Today we decided to go for a "mercantile" trip around the city of Seville. We are going to visit one of the most important markets in the city and tell you all the secrets, so when you visit Seville you know where to go.

Let's discover Seville!

Let's go directly to the Mercado Lonja del Barranco.

We have been told that it is one of the coolest places to go and enjoy the gastronomy of the city, so let´s see if it's true.

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After a walk along the river, we arrived at the market at 11.00 am, an hour after they opened so we wouldn´t be crowded with people. The first thing we see already leaves us speechless. On the outside, we see a fish market which was created many years ago and remains its structure. However, once you walk inside we discover a new modernized world.

As you enter El Mercado del Barranco we see that it is not well-lit. They say it´s because of its high ceilings and large windows that allow the sun of Seville to shine inside the market.

After taking a few pictures, we started walking inside the market and, at a glance, we calculated that there are at least 20 different stations. After a quick tour of a small part of the market, we decided to grab a refreshment but there was a problem. How are we going to pick one station out of 20?

We met different people around the market and asked them where should we go, which brewery should we try, and what was their favorite cocktail bar or a wine bar? After thinking about it for a while, we decided to stop by the brewery they recommended and it was awesome. However, we had to stop there and save the other two options for the next visit because it was clear that we had to return for more fun.

From a distance, you can distinguish the brewery for its tremendously large barrels above it.

After a while, we realized loads of people entering the market from all directions. From curious people stopping by each station to tourists from around the world. It was like visiting a different world with such an amazing atmosphere. El Mercado del Barranco is next to the Guadalquivir River, we walked around the terrace and the views were impressionable. A trip to Seville is completely worth it, we promise.

Between one thing to another, the time went flying by and it was lunchtime! However, we were indecisive about what to eat? An Appetizer or the main course?

Not having a clue what to pick we took the opportunity to visit several food stations and tried a little bit of everything. Without a doubt, it was the best decision we made.

The market has such a gastronomic variety of food that it was impossible for us to go everywhere. They had appetizers, tapas, desserts, octopus, empanadas, croquettes, seafood, cheese, ham, rice ... We will be back!

We had such a great time discovering new and unique selections. When you go, you must dedicate time so you can visit most of the stations there. Also, before you leave you must watch the sunset on the terrace while you enjoy some flamenco. From there you can see all of Seville, the Guadalquivir, and even the Triana bridge!

Pack your bags, go to Seville, learn Spanish and let yourself fall in love with the city.

See you soon!

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They’re here, they’ve already started, and as all of Spain looks to the coast, Valencia is fully in the throes of its famous and enthralling festivities- the Fallas!

From the end of February to the 19th of March, you can live Valencia’s most typical celebration. It’s their biggest, the one that everyone dreams of visiting at least once in their lifetime, Las Fallas.

Tradition tells us that Saint Joseph is the patron saint of carpenters. Therefore, in the 18th century, all the carpenters in the city met in the plazas on the eve of March 19, the day on which Saint Joseph is celebrated, to make an offering. And what was this offering? They would burn tools and scraps of wood that had been used during the winter, in order to summon good luck.

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And this modest event grew and grew into what we see today as the spectacular and grand celebration of Las Fallas.

Therefore, today we’re bringing you a basic guide of what you can see each day at the festivities.

• Friday, March 16

La Plantá. There have already been concerts, contests and other festivities throughout the city’s plazas, but the Plantá signals the official kick-off of the week’s celebrations.

Throughout the year, the great Falla artists have been busy in their workshops creating their astounding monuments. And it is during the Plantá that all this art comes out and into the light. These sculptural works are set up in the plazas so that everyone can enjoy them for a few days and vote for the best one.

In addition, every day there is a different mascletà (a traditional, powerful fireworks’ display) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (Plaza of the City Hall). But what exactly are these mascletàs? Noise. Thunderous noise, and LOTS of it! They are strategically placed firecrackers that sound slowly at first, but get faster and faster as the explosions progress. This results in a deafening show that shakes the ground with each detonation.

