Recommendations Page.

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I lived in Rosa´s house for one year (2003-2004) as part of my year abroad from University.  I had an amazing time in the house as Rosa and Simon made me feel very welcome and part of the family.  While staying with Rosa my Spanish improved greatly as we spent most afternoons chatting after lunch, Rosa is a very patient and helpful teacher!  The best thing about staying at Rosa´s was that so many people came to stay from all over the world and I made lots of lovely friends that I still keep in contact with now.  The house is very homely and it has air conditioning and a wireless internet connection throughout.  It is situated not far from the city centre in a friendly neighbourhood and fortunately it is always a little cooler in this part of town!  I have excellent memories of the time I spent at Rosa´s and I know I´ll always have a home to come to when in Granada.  If you want to ask me anything about staying at Rosa´s just send me an e-mail; lyns_rainbow@hotmail.com

In fact Lynsey did come back and stayed with us in July-August 2006. - Simon

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MOHAMMED AFANA, Calandia, PALESTINE

ANDREW RIDLEY, Leeds, ENGLAND

I’m a mature student studying Spanish and German at Leeds University and part of my course is a period of study abroad.  I found Rosa’s website whilst searching for accommodation and I’m so happy that I did.  From the very first moment here I was made to feel part of the family.  Nothing is too much trouble for Rosa and Simon and I have so much freedom, to make myself a drink, to watch television etc. that it really is a ‘home from home’.  My 30 minute walk to my college each day is a necessity in view of the amount of food Rosa gives us. Without the exercise I would be going home as freight!

Perhaps the most important advantage of being here is the opportunity to speak Spanish.  There are 3 other students in the house and we spend hours around the table after the mid-day or evening meal talking about anything and everything in Spanish.  Rosa is a mine of information and having been a teacher of Spanish she intuitively knows what we are trying to say and can always answer our questions about grammar and as Simon is English, he can clarify things for us if we get really stuck.  I’ve spoken to other students who live with Spanish families and they eat in separate rooms, so I consider myself fortunate to be here with Rosa and Simon and can recommend the experience to any visitor to Granada, especially students of Spanish. 

If you need to know more, please feel free to contact me at andyridley@yahoo.com

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DIMITRI HARRIS, Jonesboro Arkansas, USA

My stay at Rosa's house was the best. There are always interesting people from all over the world to eat and talk with. The late night conversations over coffee with Rosa and everyone are great fun. Her family is very nice and helpful with everything from speaking Spanish to where to go in Granada. Granada is a beautiful city with lots to do and the center of it all is just a short walk from Rosa's house. I stayed for three months and had to go back for three more. I visit rosa every year because it's great fun, interesting, and will always be memorable. meech151@hotmail.com

SOL LEWIS, Aberystwyth, WALES

My name's Sol and I live in mid Wales. From September 2000 to May 2001 I was in Granada as part of my Spanish degree at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. I wanted to spend my year abroad living with a Spanish family, but I also wanted to keep my independence and be able to have my husband come and visit me at any time. A friend gave me Simon and Rosa's email address and everything happened from there.
I didn't know what to expect, but Simon and Rosa and the family were extremely welcoming and I felt at home immediately. Simon was able to recommend a place for me to study Spanish, and life slipped into a happy
routine very quickly. The house atmosphere was comfortable and there were always lots of people staying there - students like me or tourists passing through. I also enjoyed the fact that I could choose either to be alone in my room studying, etc. or upstairs in the lounge relaxing with the family or visitors. And I was able to practise speaking Spanish every day of the week.
As for Granada (as well as the stunning Alhambra Palace and the old town, etc.) it really is a party town. The university is large and, as well as a great number of foreign students, there are also lots of tourists - young and
old - there to have a good time. One drawback as a Spanish language student is that it is very easy to end up speaking English all the time, but that is really up to the individual. In addition, public transport is excellent and
it is easy to escape to the mountains or the coast, or other areas of Spain.
All in all, it is well worth considering homestay accommodation with Simon and Rosa, and also spending time in this beautiful area of Spain.   HuwaSol@aol.com

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GENE MEDINA & Family, Washington State, USA

Leslie, Matt, Ben and I want to thank you, Rosa, Celia, and Rafa for your generous hospitality during our recent stay (April 1999) at your home. We had a wonderful visit and truly appreciated your hospitality and orientation to the wonderful city of Granada.  We appreciated the opportunities to have both private time and social time during our stay. You suggestions and advice truly helped enhance our visit.  Whether it was information about the bus passes or ideas for great tapas bars and restaurants we all benefited.  Thanks again for your patience with a full house and your hospitality. Our week in Granada at your home ranks high in the outstanding family adventures we have had. Sincerely, Gene Medina. Please pass on our greetings to Goyo and Joel.  From:
 gmedina@olympus.net   (Gene Medina)

