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INFO PACK A guide to Murcia

.

Instituto Hispánico de Murcia ®

http://www.ihmurcia.es

+34 968 900 325 Calle Enrique Villar, 13, 1ºC, 30008 Murcia

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INDEX

How to get to Murcia

Your life in Murcia

Accomodation in Murcia

Some good reasons to study with us

General information about Spain & Murcia

10 good reasons to choose Murcia

Places of interest

Health Centres and hospitals

Useful phone numbers

Rent a car services in Murcia

Golf courses in Murcia

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Please read the following information and contact us on Tel. +34 968 900 325 (Monday

– Friday, 9:00am – 21pm) or info@ihmurcia.es if you have any questions or you need to

deal with any urgent issue. Our school details are:

INSTITUTO HISPANICO DE MURCIA

C/ Enrique Villar, 13, 1º

30.008 - Murcia (Spain)

Tel: +34 968 900 325

You can also visit our web page http://www.ihdemu.com and our FACEBOOK profile

https://www.facebook.com/ClubInstitutoHispanicoDeMurcia with more than 4800 fans.

☺

WELCOME TO MURCIA

WELCOME TO INSTITUTO HISPÁNICO DE MURCIA

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Most students travel by airplane,

although some European visitors travel

overland and a few by sea. Alicante,

Murcia and Madrid are the most

convenient airports to get to Murcia.

We highly recommend to take this way as flights are more frequent and road network is much better than

the one from San Javier Airport to Murcia. You can get a public transfer service at a cost of 5,151 € single ticket

(aprox. 55 min. journey).

This service is not run by our school as it is a public transport service, which we offer to our students when travelling

from Alicante airport. It is quite economic and operates everyday every 2 hours. To take the bus just leave arrivals hall

and go upstairs to the Murcia bus stand, on your right. It is clearly indicated.

Timetable from Alicante airport to Murcia bus station2:

1 All prices quoted are approximate. 2Please check timetables before your departure as these might change without previous notice (http://www.alsa.es).

HOW TO GET TO MURCIA

1) From Alicante Airport

(40min. by car)

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From Murcia airport

60€

From Alicante airport

77€

Retail price

80€ to 100€approx.

Timetable from Murcia bus station to Alicante airport:

SPECIAL PICK-UP SERVICE

If you wish to be met at Murcia or Alicante airport and driven by taxi to

your accommodation, you must inform us of your flight details at least

one week in advance (flight number, airline, city you are flying from,

and arrival time). A member of IH de Murcia team will be waiting

for you at the arrivals hall and he will have a card with our name

and logo on it. In case of emergency, you can use this Spanish

mobile number – +34 633 329 144 – to contact our school on your

arrival day.

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2) From Murcia-San Javier

Airport (25min. by car)

3) From Madrid Airport

There was a public coach direct transfer service from the airport to Murcia bus station but this service

has been recently cancelled by local authorities.

One option if you are flying to San Javier airport is to take a taxi to San Javier bus station (3 km. away)

and then, take a coach with LATBUS to Murcia.

For further information call the bus station + 34 968 292 211 or check LATBUS website

http://www.latbus.com.

But we suggest you to request OUR AIRPORT PICK-UP SERVICE!

Timetable is as it follows From Monday to Friday 7:13, 9:00, 12:34, 14:45, 15h55, 16:29, 19:00

On Saturday 9:00, 14:45, 16:29.

On Sunday 9:00, 12:34, 14h45, 16:29, 19:00.

By coach

• Get the coach to Murcia in Terminal 4 and find an automatic machine to get your ticket within the airport, in Terminal 4, level 0, in the arrival area (www.alsa.es to check timetable and prices).

• Ticket costs aproximatively 30 €.

• The journey takes around 6 hours and it’s a direct service. Coaches are comfortable, clean and safe.

By train

• From the airport take the train Cercanias in Terminal 4 to the train station “Chamartin” (11 min) or to the train station “Atocha” (25 min). Price is 2,40 €.

• Trains are much more comfortable than coaches but a bit more expensive.

• For further information please contact RENFE (National Spanish Train Network) at http://www.renfe.es

• Price ticket is around 47 € (basic price) and it takes approx. 4h15.

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Arrival in Murcia outside school opening hours

If you are staying with a Spanish host family you should make your way

directly home. You should notify IH Murcia of your flight arrival time

and we will inform your host family of your approximate time of

arrival.

Course material

Student’s book, exercise grammar book and compact disc cost 35 € per

pack, inscription is 39 €. Students can make use of the computers,

when available, and they can borrow books just leaving a deposit of

5 €. Ask and book at reception. We also have Internet WI-FI service

free of charge.

