sábado, 30 de julio de 2011

EASY ENGLISH/TEXT AND EXERCISES - Inglés fácil -

Hi my dear friends, after a week on the beach, I'm again.  Here you can see a little text and some English exercises.
Hola queridos amigos, después de una semana en la playa, estoy aquí otra vez.  Aquí podéis ver un pequeño texto y algunos ejercicios de Inglés.



From the book "How to be an Alien" by George Mikes -adapted-

If you are invited to an English home, at five o'clock in the morning you get a cup of tea.  You must not say "Go away".  On the contrary, you have to say, with your best five o'clock smile: "Thank you so much, I love a cup of early morning tea, especially early in the morning".

Then you have tea for breakfast;  then you have tea at eleven o'clock in the morning;  then after lunch;  then you have tea for tea;  then after supper (cena);  and again at eleven o'clock at night.

You must not refuse tea under the following (siguientes)  circumstances:  if it is hot;  if it is cold;  if you are tired;  if anybody thinks that you might be tired;  if you are nervous;  if you are happy;  before you go out;  if you are out;  if you have just returned home;  if you have had no tea for some time;  if you have just had a cup.

You definitely must not follow my example, I sleep at five o'clock in the morning;  I have coffee for breakfast;  I drink innumerable cups of black coffe during the day.

The other day, for example, I wanted a cup of coffee and a piece of cheese for tea.  It was a very hot day, and my wife made some cold coffee and put it in the refrigerator, where it froze (se congeló)  solid.  On the other had, she left the cheese on the kitchen table, where it melted (se derritió).  So I had a piece of coffee and a glass of cheese!

Of course it is a funny story, tea is fantastic, I love tea and English tea is one of the best in the world!!
Por supuesto, se trata de una historia divertida;  el té es fantástico.  Yo adoro el té y  ¡¡el té inglés es uno de los mejores del mundo!!

LET'S PRACTISE SOME TENSES
Vamos a practicar algunos tiempos verbales.


RECUERDA:  el presente simple lo utilizamos para expresar acciones que se repiten y que manifiestan un tiempo presente simple real.  Con los adverbios de frecuencia "always, sometimes, often, never, etc" siempre ponemos presente simple.  Si en nuestra frase vemos que hay expresiones como "every day, every year, every moment, etc" , también presente simple.
El presente continuo se forma:  sujeto + verbo to be en presente + otro verbo terminado en -ing.  I'm studying:  yo estoy estudiando.
Se utiliza para describir acciones que hacemos en el momento de hablar y si en nuestra frase vemos palabras como:  still, now, at the moment, pondremos también este tiempo.

1.- WRITE PRESENT SIMPLE OR PRESENT CONTINUOUS.
1.- Water _________ (boil) at 100ºC.
2.- Hot air ________(rise).
3.- My uncle _______(work) in a factory.
4.- John and Mary _________(wear) glasses.
5.- He only ______(go out) on Saturdays.
6.- I always _____(work) at weekends.
7.- The baby _____(eat)  at the moment.
8.- She never _______(get) up very early.
9.- I _________(read) a nice book at the moment.

2.- WRITE SIMPLE PRESENT OR CONTINUOUS (again).
I ______(study) English at Exeter University.  I'm on holiday at the moment and I _____(work) in a public library.  I'm lucky to have this job.  I _______(not, have to) get up early.  The library _______(open) at 10 a.m. and ______(close) at 7.  People
_______(always, come in) and ________(ask) me to help them, so I _______(learn) a lot about different subjects.

3.- WRITE THE PAST OF THE VERBS IN BRACKETS /escribe el pasado simple de los verbos entre paréntesis)
1.- We _______(wait) for   an hour yesterday.
2.- Joan _______(clean) her room on Friday.
3.- I ______(go) to the cinema last week.
4.- You ______(come) to my house last Sunday.
5.- He _______(stop) when he saw me.

4.- WRITE  some/any.
1.- There are ______ apples in the basket.
2.- Get _______ meat and salad.
3.- Some people don't eat _____ meat.
4.- You can't find _____ biscuits in that tin (lata).
5.- Is there ______ news of him?

5.- WRITE MUCH, MANY, A LOT OF.
1.- There isn't _____ space in this apartment.
2.- You have ______ books here.
3.- Is there _____ milk in the fridge?
4.- There aren't ______ pandas in China.
5.- I have got _____ time.
6.- You haven't got _____ notebooks.

                                     *****************************


SOLUTIONS 

1.-WRITE PRESENT SIMPLE OE CONTINUOUS.
1.-BOILS
2.-RISES
3.-IS WORKING
4.-ARE WEARING
5.-GOES OUT
6.-WORK
7.-IS EATING
8.-GETS UP
9.-AM READING

2.- SIMPLE PRESENT OR PRESENT CONTINUOUS,
-am studying
-am working
-don't have to
-opens
-closes
-always come in
ask
am learning.

3.-WRITE THE PAST TENSE.
1-waited.
2.-cleaned.
3.-went.
4.-came.
5.-stopped.

4.- SOME/ANY.
1.-some.
2.-some.
3.-any.
4.-any.
5.-any.

5.-MUCH, MANY, A LOT OF.
1.-much.
2.-a lot of.
3.-much.
4.-many.
5.-a lot of.
6.-many.

                              ***************************************

HAVE A NICE DAY!!!

SEE YOU!





viernes, 22 de julio de 2011

NEW YORK, NEW YORK ART DECO /TRAVEL AND ART /viaje y arte.

Hi again, if some of you are going to New York this summer or no matter the season of the year, I want to tell you about ART DECO architecture.  New York has plenty of Art Deco buildings and they are really beautiful!

Hola otra vez, si alguno de vosotros va a Nueva York este verano o en cualquier otra época del año, quiero hablaros sobre arquitectura Art Deco.  Nueva York tiene cantidad de edificios Art Deco y ¡son realmente bonitos!





Photo: the.empire.state.building

ART DECO is a modern  style that started in 1925, at a Paris exhibition but that soon crossed the Atlantic to the United States which was enjoying an economic boom in 1920.
Unfortunately, in 1929 there was the Wall Street Crash but, it didn't mean the Art Deco end.

**ART DECO HIGHLIGHTS (características)
This kind of architecture is spectacular,  great, innovative, brave, courageous, using materials like brick (ladrillo) , bronze, steel  and glass  with a lot of floral and modern paintings on the façades.

