have you been to Uruguay?

I haven't! But this weekend I'm going to colonia del Sacramento

Visiting Argentina: San Pedro (country music festival)

http://www.country2.com/festival/index.php

Un festival de música country para no perderse en San Pedro, a sólo 160 km de Buenos Aires!!!

Además....es la capital de la naranja!!!!

Handmade crochet items!

Ir You are willing  to buy any of these, drop me a line!

Different colors and sizes! Exclusive and unique designs!

Private English and Spanish classes in Buenos Aires

Private classes in the city. Adapted to your needs. More than 10 years experience in teaching kids, teenagers and adults.

Si tu nivel es avanzado y necesitas practicar conversación podes optar por tomar clases con un nativo de Estados Unidos.

You can write to pauuu22@gmail.com for further information

Puedes escribirme a pauuu22@gmail.com para obtener más información.

spanish lesson: question words

Spanish lesson: question words.

What --> ¿Qué?

Why --> ¿Por qué?

Where --> ¿dónde?

When --> ¿cuándo?

How --> ¿cómo?

Which --> ¿cuál?¿cuáles?

Who --> ¿quien? ¿quienes?

Did you know  in Spanish we also use a question mark at the beginning of the question?

Example: ¿cómo te llamas?

So... I am back!

I stopped writing for some reason year ago and now I feel I want and need to be  back! 

 Feel free to write and tell me what you would like to know about Argentina or what you would like to learn!

I will also start uploading pictures of the crochet Items I make!  I will start selling them Online, since I enjoy crochet!

 

 

Crochet!

Besides teaching... I love crochetting in my spare time so, Why not to share it with you?

Soon to be showing you stuff I make! Selling too if you are willing to get!

Colors Colors!

Pagar

MENDOZA and Its WINE TOURS! Patagonia Argentina

Today we decide to go to

MENDOZA

Mendoza spreads over 150,000 sq.km. Over 1.500.000 people live here. A superb combination of soil, weather and water has enabled the production of some of the best wines in the world. That same combination has made possible the development of a great number of outdoor activities all year round. Rafting, kayaking, skiing, overlanding, windsurfing, cave exploration are some examples. Mendoza is where many ski centers operate through the winter season. The northwestern part of the province is known for its routes that lead to the border with Chile. Interesting points to see here are Termas de Villavicencio and Cacheuta thermal waters, Uspallata, Los Penitentes, Puente del Inca, Las Cuevas and the tunnel Cristo Redentor.  Along the way, visitors can pause to take a look at the magnificent Aconcagua (6959 mts) which is the 3rd highest peak in the world. South of the city there is the wine corridor where Tupungato, Tunuyan and Valle de Uco are situated. And then, there is the city itself which is surrounded by an immensity of trees that are watered by "acequias" that transfer the melted iced streams of water from the Cordillera.

About 75% of the national production of wine comes from this area and vineyards occupy almost 50% of the cultivated land.

(Wine Tours)

"The ways of the wine" ("Caminos del Vino" in spanish)

"The Ways of the Wine ", it is an excursion designed by the Direction of Tourism of Mendoza, which links the wine vaults in a circuit that allows to cover the wine vaults and to know as the wine is prepared in origin. It is there where the guides will advise it and will show him the different processes.

To facilitate the trip, the wine areas that the tour understands, they have been divided in 5 regions:

Region 1: Center-West
Departments of: Godoy Cruz, Guaymallén, Maipú and Luján de Cuyo. It contains the stages of:

A) "The Ways of the Old Vale" (Capital, Guaymallén, Godoy Cruz): The trip can be begun in the Area Fundacional de Mendoza, where the museum of the Square Pedro del Castillo, will show the colonial full Mendoza. Then, and setting off already towards the department of Guaymallén, two wine vaults of centenary byline are covered, with structures of the ends of the XIXth century and with part of the ancient material that was used in the processes of the wine.

B) " The Ways of the Wine of Acequias and Groves " (Maipú): From arrival to one of the most traditional wine vaults of Gutierrez, it is known That also the National Museum Marries of the Wine Giol (of the remembered one and in the past popular wine vault mendocina), to continue with approximately 3 wine vaults more, that although they possess an ancient permanence on the market, they have been renewed and with his quality standards today they are leaders on the international market.

