Coffee Break Spanish – Clue #1 (español) | The Great Coffee Break Treasure Hunt 2025
Podcast: Coffee Break Spanish
Release Date: October 20, 2025
Hosts: Mark and the Coffee Break Host
Episode: Clue #1 (The Great Coffee Break Treasure Hunt 2025, Episode 1)
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode launches the 2025 Coffee Break Treasure Hunt, a multi-episode, interactive mini-series where listeners join virtually on a linguistic adventure across Europe. Each episode presents poetic Spanish clues describing a European city for listeners to unravel. The focus is not only on Spanish language learning (especially interpreting descriptive language), but also on encouraging active listening, critical thinking, and participation in a linguistic and cultural game with the chance to win prizes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introduction to the Treasure Hunt
- [01:18–01:48] Mark and the host introduce the new mini-series:
- It's an interactive treasure hunt with four clues over four episodes.
- Each clue uses poetic Spanish to hint at a European city.
- Listeners are not supposed to reveal answers publicly; instead, they submit all four city guesses at the end for a chance to win a month in the Coffee Break Club.
Quote:
"This is not just a podcast, it's not just a video series. It's a competition. And you can win some fantastic prizes."
— Coffee Break Host, [01:37]
Dissecting Clue #1
Clue, Part 1: The Wall with Art
- [02:57–03:43]
- Spanish: “Hoy, luce arte que la alma libera. Un muro antes marcaba frontera.”
- Discussion:
- “Un muro” is a wall; “antes” (before) "marcaba frontera" (marked a border).
- "Luce arte que la alma libera": Now this wall displays art that frees (liberates) the soul.
- “Luce” comes from “lucir” ("to show, to display").
Quote:
"So the wall today is showing arte que la alma libera, which liberates the soul."
— Coffee Break Host, [03:30]
Clue, Part 2: The Gate & the Linden Trees
- [03:51–04:18]
- Spanish: “Donde terminan los tilos en flor, se alza una puerta de antiguo fulgor.”
- Discussion:
- “Tilos” are linden trees. “En flor” = in bloom; “puerta” = gate.
- The clue describes a place where the linden trees end, and a historic gate of “antiguo fulgor” (ancient radiance/glow) rises.
Quote:
"At the end, where they end, there's a gate that arises. Okay. And a gate of great glowiness, radiance or something. An important gate."
— Coffee Break Host, [05:01]
Clue, Part 3: Red and Green Little Men
- [04:43–05:01]
- Spanish: “Con rojo y verde, al gentío guían estos hombrecillos con alegría.”
- Discussion:
- "Rojo y verde" = red and green; "hombrecillos" = little men; "gentío" = crowd/multitude; "guían" = guide; "con alegría" = happily.
- The iconic "little men" in red and green guide the people—referencing culturally recognizable pedestrian lights.
Quote:
"With red and green, estos hombrecillos... They guide the lots of people, the multitudes, with happiness."
— Coffee Break Host, [04:50]
Clue, Part 4: The Proud Tower
- [05:01–05:50]
- Additional description:
- A "proud, tall tower" that overlooks a "serene and grandiose" city.
- The hosts highlight "belar" as "watching over" the city.
- Additional description:
Review and Synthesis of the Clues
- [05:51–07:43] Hosts recap:
- The city is famous for a wall that once divided it, now known for its street art.
- There are linden trees ("tilos") and a historic gate at their end.
- There are "little red and green men" guiding people.
- A proud tower surmounts a serene, grand city.
- Bonus directional clue: Starting in Glasgow, travel roughly 750 miles (1,200 km) to the southeast to reach the city.
Quote:
"And then finally, a great proud tower which looks over the city."
— Coffee Break Host, [06:38]
Interactive Participation & Next Steps
- [07:43–08:30] The host outlines how to participate:
- Listeners should not reveal city names in comments.
- Submit all four answers at the end using a link to be provided.
- Prize: Free month of Coffee Break Club (video library & daily video lessons).
Quote:
"If you get all four correct, then we have something special for you. You will win a free month on the Coffee Break Club, our video on demand library, which will help you move forward with your language learning…"
— Coffee Break Host, [08:06]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “Super entusiasmado hoy. I am very excited today because this is the first episode of our brand new miniseries from Coffee Break season two.” — Coffee Break Host, [01:36]
- “So let's go back through our clues. We had a few things to think about…” — Coffee Break Host, [05:51]
- “Los tilos are the linden trees.” — Coffee Break Host, [05:51]
- “Traveling roughly 750 miles or 1,200 kilometers to the southeast from Glasgow…” — Coffee Break Host, [07:06]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [01:18] — Official start of the episode after ads; introduction to the Treasure Hunt
- [02:57] — First poetic clue begins
- [03:51] — Second segment of the clue (gate and linden trees)
- [04:43] — Third segment (little red and green men)
- [05:51] — Review and synthesis of all clues; cultural and linguistic insider tips
- [07:03] — Geographic/directional clue (distance and direction from Glasgow)
- [07:43] — Participation instructions and schedule for subsequent episodes
Tone & Language
Friendly, enthusiastic, and gently educational. The hosts balance cultural commentary and direct instruction with an encouraging invitation for listeners to solve the riddle alongside them.
Conclusion
Episode takeaway:
This episode delivers the first in a series of poetic Spanish riddles as part of the Coffee Break Treasure Hunt. Listeners practice interpreting descriptive Spanish, gain cultural insights, and are invited to submit answers for a prize. The clues are cleverly constructed to appeal to both beginner and intermediate learners, offering linguistic explanations and gentle guidance.
Next Steps:
Tune in to the next episode for the second clue, keep your answers private until the end, and get ready to test your Spanish—and your European city know-how!
For more information and to participate:
Visit coffeebreaklanguages.com/treasurehunt