Advanced Spanish – Episode 026 – Feria de las Flores

We're back! And today Paola tells us all about the famous flower festival in Medellin!

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A policewoman besides some flowers at the 2014 Feria de las Flores. Source: Policia Nacional de los Colombianos, August 1 2014. Available here.

 

The Feria de las Flores is one of the great cultural events of Medellin – and one of the biggest parties in a country of many fiestas. The 10-day long event attracts tens of thousands of people and has a number of exciting events and parades. But just what is the best flower…? Today we reveal all about a great Colombian event!

¿En tu país cuál es la feria más importante que hay? ¿Nos recomiendas ir a dicha feria?

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Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 025 – Cirugía Plástica

In today’s episode we look at plastic surgery in Latin America.

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Old-style plastic surgery - A model of facial reconstruction based on what was used in World War I. But what about today in Latin America? Listen to today's Spanish audio podcast to find out more!

In certain parts of the world plastic surgery is very popular. The USA has the most plastic surgery operations, while it is also popular in parts of Europe and South Korea. Another region of the world where it is popular is Latin America. Countries such as Brazil and Colombia have quite high levels of plastic surgery. In today’s episode we look at the facts and (opinions!) behind it. Where is it most popular? What operations do people have? Why is it more popular in some countries than others? All will be revealed in the new Spanish audio podcast!

¿Te harías una cirugía plástica? ¿por qué? ¡Compártenos tu opinion!

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Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 024 – Refranes

This week we look at some refranes – or sayings in English!

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A refran from a 1904 Spanish article: El que no llora, no mama. Bonus points if you can tell us what it means!

Every country and every culture has a variety of sayings that people use in all manner of situations. They are often illogical and used in only certain parts of a country or region. But, they are often essential to truly understanding a culture and a language. Today we share with you a variety of interesting and popular refranes from Colombia…

¿Qué refrán de tu lengua materna te gusta más? ¡Compártenoslo!

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Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 023 – Culturas antiguas increíbles!

We go back in time today and take a look at two amazing ancient sites that you can live today!

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A statue in San Agustin! Source: Mario Carvajal, available here.

Before the Europeans arrived to the American continent, a variety of cultures were living - and had lived – on the continent over the years. In this episode, we discuss two of the most incredible from Colombia. We start by looking at La Ciudad Perdida, a city that had been lost for hundreds of years until the 1970s. Then we look at the fascinating site of San Agustin – land of amazing statues. Both of these sites can be visited today and both have their share of interesting tales – as we tell you about in the Spanish audio podcast!

¿Qué sitios arqueológicos hay en tu país? ¿Cuál nos recomiendas para visitar?

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Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 022 – Mitos!

We tell you about some fascinating myths from Latin America today!

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The Mayan Disco de Chinkultic. It contains a representation of Hun Hunahpu, somebody who is important in our Mayan creation myth. Source: Maunus, available here.

Much like legends, myths are important to many cultures. In this podcast, we discuss myths specifically related to how aspects of the world were made. We traverse the American continent and feature a story from Colombia, as well as the Tehuelches in Argentina and the Mayas in Mexico. So get prepared for some wonderful (and not so wonderful) myths from Latin America!

¿Cuál es el mito de tu cultura que más te gusta? ¿Sobre qué trata? ¡Cuéntanos!

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Finally, a link we discuss in the article is here.

Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 021 – Leyendas Increíbles!

We look at some fascinating legends emanating from Colombia in today’s Spanish audio podcast!

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An image of La Llorona as drawn by a schoolchild. The above image is related to a literary altar produced for El DIa de los Muertos; however, we tell a Colombian La Llorona tale in the episode. Source: Garlondcannon, available here. 

Legends are part of every culture. They have often been passed down through the generations, and many come from the countryside. After all, it wasn’t too long ago when most people were living outside of towns and cities. Today, we tell the tales of a variety of interesting and scary legends! From La Llorona to El Sombreron, and the terrible deal that Juan Machete did with the devil, you’ll get to hear some fascinating stories in today’s Spanish audio podcast!

¿Cuál leyenda de tu país le recomendarías a los extranjeros?

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Finally, a link we discuss in the article is here.

 Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 020 – Estereotipos de los Latinos en Hollywood

Just how does Hollywood depict Latinos on screen? We explain all in the new Spanish audio podcast!

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The actress Penélope Cruz. She has played a certain Latin stereotype before - as we discuss in the podcast!  Source: Joelle Maslaton, available here.

