystery.
    • Let them ask for more.

Rewards & Incentives

  • Fuels the user’s motivation and keeps engagement high.
  • Experience Points, Medals/Badges are common rewards.
  • Other rewards could be a simple treat.
  • A dinner to wherever they want.
  • Maybe they’ll just want a day of rest because they’ll be fed up with your games.
  • You can give your team a sense of protection through your ownership, which in return will entice them to show you more of themselves.
  • You can help them achieve Personal victory conditions though experiences tailored for them.
  • You can develop a progressive system of rewards adapted to the difficulties encountered.
  • The Paroxysm of this system is when the task itself become the reward.
  • A Game or an Activity could make you happier than resting.
  • In order to achieve this state the Game must make you feel fulfilled.
  • Assign only meaningful & rewarding tasks during your Games.
  • Where : Anywhere they are pleased to play.
  • Games : Blissful Productivity.
  • Customization :
    • Adapt the reward/incentive to your team’s needs & wants.
  • Balance :
    • Don’t make the game punishing.
  • Replayability :
    • Make the gaming experience rewarding on its own right.
Categories
Travel Language

Travel Language – Spanish in a week – Landmarks & Parks

  • We’re ending our Spanish week with 2 of the most immersive topics.
  • Day 6 – Visiting Cities
    • Landmarks
  • Day 7 – Parks
    • Vegetation
    • Rest
The State of Mind
  • It will be Fun in the beginning, Frustrating in the middle & Fulfilling in the end.
  • Now you’re at the end of the week you may pursue on your Spanish journey to conversational fluency.
  • If you’ve been that far it may only take you a year.
When you’re VIsiting
  • Ask inhabitants for recommendation.
  • The most valuable advice will come from a barman/barber, the hotel/restaurant/shop personnel since they speak to so many people.
  • Look for interesting & unusual paths recommendations.

Essential Questions
  • What’s your favorite place in Castille?
    • ¿Cuál es tu lugar favorito en Castilla?
  • Where should I go in Bilbao?
    • ¿Dónde debo ir en Bilbao?
  • What’s the story of Merida?
    • ¿Cuál es la historia de Mérida?
  • Where is the calmest park around?
    • ¿Dónde está el parque más tranquilo de los alrededores?
  • Where can I buy [a souvenir]?
    • ¿Dónde puedo comprar []?
  • How much does [this souvenir] cost?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta []?
  • How much is the entry fee?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta la entrada?
  • I’m looking for the City of Arts and Sciences (in Vallencia)?
    • Estoy buscando la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
  • Is there a preferred itinerary?
    • ¿Hay un itinerario preferido?

Cities & Landmarks

  • Are you going to Pamplona for the San Fermin festival?
    • ¿Vas a Pamplona para las fiestas de San Fermín?
  • When you go to Pamplona, wear a white shirt & a red scarf.
    • Cuando vayas a Pamplona, lleva una camiseta blanca y un panuelo rojo.
  • We’re going at a restaurant on the Plaza Mayor.
    • Vamos a un restaurante en la Plaza Mayor.
  • The cathedrals of Salamanca are exquisite.
    • Las catedrales de Salamanca son exquisitas.
  • Salamanca is nicknamed the Golden City
    • Salamanca es apodada La Dorada.
  • The University of Salamanca dates from the XIIIth century.
    • La Universidad de Salamanca data del siglo XIII.
  • When people in Madrid want to celebrate, they go to Fideles’ fountain.
    • Cuando la gente en Madrid quiere celebrar, van a la fuente de Fideles.
  • I went to a concert in Madrid.
    • Fui a un concierto en Madrid.
  • There are a lot of Landmarks in Madrid.
    • Hay muchos hitos en Madrid.
  • One of the most important places in Sevilla is La Giralda.
    • Uno de los lugares más importantes de Sevilla es La Giralda.
  • Seville is the capital city of Andalusia.
    • Sevilla es la capital de Andalucía.
  • Is there a preferred itinerary?
    • ¿Hay un itinerario preferido?
  • We didn’t plan any itinerary.
    • No planeamos ningún itinerario.
  • Can you tour Granada in 1 day?
    • ¿Puedes recorrer Granada en un día?
  • I asked at the reception how to get to the cathedral.
    • Pregunté en la recepción cómo ir a la catedral.

Parks

El Retiro
  • There’s a wonderful statue in this park.
    • Hay una estatua maravillosa en ese parque.
  • This tree looks weird.
    • Este árbol se ve raro.
  • I’d like to go for a picnic at a park tomorrow.
    • Me gustaría ir de picnic a un parque mañana.
  • The park is very spacious.
    • El parque es muy espacioso.
  • I feel safe here.
    • Me siento seguro/segura aquí.
  • I hope it won’t rain.
    • Espero que no llueva.