The main American Art Deco architecture projects were:  bridges, highways, public housing (viviendas de protección oficial), schools, hospitals, offices, and buildings in general. etc.
In New York city you can find some  examples of this kind of architecture and in The Big Apple there are many Art Deco buildings but there are many more all around USA.

Some of the most famous Art Deco New York buildings are:

**THE CHRYSLER BUILDING

It is a good example of New York's Art Deco heritage.  Steel and glass combined with a marvellous architecture design makes this building one of my favourite ones.
 It's fantastic!

**THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
The Empire State building opened in 1931 but many of its offices were empty until the Second World War.
Spectacular views from the top at night!  It was the first skyscraper in the city. Beautiful!

**THE ROCKEFELLER CENTRE
These  buildings include Radio City Music Hall whose interior was designed by Donald Deskey (one of the great industrial designers in America)  and the ice skating rink in midtown Manhattan.
Simply great!

**GRAND CENTRAL STATION.
This famous station has a beautiful Art Deco mural.

**PARK AVENUE.
This is one of Manhattan's most exclusive streets.  Sculpted murals can be found on some of its  buildings.

**42, EAST  39TH STREET.
This is one of many New York office buildings with decorative façades in this style.

**THE HIRSCH TOWERS.
These towers are in nearby Port Elizabeth, New Jersey.
This former (ex) office block is now a residential building.


NEW YORK IS A WONDERFUL CITY AND YOU CAN SEE MUCH MORE!!!
TRAVELLERS AND TOURISTS ALWAYS LOOK FOR NEW AND INTERESTING THINGS!
I WILL HELP YOU!   I PROMISE!


SEE YOU MY FRIENDS!

jueves, 21 de julio de 2011

EASY ENGLISH/ A MIX OF EASY GRAMMAR EXERCISES/Inglés fácil/una mezcla de ejercicios fáciles de gramática

Hi my friends, to continue with our English revision, here you are a mix of several grammar exercises for you to practice.
Hola amigos, para continuar con nuestra revisión de Inglés, aquí tenéis una mezcla de varios ejercicios gramaticales para que practiquéis.




EXERCISE 1.- WRITE  do/ does in the blanks.  Escribid DO or DOES en los huecos.
1.- _____ your sister work in an office?
2.- What time ___ you start work?
3.- What _____ your daughter do?
4.- ____ both your children go to the same school?
5.- Where _____ you go on holiday this summer?
6.- _____ Lucy study French?

EXERCISE 2.- CHOOSE THE CORRECT VERB FOR EACH BLANK. /elegid el verbo correcto para cada hueco en blanco.
have/has     live/lives    open/opens     repair/repairs     sell/sells     start/starts

1.- Electricians usually ______ work at eight o'clock in the morning.
2.- In Portugal, people _______ lunch at midday.
3.- My friend Maï _______ in Paris.
4.- The boutique _____ at nine o'clock in the morning.
5.- Rose _____ bathing suits.
6.- John usually _______  cereal and milk for breakfast.
7.- Mary ______ old clocks.

EXERCISE 3.- UNDERLINE THE CORRECT VERB FORMS. /subrayad las formas verbales correctas.
1.- Sam  have/has  breakfast at a quarter to seven.
2.- How  does  Catherine  go/goes  to work?
3.- My husband  work/works  in Alcobendas.
4.- Lucy doesn't  like/likes  travelling.
5.- He get/gets up at midday on Saturdays.

EXERCISE 4.- WRITE THE SENTENCES BUT PUT AN OBJECT PRONOUN INSTEAD THE UNDERLINED NOUNS.  Escribid las frases pero poned un pronombre complemento en lugar de los nombres subrayados.
Example:  I like bananas >  I like them.

1.- I hate rain  >
2.- Alice loves dogs  >
3.- Children love Mary >
4.- I don't like opera >
5.- Can I talk to Peter, please >
6.- I don't like Madonna very much >
7.- Do you like little dogs? >

EXERCISE 5.- WRITE IN ENGLISH THESE SENTENCES. Escribid en inglés estas frases.
1.- No me gustan los hamsters, pero a mi hermana le gustan mucho.
2.- ¿Qué hora es?  Son las 10 en punto.  A las cuatro menos cuarto voy al médico.
3.- ¿A qué hora te levantas?  Suelo levantarme a las 7 de la mañana.
4.- ¿Cuando te vas de vacaciones?  Pasado mañana.
5.- ¿Qué clase de musica prefieres?  La música pop.
6.- Nunca bebo café.  Me pongo (become) muy nerviosa.
7.- A menudo Sean juega al ténis.
8.- Stan siempre trabaja en casa.
9.- ¿Te gustan las mascotas?  Depende.
10.- Algunas veces voy a bailar.



SOLUTIONS

Exercise 1
1 does
2 do
3 does
4 do
5 do
6 does

Exercise 2
1 start
2 have
3 lives
4 opens
5 sells
6 has
7 repairs

Exercise 3
1 has
2 go
3 works
4 like
5 gets

Exercise 4
1 it
2 them
3 her
4 it
5 him
6 her
7 them

Exercise 5
1 I don't like hamsters but my sister likes them a lot.
2 What time is it? It's 10 o'clock. At  a quarter to four I go to the doctor.
3 What time do you get up? I usually get up at 7 in the morning.
4 When do you go on holiday? The day after tomorrow.
5 What sort of music do you prefer? Pop music.
6 I never drink coffee. I become very nervous.
7 Sean often plays tennis.
8 Stan always works at home.
9 Do you like pets? It depends!
10 I sometimes go dancing. 

HAVE A NICE DAY!!!

miércoles, 20 de julio de 2011

LA CÔTE D'AZUR / la costa azul -LECTURE-

Salut mes chers amis, l'autre jour j'ai écrit à propos de la Bretagne et aujourd'hui ça va être de la Côte d'Azur.  On va voir plusieurs régions françaises.  Son histoire, sa gastronomie, sa situation, le tourisme.  Beaucoup de  raisons pour y aller!

Hola queridos amigos/as, el otro día escribí sobre la Bretagne y hoy va a ser de la Costa Azul.  Vamos a ver varias regiones francesas.  Su historia, su gastronomía, su situación, el turismo.  ¡Muchas razones para ir!



UN PARADIS POUR TOUT LE MONDE ET PRINCIPALEMENT POUR LES ARTISTES
Un paraíso para todo el mundo y principalmente para los artistas.