Hollywood has its great points; however it is not perfect. And one thing it sometimes does, is stereotype certain groups. In this episode we look at the stereotypes associated with Latinos in Hollywood. From certain low-paid jobs to drugs, and crazy, shouting bombas to psychopaths, here we discuss just what they are…

¿Cómo son vistos ustedes como país por otra gente de otras partes del mundo?

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Finally, a link we discuss in the podcast is here.

Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

facebook: click here

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 019 – Huelga! El Paro Camionero…

There has been a major strike in Colombia lately. So, just where is the fruit?

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A truck drivers' strike in Colombia in 2008. Source: Extra llano/Oscar Fabian Bernal, available here.

Truck drivers have been on strike across Colombia. In this Spanish audio podcast, we explain the main reasons why. And what the effects have been on the country… Just how are people moving around if the roads are blocked? Have prices risen in the shops? And most importantly, just how do you get fruit and vegetables if the truck drivers aren’t moving goods around the country? We explain all here…

¿En tu país qué paros o huelgas han tenido lugar? ¿Por qué? ¡Cuéntanos!

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Links to learn more are here and here.

Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 018 – A las serpientes o las montañas? La región de Nariño!

The wonderful and unknown region of Nariño is the subject this week!

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The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de las Lajas. Ipiales, Colombia. Source: Cdloaiza, available here.

In the southwest of Colombia is the department of Nariño. Even though it is a lesser-visited region of the country, it has many fascinating sites. And what makes it even more special is that it ranges from the high mountains to the tropical coast. Today we talk about volcanoes, one of the most stunning churches in Latin America (if not the world), and a very different nature reserve – It used to be a prison and is now a tourist destination complete with a number of snakes (and sharks for that matter!). Enjoy!

¿En tu país de origen hay templos religiosos? ¿Cuál es el más importante o el más bello? ¡Cuéntanos!

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Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 017 – La Gastronomía!

This week we take a look at the fascinating variety of cuisine in Colombia!

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A delicious bandeja paisa in Medellin, Colombia. Source: Dtarazona, available here.

From the north to the south, and the east to the west, there are many culinary delights in Colombia! From the Colombian ‘English breakfast’ that is bandeja paisa to ajiaco and sancocho, we look at a wide range of fantastic food! There’s also the delightful fish and coconut rice, as well as guinea pig… In fact, there’s so much wonderful food that we run out of time - so part 2 will be here later this year!

¿Cuál es el plato típico más famoso de tu país? ¡Cuéntanos!

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Finally, a link to learn more is here.

Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

facebook: click here

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 016 – Despiértame cuando pase el temblor!

Very recently there was a big earthquake in much of Colombia! Paola explains all…

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Terremoto en Popayán by Fernando Botero. Source: Micah MacAllen, available here.

It was just a few short weeks ago when an earthquake of 6.6 on the richter scale struck much of Colombia, including the capital Bogota. Fortunately there were no deaths, but it was still very scary! Today Paola tells us what exactly happened on that crazy day. We also look back at the history of earthquakes in the region.

¿Has vivido alguna vez un temblor o terremoto? Cuéntanos tu experiencia.

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Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

facebook: click here

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Tags: Advanced Spanish, Español avanzado, Latinoamérica, Latin America, Sismos, Terremotos, Temblores, Earthquakes, Colombia

Advanced Spanish – Episode 015 – Los hombres latinos y el machismo

Today we take a mostly light-hearted look at men in Latin America.

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Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal. Source: Festival Ambulante. Available here.

Do all men in Latin America look like footballer James Rodriguez? What is el amor latino? Is machismo still a key feature of Latin American society?

Today we take an interesting look at all of these questions and discuss the role of men – particularly younger men - in modern Latin America. This is a fascinating episode so we hope you enjoy it!

Según tu opinión, ¿cuáles son las diferencias entre los hombres de tu país y los latinos? 

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Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 014 – Cómo hablar con Latinos!

Today we give you a variety of tips and advice for how to speak to people in Latin America!

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People speaking in Cajicá, Cundinamarca, Colombia. Source: Carlos Eduardo Mateus. Available here.

This Spanish audio podcast looks at how to speak to people in Latin America. We discuss differences in how open people are in different Latin countries, and share 5 questions that many people may ask you – according to Cristian’s guide book! We also tell you in which countries you will probably be able to practice more Spanish (as people are really friendly), as well as other interesting topics of conversation…

In short, this podcast explains why we decided to focus our audio podcasts on a certain part of the Spanish-speaking world!

¿Es normal hablar con desconocidos en tu ciudad o región? ¡Compártenos tu opinión!

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Hasta pronto,

Paola y Cristian

web: www.learningspanishfast.com

facebook: click here

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Advanced Spanish – Episode 013 – La Alegría