Activities 26.1.2015 - 31.1.2015

Don't miss out a very special event among this week's activities: on Friday Tía Tula, Colegio de Español sponsors a solidary event in favour of the Food Bank (we will tell you more about it tomorrow).

Here is this week's programme:

Monday 26, 17:00: The Cave of Salamanca - Come join us for a vist to the Cave of Salamanca and its legend. Approximate duration: 40 min.

Tuesday 27, 19:45: Evening photography tour - Our colleague Ana will show the best spots to take pictures in Salamanca. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Wednesday 28, 19:30: Cookery class - After this week's class we will master the art of cooking tortilla de patata (Spanish omelette). Approximate duration: 1 h.

Thursday 29, 19:20: Microtheatre - We will enjoy a 15-minute theatre play at La Malhablada. Approximate duration: 30 min.

Friday 30, 19:00: Solidary event - Poetry, theatre and music will meet at Gala Solidaria en favor del Banco de Alimentos, a solidary event in favour of the Food Bank with the participation of personalities from Salamanca's cultural scene_ poets, musicians, photographers... The event will be held in Centro Julián Sánchez "El Charro".

Saturday 31: Excursion - Several destinations to choose from for a weekend or day trip. Ask at the reception desk and don't forget to sign up by Wednesday.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (to reserve your place, the minimum number of participants required is usually three). Also, unless stated otherwise, the meeting point is always the same, Tía Tula school. Lastly, if there's no price mentioned with the activity, it means it is for free.

And don't hesitate to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun (that is guaranteed) but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you learn in class.

Urban Dynamism

"Adapt or die" –or “update or die”, to go with the times- is the motto that has been implemented in one of Salamanca’s neighbourhoods, barrio del Oeste’.  In recent years, it has grown from a neighbourhood like any other to quickly become one of the icons of Salamanca’s urban culture.

Neighbourhood Association "Zoes" which has come a long way since it was founded in 1977, is responsible for promoting the activity that characterizes this neighbourhood’s adaptation to new trends. The importance of this social project lies on participation and closeness. With this approach the organisation wants to transmit the idea that a neighbourhood is indeed more than just that: a neighbourhood is and is defined by how its people live, enjoy their free time, work, interact with others and by how they identify themselves. Barrio del Oeste is a social space where the protagonist is the neighbourhood itself.

Among the programmes that have been launched is the work of the group "Quedamos y Punto’’ (We meet and that’s it) performed by true masters of knitting. The action is known for being a surprise since anything can be knitted. It is a movement called urban knitting aimed especially at changing the aesthetic qualities of the neighbourhood and using the streets as their canvas, expressing the femininity of the neighbourhood as opposed to masculine feeling of already existing graffiti.

Here are some examples that you can see on the streets of Barrio del Oeste: trees dressed in recycled wool; a bicycle next to an English phone booth, both covered with coloured wool, and many more peculiarities that you can discover while walking through the streets. 

We also highlight the urban gallery displayed on the garage doors, security shutters and walls, all provided via a competition organised by Urban Painting Gallery of Graffiti and Mural Painting.

Here are our students of Spanish contemplating the paintings:

But there's more! Exhibitions, competitions, running club, travel club (next destination announced is Lisbon and Sintra), social action, "urban mile" ... It has also recently opened a new cultural centre to propose art projects open to the public, it’s called ”La salchichería” (the sausage factory, since that was the former purpose of the building).  

If you want know more about what Barrio del Oeste has to offer, visit the website of the association Zoes or this one created specifically for the urban gallery. You can also download this free app and check out two itineraries within the gallery.

Activities 19.1.2015 - 24.1.2015

This week you will have the chance to contemplate a spectacular view over the city from the towers of La Clerecía, learn how to cook paella and converse with Spaniards in a relaxed ambiance in a language exchange. But there is more. Check all the activities we have prepared:

Monday 19, 17:00: Monument Scala Coeli: We will climb the towers of La Clerecía to delight ourselves with its spectacular panoramic views over Salamanca. Approximate duration: 45 min.

Tuesday 20, 18:30: Cookery class – We will learn how to cook a delicious paella. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Wednesday 21, 18:15: Cinema – Come with us to Cines Van Dyck to enjoy a film of your choosing at a reduced rate. Duration depends on the film you choose.

Thursday 22, 18:50: Exhibition - We will visit the exhibition "Destierro/Des-cielo. Unamuno, de París a la República. 1924-1930" on the famous writer Unamuno, very connected to Salamanca. Approximate duration: 45 min.