• Saturday, March 17

In addition to the daily mascletà in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the weekend also celebrates a colorful floral offering to the Virgen de los Desamparados (the Virgin of the Defenseless). So if you see people in the street with bouquets of roses or the image of a Virgin with a mantle full of flowers, there is no need to be scared. It is part of the tradition.

After midnight, the Valencian sky fills with a symphony of gunpowder, lights, colors and sounds... The Castle of Fireworks display has started. A true wonder to behold.

• Sunday, March 18

This day will have a more cultural touch than the rest.

Two of the city’s historical figures receive their tribute every year, so that the tradition continues from generation to generation.

One of them is the poet Maximilià Thous. Among many other things, he is distinguished for putting lyrics to the official anthem of Valencia at the beginning of the 20th century. And the other historical figure is the composer Maestro Jose Serrano. He is known for having penned, among many works, the hymn to the Virgen de los Desemparados, the patron saint of Valencia whose image is yearly regaled with flowers.

But Sunday is not yet over. Adding to the mascletà and the offerings in the streets, this is the Nic del Foc, the Night of Fire.

Being the spectacle to top them all, this is the night where Valencia’s night sky attracts the most onlookers. More than half a million people come together every year to enjoy this display of pyrotechnic and digital art. It's no use reading a lot about this night, you just have to live it.

• Monday, March 19

On March 19, the day of San José is celebrated and, following tradition, it is Valencia’s special day, par excellence.

Las Falleras Mayores de Valencia, the 2 yearly elected queens of the celebrations, make a floral offering to the Virgen de los Desamparados. Beyond the offering itself, it is worth seeing because of the women's beautifully intricate traditional outfits, the typical music and for the festive atmosphere that swells in the streets on this day.

In addition to the daily mascletà, on March 19 there are two unique events: the Cabalgata del Foc and the Cremà.

The Cabalgata del Foc is a spectacular parade through the most important streets of the city where the protagonist is fire. It is a truly impressive pyrotechnical display. There are floats, enormous machines, music... and fire, a lot of fire.

But the parade is not only about its own spectacle. It is the announcement that Cremà, the moment everyone has been waiting for, is about to arrive. When midnight comes, only the Falla sculpture that received the most votes is saved from a fiery end.

All the rest, every last one, will burn into the night until they are reduced to ashes. After this, all that remains is to sweep up the dust, return to the workshops, and start the process of building next year’s Falla monuments once again.

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Christmas is magical in every home, and in Latin America even more so. Here, old traditions are united with more brought from Spain, all often celebrated by the warming light of a summer’s sun. All of this makes for a fascinating, curious and very colorful celebration. Would you like to know more?

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First, we’ll stop in Mexico where Christmas begins on the 16^th of December and its posadas- popular festivities that remember Mary and Joseph’s pilgrimage from Nazareth to Bethlehem to await the birth of their son. And the Pastorelas, theatrical displays which celebrate the shepherds’ hardships on their journey to visit the Baby Jesus. But we’ll leave the hardships aside and move on to the joyful piñatas. Mexican piñatas are special: shaped like a seven-pointed star, one for each of the capital sins and, when they are finally broken, the shower of sweets that rains down represents the reward for having resisted those temptations.

And now to Ecuador. Here there are beautiful versions of the famous Nativity Scene, representations of the birth of Jesus, where it is tradition to cover the figure of the infant Jesus until the day of his birth, on Christmas Eve. By the way, in Ecuador the little ones write a letter to Christ, at least one month before Christmas, in which they ask for gifts for having behaved well. The most colorful celebration takes place during New Year's Eve: dolls are displayed on house doors, each one a testament to things left behind in the year. At midnight, these dolls are burned to ward off any harm that may come in the following year.

In Costa Rica an impressive celebration called Tope takes place. Riders and their horses from all over the valley of San Jose, bands, even clowns and dancers take part. Another typical Christmas celebration in Costa Rica also has a humanitarian element: it is the traditional illumination of the Hospital de los Niños, a beautiful, spectacular and very emotional act. The joy continues in the Festival de Luz, a nocturnal parade in which bands play and spangling floats fill the streets with wonderful images.

