Amauta Spanish School Blog

How to Book YOUR Inca Trail Trek for Spanish students

2012-02-03T17:10:21Z

Step 1: Choose YOUR trek. Choosing the right trek for you depends on your how much time you have before, during or after your Spanish studies, and on your personal preferences. The Classic Inca Trail Trek lasts 4 days and 3 nights and the Short Inca Trail Trek lasts 2 days and 1 night. It is important to note that this trek involves a lot less trekking and camping.

Step 2: Check available trek dates. Our travel partner Dos Manos Peru recommends booking your Inca Trail Trek approximately three months in advance, especially for the high season, which takes place from June through August. The Inca Trail is closed during February for maintenance every year. The Peruvian government limits the number of people, including trekkers, guides, porters, etc., that are allowed on the trail to 500 per day. To check the number of spaces available for any day, visit the official Peruvian Ministry of Culture website: www.machupicchu.gob.pe or send an e-mail to infodosmanos@dosmanosperu.com for updated info.

Step 3: Decide on a travel agency. Every trekker on the trail must book their trip with a travel agency. It is not possible to do the trek on your own. Of course, it is important to book a trek that suits your budget, but it is also important to think about where your money is going. Make sure that your trek includes entrance tickets to both the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu as well as a train back to Cusco. Also make sure that you are booking with a travel agency that practices responsible tourism such as our travel agent Dos Manos. And you will get a discount being an AMAUTA student.

Step 4: Book it! To book with Dos Manos just click here. They will then contact you, usually within 24 hours, with more information about the trek and booking methods. Please don’t wait too long, to avoid disappointment, you really need to book this some time ahead.

Step 5: Finalize the details. Now that you have booked your trek, you will need to make your flight and hotel reservations for Cusco and probably Lima as well as there are no international flights that fly directly to Cusco. You might also want to book more tours for your exciting trip to Peru. We definitely recommend touring the City of Cusco and the Sacred Valley during your time in Cusco. We definitely recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least two days prior to the beginning of your trek in order to acclimatize. If you do the trek after your Spanish lessons, even better! You will want to be healthy and ready to start your adventurous trek on the Inca Trail to the magical Machu Picchu ruins.

mary

Nubes, nubes, nubes… (about pretty Spanish words)

2012-02-02T17:51:57Z

Before I left Amsterdam I asked the people around me to think up ways for me to connect with them while in Buenos Aires. I told them there would be days I’d be feeling somewhat blue and ‘wouldn’t it be great if I then could connect with you?’ I got 61 little assignments. Some are easy. ‘Make a self-portrait every day’ for example. But what about ‘Eat a complete Parilla. You may need some help.’ What??! I don’t even know what that means… One of my friends asked me to share with her the moment I heard a new Spanish word that ‘made my ears tingle’.

Back home in Amsterdam I imagined I would be hearing beautiful words everyday while strolling around the many lushes cosmopolitan avenues here, but as it seems I’m all into semantics at the moment. I hardly ever have time (or space in my head) to focus on aesthetics. Except, but of course, yesterday.

We were in Spanish class and my mind wondered off when I first heard this ‘I am so pretty I should be wrapped around in cellophane with a ribbon on top’-word. Nubes. Nubes. Nubes. If you say it fast it makes me think of a string of little golden beads falling onto a wooden floor in a stately home somewhere in 1920′s Savannah. Stretched out, like my teacher Flavia says, it reminds me of thick white stripes of air dancing round oak trees in a deep and dark forest.

It all depends upon, like most things in Spanish, the right pronunciation (please hear a fat rolling R here). You can have an enormous vocabulary and know all the grammar rules, but if your pronunciation is off you might as well be speaking Japanese.

I am but a student so I make mistakes all the time but ‘Nubes’ I can pronounce just right. Nubes. Nubes. Nubes. In my head I hear it all the time. Too bad I can’t use it out loud that often ’cause we hardly ever have any clouds here.

mary

What to Pack for the Inca Trail Trek: Our Eleven Essential Items

2012-01-27T16:13:39Z

Almost all students studying Spanish in Cusco, will visit the famous Machu Picchu ruins, either before , during or after their Spanish classes.

