Madrid Survival Guide, Spain | DQ

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/19/2018 - 02:00
Madrid survival guide - summer edition Museums, parks, restaurants, a fun-filled nightlife, different shopping areas, markets and festivals to enjoy… Madrid has it all! Madrid Survival Guide - Summer Edition

Museums, parks, restaurants for every taste (and budget), a fun-filled nightlife, different shopping areas, markets and festivals to enjoy… Madrid has it all! Well, almost. In the words of a popular local ska band from the 1980s, 'Aquí no hay playa' (there’s no beach here). So, with summer temperatures approaching 100 degrees, it’s important to always have a plan B to escape the heat.

Read the article in Spanish here.

Here are a few different ideas to keep up your sleeve in Madrid:

Pick a favorite park

El Retiro is hands down the most famous park in the capital of Spain. Aside from the sunny, crowded area around the square lake, its shady paths offer a breath of fresh air, perfect for the hottest part of the day. But Madrid has lots of other parks — this summer, why not try to find your favorite?

Oeste Park is the closest to our don Quijote school in Madrid, and here you can admire an authentic Egyptian temple or take the gondola lift to see Madrid from the skies. The ride will carry you all the way to Casa de Campo, the capital’s largest green space, ideal for exercising, rowing in the lake, or visiting the Amusement Park. Casa de Campo is linked to yet another park, Madrid Río, where you can hop on a bike or strap on your rollerblades and make your way to an exhibition at the Matadero Contemporary Art Center. If you want to keep it laid-back, take metro line 5 to Capricho Park, a romantic garden full of surprises, from a miniature fort (complete with a moat) to a bunker where the Republican government took shelter during the Spanish Civil War.

Make a splash!

Yeah, we know… there’s no beach in Madrid. That means the many pools you’ll find in and around the capital are the place to be when the heat is too overwhelming. If you’re looking for something close by, your best bet is to go to one of the city’s public pools, spread out across the different neighborhoods. If you’re up for a bit of a trek, we recommend you take a trip to the mountains to dip in some natural pools, either in Cercedilla, roughly an hour away by car, or Rascafría, about 15 minutes farther.

If you’re craving something more chic (and also more expensive), several hotels in downtown Madrid will let you spend the day soaking in their pools. Hotel Emperador, right on Gran Vía, features one of the city’s most popular rooftop pools along with spectacular panoramic views of the city.

Cool off with culture

One of Madrid’s many museums could be the ideal plan for a hot summer afternoon, with air conditioning, entertainment, and culture all in one. As you probably already know, the Spanish capital is home to one of the world’s best museums featuring European painters: the Prado. If contemporary art is more your style, the Reina Sofía Museum is just a short walk away, housed in a former hospital with a refreshing patio where you can take a break between rooms.

Why not stray from the beaten path and visit some of Madrid’s lesser-known museums? Try the Cerralbo Museum, located in a charming and luxurious 19th-century palace, or the ABC museum, which organizes interesting illustration exhibitions. Step inside the Sorolla Museum for a look at the painter’s house and studio in Madrid, complete with a beautiful garden and fountains, or stop by the Garment Museum, next to Oeste Park, for a trip through the history of clothes.

Looking for something a little different? Go back in time with the Platform Zero project: you can visit the old Chamberí metro station, restored to look the same as it did the day it was closed to the public in 1966, and the Nave de Motores de Pacífico, an electric power plant dating back to the 1920s.

Join the party

If there’s one thing that stands out about summers in Madrid, it’s the string of typical fiestas celebrated in the different neighborhoods and lasting long into the night. For an authentic Spanish experience, don’t miss La Paloma, a verbena or open-air festival celebrated the week of August 15 in La Latina. You’ll enjoy learning to dance the chotis alongside madrileños in their traditional chulapo dress (it’s the easiest dance in the world, we promise.) The most refreshing fiesta is the almost 40-year-old Batalla Naval de Vallecas — the enormous water fight will leave you as happy as you are soaking wet.

Maybe visiting Madrid in the summer isn’t such a bad idea, right? Trust us, you’ll have a blast. This list is just the beginning: you still have to eat at one of the city’s many restaurants with terraces, enjoy the ambience of the trendy Mercado de Motores, and hear live music at outdoor concerts in the Sabatini Gardens or the Complutense University Botanical Gardens.

Museums, parks, restaurants, a fun-filled nightlife, different shopping areas, markets and festivals to enjoy… Madrid has it all! Off <!-- Revive Adserver Etiqueta JS asincrónica - Generated with Revive Adserver v5.0.2 --><ins data-revive-zoneid="7" data-revive-id="ec923599c3fad9b044f22a6a73433428"></ins><script async src="//ads.iegrupo.com/www/delivery/asyncjs.php"></script> Vanessa Johnson

Spanish expression with green | donQuijote

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/16/2018 - 02:00
Are you turning green or are you very green? poner verde

Spanish speakers tend to use lots of sayings and colloquial expressions when we talk. To make matters more interesting, many of the expressions we use may not mean what you think.