A festival of light is also a fundamental element in one of Colombia's most endearing celebrations. On December 7, the Catholic’s eve of the Immaculate Conception, thousands of Colombians offer lit candles on the streets; its purpose? To guide the Virgin in her path. Equally moving is the celebration of the Novena de Aguinaldos, in which, around a manger, children and adults sing Christmas carols during the 9 days, while exchanging typical sweets and desserts.

One of the most curious Christmas traditions of Peru takes place in the town of San Pablo, between Cuzco and Pruno: the Race of the Magi. In it the kings, who are not named "Melchor", "Gaspar" or "Baltasar" but Inkarri, Mistirri and Negrorri, compete for the town’s fortune the following year. If Inkarri wins, it will be a good harvest year in the valleys of Cuzco; if Mistirri wins, the lucky region will be the altiplano with its cattle; if it’s Negrorri, there will be shortages in all the regions, but fortune will come in the form of money.

In Chile, the most characteristic and fascinating part of Christmas also has its roots in nature. Being in the southern hemisphere, December is summertime, so you can celebrate the arrival of el Viejo Pascuero (that's how they call Santa) on the beach with a cold glass of cola de mono, a traditional Christmas cocktail, a warming mix of brandy, milk, coffee, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.

Another country that celebrates Christmas in a summer atmosphere is Argentina. It is curious and delightful to see the streets, with the sun shining down, decorated in typical winter elements. And savoring the Argentinian grill a la canasta will make most anyone’s mouth water.

With this we conclude our stroll through Christmas in some of the places in Latin America. There are many more countries to visit, many more Christmas customs... and we invite you to discover them.

And of course… MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

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Malaga’s great pride is being the birthplace of one of the greatest geniuses of painting, Pablo Picasso. We all know his work and his style, but many are unaware of some of the most curious details of his life. Do you want to learn about some of them?

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We almost didn’t have this genius: at birth he was given up for dead; but his uncle Salvador, a physician by profession, was able to revive him.  

We all know him as "Pablo Picasso,” but if we saw his birth certificate we would be surprised. His name was really Pablo Diego Jose Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Maria de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santisima Trinidad Martir Patricio Clito Ruiz y Picasso!

It is known that Picasso started painting from an early age. So early in fact that his first word was "piz" referring to lápiz (pencil in Spanish)!

And he really was a “chip off the old block.” Picasso's father was an instructor at the School of Fine Arts in Malaga. They say, that upon seeing that his son had surpassed him in talent at barely 13 years old, the father gave up painting.

He was a rebellious student and was often punished; but he did not take it badly because he used the afternoons of punishment to draw and create in his own fashion.

Few know this: Picasso figures in the Guinness Book of Records as the most prolific artist in the world with 3,500 paintings, 100,000 prints, 34,000 illustrations and 300 sculptures.

In 1911 the famous Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. The police called Picasso, but as a defendant! Of course, he could prove his innocence.

Ironically Picasso is precisely one of the most "stolen" artists. More than 350 of his works have been victims of thievery.

Picasso was a great friend of another genius of painting: Joan Miro. In fact, their mothers already knew each other, but their true friendship was born when Picasso's mother sent Miro to take her son, who was residing in Paris, an ensaimada (typical, fluffy pastry from Malaga). It took the young Miro several days to find Picasso, and when they were finally together, he gave him the ensaimada, which was already hard. Picasso was impressed that, in a gesture of honesty, Miro hadn’t eaten the pastry.

Picasso's friends claim that he used to carry a revolver loaded with blanks that he would fire when a conversation became too boring.

They say that when he realized that, one night, he had no money, Picasso wanted to pay for a dinner with a drawing. The manager of the restaurant, knowing the painter's fame, asked him to sign it. To which Picasso replied "What I want is to pay for dinner, not buy the restaurant.”

Picasso is the favorite artist of many, but who were Picasso's favorite artists? It is said that he had a weak spot for the work of El Greco and, after his pink period, began to deeply admire ancient Iberian art and pieces such as the Lady of Elche or the Lady of Baza.