Museums, Art Galleries & Cinema

  • What is your favorite piece of art/Movie/Album/Book?
    • ¿Cuál es tu obra de arte, película, álbum o libro favorito?
  • How did you 1st discovered it?
    • ¿Cómo lo descubriste?
  • I’m looking for the City of Arts and Sciences (in Vallencia)?
    • Estoy buscando la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
  • How much is the entry fee?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta la entrada?
  • I’m looking for the [Alhambra].
    • Estoy buscando la [Alhambra].
  • I asked at the reception how to get to the museum.
    • Pregunté en la recepción cómo llegar al museo.
  • We are taking a tour.
    • Estamos haciendo un recorrido.
  • I made a reservation a week ago.
    • Hice una reservación hace una semana.
  • We will visit the Museo del Prado.
    • Visitaremos el Museo Nacional del Prado.
  • The tour guide is here to help.
    • El guía turístico está aquí para ayudar.
  • Even if he doesn’t speak English very well.
    • Aunque no hable muy bien el inglés.

Categories
Uncategorized

Travel Language – Learn Spanish in a week – Shopping

  • We’re continuing our Spanish week with 2 of the most important topics.
  • Day 5 – For every kind of Shop
    • Clothing
  • Day 5 bis – Money
The State of Mind
  • It will be Fun in the beginning, Frustrating in the middle & Fulfilling in the end.
Essential Phrases
  • How much does it cost?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
  • How much does [ham] cost?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta [el jamón]?
  • I’m looking for [Spanish ham].
    • Busco un [jamón Ibérico].
  • Where can I buy [espadrilles]?
    • ¿Dónde puedo comprar [espadrilles]?
  • How much does [this dress] cost?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta [este vestido]?
  • Is there another color/size/model?
    • ¿Hay otro color?
    • ¿Hay otra talla?
    • ¿Hay otro modelo?
  • I’ll take Two (Three/Four/Five).
    • Voy a comprar dos (Tres/Cuatro/Cinco).
  • Could you give me a discount?
    • ¿Me podria dar un descuento?
  • Can I have 10% off?
    • ¿Puedo tener 10% de descuento?

For every kind of Shop

  • What time does this store open/close?
    • ¿A qué hora abre/cierra esta tienda?
  • What are your business hours?
    • ¿Cuál es su horario de atención?
  • Where can I buy [a gaucho hat]?
    • ¿Dónde puedo comprar [sombreros de gaucho]?
  • Do you know a place where they make/do [summer dress]?
    • ¿Conoce un lugar donde hagan [vestido de verano]?
  • Do you know where they sell [fresh fruits]?
    • ¿Conoce un lugar donde venden [frutas frescas]? 
  • How much does this cost?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
    • ¿Cuánto vale?
  • Is this on sale?
    • ¿Esto está en oferta?
  • I would like one of those.
    • Quisiera uno de esos.
  • I would like 10 of these.
    • Me gustaria diez de estos.
  • Can I pay by credit card?
    • ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta de crédito?
  • Do you have a delivery service?
    • ¿Tiene servicio de entregas?
  • Does this product have a guarantee?
    • ¿Este producto tiene garantía?
  • Could you give me a discount?
    • ¿Me podria dar un descuento?
  • I will come back soon/later.
    • Voy a volver pronto/luego.
  • I will think about it.
    • Lo voy a pensar.
  • I’m only looking.
    • Sólo estoy mirando.
  • Can I have a refund?
    • ¿Me da un reembolso?
  • Can you exchange it for another?
    • ¿Puedes cambiarlo por otro?
  • I do not have the receipt.
    • No tengo el recibo.
  • Can I talk to the manager?
    • ¿Puedo hablar con el gerente?

Clothing, Shoes & other Accessories

  • I need new clothes.
    • Necesito ropa nueva.
  • I would like to try it on.
    • Me gustaría probármelo.
  • Do you have it in [blue/white/red]?
    • ¿Lo tienes en [azul/blanco/rojo]?
  • Can I have 3?
    • ¿Puedo tener 3?
  • One in red, one in purple, one in green.
    • Uno en rojo, uno en púrpura, uno en verde.
  • Can you exchange it for another color?
    • ¿Puede cambiarlo por otro color?
  • I took the wrong color/size.
    • Tomé el color/la talla equivocado(a).
  • What’s your shirt/dress size?
    • ¿Cuál es su talla de camisa/vestido?
  • What pants/skirt size do you wear?
    • ¿Qué talla de pantalón/falda lleva usted?
  • What shoe size do you wear? 
    • ¿Qué número/talla de zapatos lleva usted?
  • Do you have this in [small/medium/large/extra large]?
    • ¿Tienes ésta en talla [pequeña/mediana/grande/extra grande]?
  • Can you exchange it for a [small/medium/large/extra large] size?
    • ¿Puede cambiarlo por una talla [pequeña/mediana/grande/extra grande]?
  • This is too tight/large on me.
    • Me apretado/grande para mí.
  • It fits me/suits me well.
    • Me queda bien.
  • It doesn’t fit me.
    • No me queda bien.
  • It is damaged here.
    • Está dañado aquí.
    • Se ha dañado aquí.

