If you visit the Atacama desert, you will likely pass through the town of San Pedro de Atacama. This small town sits in an oasis, making it one of the few places with water in the desert. From your home base of San Pedro de Atacama, you can explore an amazing variety of landscapes. Valley […]
Archives for February 2012
Modismo del Día: A donde el corazon se inclina…
Spanish Idiom: A donde el corazón se inclina, el pie camina. Literal Translation: Where the heart leans, the foot walks English Equivalent: Home is where the heart is
Cultural Tidbit: The Atacama Desert, Driest Place on Earth
Though seemingly lifeless, the fantastic lunar landscapes of the Atacama Desert are actually teeming with life and stories. If you visit the Atacama, you might find yourself thinking that it looks a lot like Mars. Well, you’d be right. Not only has the Atacama stood in for Mars on movie sets, it has also been […]
Vista de Viernes: Carnival
Ash Wednesday was this week, marking the end of Carnival. This photo was taken at Peru’s largest Carnival celebration in the town of Cajamarca.
Testimonial: Matthew Gottesman
The Spanish immersion program at the ECELA school in Lima Peru was everything I had hoped for!! The teachers are exceptional and they really break down the complexities in learning a new language. The staff and directors at ECELA are organized, efficient, helpful and very friendly!! They not only introduced me to much of the […]
Cultural Tidbit: Valparaiso Today
Just because Valparaiso is a UNESCO World Heritage Site doesn’t mean that it’s stuck in the past. Far from it–Valparaiso has a working harbor, amazing contemporary street art, and a thriving nightlife scene. Sailors and local university students mingle at the bars and nightclubs found in and around the Plaza Sotomayor. Jazz, ethnic music, and […]
Modismo del Día: Ya que estamos en el baile…
Spanish Idiom: Ya que estamos en el baile, bailemos. Literal Translation: Since we’re at the dance, let’s dance. English Equivalent: In for a penny, in for a pound; might as well do it
Cultural Tidbit: Historic Valparaiso
Known as the cultural capital of Chile, Valparaiso is a charming warren of steep cobblestone streets and colorful buildings. Valparaiso’s historic claims to fame include Latin America’s oldest stock exchange and first volunteer fire department, Chile’s first public library, and the oldest continuously published Spanish language newspaper in the world. Valparaiso has also been recognized […]
Vista de Viernes: View from Neruda's House
View of Valparaiso from Pablo Neruda’s house.
Vista de Viernes: View from Neruda’s House
View of Valparaiso from Pablo Neruda’s house.