Your first Monday

The day begins with a presentation and welcome by all staff. Please be

at school at 9:50 if you have already sent your placement level test via

e-mail; otherwise you will have to take your level test on arrival and you

will miss your first day of lessons. You will be informed about your

level, your assigned class and your teachers as soon as possible. If you

are a beginner you do not have to send us your level test.

YOUR LIFE IN MURCIA

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ACCOMMODATION IN MURCIA

Instituto Hispánico provides this FREE service to our

international students and others to assist them in

searching for accommodation in safe and reliable areas of Murcia

city.

Note that a lot of rental companies (inmobilarias) post on many websites but you will

have to pay a fee.

Also, searching for a piso can be tricky if your level of Spanish

isn’t high.

We speak English, French, Italian… and of course Spanish!

So you don´t have to worry.

You can book just one night or a whole academic year from a full

flat to a single room. You can find affordable shared

apartments from 160 € a month depending on location and

availability.

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SPANISH ENGLISH

vivienda house, apartment, literally the place to live

piso apartment, flat

habitación/dormitorios rooms

alquilar, vender to rent, to sell

en alquiler for rent

anuncios announcements

Gastos incluidos certain bills like, electricity or gas or water are included in the price

fianza deposit

factura bill

luz electricity

comunidad ”community” usuallyincluded in the rentalprice (comunidadincluida), it goes towards the building’s cleaning and maintenance

amueblado furnished

planta floors, ex. planta 2 (segunda planta) the apartmentis on the second floor of the building, but in Spain it’s really the thirdfloor

inmobilaria rental company, real estate agent

casa/chalet literally a house or free-standing chalet, you won’t be looking at these, they are mostly for people to buy, like families in the suburbs. Most people in Spain live in apartments

honorarios fees for signing a contract through a rental company (inmobiliaria).

KEY WORDS

When looking for an apartment in Spain

Find us

on

internet

!

Please visit our special page in FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/ihmurciaaccommodation

where you will find many options.

There is some basic information in our website:

http://www.ihdemu.com/en/accommodation/87-

students-flats.html

Note that, in spite of Murcia's increasing popularity and corresponding shortage of rental properties,

accommodation will never be problematic. This means that we will always be able to find you accommodation

suiting your needs, as it may not be in other Spanish destinations.

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We offer selected host families located 25 minutes walking distance from the

school. Your accommodation is available from the Sunday of arrival until the

Saturday of your departure. All students living with a Spanish host family must

notify IH Murcia well in advance of any special dietary requirements or health

problems. Bed linen is provided but you have to bring your own towels.

We want to know how you feel. If there is any problem with your

accommodation it is imperative you inform the school staff immediately in

order to find a solution.

Activities

Look out for special events and activities on the school notice board, our

website, Facebook and Twitter. All activities and excursions are optional

and are highly dependent on a minimum number of students taking

part. They are well worth attending and extremely enjoyable.

National public holidays

The school will be closed when local or national public holidays take

place but from September 2013, whenever there is one public holiday in

a week all lessons will be made up, and IH Murcia will decide schedule and date (this will not be

negotiable). Whenever there are two public holidays in a week we shall make up one of them. The school is

OPEN at Christmas. Please check our website for further information.

Bath towels, hair dryer, travel iron and all personal

products such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste etc… (Even students staying

with Spanish host families). Although you can buy it all once you arrive.

HOST FAMILY ACCOMODATION

A Spanish-English dictionary and Spanish verb tables and grammar book. The pocket size Collins Gem is ideal, although there are many out there.

A good pair of walking shoes/boots or sturdy trainers. A small

rucksack/backpack to use for your hand luggage.

An address book &

a camera

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE WITH YOU..

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A FEW USEFUL PHRASES

I'm sorry, I don't understand

• Lo siento, no le comprendo

Can you speak English?

• ¿Puede hablar inglés?

Where can I catch a taxi?

•¿Dónde puedo coger un taxi?

From where can I phone?

•¿Dónde puedo llamar por teléfon?

My name is...

• Me llamo...

What's your name?

•¿Cómo te llamas?

What time is it?

•¿Qué hora es?

Hello

• ¡Hola!

Good morning

•Buenos días

See you later

• Hasta luego

Goodbye

• ¡Adiós!

Please

•Por favor

A one way ticket to...please

• Un billete de ida sólo para….por favor

What time does the train/bus leave

•¿A qué hora sale el tren/autobus?

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And… you can buy our student card (5€). Discounts in more

than 200 different stores and a special discount on our

Spanish books (for more information, take a look to our

web page:

http://www.ihdemu.com/en/courses/student-

discount-card.html

Everything is done to make our students feel at home!

