Enjoy the Diverse Culture of Oaxaca

Monte Ablban

While studying Spanish in Oaxaca Mexico you will find it has one of the richest and most diverse cultures in all of Mexico. The state of Oaxaca has a population of 3,500,000 people, among these people there are sixteen formally registered indigenous communities which consists of over 1 million of the population. Believe it or not nearly half of these indigenous people are non-Spanish monolingual speakers. As you can imagine the wide range of ethnicities provides one of the most diverse cultures in Mexico. With such a strong surrounding cultural atmosphere it is easy to enjoy a complete Spanish immersion experience. Among the many things Oaxaca has to offer are unique indigenous crafts, touring the archeological sites, temples and monasteries, and enjoying the local food and festivities.

From the large variety of backgrounds stems an equally impressive range of art which is prevalent during Spanish immersion courses. One of the most unique things about Oaxacan craftsmanship is that it is not mass produced. As a result most items are crafted by hand which enhances the quality of the goods, another benefit from this is there are no two things alike. One of the more interesting crafts is called Alebrijes which are made from tree branches brought down daily from the mountains, a necessary process since the branches must still be green while crafting the piece. At this point the artist is free to continue as he sees fit, creating a variety of different animals or imaginary characters. The process can take many hours or even days at times depending on the complexity of the project. Some other crafts Oaxaca is known for are pottery, black pottery, stone cutting, ceramics, basket making as well as many others. Spanish schools in Oaxaca not only provide Spanish courses but also cultural courses which are great to take advantage of.

Oaxaca has an incredible amount of archeological sites. To date 4,000 different sites have been discovered. Although there are many impressive things to see it would be difficult to explore them all, some of the more famous areas to tour are Monte Alban, Mitla, Yagul, Lambiteco, and Dainzu. Spanish courses in Oaxaca give students the opportunity to explore these archeological sites and receive a real sense of history in the process. The magnificent architecture of the temples and convents is something else that should not be missed. Constructed by the aboriginals who were skilled craftsmen in stone and wood engraving but guided by skilled architects, believed to be monks, the results form a very unique style of architecture which combined two different cultures. Oaxaca’s mix of cultures that through time have been able thrive off of each other while still maintaining their own identities makes it a very unique place to learn Spanish.

One thing that cannot be missed while studying Spanish in Oaxaca is the vast range of food the area offers. The variety of cuisine eaten stems from the immensely diverse cultures. Many fruits and vegetables are grown in the central valley while in the north you find tropical fruits and in the south it is predominately fish and shellfish. Some of the more unusual dishes that can be found are a unique breakfast dish which consists of poached eggs in chili-tomato soup, or you can try chapulines (barbequed grasshopper) if you are feeling a little adventurous. Taking Spanish courses in Oaxaca not only allows one to enhance their Spanish speaking ability but also expands their knowledge of the variety of cultures there are in the world.

Visit Puerto Madero as you Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires

Lying to the east of the city (the part nearest to the river, right after the microcentro), there are few places in the city as enjoyable for a stroll at sunset as Puerto Madero during your Spanish immersion courses in Argentina.

Originally built as a port in the 19^th century, today in Puerto Madero you can find an abundance of restaurants, cafes and even nightclubs in the renovated, red-brick warehouses. New construction has also placed towering offices, high-rise residences, and luxury hotels into this neighborhood, making it the one of the hottest and most expensive property zones to discover while you take Spanish courses in Buenos Aires.

The district is a great place to visit by day while you study Spanish in Buenos Aires, with good lunch menus catering for the near-by office employees, but the best time to visit is after you’ve finished your Spanish lessons in Argentina, at sunset, when the water in the port glows a fiery red and the city skyline is silhouetted. The large number of bars and restaurants on both sides of the port mean that you will easily find the right spot to enjoy a beer or coffee. Be careful of the price though – this area is pricier than most in the city due to the mix of prosperous locals and wandering tourist.

This is also perhaps the only neighborhood in a major world city where all its streets are named for women. One of its major highlights to visit during your Spanish immersion in Buenos Aires is the Bridge of Woman, designed by Santiago Calavatra. Puerto Madero’s other unique feature is its Ecological Reserve, an large open area which was originally reclaimed land from the river that has since been settled on by wild plants and birds. This makes it an ideal place to get away from the city when you are learning Spanish in Buenos Aires without having to venture too far, though be prepared for a walk (or take a taxi) as there is no convenient subway and few bus lines that access this neighborhood.

