The Almond Tree Blossom Festival, what an spectacle

Next Suday, March 1st, the Almond Tree Blossom Festival will be celebrated In La Fregeneda, in the Arribes del Duero nature park, in Salamanca. The town is located 524 metres above sea level, which prevents temperatures from being extremely low throughout the year. As a result, vegetation in the area is totally different from the wheat and holm oak landscapes that we are used to see in the region and that Miguel de Unamuno described so well.

Pareja de alumnos de español de Tía Tula en La Fregeneda

The Almond Tree Blossom Festival is a traditional festivity celebrated late February - early March. The bond between Castilian and Portuguese people can be felt in this celebration. They used to cross countries via a railroad which, despite not being operative anymore, is a very popular hiking trail these days. 

The festival celebrates the short period of blossom of this kind of tree, which also announces the arrival of spring. Among other things, an almond tree is symbolically planted and literary and photographic festivals are announced. Also, in Barca de Alba, a very lively street market is held and livened up by regional dances. A perfect day in the countryside surrounded by the breathtaking beauty  of the pinky-white flowers of the almond tree.

We didn’t want to miss this celebration at Tía Tula, so we have organised a trip there. Check it out on this week’s activities post.

* The almond tree flowers close-ups were taken by our colleague Macarena López.

Activities 23.2.2015 - 1.3.2015

A bicycle tour, a Spanish conversation workshop, a seafood tapas tour... Join us for this well-rounded week!

Here is the daily programme:

Monday 23, 5:00 pm: Bicycle tour – We are going cycling around Salamanca. Don't worry if you don't own a bicycle here, you can always rent one.

Approximate duration: 1h.

Tuesday 24, 5:00 pm: Film – We will watch a great film in Spanish. An effective way to practise our language skills.

Wednesday 25, 6:50 pm: Conversation workshop – Teacher Cristina will walk you through the secrets to mastering Spanish conversation.

Approximate duration: 1h.

Thursday 26 7:30 pm: Table football – Up for a little competition? We will play table football (foosball in the States) in two teams. Who will win?

Approximate duration: 1h. 

Friday 27, 7:30 pm: Seafood bar – We will try delicious seafood tapas: octopus, squid, clams... You choose.

Approximate duration: 1h30min.

Saturday 28: Excursions – Toledo, Segovia, Ávila o Madrid. Take your pick.

Don't forget to sign up by Wednesday at 2 pm.

Sunday 1: Excursion – Almond trees are blooming. Come with us to the Almond Tree Party and enjoy this natural spectacle of a breathtaking beauty.

Don't forget to sign up by Wednesday at 2 pm.

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 16.2.2015 - 21.2.2015

We hope you are not too tired after the Carnival celebrations because we have planned really fun after-school activities for this week for you to practise your Spanish. Check them out:

Monday 16, 4:00 pm: Visit to a convent– Come discover Las Claras convent. We will visit its museum and we will admire the views. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Tuesday 17, 5:00 pm: Salamanca Spanish Challenge– Up for a challenge? Join our game. In teams, you will have to face different challenges around the city centre. There will be a prize for the winner! Approximate duration: 1 h 30 min.

Wednesday 18, 7:30 pm: Cookery class – Completely recovered (she was ill last week), our teacher will turn you into a master of the art of cooking croquetas. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Thursday 19, 5:50 pm: Songs– Teacher Elena will walk us through the most important Spanish songs of the 80s. And, of course, we will sing them! Approximate duration: 1 h.

Friday 20, 7:00 pm: Tapas tour – Don't miss out this tour where you will get the chance to taste delicious tapas. Approximate duration: 1 h 30 min.

Saturday 21: Excursions – Oporto, Toledo, Sevilla, Granada… You choose. Ask at the reception desk for help to plan your weekend trip.

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 9.2.2015 - 14.2.2015

We are having a costume party this week! But there's more. Here are the activities we have in store for you:

Monday 09, 5:30 pm: Chocolate con churros – This afternoon we are headed to Cafetería El Valor for a delicious treat. Have you already tried chocolate con churros (hot chocolate with a fried dough)? You cannot miss it!

Approximate duration: 1 h.

Tuesday 10, 5:15 pm: Visit to El Cielo de Salamanca (Salamanca's sky) – El Cielo de Salamanca is an exquisite mural painting. We will learn more and go see it with one of Tía Tula's teachers, Alicia.

Approximate duration: 1 h.

Wednesday 11, 7:30 pm: Cookery class – This week we will learn how to cook croquetas (yummy!). Yes, you guessed right: we will also eat them.

Approximate duration: 1 h.

Thursday 12, 5:00 pm: Guided tour – A member of the staff will take you for a tour around the Old City and they will tell you about the history of the main monuments.

Approximate duration: 1 h. 

Friday 13, 7:30 pm: Costume party – Carnival starts and we are celebrating it with a great party at Tía Tula. Don't forget to bring your costume!

Approximate duration: 1 h 30 min.

Saturday 14: Excursions – Are you in the mood for a weekend trip? Oporto, Cádiz's carnival, Ciudad Rodrigo's carnival... You choose. Further information 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, 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.

On Las Águedas day, women rule

Saint Agatha in a painting by Zurbarán. Public Domain

A day in which women have the power? Yes, it’s today and the occasion is known as Las Águedas. It is celebrated in various towns and villages across Spain, Salamanca and its province among them.

The festivitie commemorates the history of Saint Agatha of Sicily, considered to be protector of women.The martyr decided to stay a virgin, something that would bring her enormous pain and suffering. After she turned down the proconsul of Sicily’s sexual propositions, young Agatha was tortured and her breasts were cut off. Saint Peter healed her wounds during a visión, but the tortures continued and she was knocked over live coal.

On February, 5th, day of the saint, women have the power. In many councils they are handed a sceptre of command. Special Masses and parades are held.

But the festivity is not exclusively religious. Numerous groups of female friends gather to party on the streets. Some choose to wear the traje charro (regional costume) and plunge into traditional dances. One of the most popular spots for this in Salamanca is, of course, plaza Mayor, the main square:

   

The celebrations continue around a table, where women have lunch or dinner, be it at restaurants or at some association’s premises. It can also last til late at night: a lot of bars and night clubs offer shows especially for women. 

Activities 2.2.2015 - 7.2.2015

Let's welcome February with these fun extracurricular activities:

Monday 02, 5:00 pm: Film– We'll watch a Spanish film to practise our listening and comprehension skills.

Tuesday 03, 4:50 pm: Visit to a museum – We will visit the Automobile Museum (Museo de la Historia de la Automoción), which shows a permanent exhibition with more than 90 cars that explores the changes in their design. It also hosts a temporary exhibition on the history of scooters in Spain. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Wednesday 04, 5:00 pm: Film– At our students' request, we will have another film session today.

Thursday 05, 3:45 pm: Zumba lesson – We're looking forward to this zumba lesson. The teacher will be our very own Lourdes (also a Spanish teacher at Tía Tula, Colegio de Español). Approximate duration: 1 h.

Friday 06, 7:45 pm: Language exchange – We will go to a bar and have a language exchange between Spanish speaking students and foreign students. Come join us in this amazing opportunity to improve your Spanish. Approximate duration: 1 h.

Saturday 07: Excursion –Several destinations available for a weekend trip. Ask at the reception desk and sign up by Wednesday at 2 pm.

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.