As you can see,  genius, art and even wit had always been present in the life of Picasso. Therefore, to conclude this article, we quote the painter himself: "When I was a child, my mother told me: If you become a soldier you will grow into a general, if you become a priest, you will end up a pope. Instead of all that I decided to be a painter and I became Picasso."

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In Spanish, we can say “mantenerse en sus trece” which translates literally to “keep to one’s thirteen”. Yet this isn’t talking about a thirteen-year-old who doesn’t want to grow any more. Far from it.

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If someone “keeps to their thirteen,” it means something like they stand firm on a position about whatever subject, and nothing will make them change their mind. And this Spanish way of saying “standing one’s ground,” in fact, has a special nuance. Someone who holds their thirteen won’t change their mind, even when the opposing ideas are correct, or even indisputable.

One example of this common saying goes something like this:

• Although he knew he was not right, Juan kept to his thirteen and did not change his mind.

So, as it is an idiom with such a marked meaning, we will investigate its origin and how it got to us.

After checking various sources, we found that it has two possible and very striking origins.

On the one hand, it is said it might come from a card game from the Middle Ages in which the goal was to reach fifteen points, without going over, adding up the value of each card. The player who got closest to those points won, and so, anyone who reached thirteen points held their cards, taking no more, as it would have been easy to go over fifteen with only one more card.

As such, keeping to one’s thirteen, with all its variants, might very well have originated from this ancient card game.

On the other hand, it is said that it might come from the times of Pope Luna, also known as Pope Benedict XIII.

They say that after the division of the Church in the districts of Avignon and Rome, this Pope was chosen as the representative of the French see.

Shortly after the appointment of Pope Benedict XIII, France withdrew its support and he was forced to go live in the Peniscola Castle in Spain, stripped of his power.

As he found it unjust, he relocated with the few people who still considered him Pope to the Castle, although he had the habit of shouting "I am Pope Benedict XIII!" constantly. That is why, after repeated it so many times, it began to be taken as an expression leading to the one we know today. Others say that what he shouted was "I am Pope ... and thirteen!", which also would have given rise to our saying. Whatever the real origin of this expression, if someone “keeps to their thirteen” it is synonymous with being a bit hard-headed.

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The Day of the Dead is a very special day in Mexico. Far from being a sad or gloomy day, its color, animation and aesthetics celebrate life and its triumph over death. It is something that goes beyond the sweets, makeup, the attire... That is why we are going to show you the meanings behind the beauty of this day.

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First we should talk about the eye-catching Catrinas, amusing representations of a skull or bones painted on the face well-dressed women. Its invention dates to 1910, when figures of animated skeletons appeared in the newspapers satirizing the politics of the time. A Catrina, called Garbancera at the time, represented a snobbish sector of society who would dress, talk and act as if they were foreigners, ignoring their cultural roots. The famous painter Diego Rivera fell in love with the persona and gave it the name we all know it by today- Catrina. As such, Catrina has now become the indisputable star of the Day of the Dead and even an "it girl". In fact, the design school of the beautiful city of Leon, in the state of Guanajuato, organizes a fashion show each year where its students show their creations based on this character. In another of our destinations, Oaxaca, these Catrinas are also to be seen, but this time in an eerie procession through the streets.

Typical of this date are candy sugar skulls, a sweet confection called alfeñiques. They are often seen in offerings on the altars that fill streets and neighborhoods during this day, as well as given as gifts to family and friends, often bearing their name. Their roots can be traced to the funerary rites of Mesoamerican cultures, in which the skulls of deceased ancestors were displayed. Today, in Leon, these alfeñiques are also revered in a festival dedicated exclusively to them. There are many, many forms of this confection which fills the stomach, sweetens the spirit and charms the eyes.

The most important and meaningful element is undoubtedly the offering. It has to do with that colorful and fascinating altar that we can see in houses, shops, restaurants... and hides many more secrets than we can imagine.

The altars for these offerings always have seven levels, count them if you want: a photo of a saint or a virgin is placed on the first one; the second is dedicated to the souls that are in purgatory; salt is put on the third level for the souls of the children in purgatory; also in the room, pan de muerto (sweet bread with red sugar), that must be made by the deceased’s relatives, is placed; the fifth holds fruit and the departed’s favorite food; a photo of the deceased is placed on the sixth level and on the seventh a rosary of tejocotes (a yellow, bittersweet fruit) or limes.