Spanish Immersion in Cusco!

Cusco from the hills

Study Spanish in Cusco located high in the Andes in Southeastern Peru. Cusco is an exquisite city with a breathtaking landscape and a deep historical heritage. With a population of around 300,000 people it is small enough to get a true feel for the city as well as enjoy yourself experiencing the night life, touring the historical sights, and sampling the local cuisine.

Get a historical perspective while studying Spanish in Cusco which was once the capital of the great Inca Empire. Believed to be founded in the 11^th Century incredibly many of the foundations are still intact, some are even said to be stronger than foundations in present day Peru. Studying Spanish in Peru presents you with the opportunity to experience numerous activities. While the city of Cusco is most well known as the starting point for the trek to Machu Picchu, the city itself and the surrounding area have many historical sites that are well worth taking in. As well as the once in a lifetime journey along the Inca Trail, there are many other outdoor activities available while you are learning Spanish in Cusco such as white water rafting, mountain biking, horseriding, jungle trips, and an array of sensational trekking options.

Plaza de Armas

For complete Spanish immersion engulf yourself in the multitude of other things the city has to offer. Learning Spanish in Cusco goes far beyond studying in the classroom, it has a magnificent nightlife which thrives in the city´s main square, the Plaza de Armas, with locals and tourists alike enjoying the festivities. Cusco also has one of Peru’s top soccer clubs, Cienciano, demand for tickets is very high so if you want to go you will have to queue for them but the excitement and atmosphere makes it well worth it. For something to do during the day take a look around the city and explore the local shopping scene where there are many artesanal handcrafted items to be found and, with no fixed prices, bargaining is welcome. So come learn Spanish in Cusco and find out what it is all about!

The Majesty of Iguacu Falls

After weaving your way through the rainforest in specially adapted vehicles you reach the river. The water seems calm enough. You carefully step into the semi-rigid rubber boat waiting on the banks, and the group takes off up river. At first you only notice the scenery: the colorful birds, the tropical vegetation, and the occasional long-tailed coati poking its head out from behind a tree, but quickly you start to hear a strange noise, a faint roaring, which grows more intense as the journey progresses. The water starts to churn and flow more chaotically, and a fine mist drizzles down onto your face. With anticipation building, you finally round a bend in the river to find yourself face to face with the “Garganta del Diablo” (Devil’s Throat in Spanish): a 318 ft. high monster waterfall that is the largest of the 275 waterfalls found in the Iguacu National Park.

The Iguacu Falls make Niagara Falls look tiny and maybe even boring; they have a flow capacity three times greater than their North American cousin. The falls are accessible from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides, and visitors can explore the natural parks on elevated metal walkways that go over and right up next to a huge number of the falls. Optional boat trips take you close to the Devil’s Throat or under one of smaller falls for a wet and wild adventure.

The Falls were discovered in 1549 by the Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca; the name comes from the native Guarani Indians. Almost since their discovery, the Iguacu Falls have become one of the most important and beautiful tourist attractions in all of South America, and one that surely cannot be missed in your journey. Taking Spanish classes with one of our ViaSpanish partner schools in South America and then going to Iguacu Falls may just be the adventure you’ve always been looking for!

The Iguacu International Airport makes it easy to reach the falls from our ViaSpanish destinations in Santiago, Chile; Lima, Peru; and Quito, Ecuador. If you decide to take your Spanish classes at our school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, you can take advantage of the frequently organized weekend trips by bus. Departing early on Thursday evenings and returning late Sunday nights, these tours give you plenty of time to explore the majestic falls in depth. In Buenos Aires, friendships form easily during the week in our group Spanish classes, which are offered in six levels according to the education framework provided by the Cervantes Institute, and also during the breaks. Then students celebrate and practice new Spanish skills with their new friends during a long, relaxing weekend at some of the world’s most amazing places, among which Iguacu Falls is definitely a favorite!

 

A Family Adventure in Costa Rica

Learning Spanish is a fun and rewarding activity, as well as a valuable asset in today’s global job market. More and more people are catching on to the idea of combining the pleasure of a vacation in a beautiful destination with the adventure of custom-tailored Spanish immersion courses on location. Another growing trend is to make this process a family affair: many find that taking Spanish courses with family members can provide an intensive bonding experience and create shared memories that will last a lifetime.

Allison Jones Thompson, from California, chose our ViaSpanish partner school in Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica to take a Spanish course with her daughter, who celebrated her 14^th birthday shortly after returning to the US.  Allison was looking for an opportunity to share time with her daughter and do something together, and says that the end result “could not have been better”. 

