It’s summertime in Madrid, which means two things: it’s ridiculously hot out, and the city is bursting with things to see and do! Here in Madrid, summertime is lived out on the streets. If you’re a student with our don Quijote School, however, it also means you’ve got to dedicate some time to studying. While studying Spanish is great, we understand the challenges students face during the summer months… Maybe your weekend study plans went out the window with those last-minute tickets to that music festival. Or perhaps you’re itching to finish studying early so you can grab a spot on that hot new rooftop bar.  Or let us guess: your apartment doesn’t have air-conditioning, thus leaving your attempt to study at home feeling more like a Bikram yoga session.

So, how to maximize your productivity so that you can get out and enjoy these long summer days as quickly as possible? A good place to start is by finding a great workspace that works for you. Check out some of these spots that make summer studying in Madrid cool, easy and enjoyable.

Libraries

Madrid is home to the largest library in Spain and one of the biggest in the world: the Biblioteca Nacional de España (National Library of Spain, Paseo de Recoletos, 20). While its unparalleled collection and majestic beauty will no doubt impress you, it’s not the easiest place to study: not only do you need a library card or carné to access the study areas, the library also heavily restricts what you can bring in (jackets, backpacks, books… laptops are permitted, however).

The Instituto Internacional  (International Institute, Calle Miguel Ángel, 8) is a terrific, more low-key option for those who enjoy studying in libraries. If you relish the cozy, old-timey feeling of being tucked away between shelves of antique books, then this is the perfect place for you. Its small library – which you can access without a library card – is located in the building’s lower level. While eating and drinking is technically not permitted, the space is so laid-back that discreetly sipping a Redbull will surely go unnoticed.  

If you prefer libraries of the more modern, sterile variety, check out the Biblioteca Pública Municipal Conde Duque  (Conde Duque Public Municipal Library, Calle Conde Duque, 11). The library boasts of two giant study halls, with long rows of tables filled with university students. If you work best in intensely quiet, barren environments, you’ll definitely flourish here!  While a library card isn’t required to enter, you will have to register with the front desk if you want to access the WiFi. The best part about this library? Conde Duque is a huge cultural center that also houses a free-access museum, an instruments lending library, and even transforms its outdoor space into a large terrace/bar with outdoor cinema during the summer months  – which means that you when you finish studying, the fun is just a few steps away!

Study-friendly cafés

Sure, there’s always the big chains… but you didn’t come to Madrid to spend all afternoon in a Starbucks! Madrid’s city center (student-friendly zones such as Malasaña and Chueca in particular) has an unlimited supply of quaint cafés, perfectly equipped for studying. Café Federal  (Plaza de las Comendadoras, 9) is a great choice: spacious, sunny, good WiFi and great food. As the café is a local favorite for Spaniards and ex-pats alike, staff and menus are English-friendly.

Somewhat of a haven for young ex-pats is the hipster café La Bicicleta  (Plaza de San Ildefonso, 9), famous for its laid-back, international vibe. Here outlets and tables abound – but so do the patrons. This place is so popular, it’s sometimes difficult to find a seat, and its menu has some steep prices. But if you thrive in homey, friendly and lively environments, grab your headphones and get studying!

La Fugitiva Librería Café  (Calle de Santa Isabel, 7) is an intimate, cozy book shop with small tables tucked away between its shelves. Although more a book store than a café, it does offer coffees, teas and some sweet treats, as well as WiFi access. It’s the perfect spot for when you’re looking for a quiet retreat from the hectic streets of Madrid.  

Try the unconventional: Parks, bars and terraces

What about studying in a palace, for example? The Museo del Romanticismo  (Calle San Mateo, 13) is located in a former palace and has a lovely Garden Café. You don’t need to enter the museum to sit and have a coffee in their garden, although the museum is also a beautiful must-see, and offers reduced prices and free admission on Saturdays.

Madrid is full of beautiful luxury hotels –maybe you can’t afford to stay in one, but you can certainly spend a few hours in their lobby, café or bar. Plenty of hotels have spaces open to the public, so why not venture in and study like the rich and famous? If you’re looking for some suggestions, both The Hotel Wellington  and The Westin Palace have various dining spaces, and Hotel Orfila has a beautiful outdoor garden.

If you’re looking for a more laid-back environment, you’d be surprised how great some of those typical bares de abuelos are for studying. You know, that no-frills, local bar where you almost never see anyone under the age of 60? As long as you avoid going during high-traffic times (when a soccer game is on, for example), you’re likely to find a nice corner to work quietly. Although most of these bars don’t come with WiFi, you may get lucky and find one, such as Bar Sidi in Malasaña (Calle de Colón, 15). The best part is, these bars are made for locals, which means they likely won’t have outrageous prices. So go ahead – order than fourth coffee, you deserve it.