C) " Hills of the Río Maipú" (Maipú): To only 30 km from the city of Mendoza, it goes over to the locality of Hills, belonging to the district Maipú, to know familiar wine vaults and the Chapel Our Lady of Rosario. Then, there is very good the possibility of extending the trip up to the locality of Cruz de Piedra, to see big hectares of vines and to taste tasty wines on the foot of the climbing vine.

D y E) "High places of the Rio" I y II (Luján de Cuyo): Already in the district of Luján of Whose, the visit is to recognized wine vaults, with the wonderful postcard of the Mountain range of The Andes of fund. In this visit, there will be able to be known big wine vaults of international fame, which open the doors of his shops to the traveler, so that it takes thematic memories or simply to take an exquisite wine.

Region 2: South
Departments of: San Rafael, Gral. Alvear y Malargüe

In this stage, to be realized in the south of the province, the visits will be to very traditional wine vaults of vines and production, which consumption is installed in those who enjoy the good taste at the time of taking wines of chosen well vines. It is for it, that very good places will be able to be visited and wonderful sceneries to be known, doing a finished excursion.

Region 3: East or Central Valley
Departments of: San Martín, Rivadavia, Junín, Santa Rosa y La Paz.


Brought in grounds bathed by the waters of the River Tunuyán, despligan big fans of possibilities at the time of visiting wine establishments, since this is the clearly producing area of excellent vines in Mendoza.

It is for it that there are familiar wine vaults that excellent cepajes possess, and which is worth while knowing.

Region 4: Vale of Uco
Departments of: Tupungato, Tunuyán y San Carlos


Region of culture of very thin vines, he has been able to develop his potential in the field of the grapes of big way. There can be visited important wine vaults, which they have as witness privileged to the Hill Tupungato.

More penetrating into the Vale of Uco, it goes over to Tunuyán, where I walk to the traditional Historical Apple tree, wine vaults will be able to be visited with European technologies and high refinement in his wines, obtaining excellent products that are known in the entire world. Later, and already in San Carlos, the visit will be very pleasant to Wine vaults of the area, that will invite the tourist, to prove his delicate products.

Tiempos Verbales (Tenses)

MODOS Y TIEMPOS VERBALES

El modo de un verbo indica la manera en que la acción es expresada por quien habla. (The "modo" of a verb indicates the way the action is expressed by the speaker)

MODO INDICATIVO (It expresses the action as a real and possible fact)

*PRESENTE 1st Infinitive (AR: AMAR)      2nd Infinitive (ER: COMER)        3rd Infinitive (IR: DORMIR)


YO                     AMO            COMO         DUERMO
TU                    AMAS            COMES       DUERMES
EL/ ELLA            AMA             COME         DUERME
NOSOTROS      AMAMOS        COMEMOS  DORMIMOS
VOSOTROS       AMAIS           COMEIS      DORMIS
ELLOS/ ELLAS    AMAN           COMEN       DUERMEN


EJEMPLOS: (Examples)

1. Yo amo a mi mama (I love my mother)
2. Ella come una manzana (She eats an apple)
3. Nosotros dormimos en un hotel (We sleep at a hotel)
4. Yo miro una película (I see a movie)

Common verbs conjugation in the Present:

1. GO (IR)-  I GO           I am GOING

Yo   ----------VOY           ESTOY YENDO
Tu  ---------- VAS           ESTAS YENDO
El/ Ella-----  VA             ESTÁ YENDO
Nosotros----  VAMOS    ESTAMOS YENDO
Vosotros------VAIS        ESTAIS YENDO
Ellos/ Ellas--VAN         ESTAN YENDO

It would help me if after reading this you could click on ONE of the google advertisements you can find in my blog!!  Thanks :)  Paula

(I will post other Tenses soon...)

Culture and Customs in ARGENTINA

Visiting a foreign country means mixing with a new culture. Every culture has its own etiquette, protocol and customs. Here you will find some tips about culture and customs in Argentina

                                      
                                                             An important element of the local culture revolves around dress. The dress code in Argentina is fairly formal and Argentinians take pride in their appearance and efforts are made to look presentable at all times. Fashion is considered important and the latest European styles are usually worn. In restaurants, it is common for men to wear a suit and tie for the occasion.

