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National holiday Demise.

In September when I got better after a long bronchial allergies, decided to go to Spain. Found out in one of the sites that national holiday is on Oct. 11. While booking the hotels and transport I booked the flight for Grenada on 12th. Now I found out it is on 11th oct. Almost all the reasonable hotels were sold out so according to review I booked the Hostel Rodri. I need to know if there will be road closure and processions when we arrive at 12.30 from Barcelona which can effect our travel to hotel? The whole wknd is holiday so will it have any impact on our visit? I HV sent an e.mail to Rodri , still no response? So pl. Help me in all the Q. I hv. Before I leave I want be clear on everything I hv to face otherwise I m tense. Now I m confused about this hotels . Thanks. Waiting anxiously.

Posted by
17438 posts

The holiday is actually October 12, not the 11th. It is a celebration of the landing by Christopher Columbus in the Americas. It is not clear from you statement that “Now I found out it is on 11th Oct.” is referring to your flight or to the holiday.

But speaking of the Americas, I hope you booked a flight to GrAnada, not to GrEnada.

Posted by
593 posts

As you will soon find out, the 12th is different things to people.

I've always know it as the day of the Pilar, and in Zaragaoza they have fiestas from the 6th to the 14th.
As it is on Friday this year, it makes a for a long weekend, so there are probably more people than usual on the move.

Posted by
32 posts

Sorry was rushing. Typo made it 11th. I know it is 12th. That's why I asked, that is the day I m flying to Grenada. The help I needed to know is the transportation and the national day obstacles.I Don't know what they do? Will I be able to reach the hotel and also see the attractions? I m there 3 days when they HV everything going on. If my hotel was helpful I would hv Not asked for guidance. Thsts why i inquire if any one is familiar with Hostal Rodri? Next. What should I expect and what is the solution?

Posted by
33847 posts

when you write to the hotel you might try using fully spelled out words in English. It takes some work but native English speakers on here can get through all the abbreviations and strange capitalizations that you use. For a non-English speaker it can be tough.

If you phrase your questions to the hotel - who may have English speakers but not familiar with your writing style - they may just become frustrated and not bother to reply.

It is best to write to a foreign hotel in simple English, like in primary school, spelling everything out and using correct or simple punctuation.

Put yourself in their shoes. How would you do with Spanish full of abbreviations and shortcuts. Could you understand?

Have you checked your spam inbox in case any answer fell into there?

Posted by
1305 posts

It is a holiday, and so a holiday weekend for many, but not a "most stuff closes down" type of holiday like Christmas. Attractions, restaurants, etc will be open (some shops might be closed on Friday, though perhaps not in the tourist centre).

It is likely crowded over the weekend. Perhaps very crowded. So if there are things you want to particularly see like the royal chapel or the al-Horra palace it would be worth going early (or pre-booking where available). Buses and taxis will be running - but again, the mini-buses to tourist sights will be busy (but they often are anyway). Expect many families out late on Friday and Saturday, with a fun party atmosphere even amongst those who don't really care much about Spain's national day (Andalucia has it's own birthday celebration in February and 12/10 isn't a big religious fiesta such as day of the cross in May when there are processions all over town).

The bus from the airport is running. You can check the timetable at the link below. If it doesn't recognise the English name use "aeropuerto Granada" as the starting point. I think the stop at Gran Via de Colon/Catedral is the nearest stop to walk to your hostal. Alternatively there will be taxis at the airport.

https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/home

If (repeat if, I don't know what's planned), there are parades or rallies on Friday they won't affect most places and if they do close a bus route road then you'll be told. They won't just leave you stranded - people are hospitable in the south.

I'm sure you'll have a great visit in one of Spain's best cities (but it's Granada, with an "a". Grenada is one of the British queen's countries, over in America).

Posted by
2047 posts

I've been in Granada during a National Strike and rally and only the major avenue Gran Via was affected. I would just take a cab from the airport to hotel.

I loved my stay at Hostel Rodri and the owner speaks good English, however if your email was written in the style of your post, it could be confusing to a non-native speaker. The owner will tell you some good places to eat and sleep and even give you a color coded map. Enjoy Granada.

Posted by
4180 posts

I second what Nigel is saying. As a non-native English-speaker (born in Spain), I am having quite the difficult time trying to understand/decipher this question. Maybe I need to practice more, but, for example, I have no idea what "So pl. Help me in all the Q. I hv" signifies...

Posted by
32 posts

When we write to an institute or some one when we are dealing ifor a business matter never use that kind of English the way I write when texting to friends or in forum cause sometimes it's too long and going back and forth takes time. I assume everyone who reads in Forum have good knoledge of Enlish. So this is not a problem with the language. It is not being prompt when you need immediate response.

Posted by
297 posts

I'm sorry but having a good knowledge of English doesn't mean someone understands your shortcuts and mistakes.
When someone knows English as a foreign language, they might have taken classes, watched movies, speak it with customers, maybe friends.... But it's very very unlikely that someone texts and uses that grammar and way of writing. Just think about it!
Anyway, how much time do you lose writing "have" instead of hv... Maybe give Swype or Gboard a try, you just have to move your finger around and the keyboard recognizes words.