Extracurricular activities 31.08.2015 - 06.09.2015

August is already ending, but we are ready to welcome September with a lot of fun activities!

Monday 31, 5:30 pm: Guided tour – Accompanied by teacher Lorena, we will go to visit the principal monuments of Salamanca.

Approximate duration: 1h

Tuesday 1, 5:00 pm: Scavenger hunt – Cultural and photographic gymkhana. Come discover really interesting things about Salamanca.

Approximate duration: 1h30

Wednesday 2, 6:00 pm: Merienda – Let's go have an afternoon snack (merienda) at Café Bar Mandala. They offer a wide range of juices, coffees, cakes, tapas, ice-creams... 

Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 3, 6:50 pm: Tapas – The casetas are opening, come and taste their pinchos and experience the atmosphere of the Feria. 

Approximate duration: 1h
Take a look at this article to see the concerts scheduled for the Salamanca Ferias y Fiestas 2015.

Friday 4, 6:20 pm: Scala Coeli – We will going up the Clerecía's towers to see the panoramic view.

Approximate duration: 40 min.

Saturday 5 y Sunday 6: Excursions – We have a range of trips for the perfect end to the week! Please ask our secretary for more information.

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

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.

Libraries in Salamanca

Do you like our new location in Palominos St? Tía Tula has moved, but it is still in privileged location: the heart of the city centre. And in social media and this blog we will continue to share news about the school, Salamanca and Spain, as well as about culture and practical information. Just as this article, in which we're going to tell you about four libraries situated at less than 5 minutes from Tía Tula.

As we were saying yesterday… With such proverbial words Fray Luis de León resumed his classes at University of Salamanca, after five years in jail. Just like him, many other writers and important people of the arts and culture have been in Salamanca and today all the fruits of the past centuries are well guarded in the numerous libraries of the city.

In the very centre, near Tía Tula and in less than 5 minutes, you can find different libraries. The closest one, the Faculty of Philoly's, is in Palominos St, just opposite to Tía Tula. The library's main building was projected in 1969 by the architect Fernando Chueca Goitia.
The Unamuno House Museum is a 18th Century's building in which Miguel de Unamuno lived when he was the Dean of the University of Salamanca, in the earlier 20th Century. The museum keeps the memory of Miguel de Unamuno, spreading his works and guarding an extensive archive, which help us to reconstruct the history between XIXth and XXth Centuries.

The University Historical Library since 1995 is exclusively a research centre.

It guards and keeps many collections from the 13th Century, as well as codices, manuscripts and fragments, books, pamphlets, periodical publications, maps, etc., nowadays considered as a part of the Historical Spanish Heritage. 
If you'd like to visit it in a virtual way, in this link you can see the library and the treasures it guards.

As the University Historical Library, the House of Shells hosts a public library. The edifice, built between 1493 and 1517, is an example of gothic and plateresque style, typical of the Spanish Renaissance. The singularity of this building resides in his approximately 300 Saint Jaime shells that decorate the façade and, according to the legend, in one of these shells there is a golden coin... 

If you are a student staying in Salamanca for more than 4 months, then you can request the library card and thus be entitled to the library's loan service. Otherwise, you can just go and read the books and enjoy the study material, as well as the Internet connection and PCs.

Extracurricular activities 24.08.2015 - 30.08.2015

A lot of inspiration for this week in Tia Tula: tapas tour, boat trip, sport… and even more! Join us because we're going to have fun :) 

Monday 24, 8:00 pm: Tapas tour – Here comes again, a great chance to meet people, practise what you learn in class and savor some delicious Spanish tapas.

Approximate duration: 1h30min.

Tuesday 25, 6:20 pm: Boat trip – Why not take advantage of the good weather and go ride a small boat along the river Tormes?

Approximate duration: 1h30min.

Wednesday 26, 4:30 pm: Horse riding – Horse riding in the Charro countryside. It's going to be a great experience!

Thursday 27, 7:30 pm:  Urban gallery - Do you know Barrio del Oeste? Its open-air urban gallery is a must-see. They are creating new pieces, so we may even get the chance to talk to the artists!
Approximate duration: 1 h.

Friday 28, 8:15 pm: Theatre in the street – We are going to see a performance of "El crimen de Fraile Luis" in Plaza San Benito.

Approximate duration: 1h
Take a look on other activities of Plazas y Patios.

