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What’s New in Salamanca for 2010?

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Now we’re in the New Year , there’s a whole host of new activities and events that have come to Salamanca – ideal for those doing a Spanish course in the city who will benefit from the cultural insight and have a chance to use the Spanish they learn in their Spanish school outside of the classroom.

When are you free?

When are you free?

There really is something for everyone – from theatre to art exhibitions and dance to concerts.  Some is of a very Spanish nature (the flamenco show of “Flamenco en 4 Estaciones” for example) whilst some of are a more international nature (“El Holandés Errante” for example – a Czech opera from Prague).  So whatever it is you feel like seeing, Salamanca´s activity programme have something for you.

A new production to Salamanca!

A new production to Salamanca!

Something we would advise not missing out on, however, would be the aforementioned flamenco show.  “Flamenco en 4 Estaciones” gives a real image of this dance-art as fun, accessible and enriching musical expression.  For children, it is an ideal introduction to an art form which really could change their life!

The most traditional of Spanish dances!

The most traditional of Spanish dances!

Another highlight of the recent activity programme is the Erwin Olaf exhibition at the DA2 gallery.  The Dutch artist presents “Darts of Pleasure” – a selection of his best work from 1984 to 2009. Described as classic, contemporary, ironic, transgressive (and much more) – it would seem he is an artist not easily defined.  His impacting photography reflects our conception of identity, fashion, consumerism and other major themes in today´s ever changing world.  Having been given the whole ground floor of DA2, Erwin Olaf is an important artist with something to say and until 21 February, you can find out what.

Staying with art, why not check out a product of the University of Salamanca’s Bellas Artes faculty, Pablo García.  His show, Desideratum, is also showing at DA2 – this time until 24 January.  He presents us with a selection of photo-paintings, texturized on canvas.  His art searches for the sinister aspects of day to day imagery – with rabbits and batman featuring in his work, it´s surely like  nothing you´ve seen before!

If exhibitions aren´t for you, however, then there is still plenty going on in Salamanca to entertain you!  “Me Llamo Rachel Corrie” (My Name is Rachel Corrie) is showing at the Liceo Theatre and tells the story of a North American lady who travelled to Palestine and was subsequently killed.  Considered a martyr by some yet a traitor by the American people, this true story discovered through her personal diary and e-mails and is something to remember.

A tense true story

A tense true story

So whatever it is you feel like doing outside of class time, take advantage of the cultural programme – it´s a great way to meet like-minded people and open your eyes to new cultures!

The sweet taste of “Chocolate con churros”.

Friday, October 9th, 2009
Evelin loves churros, isn't it?

Evelin loves churros, isn't it?

I am sure that during your stay in Spain you have heard about “chocolate con churros”.Most of you have experienced the crunchy taste of “churros” tipped in a hot chocolate.But why is “chocolate con churros” that populare in Spain?

The tradition of eating “churros” started way back in XIX century, in Madrid. The most important reason why “churros” spreaded all over the Spain was the low cost and the huge amount of energy that was perfect for the workers to start a hard day full of physical work. In that time “chocolate con churros” was called as the fruit of the pan.

There are many different ways to eat ” churros” . You can tip it inside your coffee or if you want to experience more extreme taste you can try tipping it into cognac or anis. But the most popular way of eating “churros” has allways been with hot chocolate.The perfect way to serve out “chocolate con churros” is to serve it in a porcelaine cup full of resent made chocolate. The chocolate is served out with six to eight “churros”, including a class of water and sugar in case of somebody wants to have a sweeter beginning for the day.You can eat “churros” while they are still hot or you can eat them cold, it does not matter, they will maintain the crunchy taste. It is common that hot “churros” are served in north Spain and cold “churros” in south Spain.

The place where you can eat “churros” is named Churreria . Usually it is a place where tables and the floor

Serving churros to the students

Serving churros to the students

are decorated with marmol.Also there are “Churrerias” that offers you a take away service.The opening time of the Churrerias is usually at 5 or 6 am.Why so early? So that the workers could have a decent breakfast before starting a hard day. Nowadays the costume has changed a little bit, in the early hours “Churrerias” are also visited by young people that have just finished partying and are looking for a memorable way to end a night out with their friends.Also “Churros” are served in a normal terrace or a coffee place. So that whenever you get hungry for a cup of chocolate with churros you can enter to a first coffee place, that gets on your way, without looking for a “Churreria”. Also you may see booths on the streets that offers you “churros” with various size, shape and taste, so you do not even have to look for it, just follow the warm flavor of “Churros” mixed with a sweet smell of Chocolate.

The students enjoying their Spanish breakfast.

The students enjoying their Spanish breakfast.

It is known that Spanish people love to communicate . Many of the times the reunions are accompanied with “Chocolate con churros”. What could be better than enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with”churros” while telling stories to your friends, shatting with your nabours, or sharing your concerns with your parents. Eating “Chocolate con churros” is not only a way to aliment yourself it is also a good way to communicate with people and to brighten up your day whenever you feel blue.

Salamanca Residence’s new Menu

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Since opening our new residence inside the Salamanca school we’ve organised meals for the students for those wanting to stay with us full/half board in Salamanca. The food is provided by the Café Ideal that’s downstairs at the school.

Ideal Restaurant's next door of Mester School

Ideal Restaurant's next door to Mester School

The Inside of the cafe is very spaceious!!

The Inside of the cafe is very spacious!!

