We are very proud to announce that “La Gaceta de Salamanca,” a local newspaper in Salamanca, recently published in November 2009 a letter written (in Spanish!) by a don Quijote student.

Here’s the letter as it appeared (in Spanish) in the newspaper.
(No corrections has been made to the Spanish; an English translation is provided at the bottom)

Hope you find it as amusing as we did!

A mi ladrón de bicicleta… ¡Muchas gracias!

Estimado director,

Llevo un mes estudiando español en Salamanca (en la esuela Don Quijote) y me he llevado un pequeño disgusto que me gustaría contarle. Vengo de Suiza para mejorar mi español en la ciudad más famosa del mundo por su idioma. ¡Y aquí estoy, en Salamanca!

Hace algunos días alquilé una bicicleta a “los amigos de la bici”, la dejé en la entrada de mi edificio… Pero el otro día desapareció.
Es extraordinario como un acontecimiento desagradable con los que en una situación normal nunca hubiera hablado. Pregunté a Miguel, lleva una librería no lejos de mi casa, si había visto una persona en bici, es tan raro en Salamanca… Hablé con la escuela donde estoy estudiando, y finalmente lo denuncié a la policía. De repente, me di cuenta de que nunca había hablado con tantos Salmantinos! No olvidarlo, estoy aquí para eso, practicar la lengua de Cervantes, de Contador (vencedor del último “tour de France”), del rey Juan-Carlos (esto tipo me gusta mucho, tiene clase) y también de Franco (éste está bien donde está).

Querido ladrón, le agradezco de todo corazón su estimada ayuda en mi aprendizaje. Espero que usted haga un buen uso de esta bicicleta. Hay un paseo que puedo aconsejarle: Empieza en el barrio de Pradillo, enfrente de la comisaría, bordea el río Tormes, cruza el puente romano, y se dirige hacia el parque de la Huerta de Otea ¿Quizás nos encontremos? Hago regularmente esté paseo… corriendo.

Cordialmente,
Marc SCHWITTER

_______________________________________________

To my bicycle thief... many thanks!

Dear editor:

I’ve been studying Spanish in Salamanca for a month (at the Don Quijote school), and suffered a small displeasure which I would like to tell you about. I come from Switzerland to improve my Spanish in a city famed around the world for its language. And here I am, in Salamanca!

I had rented a bicycle from “los amigos de la bici” a few days ago, left it at the entrance of my building… but discovered it missing the other day.
It is remarkable how this unpleasant event - which in a regular situation I would not have spoken to anyone - led me to ask Miguel, who runs a library not far from my house, if he had seen anyone riding a bicycle, an unusual sight in Salamanca… I also spoke with the school where I am studying at, finally reporting the robbery to the police. Suddenly, I realized that I had never spoken to that many Salmantinos before! Don’t forget, I am here for that, to practice the language of Cervantes, of Contador (winner of the latest “tour de France”), of King Juan-Carlos (I like this guy, he’s got class!) and also of Franco (this guy is better where he’s at).

Dear thief, I appreciate with all of my heart your esteemed help towards my learning. I hope you make good use of that bicycle. There’s a route I would like to recommend to you: Start off in the Pradillo neighborhood just in front of the Police Station, follow along the border of the River Tormes, cross the Roman bridge and head towards the park of Huerta de Otea. Perhaps we shall meet as I regularly make this route… running.

Sincerely,
Marc SCHWITTER

Image credit: http://bellavistapego.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/salsa.gif

Although many Spanish speakers out there will recognise this word as meaning "sauce", it is more widely recognised for its other use, which is to describe a music and dance genre. Salsa music has taken the world by storm and is recognised by its up-tempo beats and fast-footed dance steps. Although some argue that it is a type of music in its own right, others claim that it is a generic term for a number of Latin American dances, including the mambo and the cha-cha-chá. It is a "tag that encompasses a rainbow assortment of Latin rhythms and styles, taking on a different hue wherever you stand in the Spanish speaking world" (Sue Steward, world music author).

Due to the varied nature of salsa and what it encompasses, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint its origins as so many countries claim the honour of having created it. However, the basic structure of a salsa song is based on the Cuban "son", beginning with a simple melody and followed by a "coro" section in which the performers improvise. They key staples of salsa´s origins were "the use of a trombone as a counterpoint to the vocalist and a more aggressive sound than is typical in Cuban music; the trombone carries the melody while rhythm is generally provided by bongos, congas and timbales" (Ed Morales). This has been adapted and influenced by almost all Latin American countries, and even some places in North America, meaning that no two salsas will ever be the same.