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 PAT DISKIN, Bolton, Lancashire UK

You know I’m really glad I took the time to write down all we did whilst I was in Granada because there was just so much.  Your web page says you include “a cultural outing of your choice”.  I had made up my mind that I’d ask to go to the Huerta de San Vicente if it wasn’t miles outside of Granada.  I was euphoric the whole time I was there.  From the first night in the Albaicín,  then the day at the merendero to Monday and my first lesson and visit to the Huerta and on into the centre of Granada and then Viznar.  Well,  I won’t recount it all blow by blow,  but every day there was something new and exciting to do and see,  I just could not believe my good fortune.  I cannot express adequately my thanks to both yourself and Rosa.  It was a perfect holiday with wonderfully kind hosts that I’ll always remember.Very many sincere thanks for making my stay so memorable.
Pat,  6  September 1999
pjd1@bolton.ac.uk

ANDREA FEHLER, London, Ontario CANADA

I stayed with Simon and Rosa for three and a half months in the summer of 1998.  I am a Spanish student at a Canadian university and I had decided to take some summer classes at the University of Granada.  My professors suggested to me that I try to live with a family during my time in Granada so as to improve my conversational Spanish.  I found Simon and Rosa's web site and decided to stay there.  From the minute I walked in the door I felt immediately comfortable at thier house.  I was
amazed at how quickly I felt like part of the family.  You can go shopping with Rosa, go to the beach on the weekend with everyone, stay up late after dinner and watch Ally McBeal dubbed into Spanish...  Rafa and Celia are great.  They were tolerant of my many questions about idiomatic phrases and Rafa taught me some words I doubt I would have otherwise learned!  Anyway, my Spanish improved tenfold, I came home feeling extremely confident in my abilities.  If I ever go back to Spain, their house will be the first stop on my itinerary.  I have recommended their house to everyone I know going to Spain and will continue to do so.  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, I'd be more than happy to help out: ajfehler@hotmail.com

MIKE LOCKE, Reigate, Surrey UK

I had always wanted to see Granada, especially after reading Ian Gibson's books about Granada and Lorca. I am also a rather mature student of Spanish and wanted to improve my conversational skills. I was very pleased to find Simon and Rosa's page on the Internet, as it seemed an excellent opportunity to combine the two. So, in November 1997 I left my family at home and went to Granada. It was a memorable week: Simon, Rosa and the children immediately made me feel at home and I was able to explore the delightful city of Granada on my own or with Simon's knowledgeable guidance. The combination of formal lessons and family conversations gave me a new ability and confidence in my spoken Spanish.
I would be happy to elaborate further; e-mail Mike.Locke@BTinternet.com
(Mike came back for another week in November 1998. And passed his Spanish A-Level exam the following summer.)

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JIM and DANE BUTTON, Springfield, Virginia, USA

Thanks for everything this summer (1998). Dane had a terrific time--and learned a lot of Spanish. We also appreciate the time you took to show us the Alhambra--and Christopher will come back just to eat at the cafe in the hills--it was terrific.
Dane had such a good experience he wants to come back.
Email: James_Button@ed.gov

BIRTHE GAWINSKI, Esbjerg, DENMARK

I spent 5 weeks in Granada in the spring of 1998 to teach at the University. I wanted to stay in a private home, and I was very lucky to find Rosa and Simon on the Internet. I enjoyed my stay in their home very much, so much that I returned there for two months  from October to December (1998). They are very nice and open and you feel at home at once. If you want to contact me, this is my e-mail address: birthe_gawinski@yahoo.com

(Birthe visited us again in November 2003.)

ULF WICKBOM, Stockholm, SWEDEN

Thank you very much for your hospitality and your pleasant guiding in Granada. I found the Gibson book on Lorca`s Granada in a bookstore in Sevilla. It made the flight home quite agreeable. A Merry Christmas to you and your nice family,
ulf wickbom (December, 2000)

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Me quedé en la casa de Simon y Rosa durante las Navidades (1998) y lo pasé fenomenal. Desde el primer momento me encontré como en mi casa y conocí a mucha gente. Me llevo muy bién con los hijos y estando con ellos mi español mejoró muchisimo. Siempre que vuelvo a Granada me quedo allí.
Si quieres saber más, puedes contactarme en: bigcat_21@hotmail.com