Money

  • Where is the ATM?
    • Dónde está el cajero?
  • Where’s the nearest [bank]?
    • ¿ Dónde está [el banco] más cercano?
  • Do you have change for a 500 euros bill?
    • ¿Tiene cambio de un billete de quinientos euros?
  • This is the wrong change.
    • Este es el cambio equivocado.
  • Do you take credit or debit cards?
    • ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito o débito?
  • Only cash.
    • Sólo efectivo.
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Travel Language – Spanish in a week – Restaurants & Food

  • We’re continuing our Spanish week with 2 of the most pleasing topics.
  • Day 3 – Visit Restaurants & Cafes
    • Day 4 – Self-Carter & the Markets
  • Day 3 bis – Opinions & Hobbies
The State of Mind
  • It will be Fun in the beginning, Frustrating in the middle & Fulfilling in the end.
Essential Phrases
  • Can I have [a coffee], please?
    • ¿Me pones [un cafe], por favor? 
  • I would like [a cocoa], please.
    •  Tomo [un cacao], por favor.
  • Can you give me [a tea], please?
    • Me das …
  • I would like [a fruit cocktail], please.
    • Quisiera [un cóctel de frutas], por favor.
    • Me gustaría [un cóctel de frutas], por favor.
  • Do you have [a table for two]?
    • ¿Tiene [una mesa para dos]? 
  • Is there [a bathroom]? (used to ask for nearby Places)
    • ¿Hay [un baño]?
  • What time is it?
    • ¿Qué hora es?

Restaurants

  • A table for [two, three, four], please.
    • Una mesa para [dos, tres, cuatro], por favor.
  • I have a reservation.
    • Tengo una reserva.
  • I would like [a menu], please.
    • Quisiera [un menú], por favor.
  • Where is the bathroom?
    • ¿Dónde està el baño?
  • On the left/right.
    • A mano izquierda/derecha.
  • Would you like a drink?
    • ¿Quieres tomar algo?
  • I would like Tap water/Bottled water.
    • Me gustaría tener agua del grifo/agua embotellada
  • Regular or Sparkling Water?
    • Sin gaz/Con gaz.
  • For you?
    •  ¿Para usted? 
  • For me, [a Gazpacho Salad with Serrano].
    • Para mi, [una ensalada de gazpacho con Serrano]. 
  • And for her/him, [a hamburger with fries].
    • Y para ella/él, [un Hamburguesa con patatas fritas].
  • A Sandwich, please.
    • Un Torta, por favor.
  • What do you want to drink?
    • ¿Qué quieres para tomar?
  • I’ll take [a milkshake], please.
    • Tomo [una batido de leche], por favor.
  • What would you like to eat/drink?
    • ¿Qué quieres comer/beber?
  • Are you ready to order?
    • ¿Estás listo para pedir? 
  • I’m not ready yet.
    • Todavía no estoy listo.
  • I need more time.
    • Necesito más tiempo.
  • What would you recommend me?
    • ¿Qué me recomiendas?
  • I am vegetarian.
    • Soy vegetariano.
  • I would like [an appetizer/a desert], please.
    • Quisiera [un entrada], por favor.
    • Me gustaría [un postre], por favor.
  • Will you bring me more bread?
    • ¿Me traes más pan? 
  • Do you have [another knife]?
    • ¿Tienes [otro cuchillo]?
  • The check, please.
    • La cuenta, por favor.
  • Please. Will you bring me the bill?
    • Señor./Señorita. ¿Me traes la cuenta?

Self-Carter & Markets

  • How much is it?
    • ¿Cuanto cuesta?
  • Where is the cheese section?
    • ¿Dónde está la sección de queso?
  • Where is the vegetable section?
    • ¿Dónde está la sección de vegetales?
  • Do you have [mineral water]?
    • ¿Tienes [agua mineral]?
  • I’m looking for [poultry].
    • Estoy buscando [aves de corral].
  • What is its expiration date?
    • ¿Cuál es su fecha de vencimiento?

Spanish markets, much like the French & Italian ones, will enchant you with a plethora of charcuterie, cheeses, special breads & Mediterraneans/Atlantic fishes.

It’s also a great occasion to discover Regional products, and not only food.

Finally, it’s one of the best places to practice your Spanish listening skills since you’ll be exposed to many different dialects & accents.
And even maybe other languages…

  • What local specialties should I try?
    • ¿Qué especialidades locales debo probar?
  • What would you like to eat/drink?
    • ¿Qué quieres comer/beber?
  • What do you recommend?
    • ¿Qué me recomienda? 
  • I would like five.
    • Me gustaría tener cinco.
  • Can I have a discount?
    • ¿Puedo tener un descuento?

Opinions & Tastes

You may want to enjoy some company while you dine.
Why not strike a little conversation?

