Amauta Spanish School Blog

Free Spanish classes at AMAUTA in both Cusco and Argentina Spanish Schools

2012-05-16T23:17:10Z

If you are travelling in Peru or Argentina and you happen to be in the old Inca capital Cusco, or in trendy Buenos Aires on a Friday, you’re lucky!

AMAUTA Spanish School offers FREE SPANISH LESSONS for travelers and all other people interested in learning a bit of the Spanish language.

The Spanish classes are entertaining and adapted to the level of the students present in each class; please sign up before Thursday 17.00p.m. by sending us an email to info@amautaspanish.com

If you don’t have time to send an email , just stop by the Amauta Spanish School on any Friday at 11.00a.m.

The Spanish classes are held at our two main locations. In Cusco, AMAUTA Spanish School is located at the Calle Suecia, just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. We are situated a cozy Cusco building with a lovely

sunny terrace. Our student residence, our most popular accommodation option besides a homestay, is also incorporated into this building.

In Argentina, you will find us in a stunning old Victorian building at the border of two neighborhoods, trendy Palermo, and green and cozy Belgrano. We are just a couple of minutes from the metro station. AMAUTA

Argentina has large classrooms with high ceilings, a sunny garden, a large student common room with computers and several terraces.

Both schools are great places to hang-out for our Spanish students and AMAUTA volunteers throughout their stay at AMAUTA Spanish School. On top of that, both AMAUTA schools host a travel agency you can visit

for some travel advice (www.dosmanosperu.com and www.dosmanosargentina.com).

The free Spanish classes are a good way to learn some basic survival Spanish (or to fine tune some verbs, if you already speak Spanish), and it also gives you a chance to get to know some fellow travellers and

enthusiastic Spanish Students alike. And, of course, to get to know the AMAUTA Spanish School and meet our friendly AMAUTA staff.

Students that sign up for a Free Friday Lesson, get a 10% or 20% discount of our Spanish course prices.

www.amautaspanish.com

mary

AMAUTA saves social program in danger of being closed down

2012-04-26T17:44:43Z

AMAUTA Spanish School carries on its long-lasting commitment to the local communities of Cusco, by giving support to the social program ‘Vaso de Leche’.

The program, administered by the municipal government of Cusco, is solely designed to improve the welfare of those of fewer resources in the wide vicinity of the state capital.

Thousands of families are benefited through amongst other the periodic distribution of food products, such as powder milk, and offering free handicraft workshops to indigenous ladies. With the newly acquired skills they are able to create additional sources of income.

Due to the program’s increased popularity and limited funding available, the local government has called upon the private sector to guarantee its continued success. AMAUTA decided to provide financial aid to the teacher of a weaving workshop, so there would be enough material to teach mothers how to decorate purses, pants, scarves and other clothes with different knitting techniques.

At the AMAUTA office a cheque was handed over to the teacher Yanett Salas Sarmiento in the presence of the government official Ricardo Pérez Godoy, the person in charge of the ‘Vaso de Leche’ program.

This is just one example of how AMAUTA shows it cares. Through its professional volunteering program money is set aside to help projects where it is most needed. This can mean food, clothes or medical attention for a child. Sometimes the money is invested in paint, furniture, the replacement of broken items or to purchase other necessary equipment, such as a stereo for school classes.

A little help can definitely go a long way!

mary

Today it is International Spanish Language Day!

2012-04-23T23:47:57Z

The day is in honor to the great writer Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, who passed away on this date in the year 1616 in Madrid.

Cervantes was known as "El Manco de Lepanto", the greatest writer of his time, leaving behind his immortal work "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha", as well as other great literature such as "La Galatea", "Viaje al Parnaso" and his "Novelas Ejemplares".

In some countries, at the same time and for the same reason, the "Day of the Book" is commemorated.
Language is one of the symbolic and cultural elements that differentiate humans from other beings on the zoological scale.