Those of you who’ve already been to Salamanca you´ll know how close it is and how delicious their food is! They’ve organised for us a special menu for our students, opening specially for breakfast, lunch and dinner for us. There’s a copy of the menu at the bottom of this page for you to see the food that they’re offering. The breakfast is served from Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 9:30 before classes, and on Sundays from 10:00 to 10:30.

One of the rooms in the new residence

One of the rooms in the new residence

The menu has been put together especially for our students staying in the new residence! Breakfast includes a variety of teas and coffee, fresh juice, cereales and toasts for 2€. Lunch offers 2 plates a day, first and second course and desert, including bread and water with the meal and is only 5€ for everything! Dinner is available from 20:30 to 21:30 every day and is made up of one big meal, again including bread and water with the meal, and is only 3€ for our Spanish students.

The meals are as follows:

BREAKFAST – 2€

Served from Monday to Saturday at 9:00 to 9:30, and Sundays from 10:00 to 10:30

Coffee, tea, infusions, chocolate or milk
Cereals, biscuits or toast
Juice

LUNCH – 5€

Served every day from 14:00 to 15:00

Monday:  Spaghetti with Tuna / California Eggs / Ice-cream

Tuesday:  Ensaladilla / Pork / Pudding

Wednesday:  Habanero Rice / Fruit

Thursday:  Castillian Potatoes / Vienese Fillet / Ice-cream

Friday:  Lentils / Fried Fish / Yogurt

Saturday:  Coronado Delights

Sunday:  Gazpacho / Chicken / Fruit

DINNER – 3€

Served every day from 20:30 to 21:30

Monday:  Rumbo al nuevo Mundo

Tuesday:  Historias de Fray Marcos

Wednesday:  Legados de Palo Duro

Thursday:  Promesas del Gobernador

Friday:  Entremeses de Santa Fe

Saturday:  Tentenpie de los Quivira

Sunday:  Descanso de Nuestro Señor

Salamanca school’s new Residence opens up!

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
The bedroom 312 with space for 3 students

The bedroom 312 with space for 3 students

Our Salamanca Spanish School has opened a new residence to our students, inside the school itself! The residence is one of many that we have all over Salamanca for our students, and provides full or half-board accommodation. The residence is brand new and occupies the 3rd floor of our Salamanca school!

Room 311, again with room for 3 students.

Room 311, again with room for 3 students.

It has room for 40 students and has rooms with anything between 1 and 5 beds, and a private double-room with a double bed. The residence is complete with computers and televisions in the rooms, and shower rooms and toilets on each corridor. The bathrooms are all brand new and are on each corridor of the school for the students. Each room has a shiny new television and lots of the rooms have a computer supplied, and all of the residence is fitted with free WIFI.

The bathrooms in the New Residence

The bathrooms in the New Residence

There are televisions in all the rooms of the Residence

There are televisions in all the rooms of the Residence

The double room, 308

The double room, 308

There’s daily cleaning in all of the bedrooms for all of the new residence, and a big clean once a week of the whole residence itself.

There’s even a terrace where the students can sit out in the day between class with views over Salamanca! and an area with drinks and food machines that’s available for the students 24hours a day. The meals for the residence are being provided by the lovely cafe/restaurant downstairs, the Café Ideal. They are providing a special menu for our students staying in this residence.

Room 301 with doors onto the Terrace!

Room 301 with doors onto the Terrace!

Staying in a residence is a great option for group trips as it’s easy to keep everyone together and even better if you’re in the building, nobody can get lost on their way to class! For the teachers it’s a fantastic way of making sure everybody’s safe and together, as there’s no need to cross the city to get to the school or wander around at lunch time.

The residence is only one option that we offer as accommodation in Salamanca, but also in Seville and Granada. The other options are a shared student flat or a home stay with a local family. The shared flats are a great way to be more independent, but they also require you to clean up after yourselves and look after the flat. Staying with a family is a really good way to get to see how the typical Spanish lifestyle is and try some proper home cooked Spanish food!

Another option that we offer is a private apartment, but this option is only available for over 18s. If you’d like any more information on the residence, or would like a quote for your group trip don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Chocolate and Churros

Friday, March 27th, 2009
Eating Chocolate and Churros!

Eating Chocolate and Churros!

Chocolate and Churros are a Spanish tradition, eaten either for breakfast or a mid afternoon snack and is a social event for the Spanish! Just as you’d meet for a coffee people meet for Chocolate and Churros and a chat in a cafe or bar during the day.

Churros!

Churros!

The churros are small warm donuts in the shape of long sticks dipped into a cup of warm melted chocolate, yum! Normally you dip your churro into the warm chocolate and eat it all together. It’s a long running tradition dating back to the 19th century when it was a cheap option and popular among the people in Madrid. With the warm chocolate they’re a nice way to keep warm when it’s cold!

Each week Mester Salamanca offers chocolate and churros to the students in the Salamanca school as part of the cultural program that we run alongside the language courses. The students love it, and the teachers too!

The teachers like them too!

The teachers like them too!

The churros are relatively easy to make and are similar to making the pancakes you eat on pancake day at home! The batter is made up the same with water, flour and salt, fried and then  sprinkled with sugar. The melted chocolate that accompanies it can either be pure melted chocolate or made easier to dip with by adding some milk!

Don’t forget to come to class on Tuesday in Salamanca and try some, or pop out with your friends to try some in a local café!