The only specialists in teaching Spanish

to foreigners in Murcia.

Since year 2000.

Qualified teachers members of our

team for at least 4 years.

Small groups size. High quality

language teaching always guaranteed.

Classes on bank holidays will be always made up.

Only in IH Murcia.

School located right in the heart of the city. No need to use transportation.

19 courses to choose from.

SOME GOOD REASONS TO STUDY AT INSTITUTO HISPÁNICO DE MURCIA

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Spain is situated in South Western Europe. It occupies the Iberian

Peninsula and is bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic

Ocean and the Bay of Biscay. It also includes the Balearic Islands in

the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic and the

cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Its total surface area is 504,788 sq.

km.

Languages Castilian Spanish throughout the country: Catalan, Valencian, Basque

(Euskera) and Galician in those respective Autonomous Communities.

Population 47, 199 000 inhabitants approximately.

Time Zone

Peninsula and Balearic Islands: GMT + 1 hour (in summer GMT + 2)

The Canary Islands: GMT (in summer GMT +1)

Religion

The Spanish Constitution guarantees religious freedom.

Electricity 220 volts AC

Measurement System Decimal Metric System

Passports / Visas Citizens and residents of the European Union do not need visa in Spain.

Nevertheless, citizens of the rest of the world need a visa in their passport if

they wish to remain in Spain more than 90 days. Please check this information

with your nearest Spanish Consulate

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/en/ServiciosAlCiudadano/Paginas/embajadasconsulados.aspx

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SPAIN & MURCIA

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Work

The person who wishes to work in Spain must have the permission of the

Ministry of Labour. In the case of students that are not citizens of the

European Union the diplomas must be homologated. Foreign students

who hold a student card are exceptionally allowed to work for a

maximum of 1 year or the remaining validity of their cards as long as

it is a career related job. The request should be sent to the

Delegations or Sub delegations, and the Card that authorizes to work

will be delivered in the offices of the police services (“Oficina de Extranjería”).

Security Although most of the country has not high criminality rates, the street

crimes against tourists are almost a constant, especially in the tourist

zones like Madrid and Barcelona. It is for that reason that tourists have to

be especially in visits to museums, monuments, restaurants, subways,

buses, train stations and cash dispensers. This does not occur in safe

cities like Murcia.

Robberies

Criminals usually work in pairs or groups. While one distracts

tourists (asking a direction while he shakes a map to him, or

dropping something on him) the other one takes control of its

possessions. Another way chosen by thieves is to surround its

victim in the middle of a multitude, to rob him and disappear. There

were reports of thieves who presented themselves as civilian police,

guided the tourist to a quiet place and stole him everything.

Some advice Those travellers who wish to have a peacefully stay should follow few

basic rules:

* The best way to handle with money is through traveller checks,

changing them when its needed;

* As far as possible, leave valuable articles (jewels, traveller checks, credit

cards, airplane tickets, etc) in the safe-deposit box of the hotel. It is also

possible to find companies that offer a service of safe-deposit boxes in

the Yellow Pages.

* Do not leave luggage in a car without watching.

* A travel insurance to cover the expenses of any loss or robbery that

may have its very useful.

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Health Spain has a very good medical assistance. There are public (own by the

Social Security) and private Hospitals. The basic network of medical

assistance of the Spanish Social Security is organized by doctor's offices,

ambulatory medical centres and hospitals. Spain has a medical assistance

agreement with a group of countries (among them, all the countries of the

European Union). Citizens of these countries will need to ask in their

medical doctor's office the E-111 form or similar to be able to have

access to the medical public services in Spain.

Students: Universities provide medical cover for students of the European

Union (E-128 form) and for students younger than 28 years old; after that

the student will need a private medical insurance.

Medical Insurance: For people who must take care of themselves or

who worry about their health, its better if they have a medical insurance

that allows them to benefit from the cares in private establishments,

which offer a very good service.

Customs

Travellers entering Spain may transport a series of personal items (such

as personal jewellery, cameras, musical instruments, portable video and

sound equipment, athletic gear, camping articles, etc) without having

to pay customs charges. Upon request, Spanish customs officials will

issue receipts to justify the entry into the country of any item.

For certain articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, perfume, wines and liquor,

maximum limits have been established, with customs fees required on

surpassing quantities.

There is no limit to the amount of Euros (€) tourists may bring into Spain.

Also permitted is the entry of cheques or vouchers issued against foreign

accounts in convertible Euros, as are travellers' cheques, with no limits.