For example, when we say something related to colors, the words we use often lack a clear connection with the ideas we want to communicate.

Read this article in Spanish

Let’s get started. Do you know what the difference is between making someone turn green and saying that someone is very green (poner verde a alguien vs. alguien está muy verde)?

Generally speaking, we tend to associate green with things that are good, healthy, pretty, etc. Nature is full of green, and vegetables taste better the greener they are, to name just a few examples. However, oddly enough, the color also has negative connotations. Things that are green are often poisonous, such as snakes and lizards, which play nefarious roles in many stories.

In literature the color green is frequently used to indicate hope, but Federico García Lorca has also used it to symbolize death.

Since it’s difficult to know when green is good and when it’s not, we’ll give you a rundown of these two Spanish expressions so you can learn how to use them in the right context.

When we make someone turn green (ponemos verde a alguien), we’re not dressing them up in green clothes or painting them with green paint. Not even close! What we’re actually doing is criticizing the person; we’re bad-mouthing or speaking badly about them, usually when they’re not around.

The origins of this expression are unclear. The most popular explanation is that it has to do with bruises.

When someone is hit by something or someone, a bruise usually appears. The bruise is purple at first, but as the days go by, it begins to take on a greenish hue. This explains the metaphorical relationship between physically hitting someone and attacking them verbally.

So, if someone makes you turn green (si alguien te pone verde), it means they’re talking trash about you, usually behind your back.

On the other hand, saying that someone is very green (está muy verde) has nothing to do with making them turn green.

When a piece of fruit hasn’t fully ripened, it often stays green for awhile before taking on its final color. That’s why when we say that a person is still very green (está aún muy verde), it means that the person is immature or lacking experience in some area.

For example, let’s say a person starts a new job. The first few days, the person normally doesn’t know where things are, how things are done, what they have to do, etc. We would say that this person aun está muy verde.

If you want to master more Spanish expressions with colors, pay close attention to the following video and you’ll learn everything you need to know.

Practical Spanish Spanish speakers tend to use lots of sayings and colloquial expressions when they talk. Here you find an expression with the word green.  Off <!-- Revive Adserver Etiqueta JS asincrónica - Generated with Revive Adserver v5.0.2 --><ins data-revive-zoneid="7" data-revive-id="ec923599c3fad9b044f22a6a73433428"></ins><script async src="//ads.iegrupo.com/www/delivery/asyncjs.php"></script> Sara Petruzzo

Seville Survival Guide | donQuijote

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/12/2018 - 02:00
Seville Survival Guide - Summer Edition Seville Survival Guide - Summer Edition

With average temperatures consistently in the 90s and no beach in sight, summers in Seville are not for the faint of heart. The upside? Those who can brave the heat are free to enjoy the city without standing in endlessly long lines, waiting for throngs of tourists to pass before taking each picture, or giving up on landing a table in popular restaurants. If you’re not afraid of a little sweat (okay, maybe more than a little), visiting Seville in the summer will be an intensely Spanish experience you’ll never forget.

Read the article in Spanish

Here are some tips to help you beat the heat:

 

Embrace the siesta

 

When in Spain, do as the Spanish do: avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day. Siesta time exists for a reason! You can be active all morning until you eat lunch around 2 p.m. (remember, Spanish meal times are different than what you might be used to). After lunch, plan on laying low and maybe taking a quick nap. Having a break in the middle of the day will give you time to fully enjoy your meal, chat with the people around you, and relax so you’ll be ready to take on the second half of the day.

If you absolutely can’t stand the idea of sitting around and doing nothing, consider visiting an air-conditioned museum (try the Flamenco Museum of Seville or the Andalusian Museum of Contemporary Art) or go for a stroll in Maria Luisa Park, where huge trees offer plenty of shade. 

 

Carry a fan

 

Speaking of local customs, the typical Spanish hand-fan (abanico) is one summer accessory that never goes out of style. Pick up a cheap one from a street vendor (try Plaza de España) for less than €5, or shop around for a beautiful, hand-painted work of art. You may have to dedicate part of an afternoon to perfecting your fanning skills, but before long you’ll be able to open and close the fan with a single flick of the wrist. Once you get your technique down, you’ll feel cooler and a little bit more Spanish!

 

Enjoy the nighttime

 

There are some things in Seville you can only experience in the summer, and one of them is a music festival called Nights in the Gardens of the Real Alcazar. Listen to classical music, world music, and flamenco in a magical, outdoor setting with 75 concerts from June to September. 