                                                            If shopping for clothes in Argentina, you will find that clothes are typically marked as ‘small’, ‘medium’ or ‘large’. However, you may on occasion find European measurements. It may be useful for you therefore, to gain an understanding of European clothes measurements prior to visiting Argentina if it is possible that you will be shopping for clothes.

Etiquette in Argentina:                                   

                                                             Etiquette is polished in Argentina and the people are typically very polite. Efforts should be made to reflect the same levels of politeness and adhere to local customs where possible.
                                                             As an example, men should always remove headwear when entering offices or other formal establishments in Argentina and say ‘con permiso’ (excuse me) upon entry. First encounters in such establishments are typically followed by a shaking of hands. 
                                              

Giving money to Beggars in Argentina:
                                            
                                                             When giving money to beggars in Argentina, it is advised not to give money to children. Personal discretion should then be used in determining whether or not to give money to adults. As in all countries, there is a tendency for tourist rich areas to attract individuals who are not genuine beggars. It is wise therefore to look and see whether locals are giving individuals money prior to deciding whether or not to do so yourself.

Safety in Argentina: 

                                                             The same safety tips apply in Argentina as apply anywhere in the world. It is comforting that, although crime is on the rise in large cities in Argentina, it is typically lower than in cities in other countries with equitable population numbers. Key tips however to help guard your security in Argentina include the following:
                               
Don’t leave any valuables on show in your car when your car is unattended and when driving, ensure that all the car doors are locked.
Do not walk around the city with your money / passport clearly visible.
Do not show large amounts of cash when making purchases.
Do not walk alone in deserted areas late at night.

............................................................................................................................................

Facts and Statistics

Location:  South America, borders with Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km

Capital:   Buenos Aires

Climate:  mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Population:  39,144,753 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other non white

groups 3%

Government:  Republic

Language in Argentina

Although Argentina's official language is Spanish, Argentinian Spanish is different from the Spanish spoken in Spain. In some ways it sounds more like Italian than Spanish. Indigenous languages that are spoken today include Tehuelche, Guarani and Quechua.

Argentinean Society & Culture

Europeans or Latin Americans?

. Most Argentines are primarily of European descent, which separates them from other Latin American countries where European and Indian cultures are more mixed.

. Culturally and emotionally, Argentines often seem more European than Latin American.

Argentinean Family Values

. The family is the centre of Argentine life with extended families still having prominence.

. The heads of powerful families command widespread respect, but with this comes a responsibility to care for others in terms of security, jobs, etc and to maintain personal and family honour.

. Honour is in all respects the be all and end all and it routinely affects day-to-day life at home, in the community and in business.

Religion in Argentina

. The Argentine constitution guarantees religious freedom.

. Roman Catholicism acts as the official state religion.

 Expressive Communication Style

. Argentines are on the whole open, blunt, and direct, yet are able to remain tactful and diplomatic.

. Argentines are a warm peoples and their unreservedness brings to the fore their passion and sentimentality.

. In addition they are close communicators physically so will often touch each other when speaking and maintain little physical distance between speakers.

 General Etiquette and Customs
Meeting Etiquette

. Initial greetings are formal and follow a set protocol of greeting the eldest or most important person first.

. A standard handshake, with direct eye contact and a welcoming smile will suffice.

. Maintaining eye contact indicates interest.

. In general, Argentines prefer third-party introductions, so you should wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to others at a small gathering.

. When leaving, say good-bye to each person individually.

Gift Giving Etiquette

. If invited to dinner at an Argentine's home bring a small gift for the hostess.

. Since taxes on imported spirits are extremely high, a bottle of imported spirits is always well received.

* Currency - the currency of Argentina is known as the Peso (ARS).

* Dialling Code - the international dialling code for Argentina is +54.

* Time - Argentina is -3 hours GMT.

It would help me if after reading this you could click on ONE of the google advertisements you can find in my blog!!  Thanks :)  Paula

Gerunds Vs Infinitives in SPANISH!

