The second part of November provided for one of the key events planned as part of my Spanish Language journey and that was to visit SICAB at the FIBES Convention Centre in Sevilla.
Sicab is the purebred Spanish Horse Trade Fair and home of the World PRE Championship attracting 200,000 or so visitors over 6 days. As well as the amazing range of Equestrian activities there is also a large commercial area which was the focus of my visit.
The two key elements of “learning” through this visit was firstly, to self prepare a script in the Spanish Language in order to introduce my company and products www.signature-leather.com to Spanish Equestrian tailors and Spanish based Equestrian retailers in discussion around potential collaboration with them.
Because of this a lesson with my Spanish based teacher Angela was focused on this subject.
And secondly “maiden voyage” travel to Sevilla from Playa de la Barrosa to the FIBES Centre which required 6 x different bus rides and 2 x 90 minute train rides to go there and back.
With the above in mind, the travel and trade show visit provided rich and up to the minute “lived experience” of being out and about on a mission in Spain which I will certainly be highlighting In conversation with both British High School students (www.cerrigcamu.uk) and British business people.
This as there remains a strong assumption in both of the above groups that, “no worries that I have no language skills other than English and Welsh as everyone speaks English”.
Mmm let’s see!
So as a “test case” on this widely held assumption this November 2024 – to my question to the ticket sales counter staff at both the Sevilla Central train station and the San Fernando train station information/ticket office;
“Disculpe, ¿habla usted inglés? – No. “¿Habla usted francés?” – No.
“¿Habla usted alemán?” -“No, solo hablo español”
Mmm looks like Spanish may be needed in Spain – shouldn’t really be a surprise as I am sure that English is required in the train stations in Bristol and Yeovil!
The pattern across the journey of “Spanish only” was repeated over and over so to Yr9 pupils in particular, considering their GCSE options – please do take note that your opportunities to learn the French, German and Spanish languages at school at GCSE (for free!) as well as other languages that are available to you are all GOLDEN opportunities to broaden your life and future career skills.
Not everyone speaks English!
And to Business leaders – my conversations at SICAB could only happen in the Spanish Language with for example, Alberto a classical Spanish Equestrian tailor who was kind enough to listen to my beginner Spanish presentation (more detail to follow in Spain Chapter 8) with his suggestion having patiently heard me out and happily impressed with the glove designs, quality of leather and price points was;
“Por favor confirme términos y condiciones vía correo electrónico en español.”
Some important vocabulary for businesses with aspirations to export their products contained in the above short sentence and Google Translate will highlight these in English for those interested!
Finally, 3 pictures that summed up the vast array of learning as my new language journey continues!
Firstly, “Black Friday” was everywhere on my travels and presented as Black Friday!
Secondly, a scene from Chiclana town centre as a Gardening Team tend to the Geranios in the November morning sunshine.
And finally, a further swathe of vocabulary learning available when watching the TV news channel (“learning by self”) and noting the range of vocabulary presented available to Spanish Language learners through the tv presentation and discussion around the G20 Summit.
I know I go on about it but Learning “ by self” such a vast range of “mix and match” opportunities!
And to conclude a travel tip – when buying train tickets at the counter in Spain they will need to see your passport for an ID check with passport number added to the purchase transaction process!