The Spanish language (or ‘Castellano’ as some linguists prefer to call it) is one of the most widespread in the world. It is has left permanent footprints on religion, customs, race, culture, art and literature of the countries in Latin America, after the Spanish arrival to this continent.

Spanish is a language particularly rich in expressions, synonyms, adjectives and vocals that have their origin from different cultures. From the Arabic invasion in the Middle-Ages (e.g. almohada, albahaca, alehli, alcachofa, alcucil, etc.), to indigenous American words from the era of the conquest (e.g. chocolate, papa, tomate, mandioca, maiz, cacao, etc.); or from the Argentinian ‘gauchesca’ and ‘lunfardo rioplatense’ (such as: rancho, tapera, mate, pingo, pibe, etc.).

There is no doubt that the Spanish language is regarded as one of the most beautiful and diverse in words; it is our duty to speak and write it correctly to preserve its traditional heritage, and have some fun while learning it at AMAUTA Spanish School!

mary

Top 10 what to do in and around Cusco (Part II):

2012-04-10T16:49:27Z

6. For those seeking adventures a bit more extreme. Don’t worry. Very close to Cusco you can live it up by going rock-climbing or off-road quad racing through some truly spectacular scenery. Perhaps you feel like soaring around like a condor while paragliding or take on some of the meanest rapids in the world of white water rafting. Whatever your challenge of choice, it will sure get your adrenalin pumping!

7. The food of Peru is worldwide known for its diversity and richness in flavor. Indulge yourself with some true Peruvian dishes (comida criolla) such as Aji de Gallina (spicy chicken stew), Anticuchos (marinated beef heart), Lomo Saltado (stir-fried beef) and local Andean delicacies such as roasted Cuy (guinea pig). Other favorites are Escabeche de pescado (boiled fish seasoned with onions, aji and lemon juice), Rocoto Relleno (beef and veggie filled pepper) and for a good digestion a ‘Chicha de Jora’. Highly recommended!

8. Join a salsa class and get acquainted with this sensual and very entertaining dance. Every Friday afternoon after lessons, AMAUTA Spanish School offers its students to participate in this free activity. And just in case you need some encouragement to get your hips moving, first taste a Pisco Sour; the traditional cocktail that has become the Cultural Patrimony of the nation of Peru.

9. Notorious for its exploding nightlife, Cusco’s countless drinking spots offer enough happy hours to be able to set out on all-night pub crawls. Favorite starting points of the Amauta students are the relaxed Indigo lounge with its swinging chairs and hookah bar or the ever popular Paddy’s Irish Pub, the highest on the planet at 11156 feet. Dance the night away at one of the many packed establishments downtown, which turns into a real clubbers paradise after midnight with Dj’s spinning tunes ranging from mainstream to techno to Latin.

10. Be a witness of one of the eclectic parades on Plaza de Armas. Every Sunday a flag-raising ceremony is performed (Peru’s national flag and Cusco’s rainbow colored flag) by different marching bands and Inca representatives. Other days you stumble upon full-on dance shows to traditional Andean pan flute (zampoña) melodies, and during Semana Santa (Easter) and Corpus Christi (in May or June) religious processions are the norm. Enjoy the demonstrations pass by looking on from one of the many park benches or sitting on the stairs under the arcos surrounding the plaza.

mary

Top 10 what to do in and around Cusco (Part I):

2012-04-10T16:49:11Z

We often get the question, what else is there to do around Cusco besides trekking and hiking to Machu Picchu? Well, you will be amazed about all the options. Here goes our pick for students of Amauta:

1. Visit the typical market of San Pedro, hosting a myriad of stalls packed with local produce, including unfamiliar types of vegetables, fruits, cheese, flowers and even odd bits and pieces used in prosperity rituals and giving praise to the ‘Pachamama’ (Mother Earth). Not into cooking yourself? Just bench up with the locals at one of the many eateries and try out the deliciously prepared ceviche or chicharones and get a freshly squeezed juice to go with it.