Friday 23, 19:45: Language exchange - Practise the Spanish you have learnt in class at our language exchange. We will go to a bar where you will meet Spaniards who are learning English. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Saturday 24: Excursion - Sevilla, Granada or Portugal, which one do you prefer? Further information at the reception desk. Don't forget to sign up by 14 h on Wednesday.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (to reserve your place, the minimum number of participants required is usually three). Also, unless stated otherwise, the meeting point is always the same, Tía Tula school. Lastly, if there's no price mentioned with the activity, it means it is for free.

And don't hesitate to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun (that is guaranteed) but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you learn in class.

Activities 12.1.2015 - 17.1.2015

Don't let the winter scare you, there are plenty of things to do in Salamanca also this time of the year. Continue to practise your Spanish after class in our activities. Here is what we have in store for you this week:

Monday 12, 19:00: Cards –Today we are going to play chinchón, a traditional Spanish card game. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Tuesday 13, 17:00: Guided tour - Come join us for a guided tour around the historical city. A member of the staff will provide you with details on the history of the city and its monuments. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Wednesday 14, 19:40: Literary event - Writer Reynaldo Lugo Mendoza will talk about his artistic career, his influences and the meaning of his work at Teatro Liceo. Approximate duration: 1 h 30 min

Thursday 15, 17:45: Indoor swimming pool– We are heading to the indoor swimming pool at La Alamedilla for a swim. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit, your swim cap, your flip-flops, your towel and your swimming skills ;-) Approximate duration: 1 h 30 min

Friday 16, 17:00: Film – Spanish cinema evening to continue practising your Spanish listening and comprehension skills.

Saturday 17: Excursion – There are several destinations available in case you want to go on a trip during the weekend. For more information please ask at the reception desk.Please, do not forget to sign up by 2 pm on Wednesday.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (to reserve your place, the minimum number of participants required is usually three). Also, unless stated otherwise, the meeting point is always the same, Tía Tula school. Lastly, if there's no price mentioned with the activity, it means it is for free.

And don't hesitate to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun (that is guaranteed) but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you learn in class.

The Three Wise Men

On January 6th Spanish people celebrate one of their biggest holidays – the arrival of the Three Wise Men (los Reyes Magos). It is a deeply rooted Christian tradition but it is not the reason why all children in Spain love it. Santa Claus may be the deal in other countries, but in Spain The Three Wise Men are the real deal and thus the ones who bring presents and sweets to children (and sometimes to adults, too). However, even though Spanish culture is strong, it does get influenced by others, mainly Western, cultures and so now even Santa Claus (Papá Noel) brings presents at times. That is mostly due to the fact that if children receive the presents on January 6, they have less time to play with them before school resumes than if they receive them on December 24.

Los Reyes Magos, or The Epiphany, is a joyful festivity taking place not only inside people’s houses but also on the streets all over Spain with big parades and crowds set on celebrating the Three Wise Men who were first to acknowledge Jesus as the son of God. The parades usually take place on the evening before the Epiphany, January 5th. There’s also a bit of re-enactment taking place as the three kings, Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthasar, walk through the town and ‘throw’ goodies at the people standing by the parade route (of course it’s mostly children because that’s who the candies are meant for).

Later in the evening on January 5th, children put out their shoes where the kings can see them and prepare some food, water and hay for them and their camels to refresh themselves after their long journey. And then, in the morning on January 6th, they will find presents in their shoes and other signs that the Three Wise Men indeed came to their house (the camels of course drank the water and ate the hay). This holiday has been special to the Spanish people for a long time, however, since 1885 it has been officially acknowledged by the government and since then it remains the longest standing parade in Spain. 

Activities 5.1.2015 - 10.1.2015

Today we resume classes at Tía Tula after the Christmas break and we would like to start by wishing you an amazing 2015! 

Here are this week's activities. Enjoy!

Monday 5: Parade - Don't miss out the parade celebrating the arrival of the Three Wise Men and get as many free sweets as you can ;-) It is expected to reach Plaza Mayor around 8 pm.

Tuesday 6: Holiday - Time to open the presents the Three Wise Men have left us. 

Wednesday 7, 18:30: Chocolate and churros - Try this typical Spanish delicacy, perfect for a winter afternoon. Approximate duration: 1 h.


Thursday 8, 17:00: Guided tour - Come join us for a guided tour around the historical city. A member of the staff will provide you with details on the history of the city and its monuments. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Friday 9, 12:00: Exhibition - To end the Christmas season on a high note, we'll visit an exhibition at Iglesia San Benito featuring a nativity scene. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Saturday 10: Excursion - There are several destinations available in case you want to go on a trip during the weekend. For more information please ask at the reception desk.


Please don’t forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (to reserve your place, the minimum number of participants required is usually three). Also, unless stated otherwise, the meeting point is always the same Tia Tula school. Lastly, if there’s no price mentioned with the activity it means it is free.

And don’t hesitate to participate in as many activities as you can, they are designed not just for you to have fun (that is guaranteed) but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you learn in class.