Opinions
  • I like [1].
    • Me gusta [1].
  • I Prefer [2].
    • Yo prefiero [2].
  • What do you think about[jazz]?
    • ¿Qué opinas del [jazz]?
  • What’s your favorite[song]?
    • ¿Cuál es tu [canción] favorita?
  • How did you find the [movie]?
    • ¿Cómo encontraste la [película]?
  • What did you think about the [movie]?
    • ¿Qué te pareció la [película]?
  • Do you prefer potatoes or pasta?
    • ¿Prefieres las patatas o la pasta?
  • I prefer [potatoes/pasta].
    • Prefiero [patatas/pasta].
  • Why?
    • ¿Por qué?
  • They are soft/creamy/ample.
    • Son suaves/crema/muestra.
  • What’s your favorite [place in Barcelona]?
    • ¿Cuál es tu [lugar favorito en Barcelona]?
  • Where should I go in [Granada]?
    • ¿Dónde debo ir en [Granada]?
  • What’s the top restaurant around here?
    • ¿Cuál es el mejor restaurante de por aquí?
  • What’s your favorite [restaurant in town]?
    • ¿Cuál es tu [restaurante favorito en la ciudad]?
  • What are the best cafes in [Salamanca]?
    • ¿Cuáles son los mejores cafés de [Salamanca]?
  • That was delicious.
    • Estuvo delicioso.
  • I like eating a lot.
    • Me gusta comer demasiado.
Hobbies
  • I like [singing].
    • Me gusta [cantar].
  • I Prefer [drawing].
    • Prefiero [dibujo].
  • [Playing music] is great for the brain.
    • [Tocar música] es genial para el cerebro.
  • [Writing] helps you to express yourself more freely.
    • [Escribir] te ayuda a expresarte más libremente.
  • I would like to be an [Illustrator].
    • Quiero ser un [Ilustradora].
  • What do you do?
    • ¿A qué se/te dedicas?
    • ¿Qué es lo que haces/hace?
  • I work as a [programmer].
    • Trabajo como [programador].
  • Is it difficult?
    • ¿Es difícil?
  • Yes/No.
    • Si/No.
  • What is the most challenging thing as a [programmer]?
    • ¿Qué es lo más desafiante como [programador]?
  • Problem solving.
    • Solución de problemas.
  • Do you enjoy it?
    • ¿Lo disfrutas/disfruta?
  • It allows me to develop video games as a hobby.
    • Me permite desarrollar videojuegos como un hobby.
  • Would you like to turn your hobby as a full-time job?
    • ¿Te gustaría convertir tu hobby en un trabajo a tiempo completo?
  • I want to.
    • Quiero hacerlo.
  • Why did you learn Spanish?
    • ¿Por qué estudiar español? 
  • I wanted to visit Spain.
    • Quería visitar España.
  • How did you learn Spanish?
    • ¿Como estudiar español?
  • I read & listened for an hour a day.
    • Leí y escuché durante una hora al día.
  • Then I spoke for a 10 minutes a day.
    • Luego hablé durante 10 minutos al día.
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Travel Language – Spanish in a week – Common Phrases

  • We’re beginning our Spanish week with 2 of the most widespread topics.
  • Day 1 – Introduction & Greetings
  • Day 2 – Directions, Transportation & Accommodation
  • The essential questions that will get you everywhere.
  • What’s your favorite place in Castille?
    • ¿Cuál es tu lugar favorito en Castilla?
  • Where should I go in Bilbao?
    • ¿Dónde debo ir en Bilbao?
  • What time is it?
    • ¿Qué hora es?
  • The State of Mind
    • It will be Fun in the beginning, Frustrating in the middle & Fulfilling in the end.

Introduction

  • What is your name?
    • ¿Cómo se llama? (Formal)
    • ¿Cómo te llamas? (Casual)
  • My name is [name]. Pleased to meet you. (Formal)
    • Me llamo/Mi nombre es []. Encantada de conocerle.
  • Hello, I’m [name]. Nice to meet you. (Casual)
    • Hola, soy []. Mucho Gusto.
  • I’m [age].
    • Soy [age].
  • Where are you from?
    • ¿De dónde es? (Formal)
    • ¿De dónde eres? (Casual)
  • I come from [country].
    • Soy de [pais].
  • What do you do?
    • ¿A qué se dedicas? (Formal)
    • ¿A qué te dedicas? (Casual)
  • What is your job?
    • ¿Cuál es su trabajo? (Formal)
    • ¿Cuál es tu trabajo? (Casual)
  • I’m a [job]
    • Soy [job].
Introducing someone else
  • This is [name/title/relationship with].
    • Este es […].
  • Allow me to introduce you to [name/title/relationship with].
    • Permíteme presentarle a […].
  • Her/His name is [name].
    • Se llama […].

Greetings

  • Good day/afternoon/evening.
    • Buenos días/tardes/noches.
  • Pleased to meet you.
    • Encantada(F)/Encantado (M).
  • Nice to meet you.
    • Mucho gusto.
  • How are you?
    • ¿Qué tal?
  • What’s new in your life?
    • ¿Como esta?
  • What about you?
    • ¿Y usted?
  • Thank you.
    • Gracias.
  • You’re welcome.
    • No hay de que. (Formal)
    • De nada. (Casual)
  • See you later/See you soon.
    • Hasta luego.
    • Hasta la proxima.
  • Yes/No
    • Si/No

Transportation, Directions & Accommodation

Directions

What to listen to

  • Are you visiting?
    • ¿Está visitando? (Formal)
    • ¿Estás visitando? (Casual)
  • On the left/right.
    • A mano izquierda/derecha.
    • Gira/doble a la derecha/izquierda.
    • Está a la derecha/izquierda.
  • Straight ahead.
    • Derecho/Recto.
  • Go down or Get off/Go up or Get on.
    • Bajar/Subir.
  • Outside/Inside.
    • Fuera/Dentro.
  • At the corner.
    • En la esquina.
  • In [one, two, three, four] blocks.
    • A [una, dos, tres, cuatro] cuadra.