Then of course, for those who enjoy studying outdoors, Madrid has plenty of parks and green spaces to lay down a blanket and take out the books. Beyond the expansive Parque del Buen Retiro, there’s also the Parque de Berlín and the Parque del Oeste, to name a few.

So there you have it, a great selection of places to study this summer in Madrid. Not only will you get your schoolwork out of the way, you’ll stay cool and get to explore all the best, most unique, and oftentimes historic spaces Madrid has to offer its students. Happy studying!

The work of a true scholar of the Royal Academy of Spanish should be thankless and misunderstood. News about the inclusion of a controversial word in the dictionary comes out every year, or news about criticism of some definition of it... or about the repeated fight against the misuse of our language, or about the use of foreign words as if they were a plague.

And when it comes to this last case the latest moves made by the ancient institution have been quite innovative. A little warning before we tell you what they did: you're going to feel like we're telling you a joke you already know the punchline to.

The Royal Academy of Spanish disguised as a fashion company, created ads to sell a fragrance and sun glasses. The people who saw the ads could order the newly launched products, free of charge. The ad announced that the sun glasses were treated with a special material that gave them a "blind effect" (“blind effect” was left in English in the ad) and the perfume was called "Swine" (also in English). 

This is why we told you it was like telling a joke you already knew the end to...

The innocent “client" received sun glasses that made it impossible to see anything and a pretty bad smelling fragrance. Think about how the situation would have changed if the people "buying" the products had understood what "blind effect" and "swine" really meant.

After the campaign's initial impact (you know how viral campaigns can be) we should put the impact aside and allow ourselves a little time for reflection. We agree that the abuse of foreign words, and more so when there are equivalent terms in Spanish, can be detrimental to a language. But it is also true that many foreign words have been adopted by our language in an "academic" way without adaptation (golf, ranking, club...) or in their adapted forms (fútbol, ginebra...); some of which are perfect fodder for continuous mockery (“güisqui” for “whiskey,” “bluyín” for “blue jeans,” “pirsin” for “piercing”) and are considered ridiculous. Could the massive unloading of these words be stopped? Currently Spaniards take English as a mandatory subject in school and now there are more and more people who can enjoy TV and movies without dubbing all the time.

On the other side of the argument, and by the "other side" we mean on the other side of the pond, Americans increasingly use words of Spanish origin. It is striking to see how many times characters in TV shows use an expression in Spanish, even if it is something like "Vamonos!"  or “Este hombre ha cometido un delito” (this man has committed a crime). Will there be an institution that tries to defend the language of Shakespeare and denounces this type of "contamination" of the English language?

The Royal Academy of Spanish's campaign goes beyond all of this and criticizes snobbery. It denounces empty words in another language being used only to get your attention or to sell you something and it warns Spanish readers/users that the best way to avoid disappointment is by recognizing all of the possibilities that the Spanish language offers them. Perhaps the sour part of this unique campaign is that it seems the only way to convince Spaniards of the value of their language is to tell them to use it as an anti-fraud tool, but maybe that's just the way of the world. Maybe it's something as simple as telling us that we better know what people are talking about so that they don't laugh at us. The Royal Academy of Spanish really knows those who were born speaking their language very well.

So you see, amigos, knowing a language is essential for progress, to learn about a new culture and to avoid mishaps. Do you need more reasons to join a Spanish course in Spain with us?

Those who love to read in Madrid, have an event in the city every year that they just can’t miss: the Feria del Libro (Book Fair), celebrated in the famous Parque del Retiro. This year the event celebrates its 75 anniversary spreading culture through the pages of its many books.

If you know about the history of the fair, you’ll know that the first edition took place in 1933. But wait a minute… how can it be its 75^th anniversary and not its 83^rd? Keep in mind that the fair was canceled in 1936 because of the Spanish Civil War and it was not celebrated again until 1944, with the name “Feria Nacional del Libro.” In later years it would change locations becoming a nomadic event celebrated throughout Spain. It wasn’t until 1967 that the fair was established definitively in Madrid in the Parque del Retiro. In 1982 its name was changed to the current name: Feria del Libro de Madrid.