Foreign currency can also be brought into Spain with no limits, both banknotes and coins, providing

they are of legal issue.

Currency The Spanish currency is the Euro (€). For currency conversion information

visit http://www.oanda.com

Coins and Banknotes Banknote fractions are 5 € 10 € 20 € 50 € 100 € 200 € and 500 €.

Coins' fractions are 0,01 € 0,02 € 0,05 € 0,10 € 0,20 € 0,50 € 1 € and 2 €

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Currency Exchange All bank branch offices offer foreign currency exchange

services, as do a considerable number of hotels and

many travel agencies. Most hotels and restaurants and

many commercial establishments also accept the

most popular international credit cards and travellers

cheques.

Pets To bring pets into Spain, visitors must present at customs

certificates of origin and good health in keeping with

international norms on such matters, and signed by officially

recognised veterinaries in the respective country of origin. The

date and nature of the vaccines administered to the animal,

especially anti-rabies vaccine, must appear on the certificate.

Many Spanish hotels permit dogs and cats under specific

conditions. The entrance of dogs and cats in restaurants is

usually prohibited, and this happens with many business

establishments.

Domestic travel

is relatively inexpensive. Competition is particularly fierce in the coach market, so fares are low.

Timetables and prices must be checked locally and seat reservations can normally be made one or

two days before travel. Similar arrangements apply for train travel, although advance bookings can

be made on mainline services.

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There are many reasons for getting to know the Region of Murcia, where there is much to see and

discover inland. Here are some of them

The weather

• We boast an average annual temperature of 18ºC and we have more than 330 days of sun each year. Winters are mild and summers are hot, but not too hot! Take off your coat and visit us!

Sea and Beaches

• If you like the sea, we have two: Mar Menor and the Mediterranean – in just one coastline of 250 km. You will find 18 natural parks, mountains, fields, forests, valleys, nearly 200 beaches and a unique landscape, in its natural state

Melting pot of cultures

• All Mediterranean cultures left their mark on this land. Murcia is like a small Spain, a mixture of Christian, Arabic and Jewish cultures.

Very safe city

• We live in a very safe city, where you can go for a walk safely through its streets at any time of the day or night

Hospitality

• We will make you feel at home. Hospitality is sacred for our people and this makes us stand out from the rest

10 GOOD REASONS TO CHOOSE MURCIA

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Gastronomic culture

• We have a first class gastronomic culture. Surprise yourself by trying some of the well-known tapas (small dishes) in all their varieties, of which we recommend those made with vegetables. Murcia is a paradise for vegetarians

Sport

• Would you like to play your favourite sports in winter? Golf, sailing, tennis, horse riding... For aquatic sports, Mar Menor is one of the most spectacular places you can imagine, and the facilities at La Manga Club are among the best in the world. Murcia is also well equipped for adventure sports, like rafting, canoeing, climbing, hang gliding, underwater sports... And you can practise skiing in Sierra Nevada, which is only two hours away driving from Murcia!

Open-air museum

• Murcia is an open-air museum. You will find 12 museums and innumerable Art Galleries and Exhibition Halls.

Festivals

• Throughout the year we can enjoy festivals that combine a Mediterranean and colourist character with a religious passion and fervour. You cannot miss the Spring Festivals, September Fair, Carnival, Easter, the Bullfighting Festival, the Mediterranean International Folk Festival, and the International Festival “Murcia -Three Cultures”.

Culture

• More than 35,000 students and nearly 2,000 university teachers and researchers provide Murcia with an exceptional vitality and interest in culture. Our cinema, theatre and music festivals –many of them in the street - and hundreds of conferences and artistic demonstrations animate the lively Murcian cultural life. It goes without saying that the nightlife in this University City does not always finish when the sun rises.

There is much more, but you will realise that when you arrive.

We can guarantee that you will not get bored!

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PLACES OF INTEREST

o Museum of Science and Water (Museo de la Ciencia y el Agua) o Museum Hydraulic Molinos del Río (Museo Hidráulico Molinos del Río) o Museum Ramón Gaya o Museum of City (Museo de la Ciudad) o Museum Bellas Artes o Museum of Archaeology (Museo Arqueológico) o Museum San Juan de Dios o Museum Salzillo

Museo de Tradiciones y ArtesPopulares- this folk

museum stands beside a large water wheel -a copy in iron of

the original 15th century wooden wheel. The three galleries

display agricultural and domestic items, same of them 300

years old. A traditional, thatched Murcian farmhouse

(barraca) forms part of the museum.