CARLOS MARRA, La Plata, ARGENTINA

He pasado 6 meses durante la primavera y el verano 1998 en Granada, viviendo como huésped en la "Casa de Rosa". A los naturales encantos que posée esta maravillosa ciudad, debo sumarles el placer de haber conocido a Rosa y a Simon quienes convertieron mi estadia en un verdadero placer, el cual es aún mayor, compartiendo la vida hogareña junto a sus amigos y sus hijos: Rafa y Celia. Los dueños de casa son dos personas cálidas y amigables, constantemente dedicadas a atender con amabilidad y eficiente simpatía cada inquietud y cada necesidad que sus huéspedes puedan tener. Ellos inspiran muy rapidamente confianza y amistad, y sin dudas, su acogedora casa en el tranquilo Zaidín es el sitio de elección para vivir en el seno de una familia, que desde ahora, echaré mucho de menos. Recomiendo ampliame: camarra@isis.unlp.edu.ar
nte esta casa en su paso por Granada.
Si deseara más detalles, puede contactarme en

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HERBERT EIBACH & RENATE GRIMM, München, DEUTSCHLAND

 Rosa’s und Simon’s homepage fand ich im Internet und entschloss mich während meines Sprachurlaubs (Sommer 2000) dort zu bleiben. Ich wollte diese Zeit mit einer spanischen Familie verbringen. Die zwei Wochen mit ihnen habe ich sehr genossen, es war eine tolle, offene Atmosphäre mit internationalen Flair (es waren noch zwei andere Sprachstudenten dort) und Familienanschluß.
- Herbert.
Von Herbert’s begeisterten Erzählungen überzeugt, buchte ich ein Zimmer im Oktober 2000 bei Rosa und Simon (Sprachurlaub). Und ich wurde nicht enttäuscht. Ich fand eine aufgeschlossene, lustige, sympathische Familie, die mir auch gerne einige Sonderwünsche erfüllte – ich war zu der Zeit im 6. Monat schwanger. Wir haben uns bei Euch sehr wohl gefühlt – Danke Rosa und Simon.
- Renate.
"Renate Grimm":  renategrimm@hotmail.com

Mon nom est  Esther Franzin et j'ai eu la chance de faire un stage de trois mois à Grenade et d'habiter chez Rosa pendant tout ce temps et j'en garde un très très bon souvenir.
L'accueil est très chaleureux et à tout moment je me suis sentie comme en famille. L'ambiance de la maison est gaie et détendue et tout à fait tranquile et sans bruit, car la maison est située dans une petite rue à environ 15 minutes à pieds du centre ville et à côté de l'arrêt de bus.
Rosa est très attentive et très serviciale avec ses hôtes et entre eux il y a presque toujours une ambiance très amicale.  Ce qui fait que la plupart de ceux qui sont passés par la maison de Rosa, aiment y retourner dès qu'ils en ont l'occasion.
En plus, Grenade offre tout plein d'activitées culturelles de tout genre et l'ambiance générale de la ville est particulièrement vivante.
Si vous voulez en savoir plus, n'hésitez pas à m'écrire,  je serais très contente de vous renseigner, voici mon adresse el. : franzin@iram.es

RENÉ-CHARLES HIRT, Antibes, FRANCE

Je suis René-Charles Hirt, j’habite Antibes au bord de « Mare Nostrum »comme disaient les Romains. En 1998 je décidais de visiter Fuente Vaqueros à l’occasion de l’anniversaire de la naissance de Federico García Lorca. En surfant sur le Net à la recherche de renseignements sur Grenade et Lorca, je rencontrais Simon. Simon, est « enlorquecido » comme moi, la définition est de Rosa et elle correspond tout à fait à ce que nous sommes : des fous de Lorca .

Grâce à Simon, j’ai découvert, puis adoré Grenade, et surtout, rencontré un ami. J’ai aussi appris un foule de choses sur l’Andalousie, Grenade et Lorca bien entendu.

Si vous souhaitez apprendre ou perfectionner votre espagnol, connaître ou approfondir vos connaissances sur Federico Garcia Lorca, allez à la « casa de Rosa y de Simon ».

Dans un atmosphère de chaude amitié, vous y trouverez un « Melting Pot » d’amoureux de la langue espagnole, de Lorca, de Grenade, de toutes les origines. Vous partagerez votre repas aussi bien avec un colonel en retraite d’Hawaï, un inspecteur de police anglais, une étudiante de Munich ou un retraité français qui vient se tremper dans l’atmosphère de Grenade où le vent vous apporte à chaque instant, l’écho de vers immortels de Federico García Lorca…

« Se ven desde las barandas,

por el monte, monte, monte,

mulos y sombras de mulos

cargados de girasoles. »

Adresse E-mail : rhirt@voila.fr