**La Côte d'Azur est célèbre dans le monde entier.  C'est une région touristique mais aussi on y trouve du soleil, des couleurs, de la lumière , des ports de plaisance, de la nature, ...
**La mer et la végétation magnifique sont offertes par cette  belle côte.
**Toute cette nature a été une attraction pour les artistes depuis plus d'un siècle.
**Des peintres comme Matisse, Picasso, Miró, Giacometti, Jean Cocteau (peintre-poète) ont choisi la Côte d'Azur pour y réaliser leurs peintures ou sculptures.
**Des villes et villages comme Nice, Cannes, Vence, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Biot, Saint-Paul-de-Vence sont des lieux qui nous rappellent que la région est aussi le berceau d'une tradition artisanale très ancienne.

LA CÔTE D'AZUR  est l'une des régions les plus ensoleillées de France qui est deux fois plus grand en été.  C'est l'endroit(lugar)  choisi pour l'organisation de nombreux festivals comme le Festival de Cinéma de Cannes et ceux de Jazz à Nice et à Juan-les-Pins.  La partie située entre Menton et Cannes se nomme "Riviera".

LE FESTIVAL DE CANNES
Cette année le Festival International du film à Cannes a fêté ses 65 ans.  En plus d'un demi-siècle, ce festival est devenu l'événement (acontecimiento)  mondial du cinéma et attire (atrae) l'ensemble de la profession.  Pendant deux semaines en mai (mayo) , toutes les télévisions du monde ont leurs caméras vers la Croisette et les marches (peldaños) du palais des Festivals.
On projette plus de cinq cents long métrages et on vend ou achète un peu de rêve (sueños) dans cet immense marché du septième art!

LES VILLAGES FORTIFIÉS (los pueblos fortificados)
Pendant le Moyen Àge et la Renaissance, les paysans (campesinos) construisaient leurs maisons au sommet (cima) de collines pour se protéger.
Des villages comme Coarazé, Eze, Peille ou Falicon ont des petites rues très étroites en pente (en cuesta), avec beaucoup d'escaliers et qui passent sous des voûtes (arcos, bóvedas). Les maisons entourent l'église et le château qui les domine.  Des remparts (murallas), parfois (a veces), entourent ces villages.

LE MUSÉE MATISSE
Ce musée est situé à Nice, dans une villa italienne du XVIIème siècle.  Nous pouvons y découvrir les premières toiles (lienzos) de Matisse et ses illustrations de livres.

LE MUSÉE PICASSO À ANTIBES.
Ce musée est installé dans le château Grimaldi du XVIème siécle et où se trouvait un ancien camp romain.
Picasso y (allí)  avait son atelier (taller) en 1946.  Quan il est parti, il a donné à la ville la plupart (la mayoría) des oeuvres qu'il y avait réalisées.

martes, 19 de julio de 2011

BEACH FASHION / MODA PARA IR A LA PLAYA

Hi  my dear friends, now it's the turn to talk about fashion again.  In three days I'm going on holiday, to the Mediterranean Coast, so I want you to know about the most fashionable trends to go to the beach.  It is for women although colours can be used by men too.  Men fashion is simpler but colours trends are very similar.

Hola queridos amigos/as, ahora toca hablar de moda otra vez.  Dentro de tres días me voy de vacaciones, a la Costa Mediterránea, así que quiero que conozcáis las tendencias más de moda para ir a la playa. Va dirigido a las mujeres aunque los hombres pueden usar también los colores.  La moda para hombre es más sencilla pero las tendencias en cuanto al color son muy similares.

Going to the beach must be fashionable too, so take notice of the following suggestions, please.
Ir a la playa debe ser "moda" también, así que tomad nota de las siguientes sugerencias, por fi.



TREND NUMBER 1 -AN ETHNIC LOOK /  Un look étnico.
The ethnic look is a must this season! 
**Wear colourful, Bohemian print (estampados) bikinis and island style (estilo isleño) swimming suits (bañadores).
**Long, vaporous skirts with bright blue and purple bathing suits.
** Colourful and print clothing (de tela) handbags (bolsos).
**Leather(de cuero) sandals.

TREND NUMBER 2 - NAVY STYLE  /  Estilo marinero.
This summer this trend is  really fashionable.
**White bikinis and swimming suits with red or blue wide (anchas) stripes (rayas).
**Dark blue (azul oscuro) shorts.
**Dark blue or red sandals.
**White and blue handbags.
**Blue or red sun hats (pamelas).

TREND NUMBER 3 - SPOTTED CLOTHES / Tela de lunares.
An authentic "lady" (señorita)  fashion is this spotted trend.
**Dark brown spotted swimming suits or bikinis.
**Blue and white spotted bikinis.
**Blue spotted clothing sandals.
**Beige  vaporous blouses and shorts with black spots.
**Big red and black spotted bags.

TREND NUMBER 4 - BLACK AND GOLD  / Negro y dorado.
This trend is a very elegant one!  Combine:
**Black bikinis and golden accessories.
**Black sun hats (pamelas).
**Black vaporous long skirts with golden prints (estampados).
**Black and golden swimming suits .
**Golden or black sandals with crystals.
**Big black bags with golden prints.

TREND NUMBER 5 - TROPICAL CORAL ( Coral tropical)
This trend and look is really beautiful!  Coral colour is mainly red or similar.
 Let's wear (vamos a ponernos):
**Red coral  vaporous dresses (vestidos).
**Coral print bikinis.
**Tropical print bathing suits.
**Red print caftans (túnicas).
**Red handbag basket (bolso-tipo cesta-).
**Red or blue "esparto" sandals.

*A woman must be beautiful and fashion  although she is on the beach!!
*All the fashionable clothes,  advices and suggestions that I have just written,  don't have to be expensive.  You can find all the summer trends in shops like Zara, Bershka, Sfera, Easy Wear, Oysho, Red Point, Calzedonia, Mango, Mary Paz. 

***AN NOW WE ARE ON SALE!  / Y AHORA ESTAMOS DE REBAJAS.

domingo, 17 de julio de 2011

COCINA FÁCIL Y FRESCA/ PARA ESTHER

Hola a todo el mundo, hoy,  a petición de una de mis cuñadas y para que practique otra de ellas , voy a poner una receta de cocina fácil y fresquita en ESPAÑOL.



TORTITAS DE PATATA, QUESO Y LANGOSTINOS.

INGREDIENTES:
-Medio kilo de patatas.
-1 cebolleta pequeña.
-1 langostino por tortita.
-queso suave para untar tipo philadelphia o el que más nos guste.
-1 huevo.
-dos cucharadas de harina.