Alongside the uncertainty of its origins, there is also a certain degree of mystery surrounding the use of the word "salsa", which actually means "sauce". Some people accredit the Cuban musician Ignacio Piñeiro with coming up with the term after his song in 1933 entitled "Échale salsita" (Throw a little sauce on it), which introduced the trumpet for the first time. Or perhaps it was the 1930s vocalist Beny Moré who would shout out "salsa" during his performances to "acknowledge a musical moment´s heat and to celebrate the "hotness" or "spiciness" of Latin American culture" (Morales). However it began, salsa has become a word metaphorically associated with taste, happiness, and force of life.

 It seems that the popularity of Salsa rose in New York in the 60s and hit the spotlight in the following decade, developing in the Hispanic areas of the cultural and economic capital of North America, New York. Although it may seem strange that a Hispanic phenomenon would spring out of New York, we have to bear in mind the continuous musical relationship that existed at the time between North America and Caribbean music, especially and notoriously Cuban music. During the peak of the Big Bands during the 40s and 50s, artists had been keen to accept and incorporate the new rhythms born in Cuba into their music. Even the blockade could not put a stop to the Cuban influence on music in New York, and so the music that arrived in the Big City or even Miami contributed to what we now know as Salsa. The Havana was full of North American tourists in bars and hotels run by Mafia clans looking to avoid taxes. At the same time, fans of Latin music flocked to their Mecca, the Palladium Dancehall on 52nd street New York, which also attracted many famous Latin American dancers and singers. Salsa became a "representation of Latin identity in New York" (Morales).

 In the early 70s Salsa rapidly expanded to Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Columbia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico among others! The trend was also influenced by Latin rap and expanded to Europe and Japan, where it was made popular by the famous Orquesta de la Luz, "Orchestra of the Sun". In the 80s a new form, the "salsa romantica" developed in New York, involving slow melodies and lyrics based on love, dreams and pleasures. This soon evolved into "salsa erotica" which involved a more melodic salsa with lyrics that contained abundant references to love and eroticism. However in the 90s this new thread began to decline in popularity, mainly due to the strong influence of other Caribbean rhythms such as the Dominican meringue and the bachata.

 Nowadays salsa is a rhythm recognised by people all over the world, and has been adapted into many forms so that everyone has a chance to move their hips to the addictive Latin beat!

Give the gift of Spanish this Christmas. Take a Christmas course with a friend and save 50% on accommodation! We want you to enjoy your Spanish course this Christmas with your best friend!.

Christmas course dates: 21/12/2009 to 3/1/2010

 Cities: Barcelona, Madrid, Salamanca, Tenerife, Valencia, Alicante, Granada, Marbella, Sevilla and Guanajuato (Mexico)
 Duration: 2 weeks
 Discount: 50% off on accommodation price in double room, shared flat
 Enroll before: 17 December 2009

Conditions:

• - Accommodation in shared flat. Double room only.
• - Offer valid on reservations for 2 people only.
• - Offer not cumulative with any other offer.
• - Offer must be requested at time of booking.
• - Offer subject to availability. Expires 17 December 2009.

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Would you like to study Spanish this spring on the shores of the Pacific Ocean or on the warm waters of the Caribbean?

Now’s your chance! Learn Spanish and get to know Mexico at an exceptional price!

Mexico's awaiting! Don’t wait to sign up!

Request a FREE brochure and shout “¡Viva Mexico!”

Conditions:
- Offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
- Offer must be requested at time of booking.
- Offer subject to availability. Expires November 27, 2009.

Book your accommodation in our don Quijote Barcelona Residence before 27 November 2009 , and receive a 20% discount!

Contact a Course Counsellor.
Get a free brochure of our programs and prices.

Conditions:
-Offer applies to accommodation in don Quijote Barcelona only.
-Offer is cumulative only with "Living Spanish in Barcelona" offer.
-Offer must be requested at time of booking.
-Offer subject to availability. Expires November 27, 2009.