2. Wander around the narrow cobblestoned streets of picturesque neighborhood San Blas, known as the art district of Cusco. It’s also the place to enjoy great organic coffee and some of the best fusion cuisine in town. At night, live music haunts like ‘7 Angelitos’ and ‘Km.0’ only add to its laid-back bohemian vibe.

3. Climb the stairs on the edge of town to the ‘Cristo Blanco’. From this plateau with an enormous statue of Jesus, you are able to overlook all of Cusco excellent for great photos. If you happen to have planned your visit around the 24th of June, you will lucky enough to experience a great festivity at the nearby ‘Sacsayhuamán’ (its pronunciation easier remembered as Sexy Woman) Inca fortress, where the cult of the Inca’s to the Sun God, their highest divinity, is celebrated in great traditional and folkloric glory.

4. Day tour the Sacred Valley and shop for a couple of souvenirs at the many colorful handicraft markets. Have a tea infused with coca leaves (the local way of dealing with altitude sickness) while pausing in between climbs to the magnificent Inca Ruins of Ollyantambo (superb Inca city made of megalithic blocks of stone and where Manco Inca confronted the Spanish conquistador Hernando Pizarro) and Pisac (one of the most important ancient architectural complexes whose Inca terraces are still in perfect conditions today).

5. To enjoy the outdoors and stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley from a different perspective hire a bike and cycle at your own stride to the salt mines of Maras and the site of Moray. The latter consists of four circular terraces delved into the earth forming an artificial crater, probably used as an agricultural research station of the Incas. On your route you pass through villages bustling with local traditions, and the best of all, it’s all downhill!

mary

Quinoa, the supergrain of the Andes!

2012-04-07T16:29:19Z

The highly nutritious ‘quinoa’ is known to be the most sacred of grains to the Inca culture, who named it “Chesiya Mama”, meaning the “Mother Grain”.

It is said that the Inca emperor used a golden spade to plant the first quinoa seeds of the season and that offerings were made by high ranked priests to please the sun god Inti.

It’s for good reason that the Incas valued quinoa so much; it contains all 9 essential amino-acids, plus plenty of anti-oxidants, making it the only seed or grain that is a complete protein. 200 Grams of quinoa easily replaces the same serving of meat or eggs, with the added benefits of ingesting far less calories at a much cheaper price!

Historians attribute, in part, the successful rise and rule of the Inca Empire to its ability to feed not only its own people but those of conquered tribes as well. Quinoa basically gives you the feeling of being well fed over a long period of time. The slow release carbohydrates prevent you from getting a sugar rush, so adios food cravings!

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that it is the main food-supplement for astronauts, and part of NASA’s progressive food program for growing crops in space.

Attempts have also been made to cultivate the grain in Colorado and Canada; with marginal success. This is, of course, very advantageous to the skillful farmers of the Andes giving them sustainable work opportunities by continuing to cultivate it in its natural, ideal climate, where crops still sprout beautifully at 3,500 meters altitude, just like some 7000 years ago.

With its mix of nutritional ‘superpowers’ and delicious mild, nutty flavor, quinoa is now reaching supermarkets in the modern world and becoming a delicacy on European menus; leaving behind the days it was seen as ordinary bird food.

Tasty veggie burgers, stews, artisanal bread, succulent thick pancakes and endless possibilities of well textured salads (think of homemade varieties with tofu, pecan nuts, winter squash, roasted beets or pesto) are just a few suggestions of its versatile, mouthwatering, use.

And for whom that wonder, yes, it has even made its entry in the world of distilled spirits, with Fair and QinoOne claiming recognition with its quinoa based vodkas.