What to say/ask

  •  I’m looking for [place].
    • Estoy buscando [place].
  • Where is [Street/Avenue name] Street/Avenue?
    • ¿ Dónde está la calle/avenida [Nombre de la calle/avenida]?
  • How far? 
    • ¿A que distancia?
  • Where is the tourist information office?
    • Dónde está la oficina de infomación turística?
  • Excuse me, could I have a map?
    • Disculpe, un mapa por favor.
  • Excuse me, I need a map.
    • Disculpe, necesito un mapa.
  • I do not unterstand.
    • No comprendo.
    • No entiendo.
  • Do you speak English?
    • ¿Habla inglés?
  • Yes, a little, No.
    • Si, hablo inglés.
    • Si, hablo un poco. (a little)
    • No, no hablo inglés.  
  • Is there anyone who speaks English?
    • ¿Hay alguien que habla inglés? 
  • French/Italian/German
    • Francés/Italiano/Alemán
Transportations
  • How much does [a bus ticket] costs?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta [un billete para el bus]?
  • I would like a 1-way ticket.
    • Quisiera un billete simple.
  • How much does a ticket to [Seville] cost?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete para [Sevilla]? 
  • A ticket to [Grenada] please.
    • Un billete para [Granada] , por favor.
  • Where can I get a taxi?
    •  ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un taxi?
  • Where can I catch the bus?
    • ¿Dónde puedo coger el bus?
  • Where’s the nearest bus stop?
    •  ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús más cerca? 
    • ¿ Dónde está la estacion de buses más cerca?
  • Where’s the nearest railway station?
    • Dónde está la estación de ferrocarril más cerca? 
  • Where is the nearest train station?
    • ¿ Dónde está la estacion de tren más cerca?
Accomodations
  • I’m looking for a hotel.
    • Busco un hotel.
  • I would like/need a room (with a bathroom).
    • Yo quiero/necesito un cuarto (con baño). 
  • Could I have a non smoking room?
    • ¿Podría tener una sala de no fumadores?
  • I would like a non smoking room.
    • Quisiera una habitación para no fumadores, por favor.
  • I would like a room for 2, please.
    • Quisiera una habitación con cama de matrimonio, por favor.
  • Does this include breakfast?
    • ¿Está incluido el desayuno?

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Travel Language – Learn Spanish essentials in a week

  • You’ve got an important meeting to Spain in a week.
  • You’ve discovered you’ve got a relative in Spain & they invite you to come in.
  • You just got a lot of cash and want to learn Spanish quickly.
  • Can you become fluent in a week? No.
  • Can you talk to people about food, money, culture & arts? Yes.
  • And this will kick-start your way to conversational fluency if you’ve enjoyed your journey, and plan to go live in Spain.

Pick your topics

  • Where will you go?
  • How long is your trip?
  • Who will you talk to?
    • What do you need to ask?
    • What do you need to answer?
  • What passionate you the most?

50 min a day Listening, 10-15 min a day Speaking

  • That’s our baseline.
  • It will be enough to get you started on your new habit.
  • Reading, Listening & memorizing for 50-60 minutes.
    • Video-format or podcast, for more convenience.
  • Speaking about a specific, narrow topic for 10-15 minutes, without the least amount of pauses.
  • Our 7 days topics will be : shopping, travel, rest, cinema, games, food & people
    • How do you get the most of your shopping?
    • Why do you travel? To visit Landmarks.
    • Where do you rest? In a Park (at the hotel?).
    • What movie do you want to watch today?
    • What game do you want to play today?
    • What do you want to eat? Where?
    • What’s their goal? Their hobbies? Their favorite things?

How will you learn?

  • Videos
    • Language – Innovative Language Learning & SpanishPod101.
    • Culture – Langfocus, for historical/geographical insight & language comparison (with other Romance languages).
  • How to speak if you know no Spanish speaker?
    • Find a learning partner.
    • If no one is will to make the jump with you, well it’s sad.
    • But you can always go for conversational exchange.
    • Conversation Exchange is great place for this.
  • If you have more than 20 min/day on your hands an want a book you can pick:
    • Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish,
    • Breaking Out of Beginner’s Spanish,
    • Lonely Planet’s Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary.
  • Mindset
    • It will be Fun in the beginning, Frustrating in the middle & Fulfilling in the end.

Shopping district & Markets

  • How much does it cost?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
  • How much does [ham] cost?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta [el jamón]?
  • I’m looking for [Spanish ham].
    • Busco un [jamón Ibérico].
  • Where can I buy [espadrilles]?
    • ¿Dónde puedo comprar [espadrilles]?
  • How much does [this dress] cost?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta [este vestido]?
  • Is there another color/size/model?
    • ¿Hay otro color?
    • ¿Hay otra talla?
    • ¿Hay otro modelo?
  • I’ll take Two (Three/Four/Five).
    • Voy a comprar dos (Tres/Cuatro/Cinco).
  • Can I have a discount?
    • ¿Puedo tener un descuento?
  • Can I have 10% off?
    • ¿Puedo tener 10% (diez por ciento) de descuento?