*Pelar las patatas y rallarlas.
*Colocar las patatas ralladas sobre un colador y presionar con un cazo o cuchara grande para que suelten todo el jugo.
*Picar la cebolleta muy, muy fina.
*En una fuente grandecita, mezclar la patata rallada, la cebolleta picada, 1 huevo, dos cucharadas de harina y un poco de sal.
*Una vez mezclada esta especie de masa, hacer tortitas  de la medida que os guste, más pequeñas o más grandes según queráis que os salgan más o menos tortitas. Colocar en un plato o fuente.
*En una sartén poner unas 5 cucharadas de aceite de oliva y cuando esté caliente pero no muy fuerte, ir friendo las tortitas hasta que queden bien doraditas por fuera y bien hechas por dentro,
*En el vaso de una batidora, poder el queso suave, sal, pimienta y un poco de cebollino.  Batir y poner en un bol.
*En una cacerola cocer los langostinos (o comprarlos ya cocidos).

SERVIR:
*En una fuente colocar las tortitas de patata calientes, poner  encima un langostino  si es pequeña o dos si es grande y sobre el langostino colocar el queso batido.


Photo: espesaavedra.com

¡Y A DISFRUTAR DE UN ENTRANTE MUY, MUY RICO!

¡QUE APROVECHE!  ¡Ah! ¡y ya me diréis qué tal os sale!

viernes, 15 de julio de 2011

EASY ENGLISH / GRAMMAR EXERCISES/ Inglés fácil/ Ejercicios de Gramática

Hi everybody, here you are some easy exercises for you to practise a little bit!
Hola a todo el mundo, aquí tenéis unos ejercicios fáciles para que practiquéis ¡un poquito!



1.- PUT IN THE BLANKS THE CORRECT PREPOSITION /Poned en los huecos en blanco la preposición correcta. (at, in, on)
a) I live ___ 14 St Andrew's Place.
b) My father lives ___ a small house ___ North London.
c) My girlfriend's flat is ___ the seventh floor.
d) Do you live ___ a house or a flat?
e) Where's the toilet, please? ___ the second floor.
f) Is there a doctor near here? Yes, ___  37 High Street.
g) I lived ___ America from 1976 to 1078.
h) She lives ___  Pentonville Road.

2.- WRITE live or lives.
a) My Aunt Sally ______ in New Jersey.
b) Where do you _____?
c) We _____ at 141 Riverside Avenue, Cardiff.
d) My brother's wife _____ in Chicago.
e) The Prime Minister ____ at 10 Downing Street.

3.- WRITE IN ENGLISH.
a) ¿Hay un banco en tu calle?  Sí, hay dos.
b) ¿Hay una piscina cerca de tu casa? Sí.
c) ¿Hay un sillón en tu habitación? No.
d) ¿Hay un televisor en tu salón) Sí.
e) ¿Hay una parada de autobús en tu calle? No.
f) ¿Hay elefantes en India? Sí, muchos.
g) ¿Hay pingüinos en Brasil? No.
h) ¿Hay un gato en tu casa? No, hay un periquito.

4.- MAKE QUESTIONS.  Use Is there.../ Are there...?
1.- lions / Uganda  ?>
2.- a hotel  / your street  ?>
3.- camels  /  Argentina  ?>
4.- a fridge  /  your kitchen ? >
5.- crocodiles  /  Texas ? >

5.- WRITE IN THE BLANKS:  he, she,  him, her,  it,  they,  them.
1.- Where are my pencils?  ____ are on the table.
2.- John's nice, I like ____ a lot.
3.- Have you got any dogs? No, I don't like _____.
4.- Is Mary at home? Yes, _____ is.  Can I talk to ____, please? Yes, of course.
5.- Where are your notebooks?  Lucy's got _______.
6.- Mary Likes Paul, but he doesn't like ______ much.
7.- Are your children here?  Yes,  _____ are in the garden.
8.- Do you like swimming? I hate _____.
9.- Do you like hamsters? No, I don't like _____ at all.
10.- What do you think of John? I quite like ______.

6.- READ THIS TEXT AND ANSWER THE QUESTION.

Four people work in an office:  two women and two men.
Anne likes Catherine, but she dislikes the two men.
Peter doesn't like the person that Anne likes, but he likes Anne.
Only one person likes Catherine.
John likes two people.One person doesn't like Anne.  WHO IS IT?

                                  *****************************************

SOLUTIONS 

EXERCISE 1
a) at
b) in  /  on
c) on
d) in
e) on
f) at
g) in
h) on

EXERCISE 2
a) lives
b) live
c) live
d) lives
e) lives

EXERCISE 3
a) Is there a bank in your street? Yes, there are two.
b) Is there a swimming-pool near your house? Yes, there is.
c) Is there an armchair in your bedroom? No, there isn't.
d) Is there a television in your sitting-room? Yes, there is.
e) Is there a bus stop in your street? No, there isn't.
f) Are there any elephants in India? Yes, a lot.
g) Are there any penguins in Brazil? No, there aren't.
h) Is there a cat in your house? No, there is a budgie.

EXERCISE 4
1 Are there any lions in Uganda?
2 Is there a hotel in your street?
3 Are there any camels in Argentina?
4 Is there a fridge in your kitchen?
5 Are there any crocodiles in Texas?

EXERCISE 5
1 they
2 him
3 them
4 she  /  her
5 them
6 her
7 they
8 it
9 them
10 him


SEE YOU MY FRIENDS!!!

jueves, 14 de julio de 2011

TRAVEL/BARBADOS-CARIBBEAN ISLAND /VIAJE/ BARBADOS-ISLA CARIBEÑA

Hi my friends, if you are thinking of a different travel, here you are a caribbean suggestion.
Hola amigos, si estáis pensando en un viaje diferente, aquí tenéis una sugerencia caribeña.




BARBADOS
CARIBBEAN ISLAND

**This island is situated just in front of Venezuela, in the Caribbean Sea, between Martinique and St. Lucía islands. 

**Barbados is the best destination for a holiday because of its golden beaches, relaxed resorts and lovely people.  Barbados is part of the West Indian archipelago.  Its eastern coast faces the Atlantic and its southern and western coasts offer wonderful beaches, transparent water and a temperature of 28º centigrade.
Every year thousands of tourists arrive at the island's international airport, near the capital Bridgetown.