 

Experience a typical Andalusian fiesta

 

Seville’s charming Triana neighborhood has its own fiesta, la Velá de Triana, that takes place over six days in late July, from Tuesday to Sunday, including July 25 (the feast day of Santiago Apóstol, aka Saint James) and 26 (the feast day of Santa Ana, aka Saint Anne). Religious celebrations are an important part of the festival, but it’s a popular event for everyone to enjoy. The streets and plazas around Calle Betis are strewn with festive, colored paper lanterns, music fills the streets, and tents serving food and drinks are set up to fuel the merrymakers.

 

As you can see, there are lots of good reasons to visit Seville in the summer! While you’re here, why not take a Spanish course at don Quijote? Speaking the language will give you a more authentic experience, plus you’ll make friends from all over the world. And remember, if you can’t take the heat, the Costa de Luz is so close you can hop on a bus or train, swim at the beach, and return the same day. 

 

Seville Seville Survival Guide - Summer edition guide to discover the Spanish city. Off <!-- Revive Adserver Etiqueta JS asincrónica - Generated with Revive Adserver v5.0.2 --><ins data-revive-zoneid="7" data-revive-id="ec923599c3fad9b044f22a6a73433428"></ins><script async src="//ads.iegrupo.com/www/delivery/asyncjs.php"></script> Vanessa Johnson

Being red-hot vs. turning red

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/09/2018 - 02:00
Being red-hot vs. turning red

Like many languages, Spanish is full of common expressions that talk about colors. We’re going to start with our favorite color here at don Quijote: red. Here are a couple of expressions that you’re sure to come across in your day-to-day life in any Spanish-speaking country.

Read the Spanish version

We say something está al rojo vivo when it’s at its most interesting or highest point of tension. Let’s look at some examples:

  • With the score tied and just 10 minutes to go, the game está al rojo vivo and the two teams are giving it their all to win the title.
  • After the spokesperson’s harsh words, the debate se puso al rojo vivo and unleashed a flood of accusations.

As you can see, estar al rojo vivo can refer to something exciting (and therefore something positive, if we’re talking about a sporting event or a movie), or it can be used in a negative way to refer to a tense situation.

So, where does this expression come from? Like many sayings we use today, it harks back to something that’s been around for centuries: the work of a blacksmith. To forge iron and other metals, blacksmiths first need to get the metal red-hot (al rojo vivo) by putting it in the fire until it reaches a high temperature and becomes soft enough to shape. When this happens, as you may have seen for yourself at some point, the metal takes on that intense, glowing red color that the saying refers to.

Of course, we all know that you shouldn’t touch red-hot metal if you don’t want to get burned — that’s what this fiery expression refers to. In a similar way, you can also say that an issue or situation está que arde (is burning) or is candente (red-hot or white-hot).

Another common expression you’ll hear anywhere Spanish is spoken is ponerse rojo or ponerse colorado. We're not talking about what happens to your skin if you stay out in the Spanish sun too long; it’s used when someone is blushing, usually because they feel embarrassed. You can use it in a lot of different situations, from the most mortifying, like when you make a mistake or something happens that makes you wish the earth would swallow you, to moments that fill your heart with joy, such as someone you like giving you a compliment.

There’s another saying with a similar meaning that also uses colors: me han subido los colores. You can use this expression when someone scolds you for something you’ve done (or haven’t done, if your Spanish teacher is admonishing you for not having finished your homework) or when someone flatters you and makes you ponerte rojo (blush).

Now that you know the meaning of these expressions with the color red, would you like to see more Spanish sayings that use different colors? We made a video to help you learn them:

Practical Spanish Being red-hot vs. turning red Off <!-- Revive Adserver Etiqueta JS asincrónica - Generated with Revive Adserver v5.0.2 --><ins data-revive-zoneid="7" data-revive-id="ec923599c3fad9b044f22a6a73433428"></ins><script async src="//ads.iegrupo.com/www/delivery/asyncjs.php"></script> Vanessa Johnson

Practice Spanish outside of class with our extracurricular activities

Submitted by Aida Ruano on Thu, 05/31/2018 - 13:02
Have you always wanted to learn how to dance flamenco? Or learn how to cook some healthy Mediterranean dishes? Check out our extracurricular activities! Spanish Courses <b>Extracurricular Activities</b> Have you always wanted to learn how to dance flamenco? Do you love salsa music but can't bring yourself to hit the dance floor? Maybe you'd like to incorporate some healthy Mediterranean dishes into your regular diet or gain a deeper understanding of Spanish and Latin American culture. Or how about staying active with outdoor sports like golf and tennis, or heading to the beach for kitesurfing and scuba diving? No matter where your interests lie, at don Quijote we know that the best learning goes beyond the classroom, and there's no better time to practice your Spanish than when you're having fun. Extracurricular Activities