Parks & Landmarks

  • The most valuable advice will come from a barman/barber, the hotel personnel since they speak to so many people.
  • Ask to restaurant & shop personnel, or any other person knowledgeable about what’s to do in the City/Town you’re in.
  • Look for interesting & unusual paths recommendations.
  • What’s your favorite place in Castille?
    • ¿Cuál es tu lugar favorito en Castilla?
  • Where should I go in Bilbao?
    • ¿Dónde debo ir en Bilbao?
  • What’s the story of Merida?
    • ¿Cuál es la historia de Mérida?

Museums, Art Galleries & Cinema

Spain is an old country with a rich history dating back to antiquity.
They’ve also invested quite some money in new techs, especially machine learning.
So, wherever you’re an history enthusiast or a futurist-to-become, there will be something for you.

  • What is your favorite piece of art/Movie/Album/Book?
    • ¿Cuál es tu obra de arte, película, álbum o libro favorito?
  • How did you 1st discovered it?
    • ¿Cómo lo descubriste?
  • I’m looking for the City of Arts and Sciences (in Vallencia)?
    • Estoy buscando la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
  • How much is the entry fee?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta la entrada?

Restaurants & Cafes

Spanish gastronomy, markets, fresh products, Ham,..

  • What’s the top restaurant around here?
    • ¿Cuál es el mejor restaurante de por aquí?
  • What’s your favorite restaurant in town?
    • ¿Cuál es tu restaurante favorito en la ciudad?
  • What are the best cafes in Salamanca?
    • ¿Cuáles son los mejores cafés de Salamanca?
  • A table for [two, three, four] people, please.
    • Una mesa para [dos, tres, cuatro] personas, por favor.
  • I want a [menu].
    • Yo quiero un [menu]. 
  • Would you like a drink?
    • ¿Quieres tomar algo?
  • I would like Tap water/Bottled water.
    • Me gustaría tener agua del grifo/agua embotellada
  • Regular or Sparkling Water?
    • Sin gaz/Con gaz.
  • What would you like to eat/drink?
    • ¿Qué quieres comer/beber?
  • What do you recommend?
    • ¿Qué me recomienda? 
  • Where is the bathroom?
    • ¿Dónde està el baño?
  • On the left/right.
    • A mano izquierda/derecha.

Transportation & Directions

This is the only section where we will put words since when it comes to directions & transportation we often answers with words.

  •  I’m looking for […]
    • Estoy buscando […]
  • How much does [a bus ticket] costs?
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta [un billete para el bus]?
  • I would like a 1-way ticket.
    • Quisiera un billete simple.
  • Where can I catch the bus?
    • ¿Dónde puedo coger el bus?
  • Where is the [bus station/train station]?
    • ¿ Dónde está [la estacion de buses]?
    • ¿ Dónde está [la estacion de tren]?
  • Where is [Street/Avenue name] Street/Avenue?
    • ¿ Dónde está la calle/avenida [Nombre de la calle/avenida]?
  • Where is the ATM?
    • Dónde está el cajero?
  • Where is the Bank?
    • ¿ Dónde está el banco?
  • Where is the tourist information office?
    • Dónde está la oficina de infomación turística?
  • On the left/right.
    • A mano izquierda/derecha.
  • Straight ahead.
    • Derecho.
  • Bajar/Subir.
    • Go down or Get off/Go up or Get on.
  • Outside/Inside.
    • Fuera/Dentro.
  • At the corner.
    • En la esquina.
  • In [one, two, three, four] blocks.
    • A [una, dos, tres, cuatro] cuadra.
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Living in France: Should you learn French?

  • Do you need to learn french? No.
  • If you want to, you should.
  • If you’re planing to install in France for a few month, or if you intend to live there for a couple of years, learning the language will only make your life better.

Do you need to learn French?

  • Financial services, Real Estate companies, Legal professionals, all of them have their ways with the English language.
  • They will be able to provide advice in both languages with no troubles.
  • Contracts have to be written in a language understood by the parties that’s integral to the European dynamics of inclusiveness.
  • The biggest, most reliable french companies all have an international division.
  • If they don’t, look for another.
  • Every Publics services from Security to Heath to Tax services is equipped to assist you.
  • Education can be delivered in both languages in both languages in many schools & institutes.
  • Entertainment
    • Most cinemas propose non-dubbed versions of the movies or English-subbed versions.
    • The biggest museums & art galleries have bilingual guides.
  • Restaurants
    • Most restaurants have their menues in both languages.
  • Self-Catering & the Markets
    • Almost every super/hypermarket will be English friendly.
    • Many markets have English label nowadays.

If you want to live in France, and enjoy your french mates.

  • You could say Pastries, or Patisseries.
  • Bakery or Boulangerie.
  • And so on.
  • There are very few languages in the world that as a close to English as French.
  • French vocabulary has been introduced into the English language since the Normand invasion of Britain up to the XXth century.
  • English is classified as a Germanic language, but up to 2/3 of its vocabulary is directly inherited from Romance languages, namely Latin (1/3) & French (1/3).
  • If anything, learning French will allow you to discover new English words.
  • Similarly, English is an easy language to learn if you are already speaking french, and is of great value if you wish to understand the evolution of French language as the 2 languages are so intertwined.