ISLAND CULTURE
**Amerindians were the first people to inhabit the island.  They travelled from Venezuela in canoes around 1600 B.C. (antes de Cristo)

**The first Europeans to reach the island were the Portuguese in 1536 AD (después de Cristo).
**English settlers (colonos) arrived in 1627 and later brought (llevaron) 70,000 African slaves to work on sugarcane plantations so the island became the world's top sugar producer.
**In 1930 all Barbadians won the right to vote in free elections and the island won freedom from Britain in 1966.  The British influence, however, remains evident in the many Georgian and Victorian houses on the island.

**The official language is English but Barbadians also speak Creole which is a dialect that uses English words and African structures. 
**There's a rocky coastline called Scotland.
**There are resorts with names like Brighton, Worthing and Hastings.

In Barbados you will find beautiful beaches, marvellous coastal landscapes, a blue Caribbean sea, a special rum, a typical Creole food and an extreme lovely people!!!

GO AND TELL ME, PLEASE! 

**Visitors can tour the Island's historic sites, visit pirate caves and enjoy short cruises around the island.
**If you like adventure, you can take a submarine tour and see the incredible coral fauna.
**There are bus services to most places and you can rent a car or a motorcycle.

**Another attraction is BAJAN RUM (ron) so a visit to a distillery such as Mount Gay is recommended.  It is not far from the capital.
**In Barbados there are many colourful rum shops, to go and enjoy a pleasant evening among friends.

FOR MORE INFO: http://www.barbadostourism.com/

miércoles, 13 de julio de 2011

CURIOUS NEWS/ noticias curiosas

Hi everybody, here you are some curious news for you to read!
Hola a todo el mundo, aquí tenéis algunas noticias curiosas para que leáis.




**CYCLE CAFÉS
In London, even the privately educated, such as Prime Minister David Cameron, are keen to (están deseando) show they're green /ecológicos) , healthy and economical by biking to work.  Now the latest hip (a la moda) hangouts (locales) in the city are not elegant restaurants or discos, but cafés in which you are expected to arrive by bike.  And also these places offer bike maintenance, it is to say:  a repair workshop (taller) and free bike parking!


**HOUSEHOLD ROBOTS (robots para los trabajos de la casa)
Programming robots to perform simple household tasks (tareas) is very difficult.  However, a robot has been launched on the market but it only can fold (doblar) towels (toallas) and its price is $400,000!  What a pity! It seems that we'll have to wait for a long time until we can see and use  a real, complete  household robot!

**FRESH FOLKLORE
You can find a lot of tales (cuentos) and traditions concerning apples!  According to Irish folklore, if a lady peels(pelar) an apple into one long strip(tira) and throws the peel over her shoulder (hombro), it will form the first letter of her husband's name!  Try it! (intentadlo).

**BLOODY MARY
Bloody Mary (sanguinaria María)  is a popular beverage (bebida) in Great Britain.  It is a vodka and tomato juice coktail and it gets its name after 16th century English Queen Mary I, the daughter of King Henry VIII.  Mary Tudor returned the country to Catholicism and burned more than 300 protestants at the stake (en la hoguera).

**GO FRENCH IN NEW YORK
The "in" drink in New York's coktail bars is French and its name is "St Germain Liqueur.  This alcoholic drink is made from elderberry (bayas de saúco) blossom (flores).  These flowers bloom (florecen) in the French Alps and only for a few weeks a year.  The liqueur has become the bestselling drink in the city.




martes, 12 de julio de 2011

TOURISME EN FRANCE /LA BRETAGNE / TURISMO EN FRANCIA / BRETAÑA

Bonjour mes amis, on va voir La Bretagne, une région française magnifique pour y aller faire du tourisme.
Hola amigos, vamos a ver Bretaña, una región francesa magnífica para ir a hacer turismo.




UNE RÉGION TOURISTIQUE.
**L'intérieur de la Bretagne est une région de forêts, de rivières, de lacs, de bois,  une terre mystérieuse et romantique, celle des chevaliers de la Table Ronde.
**C'est aussi la terre de la religion, des églises, des croix et des calvaires.
**Il y a des richesses archéologiques (6.000 menhirs et dolmens), des villes médiévales, centaines d'églises, 4.000 châteaux, des plages, des sites naturels et 33 ports qui accueillent les bateaux de plaisance.

CULTURE
La Bretagne a conservé une langue et une culture très vivantes:  près de 300.000 personnes maîtrisent parfaitement le breton.  Des écoles bilingues se sont créées et la production littéraire, le théâtre et la chanson en breton se développent car les Bretons ont gardé un profond sentiment d'appartenance régionale.

La vie culturelle est en plein renouveau.  La musique est au programme des festivals du monde entier.  Il y a plus de 3.000 "sonneurs" qui jouent du biniou (cornemuse).  Les cercles celtiques de danse reggroupent plus de 15.000 membres.

ARTISTES DE LA PEINTURE
L'école de Pont-Aven, dans le Finistère a marqué la peinture à la fin du XIXéme siécle.
À 38 ans, Gauguin arrive à Pont-Aven parce que "c'est encore en Bretagne qu'on vit le meilleur marché"!  C'est là que viennent de nombreux artistes, certains devenus célèbres depuis: Maurice Denis, Sérusier, Boudin, Renoir, Matisse.  Gauguin y fera plusieurs séjours avant de s'installer définitivement à Tahiti en 1898 et y peindra de très belles toiles comme "La Vision du sermon".

LA PREMIÈRE CITÉ DU LIVRE EN FRANCE.
Tout commence en 1989, â Pâques.  L'Association Savenn Douar, dont l'objectif est "vivre et travailler au pays", organise una première fête du Livre à Bécherel, un village de cinq cents habitans qui ne possède aucune librairie.  Cette idée est le début d'une formidable aventure associant les habitants du village, avec l'aide d'institutions régionales, puis nationales.
Le premier dimanche de chaque mois, une grande foire rassemble les bouquinistes des environs.
Bécherel mérite bien son titre de cité du Livre!

LA VILLE DE SAINT-MALO
Il y a plus de 3.000 kilomètres de côtes  en Bretagne, avec  des plages, des ports...  Aux XVIIème et XVIIIème les pirates y se sont installés  et en partaient pour attaquer les bateaux enemis sur toutes les meres du monde.  La vieille ville est totalement reconstruite aprés sa destruction pendant la Seconde Guerre Mondiale.

ALLEZ EN BRETAGNE!! 

