Estimados Amigos:

Espero que todos escriban y coloquen sus comentarios en nuestra WEB. Por ejemplo: si tienen alguna pregunta sobre las siguientes paginas que leeremos del Viejo y el Mar pueden colocarlas y yo las respondere.

Mil gracias a Inga por su dedicacion y excelente trabajo. Gracias a su contribucion ahora tenemos nuestra WEB.

Cordial saludo,

Nef

La Cocina Hispania

Hola, Amigos!

Latin American or Hispanic cuisine is a fusion of literally thousands of flavors derived from regional cooking in South and Central America, with layers of African, European and Asian influences. Seasoning varies from gently muted to screaming hot. It's a good idea to always ask before tasting, ¿Este picante?

This Monday, 25 October, we will sample Mexican Cuisine at La Bamba, on the north-west corner of Pine Ridge and Airport Pulling, next to "Subway." We'll meet at 6 PM. Nef has sent this guidance for tomorrow's event in an e-mail:

"Favor preparar una respuesta a una pregunta sorpresa relacionada con el libro El Viejo y El Mar."

Need a little help preparing this homework? Click here .

Mexican food is known for its variety of flavors, colorful decoration, and often intense spices. Most of today's Mexican food is based on pre-Hispanic traditions, including the Aztecs and Maya, combined with culinary trends introduced by Spanish colonists. Mexican food varies by region and ethnic differences among the indigenous inhabitants and because of varying degrees of influence by the Spanish.

Here is a bit of trivia for impressing your friends:

• The Spanish word cuchara (spoon) is derived from the word for "clam," because the earliest known spoon used by Spaniards was a clam shell with a handle, usually made from silver.

Click here and here to see comments from our fellow students!

Disfrute de la comida. Disfrute del vino.

Hasta mañana.

Inga

5 Reasons to Learn a Foreign Language

1. Access the world! Through the internet we are capable of directly connecting globally. Reading about people and events in the local language lets us step into the mind and soul of another culture.


2. Up the travel experience! Communicating in the local language makes travel more fulfilling, interesting and safer. (Ever been lost and unable to ask for directions while vacationing in Mexico?)


3. Knowing another language makes you more interesting to an employer. “As globalization and mobility and communications are bringing the world. . . closer together, ever more urgent is the need for global citizens to be competent in other languages. The United States is the only industrialized country that routinely graduates students from high school who lack knowledge of a foreign language. Whereas 52.7% of Europeans are fluent in both their native tongue and at least one other language, only 9.3% of Americans are fluent in both their native tongue and another language. This statistic does not bode well for the future of America in a global society. . . Language learning must accelerate if the U.S. is to continue to be a major participant on the international stage.” (From Vistawide World Languages & Cultures)


4. Communicating with people in their native language opens the door to friends you’d otherwise never meet.


5. Learning a new language improves cognitive function.


Spanish is not only the 2nd most commonly spoken language in the world, it is also one of the most romantic and melodious languages. Which may be the reason why Charles V., the 16th century Holy Roman Emperor, who spoke no less than five languages, stated that he 'Spoke Spanish to God'.

Finally, Spanish is a highly structured, grammatically logical language that is easy to learn.

Hasta luego!

Inga

Verbos y Vino -- How to Get a Mango Account

Hola, Amigos!



See, you've already learned two very important words in the Hispanic culture! Now let me tell you how you can multiply that:

1. You sign up for Spanish Language Classes by Nef Espinosa at neftali.espinosa@es-insurance.com. Of course, you know you must be a member of the Wine Tasters of Naples club to be eligible.


2. You get a library card from the Collier County Library location in Naples most convenient to you. (Can't do that online.)


3. When you have your account (you get it immediately) click on the link to Mango Languages here.


4. Enter your card number.


5. Select Spanish and you're on your way!

It's simple, it's quick, and you now have ALL the Collier County Library resources at your finger tips. While you're there, find out what Spanish language CD's they have!

Having a problem getting to Mango? Nef and Joe will provide a brief tutorial during the first class.

Un cordial saludo. Hasta pronto!

Inga

Verbos y Vino - Fall Language Classes Beginning

Amigos!

How much more fun can you have than learning the Spanish language and culture (did you think it's all "one Spanish" -- be surprised!), followed by a copa de vino? Here's how: Sign up for Spanish Language Classes starting this month. This is not traditional learning: We play, we cook, we socialize (in Spanish, of course), we have FUN.

Here's the important stuff you need to know:

• Beginners (if you don't know hola, this is for you!):
  Wednesdays, 6:00 to 8:30 PM, Sept 29th to Dec 8th.
  
• Advanced (you have actually retained what you learned earlier this year or know that copa de vino is a glass of wine):
  Mondays, 6:00 to 8:30 PM, Sept 27th to Dec 6th.
  
• NO TUITION, but you need to order the recommended text books: Barron's E-Z Spanish (2009)
  Advanced students also need El Viejo y El Mar (Spanish Edition) by Ernest Hemingway
  New and used books are available from http://www.amazon.com/
• Create an account with Collier County Public Library to access Mango Language and select Spanish. Mango can help you graphically with correct pronunciation. All you need is a library card and a computer with microphone and speaker.
  
• Must be a member of Wine Tasters of Naples club.
  
• Participants host classes in their homes or club houses.
  

First class at the home of Nef Espinosa, 379 Cypress Way W, Naples, FL 34110.

So, sign up for Verbos y Vino -- You'll love the experience. (I did! Can't wait to start again.)

To sign up and for additional information: neftali.espinosa@es-insurance.com

Un cordial saludo. Hasta pronto!

Inga