So after Nadal's victory at Wimbledon, who would have thought that it would happen again, let alone twice!!

Two weeks after the World Cup win, and they've done it again, with Fernando Alsonso speeding to victory for Ferrari in the German Grand Prix, Spain have got yet another title! Not only this, but Alberto Contador led the way in the final days of the Tour De France, making this the fifth consecutive win for the Spanish in this competition.

However, there remains controversy ahead, as Formula 1 officials are concerned as to the circumstances of Alonso's win, let's hope that the victory stays firm, and this makes a full four out of four victories for España!

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Maybe you are one of the many who collect coins and most likely you never saw and definitely dont have the Vatican coin. For those of you who don´t know, the Vatican is technically an independent country where the Pope resides within Rome.

How rare are they? They are RARE. In 2002 when the Euro was introduced the Vatican minted a total of 6,000 of each of the 8 coins featuring Pope John Paul II (1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent, 1 euro and 2 euro). In fact, they were issued mainly as collector sets fetching over 1.000€ each.

In 2005, after Pope John Paul´s death, they issued the second series (exclusively for collector sets) featuring the Apostolic Chamber and in 2006 until now they started minting the third series with Pope Benedict XVI, featuring 12 stars.

So what is the news?? Well the Vatican was required by the EU to put some of its coins into circulation, and recently for the first time ever, its euro coins can be found in the open market. However, in order to not lose collectionist appeal, the only coins released into the market are the 50 cent and 1€ euro pieces.

Example of the current Vatican 1€ coin. Good luck finding it!!!

Europe is a fun place to collect coins and Spain also has euros to find and collect. Although the majority of their coins are in standard circulation, they do have commemorative coins in the marketplaces that are much harder to find!

In 2005 Spain released the don Quijote commemorative coin, in 2007 a coin in honor of the Treaty of Rome, in 2009 a coin giving homage to the Economic and Monetary Union and the birth of the Euro, and in 2010 a beautiful coin featuring the great mosque of Cordoba. The mosque/cathedral of Córdoba represent Spain's rich Catholic and Moorish history.

I have not seen the new 2010 coin, but I will keep an eye out for it!!!!

Spanish 2010 Commemorative Coin

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During my Spanish lesson today, the discussion suddenly took a turn for the serious. The topics? Education, employment and the economy - three subjects I normally try to skirt around, partly because I admit, I'm not the most clued-up when it comes to the global financial situation, but also as such conversations generally fill me with a sinking feeling at the prospect of remaining jobless and peniless for the foreseeable future owing to what many economists believe to be the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression in the 1930s.

We began on fairly upbeat territory, simply exploring the differences between the Spanish, English and American education systems and I was surprised to learn how different the approaches and attitudes are. For example, while Law is one of the most well-regarded degrees in both the UK and the US, here in Spain it is much less prestigious and far outclassed by scientific and technological qualifications.

From this, we moved on to talking about employment and, of course, the shaky state of the economy at the moment. The conclusions drawn were bleak to say the least - whatever your degree and wherever it is from, these days jobs are like gold-dust and, for many, impossible to find at all. Recent statistics have revealed that unemployment is rife and rates are at their highest in years. The average for Europe is 9.6%, and Spain is certinaly no exception, with one of the highest figures in Europe - just under 20% of people are without a job here. Adding salt to the wound for young people is the fact that, with a degree or not, the numbers are even higher, with over 40% unable to find employment.

That said, if we take a more long-term view of things, a few of the following facts may serve to soften the blow, at least for Spanish-speakers:

• Spanish is the world's third most spoken language (after Mandarin and English) and is the official language of 21 countries
• Spanish is the second most used language in international communication
• Approximately 1 in every 10 US residents is a Spanish-speaker

As one of the fastest growing languages in the world, and spreading at an exceptional rate in the United States in particular, prospects may well be improved for hispanohablantes. I think I'd better get practising!