C'EST UNE BELLE RÉGION  ET IL Y  A  DES GENS EXTRAORDINAIRES!

lunes, 11 de julio de 2011

READING /CINEMA/ "KEIRA kNIGHTLEY" /LECTURA/CINE/ KEIRA KNIGHTLEY

Hi my friends, we are going to know more about the famous actress Keira Knightley.
Hola amigos, vamos a saber más sobre la famosa actriz  "Keira Knightley".



**English actress Keira Christina Knightley was born in 1985.  She is only 26 years old but she is one of the most talked about actresses in the world.  She is one of the youngest people ever to have been nominated for an Oscar and is the only American actress on the Forbes list of highest paid actresses.

**Knightley was born in Teddington, Greater London and was brought up (educada) in the wealthy(acomodada) area of Richmond, in west London.  She has English, Scottish and Welsh blood, so she is a true Briton!

**Both her parents worked in theatre:  her mother is a playwright(dramaturgo)  and her father is an actor.  She has one brother who is six years older than her.

**Keira always wanted to be an actress.  She starred (protagonizó) in many amateur productions  when she was still at school.  Her parents encouraged her (la animaron) but they insisted that she also did well in her other studies and she did it.

**In 1990, Knightley began to cast in small roles on British television, including the long-running (que lleva tiempo en antena) series "The Bill".

**In "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace"  she played "Sabé".
**In 2002 she played a leading role in the succesful British film "Bend It like Beckham".
**In 2003 Keira was cast in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean:  the Curse of the Black Pearl" and her career seemed set to follow in that money-making direction.
**In 2005 she starred as Elizabeth Bennet in British film "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen.  She was nominated for an Academy Award.  At the same time she was modelling as the face and body of Chanel's perfume "Coco Mademoiselle" replacing Kate Moss.
**She has made two more "Pirates of the Caribbean" films.
**In 2007 she made Atonement".
**In 2008 she starred "The Duchess" and "The Edge of Love".

At the moment she has impressed critics very much because of her  spontaneous and good acting.

CUISINE FACILE ET FRAÎCHE

Salut mes chers amis! Ça va le lundi? Aujourd'hui on va voir deux recettes de cuisine fraîches et nutritives parce que bien qu'il fait chaud, il faut manger bien!!
Hola amigos. ¿Qué tal va el lunes?  Hoy vamos a ver dos recetas de cocina frescas y nutritivas porque aunque hace calor, ¡hay que comer bien!

J'ai déjà dit qu'en France on mange très bien mais je dois dire qu'en Espagne on mange très bien aussi!!
Nous avons de la cuisine traditionnelle, de la cuisine moderne et surtout notre "Diète Méditerranéenne" qui est l'une des diètes les plus fameuses et bonnes  du monde!



Ici vous avez quelques idées!

RECETTE Nº UN
TRANCHE DE PAIN GRILLÉE AVEC DES CRÊVETTES.

INGRÉDIENTS:
*Deux tranches de pain par personne.
*Une civette(cebolleta)  coupée très fine.
*4 crevettes(gambas)  cuites (cocidas) par personne et tranche .
*Un demi oeuf cuit par personne et tranche.
*Quelques feuilles de laitue (lechuga).
*Sauce mayonnaise.

-Grillez les tranches de pain dans le four ou sur un toasteur.
-Mélangez la civette bien coupée, les crevettes  et la laitue coupées aussi .
-Placez le mélange sur chaque tranche .
-Au-dessus mettez l'oeuf cuit coupé en rondelles.
-Pour en finir, sur l'oeuf ajoutez de la mayonnaise.

BON APPÉTIT!!

RECETTE Nº 2
AMUSES-GUEULES (aperitivos) DE FROMAGE.

INGRÉDIENTS:
*Un rouleau de fromage de chèvre.
*Une carotte râpée (zanahoria rallada).
*Deux piménts carrés par personne (pimiento morrón) "del Piquillo".
*100g de noix (nueces)
*Du petit oignon coupé.

-Épluchez la carotte.
-Coupez les noix presque râpés.
-Râpez le petit oignon.
-Mélangez la carotte, les noix et le petit oignon.
-Coupez le fromage et mélangez avec tous les ingrédients d'avant.
-Farcir chaque pimént avec ce mélange.
-Servez sur des feuilles de laitue.

BON APPÉTIT!!

sábado, 9 de julio de 2011

THE GRAMMAR CORNER/EASY ENGLISH/REFLEXIVES, EACH OTHER, ELSE, ETC

Hi my friends, a bit of grammar but easy!
Hola amigos, un  poquito de gramática pero ¡fácil!



**REFLEXIVE  PRONOUNS/ pronombres reflexivos
MYSELF:  yo mismo
YOURSELF: tú mismo
HIMSELF: él mismo
HERSELF: ella misma
ITSELF: él/ello mismo (animales y cosas)
OURSELVES:  nosotros mismos
YOURSELVES:  vosotros mismos
THEMSELVES:  ellos/ellas mismas

-She's always talking to herself: Ella estásiempre hablando sola (con ella misma).
-They only think about themselves: Ellos solo piensan en ellos mismos.
-I usually do my ironing myself:  Yo misma suelo planchar.

**EACH OTHER:  uno a otro.
-People who love each other should try to be honest with each other: La gente que se quiere debería ser honesto uno con otro.
-Peter and Lucy are talking to each  other: Peter y Lucy están hablando el uno al otro.

**SOMEBODY ELSE alguien más.
-Do you usually go on holiday by yourself or with somebody else?:  ¿Sueles ir de vacaciones solo o con alguien más?

**DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES/pronombres demostrativos.
THIS: este, esta, esto.
THESE: estos, estas.
THAT: ese, esa, aquel, aquella.
THOSE: esos, esas, aquellos, aquellas.
-This cheese is terrible: este queso es horrible.
-These tomatoes are very nice:  estos tomates son muy bnuenos.
-How much is that sweater over there?  ¿Cuánto cuesta ese jersey de allí?
-I like those ear-rings that she's wearing:  Me gustan esos pendientes que lleva ella.

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND!!

jueves, 7 de julio de 2011

LITTLE SPANISH SUMMER TRAVELS OR RUN AWAYS! Pequeños viajes de verano o escapadas en España.

Hi my dear friends, when I talk about "run aways" I mean "a weekend" or "three days" only cause travels are not very cheap and we can do a lot of things in two or three days.  As my suggestions are about Spanish places, it is perfect if you are living here in Spain, no matter the city, town or village.