Many students participate in the famous Inca Trail, a four day hike to Machu Picchu. Here is a list of essential items you do not want to forget!

INCA TRAIL PACKING LIST

Backpack: This might seem obvious, but it is so important to have a good backpack for this trek.

Passport: You will need this to get into the ruins when you finally reach Machu Picchu. You also need to bring your International Student Identity Card (ISIC) if you have one for the student discount.

Hiking Shoes and Clothes: We always recommend dressing in layers because the weather is constantly changing.

Rain Gear: This item is especially important during the rainy season from November through March.

Plastic Bags and Snacks: These are prefect for storing wet or dirty clothes. They can also be used to store some snacks, which are great for keeping up your energy level on the trail.

Camera and Sleeping Bag: You can rent a sleeping bag with us right here at Dos Manos if you do not bring one with you. Sleeping bags cost $20 per bag for the duration of your trek.

Water Bottle: You might want to pack a metal one because it will be more resistant to the heat from the extra-strong sun at this high-altitude.

Hat, Sunblock, Insect Repellent, and Personal Medical Kit: The sun is really strong here because of the high altitude so make sure to reapply your sunblock at regular intervals. You have been warned!

Toilet Paper and Flashlight: You will definitely want your own supply of toilet paper for those nature toilet breaks! You might also want to pack a flashlight for finding your way to the toilet in the dark.

Swimsuit and Towel: You want these for visiting the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
Money: You might want to bring both dollars and soles for tipping your guide, assistant guide, cook, and porters. You might also want to bring used clothing that is in good condition to give to them.

We hope that our extra-long list of eleven essential items will help you to prepare for your Inca Trail trek here in Cusco, Peru. Now good luck trying to get everything to fit in your backpack!

mary

Immersed in Peruvian culture while learning Spanish: Potato Perfection!

2012-01-26T22:48:00Z

It is believed by scientists that all potatoes have a single origin in Peru where thousands of varieties still exist in the Andes and where over 100 cultivars might be found in a single valley. It is also believed that the potato was first domesticated between 2000 and 3000 BC and flourishes today in a wide variety of colors, flavors, textures and sizes. There are approximately 5,000 varieties worldwide, 3,000 of them are found in the Andes, mainly in Peru.

Here in Peru, potato connoisseurs can sample from nine different colors of native potatoes, varying in texture, flavor and nutritional value. Some have drawn the attention of the world of haute cuisine as exotic ingredients and have been used in exhibitions because of their flavors as well as nutritional value. Their traditional uses are as varied as the potatoes themselves each having its own special or ceremonial use. Some potatoes are for eating, some for weddings, baptisms, some for funerals and so on. Some are high in antioxidants, like the red “moro boli” some need to be soaked or steamed and some are made into potato alcohol.

In recent years, an organization was formed to preserve the crop and guarantee its sustainable use while at the same time preserving its history, legends, and livelihood and to recover and preserve the traditional knowledge of the indigenous farmers who continue to cultivate over 700 varieties of native potatoes. This organization, known as The Potato Park consist of six communities in the Sacred Valley, in the hills above the ruins of Pisac, at approximately 30 kilometers from Cusco. Visitors are welcome to enjoy tours from one to five days, meeting with farmers, weavers and cooks buy handicrafts and enjoy medicinal plant workshops and of course sample their diverse selection dishes based on native, organic potatoes. Their restaurant, Papamanka, is surrounded by Andean culture and spectacular views of the park. For more info you can contact: infodosmanos@dosmanosperu.com

If you just can’t wait to get to Peru here is a tasty Peruvian potato dish to try at home.

Papas a la Huancaina

Ingredients:

10 medium potatoes, cooked and sliced
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons oil
4 hard-boiled eggs
Juice of ½ lemon (lemons in Peru are small so perhaps 1 would be good)
2 tbsp. evaporated milk
½ cup ricotta or cottage cheese, sieved
10 black or green olives
2 tsp. chili powder
Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Simmer the onion in a small amount of water for a few minutes. Drain.

