If you’re new on the island, there may be some words you’ll hear English-speakers using that you don’t know the meaning of. Here are some of the most common ones:
Calima: When fine airborne dust arrives from the African coast, this is a calima. They may be light, or more rarely, a thick, oppressive fog of red dust.
Cardiac Hill: A local name for the steep Calle Guanapay in Puerto del Carmen. It’s not that bad, but will certainly seem that way after a night out.
Costa/Puerto: English residents sometimes call the resorts of Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen by these names (locals never do).
Farmacia: A chemist’s shop. You’ll recognise it by the green cross outside, which is lit when open. When closed there will always be a list of duty chemists (Farmacias de Guardia) outside.
Bodega: A bodega is a winery, a number of which are open to visitors.
Empujar/Tirar – Push/Pull: Learn these to avoid embarrassment when entering or leaving shops.
Fiesta: Local celebration, also refers to a public holiday.
Grua: A tow truck that might make your hire car vanish if you park it carelessly.
Guagua: Canarian word for bus, pronounced “gwah gwah”.
Guardia: A member of the Guardia Civil, Spain’s semi-military police force.
Playa: Beach. Rhymes with “papaya”.
The Strip: Used by English-speaking tourists and residents to refer to the Avenida de las Playas, the long seafront of Puerto del Carmen.
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