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Mar Menor (Smaller Sea)

It is really a large lagoon, and the sheltered

Mar Menor can be 5°C warmer in the summer

then the Mediterranean. Its high mineral

concentrations first drew rest-cure tourists in

the early 20th century. They stayed at the

older resorts of Santiago de la Ribera and Los

Alcazares, which still have pretty wooden

jetties protruding from their beaches. From

either La Manga or Santiago de la Ribera you

can make a ferry trip to the Isla Perdiguera,

one of the five islands in the Mar Menor. The

old saltpans at Lo Pagán, near San Pedro del

Pinatar are now a nature reserve.

Caravaca de la Cruz

This town of ancient churches got its fame

from its castle, which houses the Santuario de

la Vera Cruz (sanctuary of the true cross).

This is where a double armed-cross is said to

have appeared miraculously in 1231, 12 years

before the town was seized by the Christians.

The high light of the Vera Cruz festival is the

race of the wine horses, which

commemorates the lifting of a Moorish siege

of the castle.

Lorca

The fertile farmland around this city is an

oasis in one of the most arid areas of Europe.

The centre of the town, the Plaza de España

is lined with handsome stone buildings. One

side is occupied by the Colegiata de San

Patricio (Church of St. Patrick). At the head

of the square is the town hall, which was

formerly a prison.

Costa Cálida (Warm Coast)

This is the strip of coast where most of the

popular resorts are situated. It is the same

area as the above mentioned Mar Menor.

Between Cabo de Palos and Cabo Tiñoso the

few small beaches are dwarfed by cliffs and

head lands. These resorts are relatively quiet

for Spain.

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Standard opening hours for shops are

between 10.00 and 21.00. But most shops

close for “siesta”, usually between 14 pm

and 17.30 pm. Open-air markets are held

once or twice a week in most Spanish towns

and resorts.

The Mediterranean region

The Mediterranean region has the best year-

round climate in Spain. Temperatures in

Murcia are pleasant year round, although it

can be hot during July and August (up to

40ºC). This is also when most tourists visit

the region. During the winter months, it

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- Hospital Morales Meseguer

• Avda Marqués de los Vélez s/n.

• Tel: 968 360900

Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca

• C/Madrid Cartagena s/n, El Palmar-Murcia.

• Tel: 968369500

Centro de salud del Carmen

• C/ Madre Elisea Oliver s/n (junto cuartel de artillería)

• Tel: 968 262 923

Centro de salud de San Andrés

• Calle del Escultor José Sánchez Lozano, 7 Murcia

• Tel: 968 394 823

Centro de salud Santa María de Gracia

• C/ Arturo Duperier s/n

• Tel: 968 290 209

-Centro de salud Simón García

• C/ Simón García

• Tel: 968 211 256/ 968 212 252

Centro de salud Vistabella

• Calle Rio Thader s/n

• Tel: 968340300

Centro de salud de Vistalegre-La Flota

• Avda. Juan de Borbón (La Flota)

• Tel: 968 242 675

CITY CENTRE HEALTH CENTRES AND HOSPITALS

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AV Autos Murcia

• Calle Jara Carrillo, 2 (PUENTE TOCINOS) 30.006 Murcia

• Tel: + 34 968204233

Avis Alquile un Coche S.A.

• Carretera Alicante, km 0,5 30.007 Murcia

• Tel: + 34 968201962

Demetrio

• Carretera Alicante, 31 30.160 Murcia

• Tel: + 34 968852002

Diesel Car

• Carretera Madrid, km 384 30.100 Murcia

• Tel : + 34 968835353

Doal Rent A Car

• Avenida Ronda de Levante, 38

• 30.006 Murcia

• Tel: +34 968 233 021

Europcar

• Avenida Miguel de Cervantes, 9

• 30.009 Murcia

• Tel: + 34 968283086

Murcia City Town Hall:

•010

County Council:

•968 36 20 00 - 012

Tourist Information:

•902 10 10 70

Radio Taxi:

•968 24 88 00

Eurotaxi (for disabled people):

•968 29 77 00 – 968 248 800 – 968 906 935

Bus/Coach Station:

•968 29 22 11- 29 22 90

San Javier Airport:

•902 404 704

Renfe (National Train Network):

• 968 25 21 54 – 25 25 72

Local Police Office:

•062

Emergencies:

• 112

LAT Bus Company:

•968 25 00 88

RENT A CAR SERVICES IN MURCIA

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS

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Below you will find an interesting link to golf courses and golf shops

available in this region and a map with 6 golf resorts.

http://www.bookteetimesinspain.com/golf-murcia.html

We will be very happy to assist you.

GRACIAS ☺

IH Murcia team

GOLF COURSES IN MURCIA

NEED ANYTHING ELSE?