Mash the yolks of two eggs. Stir in the cottage cheese and season with chili powder, salt and pepper. Add the milk and mix well. Add the oil, lemon juice and cooked onion and mix.

Arrange the warm potato slices in a serving dish then pour the cheese sauce over the potatoes and garnish with olives, sliced eggs and parsley.

Serves 4 to 6
Enjoy with family and friends!

mary

In the beginning… (about classmates, homework en fun teachers)

2012-01-20T13:39:30Z

So. Learning has started here at AMAUTA Spanish School in Buenos Aires. It’s back to school all over again. Students, teachers, classrooms. Some things are quite different though. It’s funny how something mandatory in high school can be so much fun later in life. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I’m in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires surrounded by bigger-then-big trees, and sweeter-then-sweet sweets* but new palabras and verbos (do go and search for them on Google Translate) are going round in my head like a 16-year old American girl going round her walk-in closet on a Friday night.

I even like my homework because every new bit of integrated information makes it easier for me to connect with Buenos Aires and her lovely Porteños. Being able to order your own café con leche con tres medialunas without having to use your hands and feet is not only easier but much more fun.

Every weekday I take my colectivo and meet my fellow students around two o’clock in the patio of Federico Lacroze Avenue 2129. We sit and chat in the tranquillity of Belgrano (one of Buenos Aires neighbourhoods) waiting for Spanish class to start. I’m in a small group of five equally enthusiastic Europeans. Manon and Anna are Dutch girls just like me. Ole comes from Norway and Luca is Swiss.
Our first teacher Flavia, a petite woman like most Argentineans, is calm, confident and ever so patient. We keep making the same mistakes over and over again but she never even blinks an eye. After our break we switch to Omar. Omar is funny and flexible. Whenever we get tired because of the weather or whatever he jumps up and comes up with a game where we have to get up and walk around. We are not allowed to use any other language than Spanish but it is possible to mime. Omar must have been a clown or a mime in a past life because he keeps cracking me up with his gestures.
We get two different teachers every week so if Flavia en Omar are just the beginning we are in for a treat. Let’s see what next week brings us.

*Note to self: must write about Dulce de leche and Alfajores.

mary

Holiday Shopping Guide – Buenos Aires, Argentina

2011-12-22T15:23:20Z

Not sure what to give your family and friends this holiday season? Buenos Aires, Argentina is the shopping capital of South America and it is absolutely full of great unique and cultural gifts this time of year. Come to South America to see the sights and shop ‘til you drop this holiday season 2011!

Here we have compiled our list of the top five shops in the city that are definitely not to be missed! Buenos Aires has something for everyone on your Christmas list.
If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for a special woman in your life go to Perugia Bottier. This shoe store has been around for 50 years and the shoes are handmade from the best Argentine and Italian leather. These shoes are a bit pricey and take approximately ten days to make, but the quality is well worth the extra cash and waiting time.

If you are looking for a gift with an edge go to Autoria. This store offers a wide range of products ranging from jewelry and accessories to paintings and sculptures. Everything has an artistic flair! This store is a great place to shop for that cool teenager, young adult, or simply young at heart person in your life.

Here is a store you might want to visit before you send out those holiday greeting cards. Go to Papelera Palermo. This crafty paper store is the place to shop for beautiful stationary, postcards, journals, and even gift wrapping paper. This is the store to stock up on gifts for that stylish writer or anyone else whom you do not know what to gift this holiday season. Spoil yourself and buy yourself a new journal or diary for the coming year 2012 while you are there!

What holiday celebration would be complete without wine? To buy a great Argentine bottle, either as a gift or for yourself, go to Anuva Wines. This wine store offers a great selection of wines from around the world and to suit all budgets. The best part is that you can also book a great wine tasting with this store! What a relaxing way to break up your holiday shopping and experience some of the culture of South America.