Keep your eye out for this organic protein-packed alternative to common grains, it might revolutionize your diet and eating habits, just as it did for our space travellers and ancient Andean civilizations alike.

mary

Grandeur and more (about how to end a perfect night in Café Tortoni)

2012-03-27T15:31:14Z

So what do you do when you study Spanish in Buenos Aires, you just watched an ‘Original Tango Show’ that sparked your imagination and got your energy going? You don’t just go home and sleep. Not in a city like Buenos Aires where you can go to the pharmacy all night long, buy a bouquet of flowers early in the morning while waiting for your 04.45 bus ride back to your barrio. After viewing a master Tango Show you end the night in style.

We didn’t know where to go but sometimes you just get lucky. First we headed down to the Avenida de Mayo. The streets here are long and sometimes have over 5000 numbers but what the heck, we were in the mood and willing to walk. We passed some places that seemed ok, but not quite perfect.

We crossed the widest street in the world, which at night is much easier and less frightening than during daytime, and all of a sudden I saw a sign up ahead. Café Tortoni. I had read about it and there it was, the place where Carlos Gardel and many, many other famous people had spent so many nights of their life. It was midnight, the streets where quiet and the place looked closed. Could I really be passing Tortoni’s without being able to enter? We couldn’t look in because white curtains where obscuring our view so I peaked through the crack between the doors and to my surprise I saw light.

What a wonderful place! We entered and we went back in time; chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, wooden panels upon the walls, leather upholstery, pictures all around and waiters in dinner jackets with bowties. Did I die and go to heaven? There weren’t that many people. Was there something wrong? Weren’t we supposed to be there? In awe of all the grandeur we decided on a table in the middle of the room where we could oversee everything.

A waiter came. Would he be telling us to go? Were they closing? Were we underdressed or just ‘not the right kind of people’? With a big smile he handed us each a menu. ‘What would you lovely people like to drink?’

We girls decided on cocktails (what else) and the guys drank Fernet con Cola like real porteños and we played cards till Tortoni’s closed. What a way to end the night and oh how I will visit this place again.

mary

The way to go…#2 (the do’s and don’ts on colectivos on Buenos Aires)

2012-04-13T13:35:31Z

Now that you are living and studying Spanish, or doing volunteer work in Buenos Aires, you might be willing to go to the next level within the Buenos Aires transport system and travel by bus (or colectivo as they are called)…. If so, here are some do’s and don’ts you have to keep in mind.

Do’s

Do buy a Guia-T upon arrival in Buenos Aires. It’s a small and cheap booklet you can buy at any news stand (kiosko) that will help you figure out where you are and which bus gets you from A to B. This site is very helpful in figuring out the way to read Guia-T.
Once you’ve figured out which bus to take you still have to find the bus stop that is closest to you. You can ask around but not everybody can help you because there are thousands of stops. The best way to find out is to check online here. Just give your place of origin and destination and choose your route. This site is a must if you don’t have a Guia-T by the way.
Ask for monedas whenever you receive a 2-peso or 5-peso bill. People will reluctantly give it to you, as everybody understands the need for coins in Buenos Aires. You cannot travel by bus without coins*.
Do stand in line at the bus stop. Everybody does and together you create a nice orderly line amongst the chaos.
Wave franticly if you see your bus coming. It sounds silly but please do because otherwise the bus will pass you by. And if the bus can’t reach your stop because of taxi’s or other buses standing in the way, make a run for it, otherwise you will have to wait for the next bus.

Know where you are going and know how to tell the driver because your fare depends upon it. Once you get on the bus you give your destination or indicate the fare you should pay. The driver will enter the amount in the computer and behind him you’ll find the ticket machine. Throw in your coins and take out your change and ticket.
If you are lucky enough to get a seat, stand up for women with small children. For some reason children even get seats over elderly men in Buenos Aires. I don’t know why but that’s how it works.
Please be aware of pickpockets. That lovely elderly lady, the funny child or the girl smiling at you while texting on her cell…always mind your stuff and don’t show it off.
If you are travelling a specific route for the first time, keep an eye on your Guia-T and any street signs you see. You need to know when your stop to get off is due and stand near an exit a few stops before you want to leave the bus. Not every seat has access to a timbre (the bell to indicate you want to get off) and sometimes it can take a while before you have manoeuvred yourself through the crowd.
Make sure you actually hear the sound of the timbre when you hit it. If you don’t hear it you can’t get off. Once I thought I had pushed hard enough and still I saw my stop pass by.
Watch out when you get off the bus. Not every driver is always able to park his bus next to the sidewalk so it can happen that you have to get off in the middle of the road with cars passing you by from all sides.