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The Spanish version of the Broadway musical "Chicago", after a long run in Madrid will be starting a Spanish tour on August 12th.

Based in Chicago in the 1920s, the musical tells the story of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two ambition women who are sent to jail for passionate murders. Another important charcter is Billy Flynn, a famous lawyer who uses to the press and the fame of his clients to win their liberty.

In Salamanca, the production will arrive to CAEM theater (Centro de las Artes Escénicas y de la Música) from the 9th to the 12th of September.

Next you have a chance to see Chicago in Pamplona in the Baluarte theater from the 16th to the 26th of September.

You can also catch the tour in Alicante in the Principal Theater from the 4th to the 7th of November.

The musical will later make its way to the Auditorio theater in Tenerife from the 20th of December through the 2nd of January.

I saw the musical in Madrid earlier this year and I recommend it! You can buy tickets on the Chicago Musical website for 25€ to 50€.

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So a crucial part of Spanish culture that one must undoubtedly note is that of cinema. Not a day goes by without me spying a new movie, whether it be American or Spanish that I am aching to see, and upon finding the nearest cinema on a wander last week, I was determined to experience my first unsubtitled Spanish film this past weekend; a somewhat scary prospect for the definitely non-fluent!

So after much debate over times and what to see, my flatmates and I settled on Shrek 4 as an easy option. Or so we thought. After getting over the oddness of the 3D glasses, and the overly tempting smell of popcorn, we found our seats and prepared ourselves, intent on understanding every word, because you know, a children’s film should be easy..

Well, to be honest, it wasn’t too bad. The jokes, as ever, were easy to comprehend, despite the language barriers... For me, the oddest thing was not hearing the English voices, as well as of course the 3d imagery, that made me jump frequently! But definitely an excellent first experience to have had.

On Sunday night we decided to have a go with a more traditional film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona which, although being subtitled rather than spoken Spanish, is set in Barcelona and featured stars such as Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz. Although the frequent interludes of Spanish were somewhat taxing, it was a good film and allowed me an insight in the city of Barcelona, as well as a proper experience of Spanish actors..

So do I recommend a trip to the movies, of course! But just be warned, it´s not as easy as it looks ..

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Hello to everyone!

You may have already seen a post of mine as I was so excited about the World Cup that I failed to present myself first.

My name is Kimberly and I am an American who has been living and working in Salamanca, Spain for some time now. It is a long story, but basically I was an International Affairs and Spanish major who thought that studying abroad was a good idea to improve my Spanish - and so the story starts in 2002.

I remember that I chose Salamanca without a second thought, I do not remember why but I know that it was the right choice. The last thing my mom yelled at me as I walked out the door early in the morning to catch my flight was "DON'T FALL IN LOVE!!!!" and I said "I WON'T!!!!" Ha, little did I know.... :)

Thus began my year abroad in Salamanca, easily remembered as the best year of my life. I met my future husband (after years of going back and forth... again, long story) whom I married two years ago when I came to live in Salamanca definitively.

I come to don Quijote after having worked most recently in online advertising in another Salamancan company. My role here will be to post on the blog and respond to comments, adapt and write texts, and make sure the English communications go out without errors (or at least not noticable ones!! haha)

I am eager to hear from you, so try to keep my job exciting and post your questions or comments. I have traveled all over Spain, I know what it is like to learn Spanish from basically nothing, to live with a host family here, to live with Spaniards in a shared apartment, to find your own apartment, to travel, get lost and anything else you might want to know. I can give you tips about how to finance your trip and most of all encourage you to recognize that if you do not do it now, you probably never will!

I look forward to hearing from you and answering your questions!

Sincerely,

Kimberly

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One of my primary missions as a citizen of Salamanca was to find my own place here. However, easy? I don’t think so!