Few things have changed since: the fair is found along the paseo de coches, a large paved bike and walking path with book stalls set up along both sides. Visitors can easily reach the event through the Puerta de la Reina Mercedes (Queen Mercedes’ Gate), close to the Ibiza metro station. From there, you don’t have to walk the length of the park to get to the event. But once you’ve made your purchases, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore the park and take in all its beautiful greens, blues, pinks, yellows and purples. Although it’s true that a visit to the Feria del Libro could easily take up your entire afternoon.

We understand that it’s not always so easy to do, but the best times to go to the fair are Monday through Friday (from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.). It gets crowded on weekends, but if it’s the only time you can go, it’s best to arrive early in the morning or afternoon (on weekends, hours are extended from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.).

Going to the fair really could take up an entire afternoon. There are over three hundred book booths representing different publishing houses and book stores… and even houses that offer replicas of medieval books (at incredible prices)! There are also tents with exhibits, presentations and even lectures and there are terraces for anyone who would like to relax for a minute with something to eat or drink. A piece of advice though: if you want to give your feet break without having to pay for a drink, you can slip through the stalls and take a seat on one of the benches hidden behind the booths. And another tip: bring a bottle of water and a snack home, vending machines are a little pricey.

And a little more about money… One of the most attractive parts of the fair is that books are usually sold at a discount, although it’s a good idea to go with a budget in mind, or to get your calculator out in order to not be surprised by your spending after walking the whole fair. Also, and this advice is a bit more for experienced book lovers, it’s a good idea to stroll through the fair twice: once to get an idea of prices and to think about the books you may want to buy (to avoid impulse purchases) and the second to buy, buy, buy. You could find more affordable editions of the books you’re looking for if you hold out and keep your eye out!

Without a doubt, the fair’s most important events are the book signings. The lines of people waiting in front of booths for their favorite books to be signed by famous authors can seem unending, but if you want an autographed edition of a book, you’re going to have to stick it out. We do recommend that before jumping in line, you find out which booth your favorite author will be in first (take a look at the fair’s website for this information).

And one more thing! Be careful, many visitors have confused book authors with booths’ book sellers. It doesn’t bother writers, but you never know what character you could end up inspiring for future novels, or which chapter of a book of memoires you may end up appearing in.

Now that you know all of this, we can only wish you one thing if you go to the fair: good hunting!

All is well and good with speaking real proper Spanish. That’s true of any language. But what happens when you get out into the street in Madrid and suddenly you can’t understand a word anyone is saying because the Spanish they’re using is as far from text-book Spanish as you can get. Or maybe you’re Spanish is so good that you could pass for a native… almost… if only you could only drop those little giveaways that let everyone know you’re a foreigner and add some authentic Spanish tricks to your repertoire. Check out this list of little nuances (well, actually, some of them aren’t really so nuanced) you’ll need to know if you want to sound like a true Spaniard.

1. Don’t be afraid to put your tongue between your teeth (and other key pronunciation tricks in Spain):

These are all a little tricky – different aspects of them for people from different countries and native languages (one of these pronunciation keys is actually considered a speech impediment in the English language for example). So let’s jump right in.

“D”s sound like “TH” – Yep it’s true (even if it is sort of subtle). You won’t find one madrileño out there who doesn’t say something that sounds similar to “MaTHriZ” (although the “Z” sound at the end sometimes drops off and is not enunciated very clearly) or “MaTHri” (without the last D at all), when they’re saying what you or I might call “MaDriD.” The “D” sound in Spain is never a hard “D” like it is in English, it is a softer, subtler sound.

“C”s and “Z”s sounds like “TH” – When “C”s sound like “S”s in Spanish (that is to say when they come after an “e” or an “i”) they are pronounced as “TH”; the same goes for “Z”s (this is known as distinción, or distinction, in linguistics). This one is a real toughie for native English speakers – no, not all Spaniards have a speech impediment – this lisp sound is actually on purpose. So if you want to sound like a real Spaniard get used to going to “THaragoTHa” (instead of “Zaragoza”) and asking for a “THerBeTHa” (instead of a “Cerveza”) at the bar (note: the “V” sound is a cross between the “V” and “B” in Spanish – it falls somewhere in the middle).

The “-ADO” suffix sounds like “-OW” – You may wonder what a “hela-OW” is when what you’ve learned to ask for in Spanish class is a “hel-ADO” (an ice-cream). But get used to it. This is a relaxation of correct pronunciation that is omnipresent in Spain. And if you’re not aware that this is a common way to sling together the very common “–ADO” suffix you may get hung up when trying to understand just about everyone in Spain (and some in Latin America too).