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 – One-day or two-day excursions to several destinations. Further information at the reception desk.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required for each activity is usually three. Unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school.

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.

Salamanca's 2015 Ferias y Fiestas - Concerts

September is coming and so are the Ferias and Fiestas! Although the official program hasn't been publicized yet, we already know which artists will hit the stage. Check out some of their songs on our playlist and get to know them, practise your Spanish and start memorizing the lyrics if your are planning on going to their concerts. We'll keep you up-to-date with any news. Meanwhile, see previous entries to get a feeling of what is coming: tapas, street performances, fairground attractions, bullfighting...

Pablo Alborán

After his debut in 2010 with his first single, Solamente tú, Pablo Alborán has won 30 platinum records in Europe, two golden records in America and one in Portugal.

India Martínez

Winner of many prices, in 2015 she received the Goya award for the best song in the movie “El Niño”. She worked with great artists such as David Bisbal, Pitingo or Enrique Iglesias, among others.

Los Secretos

Los Secretos, with influences of the new wave, is considered one of the most important bands in the history of Spanish pop and rock music.

Abraham Mateo

Since the release of hist first album, being just a 10-year-old singer, he has won a platinum record and two golden record sales certifications in Spain.

Ariel Rot

Rock and blues guitar player, singer, composer and music producer. Since his band Los Rodríguez split, the Argentinian undetook a solo career.

Sidonie

The Spanish band Sidonie is characterized by its psychedelic and alternative rock style,  with notable influences by George Harrison, David Bowie o Pink Floyd.

Rosendo

Guitar player, singer and compositor, he is considered one of the most important exponents of Spanish rock.

If you want to listen more by these singers, check out this playlist on Spotify and Youtube:

Extracurricular activities 17.08.2015 - 23.08.2015

Here are the extracurricular activities we have in store for this week, ideal to keep practising Spanish. Are you in?

Monday 17, 4:00 pm: Zumba class – Do you feel like doing some zumba? Our Spanish teacher, Lourdes, will give us a class and we’ll have a good time with her.

Approximate duration: 1h.

Until such time, at the link bellow you can find a playlist with some recommended songs so we can practice: Zumba playlist

Tuesday 18, 6:20 pm: Theatre workshop – At Espacio Al Margen we’ll attend a theatre workshop where we will learn a variety of theatre exercises in Spanish.
Approximate duration: 2h.

Wednesday 19, 5:00 pm: Bike tour – Another good chance to know Salamanca from a different point of view. Let's join us!

Approximate duration: 1h.

Thursday 20, 6:20 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: 40min.

Friday 21, 6:20 pm: Dance class – We are going to learn the first steps of a typical Latin dance (minimum 8 students) It is important to let reception know if you are interested in this activity before 12.30 pm.
Approximate duration: 1h.

Saturday 22: Excursions – Would you like to make an excursion to Aveiro or Gijón this weekend? Further information at the reception desk.

Te recordamos que es necesario apuntarse en conserjería para cada actividad (para reservar tu plaza; el número mínimo de participantes requerido normalmente es de tres personas). Te recordamos también que las actividades que no tienen un precio en su detalle informativo son gratuitas, y que el punto de encuentro - salvo que se diga otra cosa - es siempre la propia escuela Tía Tula.

Las actividades están pensadas no sólo para divertirte (eso está garantizado) sino también para que mejores tu conocimiento de la cultura salmantina y española, y para que pongas en práctica el español que aprendes en clase.

Concerts - Plazas y Patios 2015

The ancient colegio de Santo Domingo de la Cruz since 2002 has been hosting photography and other kinds of exhibitions. But the gardens of the college, structured in three levels connected by stairways, are perfect for the concerts of Plazas y Patios 2015.

On Saturday august 1st, the band Et Encore played in the gardens of Santo Domingo de la Cruz. The group, composed by people from different countries, mixes traditional Irish songs with popular Belgian ones without overlooking a touch of rock and folk. The singer Pascal "Billy" Vantomme, a mix of glee, plays the acustic and the electric guitars, banjo and dulcimer, accompanied by drums, percussions, flutes, bass and violin, and other instruments. Everything has allowed a night of fun with unconventional and really original music.

The following week, on Saturday august 8th it was the turn of the Randy Greer Quintet.