GERUNDS: How to say what I am doing now? (They are the -ing form of the verbs)

Estoy hablando con mi novio.(I´m talking with my boyfriend)

In spanish when we want to make a GERUND we will add to the end of the verb:


- ANDO (WHEN THE VERB ENDS IN -AR)
- ENDO, (WHEN THE VERB ENDS IN -ER or -IR)

• Jugar (to play) --->     jugANDO (playing)
• Cantar (to sing) --->   cantANDO (singing)
• Leer (to read) --->      leyENDO (reading)
• Comer (to eat) --->     comiENDO (eating)
• Saltar (to jump) --->    saltANDO (jumping)
• Hablar (to speak/ to talk) ---> hablANDO (speaking)
• Dormir (to sleep) --->  durmiENDO (sleeping)

Ejemplos (Examples)


- Yo estoy hablando con mi mama ( I am talking with my mother)
- Erik está mirando una película (Erik is seeing a movie)
- Thomas está comiendo un hueso (Thomas is eating a bone)
- Mi amiga y yo estamos leyendo un libro (My friend and I are reading a book)
- ¿Qué estas haciendo? (What are you doing?)
- Estoy mirando la television (I am watching the TV)


EJERCICIO: Escriba la forma GERUNDIO de estos verbos (Write these verbs in the GERUND form)


Atender
Llorar
Buscar
Mentir
Caer
Morir
Nadar
Contar
Jugar
Toser
Ladrar


See more in http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/spanish/SpanishIV/span4c10et1t12.html


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFINITIVES:
El infinitivo en español termina en: (they end in  -AR - ER - IR) - (The infinitive in spanish ends in Ar Er Ir)

• - AR:  en los verbos de la primera conjugación como trabajar, comprar o empezar.
• - ER: en los verbos de la segunda conjugación como beber, volver, hacer.
• - IR : en los verbos de la tercera conjugación como escribir, salir o ir.

Usos del Infinitivo (Uses of the "Infinitive")
* Infinitivo como sujeto (Infinitive as the subject of a sentence)

Beber vino tinto con moderación es bueno para el corazón. (Drinking red wine ...)

Llegar a un acuerdo con el sindicato solucionaría el problema. (Getting to an agreement  ...)
* Usos idiomáticos del infinitivo en español.

Al + Infinitive

Expresión temporal que se usa para indicar que la acción expresada por el infinitivo tiene lugar al mismo tiempo que la acción expresada por el verbo principal.

• Al salir del trabajo me encontré con tu hermana. (When I left work, ...) 
  

CON + Infinitive

Presenta un valor concesivo/condicional, equivalente a  aunque o si.

Con gritarle no vas a conseguir nada. (Shouting at him won't get you anywhere.)

DE + Infinitive

Presenta un valor condicional, equivalente a "Si + verbo en indicativo o en subjuntivo".

• De sacar una A, pediré la beca. (= si saco una A, pediré la beca.)

POR + Infinitive

Presenta un valor causal, equivalente a "porque / puesto que / como + verbo en indicativo".

• Cierran el mercado de la Magdalena por carecer de medidas de seguridad (porque carece de  medidas de seguridad.)
  

*El infinitivo en instrucciones o preguntas

Se usa  a menudo el infinito como equivalente del imperativo en instrucciones, señales o en preguntas en anuncios publicitarios.

• No tomar estas pastillas con el estómago vacío.
• No tocar.
• ¿Por qué no dejar que los demás se ocupen de ello?
  

* A + Infinitive

Tiene un valor imperativo.

• Ahora ¡a divertise!
• A callar!

It would help me if after reading this you could click on ONE of the google advertisements you can find in my blog!!  Thanks :)  Paula

Spanish Alphabet & Spanish Pronunciation

Spanish Alphabet & Spanish Pronunciation

Pronunciación (Pronunciation)

Basic Spanish pronunciation rules

Sonidos Vocales en Español (Spanish Vowel Sounds)

Los sonidos de las vocales en Español son cortos (Spanish vowel sounds are short).