Other offerings are present too, also loaded with meaning: candles that must face the four cardinal points; white flowers, symbolizing the sky, and yellow flowers, symbolizing the earth; a rod to protect the spirit of the deceased from all evil... finally there is a path flanked by cempasúchil flowers from the entrance of house to the altar.

With so much symbolism and art contained in these altars, it is not surprising that every year the inhabitants of Guanajuato wait anxiously for the traditional monumental offering that the students prepare on the steps of the University. In another state, Oaxaca, cemeteries become impressive successions of offerings and altars illuminated by the spiritual candlelight.

The day of the dead in Mexico, as we say, has something inexplicable, mystical, lasting. Something that really makes us think that our loved ones still protect us.

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Each language has its details, curiosities, history and traditions. But it’s undeniable that Spanish is a language full of expressions and with hundreds and hundreds of synonyms.

The following is only a sample.

You know what a tongue is.

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It’s a muscle in the mouth used to speak and to taste. And, tongue is also synonymous with language: the Spanish tongue, the English tongue... But, there is still more. “Lengua” is Spanish for tongue, and in Spanish, lengua can also be a strip of cloth or any elongated, narrow material. But when we look at sayings that involve the tongue, we can see that Spanish and English are quite close…

If they tell you that you are running around with your tongue hanging out (con la lengua fuera), it means that you are going around in a hurry, rushing all over the place. Just imagine, when someone is running and suddenly stops, usually what happens is, because of fatigue, they open their mouth to catch their breath. Suddenly the tongue is visible after so much hurrying about.

However, if someone tells you that you are a tongue wagger (dando la lengua), they mean you are a charlatan. In order to speak, the essential muscle is the tongue. So, if you are moving it a great deal it means that you’re talking a lot, without stopping.

But beware, that is very different from using a prodigal tongue (irse de la lengua). This doesn’t mean this person talks a lot, it means they talk too much, divulging things such as secrets or other confidential information.

So to avoid this, the best thing to do is to bite your tongue (morderse la lengua). But don’t worry, you won’t hurt yourself. Biting your tongue helps to quash the urge to say something. In other words, to not say anything that you might later regret, it is better to bite your tongue and not say it.

But of course, surely you have been in the situation more than once where you have been pressured to talk about something. And after enough insistence, something slipped out and you ended up giving information you hadn’t intended to. Well today you’re going to discover that you have just run across someone who had the ability to loosen your tongue (tirar de la lengua). It is the way we have of saying that one person has strongly urged another to tell him something that, perhaps, he should not have.

And when young children are learning to talk, we say that they trip over their tongue (or have a lengua de trapo). Well no. Children learning to talk don’t actually step on their tongues. it’s just that, since they are beginning to learn, they don’t pronounce well and have a limited vocabulary; it’s as if the words don’t come out properly. Have you ever had that feeling, like sometimes all that comes out is baby talk?

Finally, if you meet a person who has a sharp tongue (or sin pelos en la lengua), you have a direct, sincere and critical person, who will tell you exactly what they think, even when it is not the most appropriate time for it.

So, after this review, you will have noticed that we went from being children and tripping over our tongue, then we grew a little and we couldn’t stop wagging our tongue. As we grow older we always go around with our tongue hanging out, but we try not have a prodigal tongue with people that try to loosen our tongue and, for that reason, we try to bite our tongue. Now, when we must tell the truth, we use our sharp tongue.

What a tongue-twister!

Come join us at don Quijote and learn even more about the Spanish tongue.

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October 12th, Hispanic Heritage Day, Day of Pilar, cultural diversity day, day of the meeting of two worlds... the day is long and there is much to celebrate. But what should you not miss on this day?

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In Madrid, for example, you will find that many major museums have free admission. Take advantage of it! And remember that you are in Madrid, the weather is still warm and you will continue to find terraces where you can have a drink! Apart from this you also have theater and concerts. Even though it's a holiday, Madrid does not stop!