2. Say “vale” a lot:

If you ever listen to Spaniards speaking on the phone you’ll have heard them say, “vale, vale, vale” about a million times. You may try to make sense of the word, but if you’ve never been taught this most basic word in previous Spanish classes, it will be quite difficult. In reality it couldn’t be simpler. It simply means “ok.” Once you get used to it, you’ll see this one really rolls off the tongue, and is particularly sounds nice in threes: “vale, vale, vale.”  This is a must to pass as a true Spaniard; “OK,” just won’t do on the Iberian Peninsula (although everyone there will understand what it means). ¿Vale?

3. Swear a lot (joder, it’s just not that big of a deal here)

In other languages swear words are usually considered vulgar and used with care (at least in settings like the work place or at the university). Not in Spain however. No need to hold ‘em in here; let those four letters fly. There are a few words in Spanish that can be translated to truly offensive swears in English, but which have become completely innocuous in Spain. The best example is “joder” (which translates to F*** in English) one of the rudest and most shocking of words in English. In Spain, however, it is just another way to punctuate a sentence. We won’t go so far as to say it is used in very formal settings, because it is not, but hearing people calmly add “joder” to the beginning, middle or end of a sentence on a lunch date or in an office meeting certainly wouldn’t raise any eyebrows here.

Looking for more naughty words that aren’t so naughty in Spain? Try out “La madre que lo parió," more or less “damn” or “what the hell” to express surprise; "Cabrón," more or less “bastard” or “asshole” but again, can be used in a completely inoffensive way; or "Gilipollas," also translated to “asshole” more or less. But the list goes on and on… 

Other markers are also used very commonly in colloquial speech in Spain. Although they are not swears you’ll hear just about all young people talking to friends punctuate with “tío” or “tía” (literally “uncle” and “aunt” but used in Spain as an American would use “man” or “dude”); “chaval” (“little guy”/“kid”) or “coleguis” (“friend”/“buddy”).

¡So get to it chaval, joder!

4. Use diminutives and augmentatives.

You’ll probably have heard the use of the diminutive suffix “-ITA” to make Spanish words small and cute. But what about “-ICO/-ICA” “-INO-/INA” “-ETE/-ETA” or “ÍN/-IÑA”? All of these different regional uses of the diminutive accomplish the same thing: “pequeñito” (small, little thing) is the same as “pequeñino,” “pequeñete,” and “pequeñín.” And if you want to make something extra-large, add an augmentative like a good Spaniard would: “-AZO/-AZA,” “-ÓN/-ONA,” “-OTE/-OTA,” “-UDO/-UDA.” Go from being “grande” when you speak Spanish to “un grandote,” drink an enormous “copazo,” or go home to your really nice “casona.”

5. Give orders. It’s not rude, we promise!

The way Spanish people order at bars, or make simple requests can be a little shocking for people from other countries at times. It can be hard to jump right in like a Spaniard and yell to the bartender “ponme un café” (literally “give me a coffee”). In a lot of cultures this would be rude, but no worries, it’s not in Spain! It’s just the way you order (that goes for beer, bread, or really anything else you get standing at a counter). You may feel temped to timidly ask, “¿Me pondrías un café, por favor?” (“Could I have coffee please?”) and although the barkeep will understand you, he may find it strange or you could even come off as a little condescending or sarcastic, as if you’ve been waiting for long time, since this overtly polite manner is simply not the cultural norm. Orders are also given in many other contexts (such as at the dinner table, in the street and in other service sectors). So don’t worry and order away, if you feel rude, just make sure to punctuate with a big smile!

Put these five easy steps into practice and you’ll be speaking like a Spaniard in no time. Better yet, come to Spain, experience them all for yourself and blend right in as just another español in the crowd. 

Read the Spanish version

Summer is sneaking up on us, and with it comes months of lounging in the sun and time for relaxing. But that doesn’t mean you can’t sneak a little learning in there too. One of the best ways to learn Spanish is to read books in Spanish. The structure of the language will sink in as you pour over lovely descriptions, get pulled through wild adventures and pant over sordid love stories. Of course it’s all fun and games for those of you who are already advanced and can plough through all of the best sellers and exciting beach reads, but how do you get the pages flipping if you’re just a beginner. Take a look at a few great reads to devour in Spanish this summer whether you’re a beginner or a near-native.

Easy peazy:

10 años con Mafalda by Quino

If you’re looking for a completely authentic, and sophisticated read but with visual aids to help you through it, try 10 años con Mafalda, a collection of Mafalda comics from 1964-1974. The Mafalda comic strip is as iconic as Charlie Brown in Latin America, and is a great way to read something that is simultaneously sophisticated and cute, political and funny, childlike and very adult. Comic books are a great way to go because the pictures help you through on the first go around, while you pick up basic meanings, and on the second time through you may be able to dive deeper into zingy social commentaries and philosophical points of view.