Here you are some good ideas!:

**BEACH AND SUN.
ALICANTE.  The city of Alicante is a beautiful place to visit and to stay.
You can bathe into the Mediterranean Sea because of its "El Postiguet" beach which is in the city itself.
Near the beach "THE PORTA MARIS HOTEL & SPA****"  offers very good prices depending on the day and month. It is on the beach itself, very good sights to the beach and to the Nautic Sport Club where you can find very good Bars and Restaurants, Discos and even a Casino.
http://www.spaportamaris.com/

*A cheaper hotel but not worse is HOTEL CRISTAL NH***.  It is not on the beach but very near.  Good prices and confortable rooms.
http://www.nh-hoteles.com/

*THE HOSPES AMÉRIGO HOTEL, in the middle of the historic centre of the city, invites you to enjoy the Mediterranean spirit. This hotel was a Dominican Monastery which was restored and offers you quality, privacy, good gastronomy and a better stay.
reservations.hospes.amerigo@hospes.es

-Alicante is a tourist city too where you can  visit "The Castle", The Cathedral, The City Hall and the Old and historic part of the City with narrow streets and a lot of small bars and taverns in which you can taste the typical Mediterranean Food.

-Alicante is 400 km from Madrid and you can go by car ( on an excellent highway), by train or even by plane.

**DIVING.
If you like diving and you want to practise it, in Alicante capital, you can take a boat at thePort of Alicante and go to TABARCA ISLAND!
The waters around this island have been declared as a Marine Reserve  due to its concentration of marine life, its richness and its oceanic posidonia meadows.
For more info:  http://www.comunitatvalenciana.com/
and  http://www.lareinaazul.com/  (this website not only for diving but for nautical services, boat rental, sailing, nautical events, etc)

**RESTAURANTS, BARS AND TAVERNS.
-"RACÓ DEL PLÁ". Rice, meat and fish recipes can be tasted here.  Typical Spanish Mediterranean Food.
http://www.racodelpla.com/
-"TABULÉ".  A luxurious vegetarian cuisine at an affordable price.  A charming restaurant located in the centre of Alicante.
http://www.vegetarianotabulé.com/
-"LA ERETA".  If you can imagine  a restaurant hung on the Castle Walls, this is "La Ereta".  Spectacular views, marvellous architecture, traditional and modern Spanish cuisine.
http://www.laereta.es/



**THE COUNTRY.  NATURE AND PEACE.
If you prefer the country, a quieter and cooler place, you can go to HERREROS (Soria) which is a beautiful place situated between "La Laguna Negra" and "El Cañón del Río Lobos".
You can practise trekking, walking, riding on a horse, etc.  Nature is everywhere.  Just marvellous!
A rural lodge named "LA CASA DEL CURA" is my recommendation.  Five nights, 2 persons with breakfast and two dinners included > 350€.
http://www.casadelcuraposadas.com/

EASY ENGLISH / A LITTLE GRAMMAR REVISION

Hi everybody, as not everything is travel and holiday (what a pity!), here you are a little bit of grammar.
Hola a todo el mundo, como no todo es viaje y vacaciones (¡qué pena!, aquí tenés un poquito de gramática.



MODAL VERBS / verbos defectivos.
**They are:  can (puedo), could (podía, podría), may (puede que), might (quizás podría), shall (¿quiere que?), should (debería) , must (deber -en presente-) , ought to (tener que).
**These verbs are special, different from the rest of verbs.  For this reason they are called "modal verbs".  They are a special kind of auxiliary verb and so , please, notice their characteristics:

1.- Modal verbs have no -S in the third person singular present.
2.- Modal verbs (except ought)  are followed by the infinitive without TO.
3.- Questions and negatives are made without DO.
4.- Modal verbs have no infinitives or past participles.  We use other expressions instead.

PROBABILITY AND CERTAINTY.
-It must be true:  debe ser cierto. -certainty-
-It may be true:  puede que sea cierto. -probability-
-It could be ok:  podría estar bien.
-It might be ok:  (quizás) podría estar bien.

PERMISSION AND OBLIGATION.
-Can I go home later today? ¿Puedo ir a casa más tarde hoy? -permission.
-Children should do their homework themselves:  Los niños deberían hacer los deberes solos -obligation-
-You ought to stop smoking:  Tienes que dejar de fumar -obligation-
-Could I speak to you for a moment? ¿Podría hablar contigo un momento? -permission-

ABILITY
-I can sing: yo canto.
-I can't dance:  no bailo.
-Can you swim? ¿Nadas?

OFFERING AND ASKING.
-Can I help you? ¿Puedo ayudarle?
-Shall I carry your bag? ¿Quiere que le lleve la bolsa?
-Could you speak slowly, please? ¿Podría hablar más despacio por favor?

miércoles, 6 de julio de 2011

FRANÇAIS, LECTURE / L'ADDITION S'IL VOUS PLAÎT / La cuenta por favor.

Salut tout le monde! Ça va ?  Beaucoup de temps sans des lectures en français, alors, ici vous en avez une!
¡Hola a toudo el mundo! ¿Qué tal? Mucho tiempo sin lecturas en francés, así que, aquí tenéis una.




EN FRANCE ON MANGE TRÈS, TRÈS BIEN!
LES RESTAURANTS ET BISTROTS SON EXCELLENTS!  ET LA CUISINE AUSSI!
En Francia se come muy, muy bien.
Los restaurantes y bistrots son excelentes.  Y la cocina también.

CE QUE LES FRANÇAIS DISENT D'EUX-MÊMES À TABLE.
Lo que los franceses dicen de ellos mismos en la mesa.
ÊTES-VOUS UN FRANÇAIS MOYEN À TABLE?
¿Eres un francés medio en la mesa?

Dans une vie vous prenez environ 50.000 repas.  Si vous comptez une moyenne d'une heure par repas, vous passez environ six ans de votre vie à manger.  Il y a là de quoi réfléchir!

*Est-ce que, comme 45% des Français, vous préférez toujours le bifteck-frites?
*Est-ce que comme eux, vous aimez la sole et le boeuf bourguignon?
*Qu'est-ce que vous offrez à vos invités?  De la nouvelle cuisine légère ou, comme la majorité des maîtresses de maison françaises, un repas traditionnel avec une entrée, du poisson ou de la viande, de la salade, du fromage, un dessert et des vins?
*Est-ce que vous faites encore, comme la plupart des cadres et des hommes d'affaires, des repas d'affaires riches en calories et souvent en alcool?
*Ou bien est-ce que votre repas de midi, souvent pris dans un self-service, se limite à un seul plat, suivi, quelquefois, d'un petit dessert et d'un café?
*Est-ce que votre repas du soir, pris en famille, n'est pas trop lourd?
*Consommez-vous moins de pain et de pommes de terre?
*Buvez-vous moins de vin aux repas et plus d'eau minérale?

