Cultural Tidbit: Tips for Vegetarians in Meat-Loving Nations
For most people, savoring local dishes is half the fun of learning a language abroad. But what if you are a vegetarian? What are you going to do if you’re learning Spanish in Peru and your host family proudly presents you with a crispy golden “cuy” (guinea pig)? What if you’re learning Spanish in Argentina […]
Cultural Tidbit: Leche de Tigre Recipe
Cultural Tidbit: Pan de Pascua
No Chilean Christmas celebration is complete without a glass of cola de mono and a slice of pan de pascua. Yes, the name literally means Easter bread, but it is in fact a Christmas tradition! Many Chileans actually use “Pascua” interchangeably with “Navidad” to mean Christmas. This sweet bread is similar to the fruitcakes common […]
Cultural Tidbit: Cola de Mono
Christmas is coming! In sunny Santiago, Christmas calls for cold drinks, not hot ones. Cola de Mono, aka colemono or monkey’s tail, is an extremely popular Christmas drink in Chile that you simply must try. We’re not quite sure how the drink came by its unusual name…one popular tale holds that the drink was invented […]
Pisco’s History, Part 1
One drink that you will definitely want to try when you attend Spanish school in Chile or Peru is a grape brandy called Pisco. Though you may have never heard of this drink before, it is widely celebrated in Latin America. The word “Pisco” is actually from the Quecha language and translates to mean birds. […]
Vista de Viernes: Clases de Cocina en Santiago
What about Food? ECELA Specifics
Obviously a large part of an area’s culture is its food. So, if you have been wondering about the cuisine and normal routines in South America, I encourage you to look at the posts under the category “Food & Drink”. Meal times in South America are somewhat unique to the continent. Breakfast is generally after […]
Favorite Restaurants: Cusco
Favorite Restaurants: Cusco, Perú Pizza Carlo is a pizzeria just a five minute walk from ECELA’s school. Pizzas between 15 and 30 soles ($6—$11 USD) About ten minutes away is the restaurant Inkafe, which offers both national and international foods. Dishes between 15 and 35 soles ($6—$13 USD) El Paisa offers Creole food and foods […]
Favorite Restaurants: Buenos Aires
Favorite Restaurants: Buenos Aires, Argentina Cumaná has typical Argentine foods such as empanadas, locro (stew), and humitas (a corn dish similar to a tamale). From the school it’s just a five minute walk. Dishes around 30 pesos ($7 USD) If you prefer a more upscale restaurant, La Cabrera is the place to go! They serve […]