El misterio de la llave by Elena Moreno

This book was written specifically for language learners but it does a good job hiding it. Published by the University of Salamanca and written so that you only really need to know around 400 basic vocabulary words (with a pretty good glossary in the back to help with the trickier ones), the story winds readers through a mystery about a secret synagogue in Toledo, one of Spain’s most culturally rich small cities. It is a great way for beginners to start reading in Spanish, because although it was written with them specifically in mind, it really does hold up as a “real” book. This one’s definitely worth a try.

Middle ground:

Short Stories in Spanish: New Penguin Parallel Text

For readers who can get past the basics, there’s nothing more exciting than the idea of picking up a book by a famous Spanish or Latin American author, and reading real live Spanish literature. But all of those lengthy descriptions and complicated metaphors can get a little distressing after a few pages at this stage in the learning game. That’s why parallel text books are so great; they are perfect for combatting this dilemma. The Short Stories in Spanish: New Penguin Parallel Text includes beautiful works by Gabriel García Marquez, Isabel Allende and Javier Marías, and allows you to be as dependent on or as independent from the English translations (side by side the Spanish) as you want. No need to grab the dictionary every five minutes to grasp Marquez’s nuances; what you’ve got here are just some great classics along with contemporary Spanish literature and a little English on the side.

Manolito Gafotas by Elvira Lindo

Ok so this one is a kid’s book (well, it’s actually a series of children’s novels), but don’t shirk it ´til you try it. It’s a great choice for getting an inside look into the life of a normal kid from a working class family in Carabanchel, a barrio in Madrid. Although the series is for kids, beware, the books are filled with Spanish sayings and some slang that may be a bit tricky for Spanish learners at an intermediate level; but isn’t learning “real” Spanish what you’re really after anyway? Don’t be scared off, these books are a great way to get a sense for what a typical, working class barrio in Madrid is like. And if they turn out to be a little too difficult, check out the movies inspired by the books made in 1999 and 2004 before you get reading.

You’re not a native, but close to it:

Como agua para chocolate by Laura Esquivel

You’ve reached the moment of best sellers in Spanish! Hurray! Now it’s time to get absorbed into the best ones. Como agua para chocolate is a romantic tale, filled with lustful, tear-stained recipes, mystical magic, and plenty of charm. It is the perfect treat for lounging on the beach in the hot sun. And if you feel you miss anything in the Spanish version, there is always room to read it for a second time in English (this one was a best seller in the US for two years and also worldwide) or to check out the movie.

La Sombra del Viento by Carlos Ruíz Zafon

This one’s a keeper and just happens to be one of the best-selling books of all time (that means good summer reading for sure). La Sombra del Viento will grab you and pull you through 1940s Barcelona in a captivating story filled with mystery, lust, dark and smoky scenes and deep descriptions of characters that are so vivid you will start to miss your new “friends” when you wake up in the morning or walk home at night. Be careful if you have things to get done, this one might not let you go until you get through its 565 pages.

So spread out the beach blanket and get ready to relax into a great Spanish book! It’s the perfect way to learn Spanish this summer without even noticing! And if you’re looking for something a little more intense learning check out some of our most popular courses to have an incredible Spanish adventure this summer.

The Spanish schedule is a point of contention which gets noticed in international circles every once in a while. Why do Spaniards go to work at around 9 a.m. and leave as late as 8:00 p.m.?

It's difficult to say, and more so when many of us agree with the critics, and hope for more rational schedules in the future while we read publications like that of the Asociación para la Racionalización de los Horarios Españoles (Association for the rationalization of the Spanish schedules).

A quick way to explain our mismatched schedule is to look back in history. During the Spanish Civil War, and because Spain formed an alliance with Germany and Italy, the rebel side adopted the time zone GMT + 1. What was meant to be a temporary change during wartime stayed put once the conflict ended; meaning today in Madrid  we use the same time as Berlin when geographically we should be using London's time. 

Another factor in the hours we work came post-war. After the war many people had to work more than one job just to survive. That meant finishing one job and starting another right away. Many Spaniards at the time got home practically at dinner time (around 9:30 p.m. in Spain). Today there are not so many people that work multiple jobs to stay afloat, but the long work day culture has prevailed. And this has conditioned much of what is called "post-work" life: restaurants that open at 9:00 p.m., prime time television that starts at 10:00 p.m., bedtimes that start around midnight or later...