First and possibly the most important element to decide was: who was I going to live with? Should it be a Spanish family, so as to feel more at home as well as the comfort of home cooked food, no bills and, hopefully, washing on tap? Or to search for a place of my own and although somewhat more expensive, it would mean no annoyance from someone else’s dirty socks? Or to share a flat with some Salamancan students, however the seasonality of their stay might make it trickier! Thus muy muy difícil para mí!

However a saviour came in the form of my fellow intern, and an ingenious plan to find a flat with Spaniards, and so the comfort of someone who I knew was there, but also a necessity to speak and improve my Spanish with our flatmates as well as the opportunity to get to know more local young people.

So the search began, and wow! Not only was there the net to trawl but also notices on every phone box or empty building you encountered, and by the end of just a weekend’s search, I felt I had more phone numbers than ever before in my life..

But, as we found out, landlords from whatever county are tricky things, and the rent was often doubled upon noting a slight language barrier, and many babbled down the phone before simply hanging up!

Luckily, eventually a couple of flats seemed to be right, now just to agree on a place, and suss out the dodgy from the gems! After a close call with a dubious man demanding three months rent in advance, we’ve eventually narrowed it down to two reasonably located flats, as well as not too bad cost, so here’s hoping we’ll have our own place this time next week!! (and maybe looking like this .. )

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I never used to like soccer, or as they call it in Europe “football”. That was before living and breathing the emotion and suffering the nervousness during a game for your selection.

Last night Spain became a world champion after beating Holland 1-0 in the final match in the South Africa World Cup. The game went into extra time and with only 4 minutes left Iniesta marked a goal in Spain’s favor. At that moment, you could hear screams and cries from every balcony, terrace, and bar all over Spain. That is when you start to get goose bumps.

After the game is when the real excitement starts. The streets are filled with cars honking and people dancing with every type of banner, scarf or flag available. The main streets of the city are shut down and in the place of cars Spaniards of every age get together to celebrate the victory.

This celebration traditionally would involve the large city fountains in which fans would jump into or climb up after a victory of this nature. However, in recent years this act has been controlled with local police setting up temporary fences around any public fountain and guarding it after any important match.

In place of this “fountain bathing” tradition, the environment you can expect to find now is just large numbers of people singing songs and making lots of noise. The song you most hear ringing throughout the streets is: “Yo soy Español, Español, Español.._!” (I am Spanish, Spanish, Spanish!!).

Today is Monday and, although groggy and tired, most Spaniards are back to work. It is widely recognized that today is probably going to be very little productive. The attitude is positive, the flags are still up and the people are still celebrating their big day.

If you are visiting Spain or living here I can safely say that if today you do like soccer than you probably never will. Spain, WORLD CHAMPIONS!!! It does not get much better than this.

¡Qué Viva España!

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don Quijote Salamanca is pleased to be hosting a group of college students from Glendora, California. Professor Estella Díez is guiding the group in the classroom as they study Spanish and enjoy all that the Golden City has to offer.

The Citrus College students have been travelling around Spain, and Europe, posting pictures and stories to their blog. Be sure to catch up with them at http://www.losgatosblancosestamoscansados.blogspot.com/ .

Cheers!

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Lunes de Aguas - literally water Monday is a fiesta that takes place on the banks of the Rio Tormes in Salamanca where friends and family gather to drink wine and eat hornazo (a meat heavy pastry pie). The story goes that on the Monday after Easter Sunday (and after 40 days of lent) the prostitutes of Salamanca were allowed back into the town after they had been banned during Holy Week by King Felipe II in the 16th century for regularly fraternizing with the educational elite of Salamanca University. Way back when - the students and townspeople would ferry the women back over to town in flower covered barges or small boats for a grand welcoming party.

Today, the gathering consists of eating hornazo - a non sweet pastry pie filled with ham, sausage, bacon, cooked egg, and sometimes even chicken - congregating with friends and family over bottle of Rioja or a Ribera del Duero, and welcoming the warm weather. If you´re a student or tourist in town, I think this evening will be a nice treat for you to relax and have fun with other Salmantinos.

Cheers!

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