Travel & Taste

  • Les Marches locaux (Markets) are probably one of the best places to learn French.
  • Because you’ll learn French in its rawest form.
  • Local producers won’t try to tailor their speech for the customers, they’ll speak their way.
  • That’s also why markets are the best place to learn dialects.
  • And also the best places to discover regional specialties.
  • Try to visit as many cities, towns & villages as you can especially at the border of Spain, Italy & Germany.
  • The cities, towns & generally the Regions bordering these countries will have a lot of foreign communities but also give you access to regional languages such as Occitan, Savoyard or Languedocien.
  • That’s as many open doors for you to the rest of Europe.
  • Travelling is a game, Play.

The Joy of thinking in another Language

  • Linguistic flexibility in 1 of the many that allows to enjoy Cognitive Joy.
  • When you’re able to understand what the main character says in this movie you’ve always watch with subtitle, and understand the emotion behind the words you’ll be golden.
  • It brings us back to the reason why you decided to move: you wanted it.
  • And you probably want to speak the language of the country you’re living in just to interact with others.
  • But maybe even more so to remind yourself that you wanted to satisfy yourself.
  • Being able to switch from French to English & back to French is a pleasure in itself.
  • So much so that we’re now learning true foreign languages such as Arabic or Japanese.
  • Japanese is an especially challenging one & probably one of the hardest languages to learn period.
  • Even so, Enjoyment > Difficulty.
  • You may already know that feeling if you’ve got a couple of foreign languages under your arm.

Your daily french games

  • Order a full meal in French.
  • Watch a cookery show (’emission de cuisine’).
  • Ask for directions.
  • Treat yourself to your favorite meal, as long as you can read it out loud.
  • Read a Hugo’s poem, a LaFontaine’s fable.
    • other writings: Le Horla Guy de Maupassant, À la recherche du temps perdu Marcel Proust or Vingt mille lieues sous les mers Jules Verne.
  • Watch a whole movie twice: with & then without subs.
    • examples: Céline et Julie vont en bateau Jacques Rivette, A Bout de souffle Jean-Luc Godard,  Shoah Claude Lanzmann or La Règle du jeu Jean Renoir.
  • Listen a whole song trice a week: listen, sing along, sing without.
    • examples: any popular song you like.
Try Random Expressions.
  • Think of French as a regional dialect of English (or vice-versa).
  • All you need to learn is the accent.
  • Some key phrases to get you started:
    • La grande illusion, c’est le passé.
    • Les portes de l’avenir sont ouvertes à ceux qui savent les pousser.
    • Puis-je vous aidez avec votre sac?
    • Vous avez de magnifiques toilettes.
    • Je préfère les chats sans poils.
  • Make up your own phrases with random words.
  • You could even make a song out of this.
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Travel Gamification – the Way to Fun

  • A park will often be relaxing.
  • A meal in a restaurant can be delicious.
  • You can learn something from your visit at the museum.
  • A monument can be inspirational.
  • But is it Fun?
  • What about Disneyland, Wet n’ Wild, Movie World?
  • Isn’t travel about being entertained?
  • What about having fun anywhere you go?

Outline of the Article:

  • Your Team
  • Let your Hobbies guide you
  • Rewards & Unpredictability
  • Resting & still having fun
  • Your World Map

Gamification for Travel

  • Thinking about making Travel funnier?
  • Travel is transporting.
  • It’s relaxing.
  • It’s allowing you to discover things.
  • But is it really Fun?
  • You may say yes, but do you enjoy it as much as you enjoy your Hobbies.
  • Travel is a great Hobby, but it’s not the most popular one.
  • And Money is not the only variable.
  • Most of the popular hobbies are Expensive.
  • Hunting is expensive, if you’re into sports you’re putting a ton of money in equipment, and nowadays people are training with coaches.
  • More & more people get into Hiking, Mountain Climbing, Scuba Diving or Sky Diving.
  • These are expensive.
  • Even Reading isn’t cheap if you are buying a new book, at 10-20$, every week or every month.
  • Maybe Drawing can be construed as cheap is you only buy regular A4 and use the same pen & pencil for the whole year.
    • But even there, you know you’ll get the fancy stuff.
  • All of that is extremely engaging though.
  • Because it shows people value Experiences over Money.
  • And Travel is all about Experiences.
  • The issue is Travel can be boring or tedious.
  • 1 of the common complain about travel, especially in the case of theme parks, is that you have to wait to get to the attraction/landmark and in the end it isn’t that great.

Your Team

  • Can you go alone? Of course.
  • Wouldn’t give you more possibilities to extend?
  • The ability to look for more things, to achieve more.
  • The alternative is to make use of locals & guides as indirect team members.
  • It’s less personal, but it does the job.
  • On the plus side, you meet people.
  • 2 is the start of a team.
  • 3 is the start of a versatile team.
  • 4 is an optimal number in our opinion.
  • 1 of the biggest aspects of cooperation is arguing.
  • You can argue when you’re 2 or 3.
  • As a matter of fact you can even argue with yourself.
  • Although when you’re 4 can start to polarize the opinion while at the same time benefiting from diverse opinions.
  • These intense discussions, especially if they end to be big successes & big failures, will become the memories you are looking for.
  • Our Travels Posts are divided in 4 categories : Shopping districts, Landmarks, Parks & Restaurants.
  • Now, your team could have 4 types of Adventurers: The Shopper, The Explorer, The Rester & The Fooder.
  • And it will only make the journey smoother.
  • You will always have someone who knows what to eat, where to rest & what the plan is in every place you go.