Flamenco | Salsa dancing

More information
One of the most entertaining ways to experience Spanish or Latin American culture is to hit the dance floor (or tablao if we're talking about flamenco) and try out some moves. It's the perfect way to combine cultural immersion, fun, exercise, and, of course, practicing your Spanish in real-life situations. Choose salsa or flamenco dancing as an additional activity and discover the power of rhythm. All of our schools in Spain offer flamenco, and some also have salsa. Our schools in Santo Domingo de Heredia (Costa Rica), Quito (Ecuador), and Guanajuato, Oaxaca, and Playa del Carmen (Mexico) have salsa classes only.

Scuba diving | Kite surfing

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If you love being in the water and all your favorite sports are related to the beach, we recommend combining your Spanish course with the best aquatic activities. Dive beneath the waves to enter a fascinating underwater world, or skim across the surface at top speeds with our kite surfing lessons: two of the best ways to get your adrenaline kick after leaving class! Scuba diving courses are available at our schools in Tenerife (Spain) and Playa del Carmen (Mexico), while kite surfing is offered in Playa del Carmen only. All courses are carried out in collaboration with specialized centers and include all the equipment needed for the activity.

Cooking Classes

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The best way to learn Spanish is by becoming completely immersed in the Spanish or Latin American culture. With our cooking classes, you'll have to communicate in new situations and contexts where not only will you be practicing the Spanish you've learned in class, you'll also pick up new vocabulary and improve your fluency through conversation. Want to use your time at don Quijote to improve your cooking skills? Hungry for new and delicious flavor combinations? You can sign up for cooking classes at all our schools in Spain and in Santo Domingo de Heredia (Costa Rica), Quito (Ecuador), and Guanajuato, Oaxaca, and Playa del Carmen (Mexico).

Yoga Classes

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Craving some exercise but also need to take a break and clear your mind? Yoga is the best way to take care of your body, relax, and continue practicing Spanish in a different setting after class. Are you already an expert yogi, or have you only just learned how to do a sun salutation or tree pose? Wherever you are on your yoga journey, don't let your practice fall by the wayside during your time at don Quijote. Yoga classes are available at our schools in Marbella and Madrid in Spain and Playa del Carmen in Mexico. All courses are led by professional yoga teachers.
 

Golf | Tennis

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It doesn't matter whether you've spent countless hours on a clay court or have just learned how to hold a racquet; if you spend every free moment on the golf course or have only just started working on your swing. With our golf and tennis classes, you will improve your game and, even better, you'll be practicing Spanish in a different context. Our school in Marbella is the only one that offers both tennis and golf classes: each week you'll receive five classes with a teacher and five classes to practice. Both types of classes are held at renowned institutions in the city.

Culture Classes

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Maximize your time abroad by delving deep into the culture of your destination in Latin America. Our don Quijote schools are located in cities of great historical importance with a rich artistic heritage you'll love discovering. We'll tell you everything you've always wondered about Maya and Inca customs, the traditions surrounding the Mexican Day of the Dead, and the local food culture, combining guided visits with interesting theoretical classes. Experience our culture classes at don Quijote schools in Santo Domingo de Heredia (Costa Rica), Quito (Ecuador), and Guanajuato and Playa del Carmen (Mexico).

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Submitted by Aida Ruano on Thu, 05/31/2018 - 12:16

ABOUT CULTURE CLASSES

This course is great way to get a tighter grip on the Spanish language and local culture. Continue learning Spanish with eye-opening cultural visits, informative walks around the city, and classes that cover the history, traditions, art, and other aspects of each country. Find yourself in new situations where you'll have to use your Spanish to communicate. Not only will you practice what you've learned in class, you'll also pick up new vocabulary and feel more comfortable speaking and interacting in another language.

Learn fun facts about ancient Maya culture, enchanting customs surrounding the Day of the Dead, pre-Inca art, local gastronomy, and traditional music at our destinations in Latin America. You'll have the chance to visit the most notable cultural attractions and understand the significance behind them, thanks to the explanations of your teacher.

MORE DETAILS

Our culture classes are offered at the following schools in Latin America: Santo Domingo de Heredia (Costa Rica), Quito (Ecuador), and Guanajuato and Playa del Carmen (Mexico). If you're interested in adding culture classes to your language course in other destinations in Latin America, please contact us and we'll inform you of additional options.

The culture course is organized into six hours each week; each school structures the course around the local culture. The course can be customized — our school will be happy to focus on the topics that most interest the students — and includes both theoretical classes and visits to museums and important historical sites. Latin American Culture Classes
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