To complete your holiday shopping experience go to GIL Antiguedades. Buenos Aires is a city known for its great antiques and this well-known antique store has it all. You cannot help but be lured inside by the stunning vintage dresses and nightgowns on display in the window. You will not be disappointed as this is a great store to find some fabulous unique gifts.

South America is a great place to spend the holidays and Buenos Aires, Argentina is definitely a highlight of the continent. If you plan to do your holiday shopping in style in this lively city make sure to pack an extra empty bag to take home all those superb buys. No more socks and sweaters for your family and friends this year!

mary

New Website Launch

2011-11-24T13:57:44Z

Here at AMAUTA Spanish School we pride ourselves on our top quality Spanish courses and volunteer programs. For us, quality has always been very important and that is why we are so pleased to present our new and improved website! AMAUTA means teacher in the native Quechua language of the Peruvian people and it is our aim to teach anyone who wants to learn the Spanish language and about Latin American culture.

Our new website has a great Study Spanish Online section with exercises, vocabulary, games, practice tests, and Latin culture in Spanish all for free! As one of the best Spanish schools around, we have schools in Cusco, Peru and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we hope our new website will keep you informed about what is new and happening in the world of learning Spanish. We also hope our new website will serve as a useful tool for selecting the right Spanish course and volunteer project for you.

We want to make the entire process, from making the life-changing decision to study Spanish abroad to enrolling for your selected course, as simple and pleasant as possible. We know what it is like being a foreign student because we have been there ourselves. Visit our NEW website at www.amautaspanish.com and immerse yourself in the land of AMAUTA.

mary

Top 10 Must-Do Activities in Spring in Argentina!

2011-11-15T16:50:31Z

Your time in Buenos Aires will be filled with many new sites and experiences, no doubt, and some will be more interesting than others. It is often difficult to know from your guidebook which activities are truly worthwhile. So, we thought it might be helpful to get advice from fellow students. We parsed the people at AMAUTA for must do activities in Buenos Aires, and we condensed it into a list of the top 10 things. We hope you have time to enjoy them all!

Take time to visit the Palermo Parks.
Enjoy a picnic, rent a bike, lay in the grass, enjoy the lakes and diverse wildlife. It’s Spring, for pete’s sake!
Treat yourself to a fantastic parrilla.
There are many parrillas, but there are some that are exceptional. Try La Cabrera and Las Cholas in Las
Cañitas!

Attend a dinner tango show.
To travel to Buenos Aires and not attend a dinner tango show is just a darn shame. There is so much passion in it!
Free city walking tours. Organized by Buenos Aires’ city government. The architecture is breathtaking, and all the neighborhoods are vastly different.
Attend a futbol game.
Argentineans are futbol fanatics, and weekends bring huge crowds to the city. Chanting along with thousands of Argentineans will be an unforgettable experience!

Stroll through the Recoleta Cemetery.
Its beautiful marble mausoleums characterize it and many famous people that call this their final resting place.
Enjoy the nightlife.
Did you know that Buenos Aires is ranked as one of the Top 10 most nocturnal cities in the world?! Yeah, you have to experience it.

Enjoy a cup of coffee with a local.
Sit down at an open-air café and enjoy a conversation with some of the locals. You will learn a lot about the local culture and practice your Spanish, as well!
Visit MALBA.
The Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires. Even if you are not the biggest art lover, you will still be amazed by MALBA’s impressive permanent collection of art.
Visit a feria (an open market).
The ferias combine shopping and entertainment. From handicrafts to dancing, you can enjoy the local culture.

mary

A Canuck in Cusco: Weeks 5 & 6

2011-11-15T15:45:15Z

Vayamos a Museo de Chocolate!

Only about 7 weeks left at AMAUTA! Time sure is flying while studying Spanish in Cusco! I think I finally became acclimatized, as walking up the hill from Plaza de Armas no longer makes me feel like I’m going to die from lack of oxygen. Of course, this may be helped by the fact that I found a gym in Cusco (wahoo!) and I have been working out three times a week. I’ve been told if I can work out here, I’ll be able to run for miles and miles when I return to Canada!