If you are in Barcelona you can pop over to the nearby city of Zaragoza where their grand celebration, the Día del Pilar, is celebrated. It is one of the liveliest festivities in Spain where you will see regional costumes, floral offerings, culinary fairs...

And in Barcelona itself, you have David Bowie! This exhibition goes over the career of the musical genius, actor, all his facets… has been extended until October 15th at the Museo del Disseny. There is still time to get close to the legend.

And in Seville, the 12th of October is considered the start of the Christmas shopping season, so have a look at the outdoor markets and get a jump on your gift shopping. And if you’re looking for something a little more colorful, you have Seville’s Cathedral where every year they have a majestic floral display on the tomb of Christopher Columbus in his honor.

Valencia is one of the musical capitals of Spain, so it is not surprising that their schedule is full of concerts. For example, on October 6th and 13th, you’ll find the Un lago de conciertos series of live, open-air concerts in the City of Arts and Sciences.

If you are in Malaga, you will also have a great dose of music and ballet. On the 11th and 12th the prestigious company of Victor Ullate will present the mythical El Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla.

One of the main attractions of Granada is its serenity and romance. The long weekend that October offers in the middle of the month is one of the favorites for travelers visiting the city. What could be more charming than a Granada, filled with art, during one of the most beautiful seasons of the year?

In Alicante they will have a very interesting a nautical event: young sailors between 7 and 14 will put on a sailing exhibition as part of the around the world sail race. Sport and excitement!

Salamanca is culture and it does not need to be a special day to enjoy all kinds of events from exhibitions to micro-theater performances; but if you stay a little more we recommend that you go beyond the city. In Alba de Tormes From the 13^th to the 21^st of October, there are lively festivities in its streets including chirigotas (musical groups) and colorful parades featuring paper mache giants… Even a take-off from a Broadway musical!

And Mexico celebrates its indigenous heritage splendidly. In the centric Plaza del Zocalo you can see recreations of ancient Aztec warrior dances.

Guanajuato celebrates not only one of the most important cultural events of Mexico, but also of the Spanish-speaking world, the Cervantino International Festival: theater, music, dance, opera, visual arts... It’s all there!

On the Playa del Carmen, not only is it a great place to lie on the beach, but also to volunteer for some charity work. On October 13^th the Mayakoba benefit bicycle race takes place, where not only can we test our physical capacities, but also enjoy that fact that it goes to a good cause- care for the elderly.

In Ibarra, Ecuador (just outside of Quito), a unique and very entertaining competition is held from the 1^st to the 9^th of October. It’s the Zorro (Fox) hunt. The horseman try to trap (you don’t have to fear for the poor animal)… a rider disguised as "El Zorro", the popular hero dressed in black, complete with mask and wide-brimmed hat! The rider who succeeds in catching him will have the honor of being the “Fox” the following year.

If you are in Buenos Aires and love design (you know that Argentina is a power-player in this field) do not miss the design marathon. Exhibitions, conferences, performances, fashion ... a very trendy festival.

If this October 12th you are in Bogota do not forget that this is a special date because the famous Teatro Colon celebrates its 125th anniversary. So from October 12th to the 17th the program will be focused on cultural events that include classical music, theater, exhibitions and authentic Colombian music.

Just 55 kilometers from Cartagena (Colombia), the town of San Basilio de Palenque celebrates the Festival of Drums from October 9^th to the 12^th. During this celebration not only is the sound of percussion king, but also the culture and local cuisine. A taste of the Caribbean!

Sosua celebrates its DR Jazz Festival, filled with great international jazz performances mixed with Caribbean influences every Friday up to the first week of November. Imagine dancing and enjoying the most elegant music on the seafront, cocktail in hand.

Antigua, in Guatemala, is a melting pot of cultures and we can see it in the various activities scheduled for October 12th. From a concert by Residente, vocalist of the mythical group Calle 13 to a performance of Shakespeare’s "Othello" and many other venues filled rising musical artists. Quite a busy day!

As you can see on October 12th is full of opportunities to have a great time. And if we have left any out, tell us and we will attend!

