Tour through the Museo del Gaucho

On tuesday one of our teachers went with our students to the "Museo del Gaucho" and gave them a guided tour through the museum. They learned about the history of the gauchos in Uruguay, their lifestyle and work and how they influenced Uruguayan culture until the present day. The tour was very informative and together with the visualization of gaucho culture through the exhibits, it was an excellent way to learn more about Uruguayan history and practice Spanish at the same time.
Here you can find some pictures of the excursion.

Special cooking lesson: Korean food

Last thursday we had a special cooking lesson: in the evening we prepared Korean food for dinner with the help of one of our students from Korea. Among the food were Korean specialities like bibimbap and bulgogi. After enjoying the delicious food, we went to a salsa lesson together to learn some basics of this South American dance. We had a wonderful night with great food and a lot of fun!

Conversation lesson at the market

Today two of the conversation classes of La Herradura went to a market close to the school to practice Spanish "on the street". Talking to different people on the market was an interesting and enjoyable way to improve communication skills and get in contact with Uruguayans.


Here are some pictures of the activity

An afternoon with children who live at a shelter

Yesterday a group of students of La Herradura went to a shelter for children with mental disabilities to spend the afternoon with them. This shelter is one of the volunteer options for students of La Herradura. In the beginning we visited the shelter and got an introduction to their work by the children and the director. Afterwards we went outside with the children to play football and other games. We enjoyed our time together very much and spent the afternoon smiling and joking a lot with the children who received us very openly and warmly.

For photos, follow this link

Cooking lesson

Yesterday we had a cooking lesson and learned how to prepare torta de zapallitos. You can find the recipe here.

Carnaval internacional

En esta semana de fiesta de Carnaval, en nuestra clase de conversación compartimos entre todos nuestros estudiantes cómo se celebra el Carnaval en cada uno de sus países. Los estadounidenses nos hablaron del Mardi Gras, el carnaval en Nueva Orleans, una fiesta ancestral que encuentra sus orígenes en la migración francesa católica que llegó al sur de Estados Unidos durante el siglo XVIII. Literalmente significa “martes graso”, una fiesta que tiene lugar un día antes del Miércoles de Ceniza, y que marca el final del periodo de excesos antes de iniciar el ayuno y el recogimiento de la Cuaresma previa a la Semana Santa. Durante esta fiesta la ciudad se llena de desfiles y de disfraces y las mujeres coleccionan collares de colores que son lanzados desde las ventanas de las casas.

En el sur de Alemania también se celebra el carnaval, con desfiles, música y muchos disfraces.

Algo más reciente es el Carnaval de Veracruz, en México, cuya fiesta grande se celebra desde hace no más de un siglo y que comienza con la quema del “mal humor” y que, después de nueve días de desfiles, fiestas y color, termina con el entierro de Juan Carnaval, un final parecido al del entierro de la sardina que marca el final del carnaval en España.

Más información sobre el carnaval de Uruguay

Excursion to El Prado

Yesterday a group of students of La Herradura visited "El Prado", a neighbourhood that is traditionally associated with the aristocracy of the 19^th century in Montevideo who constructed luxurious houses there. Alongside the beautiful old houses there are also big parks that we visited. First we went to the Museo Blanes to see some paintings of this Uruguayan painter on Uruguayan history, and afterwards we had a walk through the calm and beautiful Japanese Garden, a symbol of the friendship between Uruguay and Japan. We also strolled through the botanical garden and completed our excursion at the lovely rose garden with its art nouveau style pergolas and over 12000 rosebushes.

For more pictures of the excursion, click here

Cuento que escribimos en la clase de conversación de la semana pasada

Erase una vez un príncipe guapo con un anillo. Un día el príncipe caminó por el bosque para encontrar una serpiente verde. La serpiente le dijo al príncipe que tenía que ayudarla. Hay un payaso alto y enfadado con una nariz roja que quiere robar el tesoro de la serpiente. El payaso es muy peligroso porque es un psicopata con un revólver. El príncipe le dijo "voy a ayudarte. ¿Qué puedo hacer por ti?" La serpiente respondió: "Acá estan las llaves. ¿Puedes llevarselas a mi amigo el artista que vive en la montaña?" "Claro, para ir al la montaña puedo usar mi moto mágica que camina sobre el arco iris." La serpiente explicó que la casa del artista estaba ardiendo y por eso el artista necesitaba un bombero. Él es la moneda de cambio para esconder las llaves. El bombero llegará en autobus al mismo tiempo a la casa del artista que el príncipe. Cuando el príncipe caminaba sobre el arco iris, despertó de su sueño y vio entrar por la ventana los rayos rosas del sol.

Tango lessons

Last friday a group of students from La Herradura enjoyed a tango class in the evening. The class took place at a wonderful tango hall in a beautifully restored old house close to the school. After an short introduction to tango and a presentation of the dance by the teachers, we learned some basic steps and moves. Our teachers were very nice, patient and professional and so, even though many of us were complete beginners, we soon managed to dance a bit. And quickly caught the "tango-virus"... It was a lot of fun!

 For more pictures click here

Dos clases de conversación juntas

El pasado viernes, como actividad de final de semana, juntamos nuestros grupos de conversación para ampliar experiencias. Brasileños, estadounidenses y alemanes junto a nuestros profesores intercambiaron opiniones acerca de la ingeniería genética, los desafíos morales que implican los avances tecnológicos y el valioso bagaje que nos van dando los años. Y terminamos escuchando un poco de música para empezar con buen pie el fin de semana.

Aquí hay más fotos de esta actividad.

Joined conversation classes

On friday two of our conversation classes joined in order to have an amplified discussion. It was fun...

Conversation classes at the outlook of the intendencia of Montevideo

Today two conversation classes went together to the intendencia (city hall) of Montevideo. Almost on top of the building on the outlook at the 22^th floor, we enjoyed the incredible view over the city. It was a wonderful way to gain an overview over Montevideo and practice our Spanish while talking about its sights – and the weather was just perfect warm and sunny.

Guided tour through the museum of decorative arts

Last thursday we enjoyed a guided tour through the museum of decorative arts, a beautiful building in the old center of Montevideo. Designed by french architects in the beginning of the 20^th century, the building is also known as „Palacio Taranco“ named after its owners, the Ortiz de Taranco family. Today it hosts the wonderful original interior of the family residence, mostly imported from France, alongside a collection of antique ceramics from the mediterranean region. We had the pleasure to get a lot of interesting informations about the history of the house and the exhibited pieces which was also a perfect way to practice the comprehension of spoken Spanish.

http://cultura.mec.gub.uy/innovaportal/v/907/8/mecweb/el_museo?breadid=null&3colid=905

For more pictures please visit:
https://plus.google.com/photos/111987696396266207159/albums/5973619510038083649?hl=es-419

Conversation lessons in the town hall of Montevideo

Conversation lessons in the town hall of Montevideo

cooking lesson pasta flora de membrillo y de dulce de leche

Follow this link to find pictures of our cooking lesson and the recipe

cooking lesson pasta flora de membrillo y de dulce de leche

“taller de fonética”

“taller de fonética”

Cooking lessons 24.10.2013

This week we cooked "puchero", a typical dish in Uruguay. Here you can find pictures and the recipe:
Cooking lessons 24.10.2013

Conversation lessons in Montevideo

Here`s a description and pictures of our conversation lessons "on the street":
Conversation lessons in Montevideo

Boat trip to the Island “Isla de Flores” in Montevideo

Follow this link for pictures and an article about "Isla de Flores", an island close to Montevideo:
Boat trip to the Island “Isla de Flores” in Montevideo