Extracurricular activities 20.04.2015 - 26.04.2015

A DIY mug decorating workshop, a dramatized tour of the city... This week we have a whole host of activities available. Enjoy!

Monday 20, 4:00 pm: Dramatized tour – Come learn the history and legends behind some of Salamanca's most important monuments in a different and fun way.

Approximate duration: 2h.

Tuesday 21, 7:00 pm: Huerto de Calixto y Melibea – Discover the romantic story behind this beautiful garden.

Approximate duration: 40min.

Wednesday 22, 7:00 pm: 'Decorate your mug' workshop – Teacher Alicia will show us how to decorate mugs with a design of your choosing.

Approximate duration: 1h.

Thursday 23, Holiday* – We are celebrating Castile and Leon Community Day. *For your convenience, we are having classes today and moving the holiday to Friday 24th. This way you will enjoy a long weekend. May we suggest you go on a trip? Check the destinations available below. 
April 23rd is also World Book Day. Tip: visit the book fair at Plaza Mayor.
 

Friday 24, 12:00 pm: Film– Although there will be no classes today, if you are staying in Salamanca you may want to come watch a Spanish film with us.

Saturday 25: Excursions – This long weekend is the perfect opportunity to go on a trip and discover other spots in Spain and Portugal. Oporto, Aveiro, Valle del Jerte, Sevilla, Segovia and Ávila. Plenty of options. Need advice? Come to the reception desk and we will gladly help you choose. Sign up by Wednesday 22nd.

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. If no price is mentioned in the above 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.

'Thinking' in Salamanca

It’s official - the autumn has arrived to the city. While some people use the New Year’s Eve as a time for reflexion, I get the same feeling with autumn, the smell of fallen leaves, foggy mornings and chestnuts lying on the ground (although the chestnuts were actually in Segovia which I visited this past weekend). 

Some people can think anytime anywhere; for me it’s a process that requires a certain mood, place and a correct ambiance such as a nice city park or a random rock in the mountains. Now, I am not saying I need to go to the mountains every time I need to make a decision (I can buy a croissant without having to leave the bakery) but when it comes to understanding the ‘meaning of life’ I need some peace and quiet. In the past few days I’ve been searching for some places very ‘intensely’ and I would like to share my two favourites: El Campo de San Francisco and El Huerto de Calixto y Melibea. 

‘El Parque de San Francisco’ (as the locals call it) is located in the very centre of Salamanca. According to public records, ‘El Campo de San Francisco’ (as the authorities call it) is the first public garden in Salamanca, standing on the grounds of the former convent of San Francisco el Real y los Padres Capuchinos. The park has a certain ambiance to it (to be honest, the entire historical centre of Salamanca has one), but maybe that’s one of the reasons why Miguel de Unamuno, the famous Spanish writer and rector of the university, found it dear to its heart and was known to stroll around (if you would like to know more about the writer's life you can have a look at this previous post). I took his example and you can see me doing the same (although I doubt anybody cares) while I enjoy the falling leaves of its vegetation - including 600 poplars planted back in 1828.

You can also see me walking around the beautiful Huerto de Calixto y Melibea. I mentioned this garden in my previous post although back then I had no idea what it was called or that it was connected to the famous novel La Celestina by Fernando de Rojas. If you would like to know more about the history of this place you can read about it here. 

To be honest, although I find the (potential) history of the garden quite interesting, it is not the reason why I enjoy going there almost every day. It lies on the city walls and the view of the cathedrals is simply splendid. It feels slightly secluded so if you like some peace and quiet this is the place for you. However, since it is no secret (unfortunately) other people go there too and if they are in an overly socialising mood you don´t really stand a chance and you will have to go for a walk somewhere else (but I’ve been so ‘unlucky’ only once). 

On the other hand, Salamanca is a city made for walking. Actually, mostly its historical city centre is made for walking. When you want to avoid ‘the youth’ you can always walk towards and across Puente Romano and/or walk along the river and just enjoy the view.

Overall, for a person who enjoys walking along the historical monuments on a daily basis Salamanca is the place to be :) After all, even Friedrich Nietzsche said that “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking”. So, ¡hasta luego!, I need to go for a walk...