Here are the results of the last poll, about the running of the bulls:

Speaking of the Sanfermines ("the running of the bulls") in Pamplona:

 

I've always wanted to run, but I'd never actually do it

 11 (23%)

You've got to be nuts to participate in that

 13 (27%)

I think the whole thing is insane, people get hurt!

 5 (10%)

It's a common tradition in Spain, during fiestas, but tourists and publicity have ruined it in Pamplona

 12 (25%)

Running of the what? Where?

 0 (0%)

I swear I am going to go run some year

 6 (12%)

Total votes: 47

This fun guide to the art of tapeo was published by don Quijote in the Costa Blanca News.  Read through - you'll find handy Spanish phrases to use during your bar outing at the end of the article. The author is an intern here in Salamanca, with plenty of tapas experience:

No self-respecting Spanish bar would risk being caught without an intriguing array of tapas arranged across its counter. These saucer-sized bites, as much a part of Spanish culture as the siesta and the fiesta, come in infinite varieties and, more often than not, are completely unidentifiable to the untrained eye. However the art of ir de tapas is one that the Spanish have honed to perfection and, once mastered, is arguably the most enjoyable way to enjoy ‘fast food’ with friends!  

A brief history of the tapa...

What happens when you wander across the Southern US, from east coast to west coast, asking every person you meet "¿Hablas español?" How many Americans can get by in a conversation in Spanish? How many will give it a good try? And are they all Latino?

Two journalists from BBC's Mundo Spanish language news service set out to find out for themselves. Their adventures and observations are recorded in a revealing English language article on the BBC site, and their entire trip is recorded, personally, warmly and with plenty of entertaining anecdotes and intriguing reflections, in their Spanish language blog on the BBC Mundo site.

Excerpts from the BBC article:

"You are in a town in Florida...   more »

Special offer for don Quijote students who return for another course!

If you or any of your friends have previously studied with us at don Quijote, here is a great opportunity for you.

We want to reward our illustrious alumni (yes ALL of you) with a special "muchísimas gracias", and an "enhorabuena" thrown in as well, all in the form of:

a 20% discount off your next Spanish course at any don Quijote school in Spain or Mexico.

Better yet, this thank you is is transferable, so if you’re unable to take another course with us right now, feel free to pass that 20% discount along to a Spanish-studying friend!

And, best of all, when you both come to study with us, you both save. When you return to don Quijote and bring a friend along with you, you’ll receive your 20% discount and your friend will enjoy a 10% discount.

Places for these special prices are limited so make sure you contact us soon and be sure to request the offer when booking your course.

Your teachers look forward to seeing you again! How's that subjunctive doing these days, they're asking, is it coming along?

Pili from Salamanca recently left a comment on several of our posts, so I wandered over to check out her site.  It's a perfect addition to any how-I-can-learn-Spanish-from-home list.  Here's a snippet from her About Me:

"My name is Pili and I’m a Spanish girl. I’m 20 years old and I’m studing Fine Arts at the University of Salamanca. I’d like to be a painter. I like to go to “tapear” (to a Spanish bar, you know) go to some parties, but specially I like to travel around the world. Last year I studied in USA, when I met my friend Lucy. She is studing Spanish there. I write a spoken diary for her and for all of you. You can visit me every week in www.dpili.com and download a free podcast."

Once a week Pili posts a short podcast in Spanish with an accompanying PDF in Spanish. Each podcast is a letter to her American friend Lucy, back in Ohio and is a fun and realistic look at the life of a university student here in Salamanca.

Yet another good way to build up your Spanish from home!

We've added more videos to the don Quijote You Tube collection, including this Spanish television (Antena 3) news coverage of the reality show filmed at don Quijote and set to air on Finnish television in October. Watch it is a great chance to hear Spanish while you read English subtitles, too, all you beginners:

Other new videos include this video tour of our Spanish school in Barcelona.

Hundreds of our students have received free hotel vouchers to explore Spain.

You can still get free nights in selected hotels when you book your Spanish course at don Quijote,  but act quickly!

While supplies last - and you remember to mention this offer when you book your course- you'll receive, along with the rewarding experience of studying Spanish with the leading school in Spain, a hotel voucher for a stay of up to 3 nights in one of hundreds of selected hotels in Spain, Portugal and Andorra. Who's says language study shouldn't include travel in the language you're learning? The vouchers are valid for one year, so you can travel before, during or after your course - or come back to give your Spanish a little outing in Spain later in the year.

 Read more about this offer here.

 NOTE: This offer ends on September 1, 2007