The Spanish "a" is pronounced like the "u" in "cut".
The Spanish "e" is pronounced like the "e" in "elephant".
The Spanish "i" is pronounced like the "ee" in "bee".
The Spanish "o" is pronounced like the "o" in "roll".
The Spanish "u" is pronounced like the "o" in "do".

Sonidos Consonantes en Español (Spanish Consonant Sounds )

The Spanish "c" has two sounds: hard and soft:

RULE -->The hard "c" is pronounced like the "c" in "candy" and It is pronounced before "a", "o" and "u".

• 
  
  cantar - to sing
• 
  
  corona - crown
• 
  
  casa- house

RULE --> The soft "c" is pronounced like the "c" in "city" and It is pronounced before "e" and "i".

• 
  
  cinturon - belt
• 
  
  cerdo - pig
• 
  
  cinco - five

The Spanish "g" has two sounds: hard and soft.

RULE -->The hard "g" is pronounced like the "g" in "goat" and It is pronounced before "a", "o" and "u".

• gato - cat
• guerra - war
• guitara - guitar

RULE --> The soft "g" is pronounced like the "h" in "house" and It is pronounced before "e" and "i".

• gira - tour
• gemelos - twins
• gigante - giant

The Spanish "j" is pronounced like the "h" in "habit".

• jarro - pitcher
• joven - young
• jugo - juice

The Spanish "ñ" is pronounced like "ny" in "canyon".

• niña - girl
• mañana - tomorrow
• niño - boy

The Spanish "rr" is a vibrating or trilling sound.
SEE--> We also pronounce this "rr" when words start with "r" as is rata (rat) or rápido (fast)

• perro - dog
• zorro - fox

The Spanish "v" is pronounced like the "b" in "bed".

• velo - veil
• vieja - old

The Spanish "d"  is pronounced like the "d" in "dog".

• diario - diary
• mundo - world
• falda - skirt
• lado - side
• pasado - past
• nada - nothing

The Spanish "h" is completely silent.

• hijo - child
• hormiga - ant
• hola- hello

The Spanish "ll" is pronounced like the "y" in "yarn".

• llaves - keys
• llorar - to cry
• llamada - call

RULE --> The rolling "r" is pronounced like the "r" in car

• tornillo - screw
• pero- but
• cero- zero
• caro- expensive

The Spanish "t" is pronounced like the "t" in "stop".
RULE --> The Spanish "t" is softer than the English "t".

• cartera - purse
• tambor - drum
• te - tea

The Spanish "z" is pronounced like the "s" in "sofa".

• zanahoria - carrots
• manzana - apple
• manzanilla - chamomile

Practice these words every day to better your Spanish pronunciation:

cerveza - beer
gordo - fat
genial - great
aburrido - bored
cordon - cord

almohada - pillow
manteca - butter
jefe - boss
verano - summer
dañino - harmful
rata- rat

El Alfabeto Español (The Spanish Alphabet )
Unlike English, Spanish letters can be written out. Here is the Spanish alphabet (30 letters) along with their written form:

A - "a"
B - "be"
C - "ce"
CH - "che"
D - "de"
E - "e"
F - "efe"
G - "ge"
H - "hache"
I - "i"

J - "jota"
K - "ca"
L - "ele"
LL - "elle"
M - "eme"
N - "ene"
Ñ - "eñe"
O - "o"
P - "pe"
Q - "cu"

R - "ere"
RR - "erre"
S - "ese"
T - "te"
U - "u"
V - "ve"
W - "doble ve"
X - "equis"
Y - "i griega"
Z - "zeta"

Acentos en Español (Spanish Accents )When there is an acute accent over a vowel (á, é, í, ó, ú), it means to place emphasis on that syllable. As a result, the syllable with the accented vowel is more pronounced. Placing accents or ommiting accents can change the meanings of words.

soló - only
solo - alone

el está - he is
esta cosa - this thing

caminó - walked
camino - path

habló - He spoke
hablo - I speak

papá - father
papa - potato

compró - He bought
compro - I buy

(http://www.spanishsofa.com/spanish-lessons)

It would help me if after reading this you could click on ONE of the google advertisements you can find in my blog!!  Thanks :)  Paula