* To avoid the use of coins you can get a Tarjeta Sube that will allow you to travel far more easily with both colectivo and subte.

Don’ts

Do not be surprised if women start breastfeeding in the bus. This is completely natural for Argentines. You can even smile at the baby and mother if you’re in a good mood.
Don’t be offended if the person next to you gets up to sit somewhere else. For some reason there is a hierarchy of seats in the bus that everybody follows.
Back home I am used to smiling in the bus but for some reason that’s not common here so don’t worry when people look a bit unhappy in the bus.
Don’t expect your driver to understand where you’re going. It’s crowded, it’s noisy and your pronunciation can be off. If you want to pay: try articulating your fare rate or otherwise show the amount of coins you need to pay. If you want to be sure your colectivo is taking you where you want to go: be sure to ask someone who can understand you. I once ended up somewhere I absolutely didn’t want to be because I assumed he driver knew what I was asking.
Don’t try to do your (home)work on the bus. The roads in Buenos Aires are ok and the busses are in relatively good condition and still it’s a bumpy ride. I always try to meditate my way to my Spanish lessons…

mary

The way to go…#1 (about the colectivo in Buenos Aires)

2012-04-17T22:06:22Z

Most of my fellow students here at AMAUTA had their living arrangements taken care of by the Spanish school. They all live in the vicinity of the school, somewhere in Belgrano. Ole, the Norwegian guy, lives with a landlady who serves him breakfast and dinner and Luca, the one from Switzerland, lives in a student residence together with other students. Every day they leisurely stroll to school, ordering their medialunas on the way to Av. Federico Lacroze 2129.

I never thought about living with a host-family or together with other students because before I knew it one of my best friends had arranged for me to live in an apartment with an Argentinean girl. My very own place! In Holland I am used to having my own space for quite some time now so this was right up my alley. Of course, being from Amsterdam, I am also used to ride my bike wherever I want to go. Holland is a small country and you can get virtually everywhere within a couple of hours. Even by bike.

Needless to say Buenos Aires is different. This IS a big city! There are miles and miles of grounds to cover every time you want to go somewhere. I never realised that my apartment could be somewhat ‘of the chart’. And it’s not, because I still live in Capital Federal (among Porteños that’s a good thing), but to say I live close to Amauta is just not true. I live on the border of Boedo and Pompeya, two ‘authentic’ barrios in the south of Buenos Aires where blue-collar families live and work. My neighbour runs a car-repair shop from dusk till dawn and next to him vendors from all over the barrio buy whatever they need to sell their stuff. My place is a long way away from the breezy lanes of Belgrano where AMAUTA is located.

There are things everyone knows to be of Argentine origin. Tango, Gaucho’s and Maradona are some ‘first-come-to-minders’ but the colectivo, apparently, is an original Argentine creation too. When they first appeared in the 1920s, colectivos were small buses decorated with unique hand-painted drawings (fileteado) that gave each unit a distinct flavour (thank you Wikipedia for that tit-bit of information).

Nowadays Buenos Aires is flooded with hundreds of big buses that will take you into every nook and cranny of the city. It took me a little while to figure out where exactly they all stop and go but now I know, I am a religious believer. The colectivo is relatively quick and absolutely cheap and I prefer the hustle and bustle over the subte.

There is however a list of do’s and don’ts to keep in mind you’ll read on the next blog post..

mary

How to Book YOUR Inca Trail Trek for Spanish students

2012-04-17T22:09:51Z

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