Let your Hobbies guide you

  • What are your hobbies?
  • How can they enhance your journey?
  • What if you were guided solely by the things that will always bring you joy.
  • Even if you don’t go to all the ‘essential places’ in Madrid or Miami during your travel, you would have only done what you wanted.
  • What you truly wanted.
  • An essential part of games is Customization.
  • You are your character.
  • What does your character want?
  • What did she build up to now?
  • How will she show it to the rest of the team and hence be helpful?
  • You’ve got a top 10 list of the things you need to do in the place you are visiting.
  • Do you want to do them?
  • Or does your characters has other plans?
  • If you’re a reader/writer, become a storyteller.
  • If you’re a drawer/painter, craft a piece which depicts where you are.
  • If you’re a sportif, give them a quick session.
  • For every Attraction, every Place you are visiting craft Quests.
  • Give your team members step-by-step tutorials, and then let them play.
  • Let them go through a nice steep progression curve so that they can feel a sens of accomplishment.
  • Balance is the key.

Reward & Unpredictability

Where does your pleasure comes from?

  • What’s your favorite color?
  • 1 of the greatest rewards is ownership.
  • You’ve already been to Barcelona and now you can show everyone around.
  • You know the best restaurants & museums in the city & can give a private tour.
  • Owning your setting, owning your game brings you the opportunity to build a narrative.
  • You can monitor the attachment to the setting.
  • You can give your team a sense of protection through your ownership, which in return will entice them to show you more of themselves.
  • You can help them achieve Personal victory conditions though experiences tailored for them.
  • You can develop a progressive system of rewards adapted to the difficulties encountered.

  • Another essential element of games is Replayability.
  • You’ve visited all the stadiums in the United Kingdom?
    • Will another match look the same?
  • You’ve visited all the museum in Berlin, can you visit them again?
    • How will you proceed?
  • You could try another sport, another type of visit, but would it be enough to surprise you?
  • Make a small deck of cards with the names of the places you want to go to and let your teammates pick 3 of them at random.
  • Make another deck with the things you could do in these places & repeat the process.
  • Unpredictability is a core element of fun.
  • What about allowing things to be unpredictable?

Resting & still having fun

  • Traveling can be extremely taxing.
  • But resting can be difficult as well.
  • Especially if you’re visiting a bubbling metropolis.
  • Unless you’re in a cool village in the country, finding a calm space can be difficult.
  • Meditation will become a challenge.
  • Find a quiet spot in a park & breathe.
  • Your Rester will help.
  • Ask her what you should do.
  • She can propose you any type of relaxing games.
  • If you’re in a water garden, or another open space that allows you to broadcast music it could be the perfect opportunity to learn outdoor meditation.
  • It may feel uncomfortable in the beginning, but you own this uncomfortable situation.
  • Controlled discomfort really is the path to fun.
  • Another great place to chill are cafes.
  • They’re more obvious too.
  • How do you turn this into a game?
  • Do you want to turn this into a game?
  • You really don’t have to, but if you want it’s easy.
  • If you’re in a foreign country, order in the language.
  • It requires a little bit of speech preparation but if you’re there for a couple of days it can be achieved fairly fast.
  • Now, this is tedious, and you have to learn the language and whatever…
  • Do you have a dice in your pocket? Probably not.
  • Do you have a dice app on your phone? You could download 1…
  • And now, random order.
  • There should be at least 6 items per page on the menu.
  • Still there?
  • Ask for 10% off.
  • Not on your order, on the bill.
  • Most of the time your interlocutor will be really surprised.
  • They may tell you “This is [whatever chain brand], you know?”
  • Answer, “I know, but it would make me a really happy customer.”
  • Only do that if you’re in a Big Brand location.
    • We don’t want to cripple small businesses.

Your World Map

  • The forest fades into a lonely mountain passage.
  • Stark & cold, all you can hear is the bursting gust.
  • The Sun is at its zenith but you can barely see the light through the canopy.
  • As the floor trembles your body shakes even more from inside.
  • You need to run.
  • The path is clear, you see a light at the end, but it’s not Sunlight.
  • It is shining, and silvery.
  • You get closer, the light turns slightly bluer.
  • The shape becomes squarer.
  • It’s just a phone.
  • Someone must have dropped it.
  • The phone is brand new, it must have happened recently.
  • There’s a bear behind you.
  • Did you like it?
  • That’s how I get my fix.
  • What about you?
  • Will you hike, will you climb, will you dive?
  • Or will you go through the ordeals of the Concrete Jungle?
  • Imagine you only have 3 days to visit Tokyo or Hong-Kong.
  • How will you proceed to optimize your time-use?
  • Where will you go 1st?
  • Where will you go next?

How will you use your world map?

How will you use the World?