This past week I visited “el Museo de Chocolate” here in Cusco with my Spanish class. The museum is only about a ten minute walk from the AMAUTA school. (By the way, did you know AMAUTA means teacher in Quechua? Cool, huh?) The museum is completely free to visit, and it’s full of really fun and interesting facts about Peruvian chocolate. Come on, who doesn’t like chocolate?! They offer you free chocolate tea upon entry as well as the option to try a piece of chocolate (you get to choose from over 15 different typesJ).

All of the information is presented in Spanish and English so it was great practise to see how much I could understand. As you continue to read, you learn how the Inca’s originally made chocolate, how they liked to drink it (bitter and a little spicy), who discovered it and brought it over to Spain and the history of distribution to the rest of the world. For years, Spain kept chocolate a secret (how horrible) and for many years it was a beverage only enjoyed by the wealthy (thankfully this is not the case now). Upstairs the museum offers a cozy place to sit and watch a movie about the history of chocolate and how it was made by the Incas.

In addition to the information provided by the museum, they also offer classes to make chocolate by hand to those true chocolate aficionados, and if you have two hours to spare one afternoon I’m sure it would be a truly unforgettable experience. Not only is it a museum but it’s also a café! I think this is because people cannot resist the smell- it makes your mouth water! There is also a variety of chocolate products you can purchase on your way out. Once you have that one piece of free chocolate, you just can’t help yourself! It’s too good to be true!

I’m discovering there are a lot of places to visit around Cusco that are full of culture, and there is so much to learn about Cusco, the people, and its history! More stories to come in the following weeks! Ciao for now!

mary

One Week in Tambopata: Part II

2011-11-08T22:36:37Z

Walking over rickety rope bridges and swimming with caimen sound like a typical day to you? Well, for Elke and Steffen Garden (Germany) it was. Here they describe their final days living and studying Spanish in the rainforest with AMAUTA Spanish School.

Wednesday

In the morning, the rainforest lived up to his name. During class it was stormy and rainy. When we left around 11.30am by boat to another lodge close by, the rain had already stopped. We arrived at the other lodge and a parrot welcomed us. Afterwards, we walked half an hour through the forest and then to a higher canopy floor – we moved 24 meters over the floor by way of a slip-lane and rope bridge – Unforgettable!
After lunch and a few hours of Spanish lessons, we went by boat to the sand bank. Here we played volleyball and football with the locals, which was really funny! For our way back we could decide if we wanted to go by boat or if we want to swim. Once we were back at the lodge we enjoyed some time in the pool.

Thursday

At 11.30am, after breakfast and Spanish lessons, we went by boat to the “Native-Peoples“. One man in an Indian dress welcomed us and offered a One-man-show, mostly in Indian language and in the Wild West style. Afterwards he showed us how to make a fire with natural materials and he showed us different things, like a head of a boar and a bow and arrow.
In the afternoon we walked through the rainforest and walked with the guide over overturned trees and coveys of mosquitoes.
In the evening we went by boat to look for caimen, and with a floodlight we saw a lot – surprisingly. It was the highlight of the day! I have to admit, it was a bit scary thinking that we swam back from the sand bank to the lodge the day before…

Friday

Early in the morning, at 5.30am, we went by boat to another walk through the jungle. Madonna, the captain, guided us for an hour through the rainforest and showed us different feedlots, where you could see the trail of lots of animals. Around 8.45am we went back to the lodge to have breakfast.
In the afternoon we played volleyball and soccer again with the staff of the lodge. Again, it was really fun. Around 7.30pm we had our nightly walk through the rainforest, where we saw a lots of spiders and insects. At the end we had a bonfire together and the staff spoiled us with Cuba Libres.

Saturday

The departure day was really relaxed. It was a good decision to spend a few more Soles and have another lunch as well as some more time in the lodge. We also had the possibility to go fishing with some staff members, but we weren’t really successful. Around 5pm we unfortunately had to say goodbye to the lodge and all the really nice staff members.

mary