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Today is a very special day for us. as it is the birthday of Miguel de Cervantes, author of  "Don Quijote de la Mancha". So, we want to you join the celebration with ten of his best quotes, to inspire you. Here they are!

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• Trust time; it usually provides a sweet way out of many bitter challenges.
• The truth may be stretched thin, but it never breaks, and it always surfaces above lies, as oil floats on water.
• Who reads much and walks much, goes far and knows much.
• Love and desire are two different things; not everything that is loved is desired.
• Freedom, Sancho, is one of the most precious gifts heaven gave to men; the treasures under the earth and beneath the sea cannot compare to it; for freedom, as well as for honor, one can and should risk one’s life, while captivity, on the other hand, is the greatest evil that can befall men.
• Who does not know to do with happiness should not complain when it passes.
• There is no so bad as not to have something good in it.
• The pen is the tongue of the soul.
• Be brief, for no discourse can please when too long.
• To be prepared is the half of the victory.

Now you know the keys of the "Cervantino" wisdom. Use it wisely.

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We can talk a lot about Guanajuato, but there is nothing like telling it from the inside, from the day to day of the city. So our coworker Gabriela Zendejas has agreed to answer the following questions. Don’t miss it!

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What makes Guanajuato such a special city?

Guanajuato is a magical city, with beautiful architecture that speaks of our splendid colonial past. Every corner is rich in an ingenuity that takes advantage of the mountainous space into which the city was gradually embedded.

Why should we choose Guanajuato to learn Spanish?

Guanajuato is the ideal place to learn Spanish. It’s a small town where the neighbors still say hello on the street in the morning, we gather together in the gardens and squares… all this allows our students to naturally integrate and practice their Spanish. Geographically it is a kind of open university town. We have a rotating population of just over 40 thousand university students from different areas of study, so the environment is youthful and the language is broad, varied and specialized.

What is the don Quijote school in Guanajuato like? What can you tell us about it?

The don Quijote school in Guanajuato is a marvelous building dating back over a hundred years, built with wide adobe walls which makes for good insulation, so the temperature is very pleasant all throughout the year. The central courtyard has a staircase surrounded by balconies adorned with wrought iron. Its two stories and high ceilings characterize the architecture in Guanajuato..

Which places in Guanajuato should we visit?

First the romantic Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss), followed by the San Roque and San Fernando squares, where festivals, films, video clips, novels and musicals are celebrated. Visiting the Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera, an old colonial home turned into museum, cannot be left out in the tour of Guanajuato’s magical places.

And what festivities should we not miss?

Where should I start? Mexicans are very festive. In the state of Guanajuato we have something for everyone; culinary fairs, for example. In the summer we have the strawberry festival, quesadilla festival, the wine and beer festivals… For the fine-arts lovers there’s the famous Cervantino festival in October and in July, a film festival. For the adventurous, in March the Mountain Rally and in November the Hot-Air Balloon Festival. And for shopping, January´s fair in Leon specializes in leather goods.

But the celebration that definitely cannot be missed is the Day of the Flowers, on the Friday of Dolores, the sixth Friday of Lent- between March 24th and 25th.

What is the best time of year to visit the city?

For the weather between March and April, for the festivals from September to November.

And the best time of day to get lost in it?

In the morning to get to know the city on foot and in the afternoon to enjoy a good coffee or a beer on a terrace.

What do you like most about the city?

It is a city to walk around in, the colonial look, and that it is at the same time quiet, historical and cultural.

What is your favorite place?

For its view, the Pipila lookout point. The Plaza de San Fernando for its peaceful atmosphere and variety of restaurants.

What is it we absolutely must eat in Guanajuato?

Enchiladas mineras (a local specialty), the various strawberry types and sweet bread.

What photo should not be missing in the camera of one who goes to Guanajuato?

The view of the city from the Pipila.

What makes Guanajuato different from other cities?

Its history, its culture and, above all, its architecture.

Why should we return to Guanajuato?

For its youthful university atmosphere and that it’s perfect for romance.

Guanajuato has something for everyone. And don’t just take it from us. You just heard it from a local. How can one not travel to such a wonderful place, full of life, color... and even of romance?

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