The North American singer Randy Greer is considered one of the few heirs of the Nat King Cole's inimitable vocal style. The quartet accompanied him was extraordinary: with piano, double bass, sax and drums they offered us a repertoire of pure jazz and swing featured by the Greer's velvet voice and his sophisticated sense of rythm, developed during more than 30 years of career that lead him in Spain from the United States

Ester (Italia)

Extracurricular activities 10.08.2015 - 16.08.2015

Boat trip through the río Tormes, dance class, excursions… Let's start the week with these and other more activities which will make us have fun for sure. Take a look on what is waiting for us everyday:

Monday 10, 5:10 pm: Necklace workshop – Our teacher Alicia will help us to design our own necklace and then make them shine pretty good :)

Approximate duration: 1h.

Tuesday 11, 6:20 pm: Boat trip – Today is the day of one of our favourite summer activities: we will enjoy the sun with a small boat ride through the río Tormes.

Approximate duration: 1h30min.

Wednesday 12, 5:30 pm: Exhibition: “Monumenta Salmanticae” – We will reach the Iglesia de San Millán in order to make a tour through the Salamanca architectural heritage by different audiovisual elements.

Approximate duration: 1h.

Thursday 13, 6:20 pm: Dance class – Don't miss the latin dance class we have prepared to have fun. 

Approximate duration: 1h30min.

Friday 14, 8:45 pm: Cueva de Salamanca – We will go to the Cueva de Salamanca to see the mini-play “El estudiante de Salamanca” by Espronceda.

In this post you can check the other exhibition and plays planned for the whole summer: Plazas y Patios 2015.

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 – Would you like to make an excursion to Aveiro or Gijón this weekend?

Further information at the reception desk.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required for each activity is usually three. Unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school.

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.

Casa Lis

If you like the turn of the century style, and if you'd like to see something special in a really good location, then you should go and visit the Casa Lis. Obviously it's very cheap, especially if you have the student card ;)

More than a wonderful example of Art Deco building in Salamanca, the museum holds a wide collection of forniture, statues and other typical objects of that period. A very unique collection, and even a bit odd, is the porcelain doll one. Counting 300 pieces, it's the widest public show in the world of this kind.

What interested me more was the abundance of decorations. There are examples of jewels by René Lalique (with the famous grass and dragonflies that have begun a symbol of Art Deco), Carl Fabergé's eggs and chryselephantine statues, porcelains and enamel, brozes, paintings, sculptures, fans and handkerchieves. Moreover there is a glass collection which consists of chandeliers, vases, perfume bottles y board games. All, even the smallest objests, is finely decorated with modern techniques wich highlight the colours.

My favourite place is that of the Café: here it really seems to travel through the time. From here you can go to the terrace and admire the astonishing south façade of the building, with its galeries of iron and glass in a perfect combination of classic and modern style. Moreover in the central patio there is a galery with columns of fused metal and wonderful painted glasses. In the whole building stand out the decorations over the doors representing the blueflower honoring the very first owner Miguel de Lis.

Until the 1st of september you can visit the exposition "Coco Chanel y sus amigos", with a colection of pictures, dresses and even the most known perfumes of the greatest stilist ever. Futhermore, next friday august 7th the concert cycle "Una noche con Coco" will end with Sheila Blanco performing classic rock, jazz, blues and french song versions. There will be the opportunity to visit all the collections and enjoy this magic place until 12 pm.

Ester (Italy)

Extracurricular activities 3.08.2015 - 9.08.2015

August's just started with a lot of fun activities to keep enjoying summer.

Monday 03, 4:00 pm: Film – Let's start the week with a spanish film session to improve our Spanish.

Tuesday 04, 6:00 pm: Guided Tour – Our Spanish Teacher Nela will take us to some of the most symbolic places of Salamanca and will tell us their history.

Wednesday 05, 5:00 pm: Horse riding – We'll enjoy a horse riding through charro fields. It's going to be a great experience!

Thursday 06, 4:30 pm: Padel – We're going to play padel with our Spanish teacher Pablo, who will teach us some techniques.

Friday 07, 7:30 pm: Cinema – We will take you to the cinema to see the film you prefer on the billboard.

Saturday 08 and Sunday 09 – Would you like to go to an excursion this weekend? Come by the reception desk to check the destination available.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required for each activity is usually three. Unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school.

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.