If you are staying in

Toledo is found almost directly in the centre of Spain and is the capital of the autonomous region of Castilla-La Mancha. The old city is located on a mountainside with 150 degree view, and surrounded on 3 sides by a bend in the river Tagus. The historic centre contains a beautiful and fascinating blend of Roman, Arabic and Baroque architecture. This is not surprising considering that the city was famed in the past for its religious tolerance, and was often known as "The City of Three Cultures" since it has been inhabited throughout the centuries by Christians, Jews and Arabs.

However, in more recent history it has been subject to conflict, particularly between the Republicans and the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War. This principally took place in the Alcázar of Toledo, a stone fortification that was held by the Nationalists during the Civil War, and became a symbol of Spanish Nationalism. However, it now houses the Castilla-La Mancha Regional Library and Army musem.

Other remains of its multi-cultural past can still be seen today, such as the Roman aquaduct, the Cathedral, the Synagogue of Santa María La Blanca and the old Market street. This amalgamation of influences even attracted the famous Renaissance artist "El Greco" who moved to the city at the end of the 16th century when Toledo was one of the biggest cities in Europe.

Toledo is also famed for its production of swords, which seem to be available for purchase in almost every shop, in a variety of sizes and even foam replicas for children! And keep a look out for the coats of armour which also seemed to be on sale!

Toledo is less than half an hour from Madrid on one of the high speed trains, or a longer coach ride away from Salamanca. When we arrived by coach we were taken on a panoramic tour of the city, with the opportunity to stop and take some beautiful photos looking down at the river, and up at the historic centre and Alcázar. We then took a series of escalators up to the historic city centre, which seemed very bizarre in such an old town!

Toledo was a very interesting city and well-worth a visit!

As we’re approaching the end of October we are well into the autumn season. At this time of year many people start to think and talk about the upcoming festivities of Christmas. In other countries the buzz of Christmas can be seen from the start of September as all the shops fill up with Christmas stock. However Christmas in Spain is very different as no trace of it is seen until the month in which it is celebrated, December. The shop windows in Spain are decorated with minimal effort being made and very few people decorate the window or balcony. The traditional Belén (Nativity scene) that is set up in most Spanish homes in place of a Christmas tree is not brought out until the second half of December. This is because Christmas in Spain is less commercialized and focuses more on family and true spirit of Christmas.

Also being a largely catholic country Christmas time in Spain holds lots of religious connotations. The Belén that is set up in houses is sometimes, in some cities of Spain, made real-life and the locals make live belénes using real people to play the roles of the Virgin Mary, Joseph, Balthazar, Melchior, Gaspar (the 3 Kings) and a real baby as the newborn Jesus. This symbolic representation is also carried out in parts of Latin America, for example Christmas in Mexico, the procession of Las Posadas (The search for an inn) can be seen through the streets re-enacted by the people of the town.

In Spain the traditional Christmas dinner takes place on the night of the Nochebuena or Christams Eve. The Spanish consider it to be the biggest and most important meal of the year, hence celebrate the occasion in large family gatherings. The Spanish do not do things by halves preparing a feast is prepared with fish and shellfish usually as starters, then a roasted lamb or a suckling pig as the main, and this sometimes depends on the region.  The dessert is a mix of delicacies consisting of the traditional mazapán (marzipan cakes), turrónes (hard or soft almond based candy nougats)and polvorónes (delicate “dusty” almond cookies). Spanish champagne or cava is typically drunk this time of year, but plenty of fine Spanish wines and ciders are also uncorked for the celebrations.

Christmas day itself is quite a low-key affair in Spain and the majority of businesses are closed. However there are a few that stay open, mainly restaurants or bars in which many Spanish eat on the 25th December. Adults exchange gifts on Christmas day whereas the children wait till the 6^th January to get their presents from Los Tres Reyes Magos (The three Kings), with the exception of Catalan children who receive them from El Tió Nadal, a wooden log with a drawn on happy face.

Experiencing Christmas in Spain is a different experience and why not do it combined with a Christmas Spanish course to truly to get the most from Christmas!

City:
      Buenos Aires
 Course length:4 weeks, anytime in 2009-2010
 Discount:USD$100
 Enroll by: 29 October 2009
 Offer ends:29 October 2009

Conditions:
- Offer applicable only to our Buenos Aires school.
- Bookings and full payment must be received by 29 October 2009.
- Offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
- Offer must be requested at time of booking.

Get more details about this offer!