Once we know the history it seems like it would be easy to break the habit. But it's not so easy after all. There are many opinions on the subject, but we could summarize them into two big categories: people who think it's necessary, and even more so nowadays, to restructure the schedule; and those who think it's something so ingrained in our culture that any change would cause more chaos than good. Some take exemplary countries like Germany or Sweden into consideration, to which others respond that in Spain, neither the weather, the climate nor the character of the people is the same as in those countries. Others say the schedules is typically Mediterranean, to which others respond that in Italy people go to work at 8:00 a.m. and leave at 6:00 p.m. and that they even have an hour for lunch!

The discussion, at this point, and especially if we were in a bar, would probably lead to "socio-economic" factors: in a country in which the restaurant and hospitality industry is a pillar of the economy, would the famous "menu of the day" and all of the benefits associated with it cease to exist if we only had half an hour for lunch? Conversely, would bars have more clientele if people had more "after-work" hours to enjoy? Many proponents of changing the schedule will tell us that it is precisely the leisure and culture sectors that would benefit the most. Imagine going to the movies on a Tuesday or visiting a museum on a weekday without all the crowds!

But leaving controversy aside, the truth is that more and more people worry about this issue every day. With the current Spanish schedule it is difficult to harmonize work life with family life. Many parents are forced to push their children into Spanish "office hours" with school and then extracurricular activities, because they don't have time to take care of them themselves. In the past, this wasn't as much of a problem because more mothers stayed home or grandparents cared for children during office hours. But since people have begun to move farther from their families and nowadays many grandparents are still working themselves, many people really feel the need for change.

We finish this article without a clear conclusion. Will we will we be able to solve the Spanish schedule problem and make everyone happy one day? Only time, and schedules, will tell.

Many of us are familiar with lunfardo words from the lyrics of the tangos so masterfully sung by Carlos Gardel,  among other great interpreters of the genre. Let's get to know a little better the origins and characteristics of this slang that originated in Argentina, which nowadays has been incorporated to a great extent in the speech of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It is considered to have more than 6,000 words.

Origins and characteristics of lunfardo

Lunfardo is a slang or repertoire of words originating in the neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires (Argentina), which also developed in other sister cities such as Rosario (Argentina) or Montevideo (Uruguay). Originally, around the middle of the 19th century, it was a slang spoken by delinquents, which incorporated many words from Spanish, Italian and other immigrants. With these special words and expressions, which did not appear in dictionaries, the prisoners managed to avoid being understood by the guards during their stay in prison and could plan their escapes and crimes, etc. These were times of immigration and incessant port activity in the three cities mentioned above. Over time, lunfardo spread through all social classes, so that many of these words permeated the colloquial forms of Spanish speech of Argentines and many other Hispanic countries.

It should be made clear that, despite certain claims and its widespread use, lunfardo is not a language but a very specific lexicon, since it does not contain all the parts of speech. It has three important elements: the noun, the adjective and the verb, but lacks articles, pronouns, prepositions and conjunctions. It therefore lacks syntax, always using the original Spanish syntax.

The sounds of lunfardo are mainly inherited from the languages of Italy. In Argentina, Italian immigration was very important and has influenced its vocabulary. Other words come from French, Portuguese, English and even Quechua, among others. For example, a slang word such as Bacan (a very wealthy person) comes from Genovese. In the same case we find the expression Engrupir, which means to deceive. Tamango (shoe) comes from Portuguese and Cana (prison) from French, while Bichicome (vagabond) comes from English.

Lunfardo and tango

It is impossible to talk about lunfardo without also talking about tango, which has been its best ambassador all over the world. Lunfardo is the repertoire of words used in most tangos. A pioneer of tango, the musician and playwright Pascual Contursi, was the great introducer of lunfardo in this type of music. From then on, lunfardo poets and popular lyricists like Celedonio Esteban Flores further developed this way in collaboration with the singer Carlos Gardel, who recorded more than 20 songs with lyrics by this author. A good example would be the old tango "Mano a mano" (1923) with lyrics by the aforementioned Celedonio Estaban Flores and music by Gardel/Razzano.

But, is it possible to talk about a tango that has all the essence of lunfardo? It is difficult to choose among so many geniuses; but let's say that there is one that was chosen by Federico García Lorca himself. We are talking about "El Ciruja" (1926), with lyrics by Alfredo Marino and music by Ernesto de la Cruz. It is said that a porteño asked Lorca what he thought of the tango, to which the poet responded by sitting down at a nearby piano and began to play and sing the aforementioned song.