The Thompsons chose the homestay housing option, and lived with a local family in a good location.  They often all ate dinner together, and afterwards the mother-daughter team did their homework. They went to the school together in the mornings but took classes in different levels; Allison’s daughter was placed in a more advanced class. Even though they both had learned some Spanish before going to Costa Rica, they were able to significantly augment their knowledge through their classes, social interactions in the home, and interactions with each other.

Allison says that studying with her daughter and getting the chance to spend special time together with her was the best part of the trip. Another highlight was the canopy tour that they both did, which involved zooming on a zipline through the trees in the tropical forest. Both of the Thompsons are scared of heights, so it was a huge exhilaration to overcome this fear together.            

Allison’s daughter says that she would like to go back to Costa Rica or maybe do a year abroad in a Spanish speaking country in the future. Both mother and daughter returned home enthusiastic and energized after sharing a very special time together, and Allison says that she has recommended to all of her friends that they do a study abroad with their children.

Children accompanied by their parents are warmly welcomed in all of our 18 ViaSpanish destinations; check us out at www.viaspanish.com for the latest information about all of our amazing options for your next vacation!  

Off the Beaten Track

With a year-round tropical climate, sun and sand to the heart’s content, and the elegant cultural infusion of pre-Columbian heritage with Spanish flair, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is known as one of the most beautiful vacation spots in the world. Visitors can eat grilled seafood on the beach or dance the night away in one of the many salsa clubs, and our Spanish school is located right in the heart of the action. Downtown and only two blocks from the Pacific Ocean, the “Vallarta” style building welcomes students from around the world and well-qualified local teachers make learning fun and rewarding.     

The multitude of leisure activities in Puerto Vallarta means that there will always be after-class enticement. In addition to the obvious attractions that the city offers: the music, art, live performances, world-class restaurants, and of course the beach, there are a number of other recreation options in and around the city that excite the senses and get the adrenaline pumping.     

One growing new adventure activity in Puerto Vallarta is ATV motorcycle tours. The scenery around the city is a natural paradise for those who aren’t afraid to throw their leg over an all-terrain vehicle and make their own path. Many tours go up into the Sierra Madre mountain range; in the journey, one can weave through lush tropical vegetation and charge through rivers in search of hidden points of
interest in the jungle such as waterfalls, small villages, coffee plantations, and natural caves. The tours last between 2 and 8 hours and often include a traditional Mexican lunch and a shot of tequila to celebrate when the day is done.  What a nice weekend activity for a group of ViaSpanish friends!
 

Culinary Adventures: The Ecuadorian Patacón

You have just finished your first day of Spanish class at our Quito language school, located in the trendy La Mariscal neighborhood in the “New City”. The school was established over 20 years ago and is well-renowned; classes are small and offer intensive learning opportunities with highly educated teachers. After hanging out for a while in the garden chatting with other students and browsing the internet using the free Wi-Fi connection, you leave the school and walk slowly through the streets in the direction of the Old City, where your host family lives.

On the walk you notice many things. The people are friendly and the city presents a vibrant mix of colonial grandeur and modern sheen. New sights and smells fill the senses. In the window of a restaurant you catch sight of a strange food, round yellow medallions, and see people eating them with fervor.

What is this tasty treat? It is the patacón, a staple of the Ecuadorian diet. The patacón is a fried chip made of plantain, cousin of the banana. While bananas are sweet and are eaten raw, the plantain has characteristics more like a potato. It has a neutral flavor and must be cooked; it is also much larger than a traditional banana.

Patacones can be eaten plain, topped with guacamole or vegetables, or used to accompany traditional plates such as beans or rice soup. They are slightly salty and very addictive. In Ecuador, you will find yourself eating them most every day. You should take advantage of the experience because, like the country itself, you will miss it every day once you’ve gone back home.

Here is a recipe to make patacones:

1 plantain (large)
Water
Salt
Garlic
Parsley
Olive Oil

Cut the plantain in ½ inch slices. Mix the water and salt on a plate, at the same time heat the olive oil in a skillet with lid. Dip the plantain slices in the water/salt mixture and then put them in the skillet to fry. After frying them, absorb excess oil with a paper towel and use a spoon to flatten them (just a little bit, careful not to break them). Mix the chopped garlic, parsley, and a few drops of oil together on another plate, dip the patacones in this mixture, and re-fry them for a few minutes. Ready to serve.