Many would have liked to have been present at that conversation. But we would go further even if we were more modest: we would have liked to compose a tango about such a story!

From 10 March to 12 June 2016 at the ABC Museum in Madrid, we can see an exhibition about Spanish cartoonists who were part of the team of well-known publishers such as Marvel and DC.

Superheroes seem to us to be something alien to Spanish creation and, so much so, that it seems that the only way for a Spaniard to be linked to this world is to do the Americas. But the truth is that the creation of Spanish superheroes has been fruitful for almost a century. Here are some of the most outstanding Spanish superheroes.

Súper López

The most famous Spanish superhero is, without a doubt, Súper López, a humorous adaptation of Superman by Juan López Fernández (JAN) in which an office worker who loves origami hides in his skin powers that surpass any human capacity. The author always tries to use different points of view to tackle current issues that Spanish society suffers from every day. Despite his similarity to the famous Kryptonian, Super López has acquired his own personality and international fame.

Capitán España

Project IDE sought to create a European supergroup to confront the villains threatening this part of the world, where the more famous superheroes were not active. One of the original members was Captain Spain, a former soldier named Carlos Fraile who was implanted with biomechanical advantages and nanobots that increased his abilities, including the ability to fly. His greatest achievement was defeating Thor when he went mad.

El Águila

Like Captain Spain, the Eagle belongs to the Marvel universe. His image is a little more cliché: red hood and red tights, black shirt and boots, wide-brimmed hat, an eagle on his chest... and great skill with a sword. Moreover, being a mutant, he has the ability to throw electric charges. Although he looks like he comes from the 17th century, he was born in Madrid and his real name is Alejandro Montoya. Could he be a descendant of the famous Íñigo Montoya from "The Princess Bride"?

El Capitán Trueno

With no powers or technology at his disposal, Captain Thunder has used his own talent with the sword and his passion for adventure to become a classic Spanish superhero. His stories began to be distributed in 1956, with a success that was still unprecedented in the national sector.

He was the leader of a trio of brave warriors formed by Trueno, Goliath and Crispín. The genre of his adventures is medieval action and his different adventures against all kinds of villains have been renewed until his last comic was published in 2010.

El Coyote

His story is reminiscent of that of "El Zorro": Don César, a rich Mexican heir with a reputation for being a lecher and a lecher is, in reality, a vigilante who fights for the rights of his people in the California that has been annexed to the United States. Hidden behind a mask, under a charro hat and displaying his skill with a pistol, he is an incarnation of justice created by the author José Mallorquí.

El Coyote was born as a character in pulp novels, but quickly became a comic book character and one of the first "fan phenomena" in the history of Spanish culture. Today, volumes of the character are the object of collection and reprinting.

Iberia Inc.

Probably the most unknown superhero project of all, despite its great potential. Behind it were the artists Rafael Marín and Carlos Pacheco. It began in 1992, but did not obtain publication rights until the end of the decade.

It is only a mini-series with 6 issues in which 8 superheroes work in the service of the Spanish government. The group was made up of Aquaviva, Dolmen, Drac de Ferro, Lobisome, Melkart, Traka, Trasnu and Trueno. The quality of the comic encouraged the creation of other parallel miniseries.

Some are more serious, others more parodic; but what is clear is that there is no lack of superheroes in Spain.

The dramatic literature of Spanish theatre has a long history, with authors who have marked an era and have influenced Spanish society over the centuries. Moreover, it has provided hundreds of very interesting characters, who belong to the imagination of Spaniards and of many foreign readers and spectators, who have helped generations and generations of people to enjoy and better understand life. Spanish theatre has made a definitive contribution to world literature and is the subject of study in schools and universities all over the world.

Medieval theatre

The theatrical production of the Golden Age was so great and so outstanding that we often forget that there was also theatre before that time. During the Middle Ages, there was religious drama (some plays are still performed today); court theatre, whose plays were performed by the king himself and his court as a pastime; or university theatre, written by students as an exercise in understanding classical plays. Another problem with this type of theatre is that there is no record of authors. Some would say that we would have to wait for the Celestina to know an outstanding author; but we must bear in mind that the name of Fernando de Rojas was not known until 1632.

The Golden Age

The Spanish Golden Age, the period of maximum apogee of Spanish Art and Literature, around the 16th and 17th century, which saw an impressive theatrical production, is especially well known and studied all over the world.

The best-known author of the Spanish theatre developed in the Golden Age is Lope de Vega, surely the most dazzling genius of those times. So much so that he was known in his time as "the phoenix of wits". He wrote thousands of works, novels and poems, including the plays Fuenteovejuna, La dama boba and El Perro del hortelano.

Calderón de la Barca is another of the great examples of that century of cultural flowering. His most outstanding and internationally best-known work is La vida es sueño (Life is a Dream).

One of the most outstanding names in classical Spanish theatre is Tirso de Molina. El burlador de Sevilla - the clear predecessor of the romantic "Don Juan Tenorio" - is his greatest work. The famous Miguel de Cervantes also wrote brilliant plays, such as El cerco de Numancia. Curiously, Cervantes' facet as a playwright is unknown to many.

The Enlightenment

The Golden Age was followed by a certain decline in dramatic art. The great playwrights had passed away and, although their continuators strove to keep the style alive, they did not achieve the greatness of their predecessors. The great renewal was influenced by the French Enlightenment movement. Reason, harmony and sobriety prevailed. The greatest exponent of Enlightenment theatre was Leandro Fernández de Moratín and his play El sí de las niñas. Less well known is the prolific work of the author Ramón de la Cruz, perhaps because of his dedication to more "popular" themes.

Romanticism

Another boom period of Spanish theatre is to be found in the age of Romanticism. A play from this period that has been performed millions of times is Don Juan Tenorio, by José Zorrilla. Another good emblematic example is Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino, by Ángel de Saavedra. The works of this period are characterised by their high dramatic tone, their passionate themes and even the incorporation of supernatural elements. These works are still very popular today.

20th century

During the 20th century, the theatre of Jacinto Benavente stood out with plays such as Los intereses creados. The versatile writer Federico García Lorca offered some of the great works of this century, such as Yerma, Bodas de sangre or La casa de Bernarda Alba. For his part, Ramón María del Valle Inclán is another of the best exponents with titles such as Luces de bohemia and Divinas palabras. The 20th century also saw a vindication of humour through the theatre of the absurd, as demonstrated by the success of authors such as Miguel Mihura, author of Tres sombreros de copa or Maribel y la extraña familia; or Enrique Jardiel Poncela, author of Usted tiene ojos de mujer fatal or Las cinco advertencias de Satanás.

And with these we have practically reached what the textbooks give about Spanish theatre. What does the future hold for us? Theatre continues to be produced in Spain and of very good quality; but it is still too early to analyse. So the best thing to do is to experience it for yourselves.

In the middle of the lively tourist center of La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, is perhaps the craziest and most interesting market in South America: the "Mercado de Hechicería," or Witch's Market. This famous market is located between Sagamaga and Santa Cruz in Calle Jimenez. Dozens of vendors line the streets selling their fascinating and unusual products.

• The Witch's Market sells many crazy products, but the strangest is dead llamas and their fetuses. The idea is that the fetuses will be buried under a cornerstone near a newly built house and that is supposed to bring good luck.
• Wealthier Bolivians often sacrifice a live llama at a new-build house, said to bring more good luck.
• Another interesting market close to the Witch Market is the "Merca Negro," here they really offer everything: fruits, clothes, fireworks and electronics.

The market sells various products that Bolivian vendors and locals consider magical. Herbs, stones, figurines and... yes, also fetuses of llamas and dried frogs, turtles and snakes. These crazy products are all sold at the Witch Market and each has a magical side effect such as bringing good luck or curing disease. The products are mostly used by traditional Bolivian healers to influence good and evil spirits. In addition, the market is very popular to visit while on vacation in Bolivia.

The goodies are often packaged very nicely by the vendors, in cozy and colorful bags. These bags of products are still offered daily to Pachamama, the Mother of the Earth. This is an old-fashioned ritual that is still performed every day by the inhabitants of Bolivia. Indeed, according to tradition, it brings good luck if you bury a llama fetus under the cornerstone of your newly built house.

Besides dead llamas and dried frogs, some normal goodies are sold such as amulets with different images that stand for different things. For example, the sun stands for energy, the cougar for strength, the snake for cunning and wisdom, the condor for travel and change and the llama for health. You may also encounter a real traditional Yatari during your visit to the Witch Market. This is a medicine man who wears a large tall black hat. Yataris can predict the future but unfortunately do this mainly for the locals.

The Witches Market in La Paz is one of the most colorful and interesting markets in South America and well worth a visit during your trip through Bolivia. Not only are there weird souvenirs for sale, but the market also showcases much of Bolivia's faith and culture. And it's something different to take home a llama fetus as a souvenir instead of a magnet, right?