Si vous vous reconnaissez dans ces dernières remarques, c'est que, comme le Français moyen, vous mangez moins, vous faites attention à votre ligne,  vous lisez des articles sur la diététique, vous dépensez moins pour la nourriture et vos artères se portent mieux!

**Les Français ont deux records du monde: celui de la consommation de vin et celui de la consommation d'eau minérale!

CONSEIL: Avant d'aller au restaurant consultez un guide ou demandez autour de vous (à vos amis, à l'hôtel, à l'office de tourisme...)

EN FRANCE, vous pouvez trouver:
**Tous les types de restaurants: les resto-pouces (équivalent français de fast-food), les petits bistrots de quartier, les crêperies, les brasseries et les restaurants.
**Tous les types de cuisine:  de la cuisine bourgeoise traditionnelle à la "nouvelle cuisine".
**Toutes les spécialités:  françaises et étrangères, régionales, etc.
**A tous le prix.

ALLEZ EN FRANCE, VOUS MANGÉREZ SUPER!

LA PROCHAINE PAGE AURA UNE RÉCETTE D'ÉTÉ!!

martes, 5 de julio de 2011

"AD-LIB" IBIZA FASHION / Moda "Ad-Lib" de Ibiza.

Good morning everybody, we come back to fashion again!. 
Buenos días a todo el mundo, ¡volvemos a la moda otra vez!.




CLOTHES / "AD-LIB" IBIZA FASHION
ROPA / MODA "AD-LIB" DE IBIZA

**What is the "AD-LIB" Ibiza fashion?
**Do you know it?

If you are Spanish, surely you'll answer "Yes, of course" and probably if you are a foreigner you may answer "Yes, of course".

**Have you ever been to Ibiza? The "AD-LIB" fashion was born in Ibiza, Balear Islands (Spain) about fifty years ago more or less.
The main highlights (características) of this fashion are:  romantic,  brilliant, ethnic, wild, extremely beautiful  and ... WHITE.
In the beginning , all dresses, shirts, skirts, shorts or trousers were WHITE but nowadays you can find other acid colours like blue, red or green but in my personal opinion, the "AD-LIB" fashion has to be WHITE.



**You can find these clothes not only in Ibiza but in any place along our Mediterranean coast and in Madrid and other Spanish cities.  The look of an "AD-LIB" dress is always lovely, fresh and romantic...

**This summer wear some Ad-Lib clothes, it's fashion, it's a summer trend!





**Another characteristic of this AD-LIB fashion is :  lace-endings (puntillas) on dresses and shirts, big white crochet (ganchillo) handbags, white leather belts, silver earrings and white shoes and sandals.

**The authentic AD-LIB fashion , bought in Ibiza,  is a bit expensive but you can look for this kind of clothes in other shops or boutiques even at "flea" markets  (mercadillos)and you will pay a better price and quality is excellent.






**I have said that fluor colours are a "must" but white colour too and it's always "fashion".

**If you have the orportunity, visit Ibiza:  wonderful beaches, natural landscapes, great parties!

**Balear Isles are a paradise to go on holiday, to enjoy Nature, to bath into the clear, blue sea, to go to the best discos like "Paradis" in San Antonio (really beautiful),  to be at the best parties and to buy the "AD-LIB" fashion!!!





Photos: adlibibiza.es (2)  /  instyle.es

HAVE A NICE DAY!!!

SEE YOU!!!


lunes, 4 de julio de 2011

EASY COOKING / COCINA FÁCIL.

Hi my dear friends, Today, a different thing.  We're going to look at two summer recipes or you decide when you want to make them. 

Hoy, algo diferente. Vamos a ver dos recetas veraniegas o para cuando vosotros queráis hacerlas.



Although we are in summer and the weather is really hot, we have to eat, and as well as possible!  In Spain summertime is usually hot, so for you and for visitors and tourists, here you are two easy, refreshing and nutritious recipes!
Aunque estemos en verano y el tiempo es realmente caluroso, tenemos que comer y¡ lo mejor posible además! En España el verano suele ser caluroso, así que para vosotros/as y para los visitantes y turistas, aquí tenéis dos recetas fáciles, refrescantes y nutritivas.



NUMBER 1  /  LETTUCE, CHEESE AND VEGETABLES SALAD.
NÚMERO 1  /  ENSALADA DE LECHUGA, QUESO Y VERDURAS.

INGREDIENTS:
-lettuce (the one you prefer)
-cheese (Parmesan or a soft one)
-1 yellow pepper.
-Olives.
- 4  green asparagus

-Wash and cut the lettuce and the yellow pepper.
-Grill the asparagus on a frying pan (sartén).
-Put into a bowl, the lettuce, the yellow pepper and the Parmesan cheese.
-Prepare a Vinaigrette : three spoonfuls of olive oil, one spoonful of vinegar and some salt.
-Put the olives and the  asparagus on the top of the salad.
-At the moment of eating the salad, pour (verter) the vinaigrette over it and eat at once.
BON APPÉTIT!!

**If you want to eat only the salad for lunch or dinner, you can add (añadir) to it :  a boiled egg and a grilled breast (pechuga) of chicken or turkey (cut in pieces).
It will be an only and healthy  dish!



NUMBER 2  /  FRUIT SKEWER (brocheta de fruta).
INGREDIENTS:
-watermelon
-melon
-strawberry
-peach
-caramel sauce, chocolate sauce or cream.

-Cut the fruit in pieces (square or round) the shape you prefer.
-Take the wooden sticks (six if you're six people) and combine the fruit, for example, a piece of strawberry, then a piece of melon, then a piece of peach and a piece of watermelon.
-Put the skewers into the fridge until you eat them.
-At the moment of eating them, pour (verter) the caramel sauce on and enjoy your time!

BON APPÉTIT!!!

sábado, 2 de julio de 2011

TRAVEL/VOYAGE/LA RIOJA (SPAIN)

Hi again my friends,  today my travel recommendation is about my country, Spain.  There are plenty of villages, cities, towns, nature sites which I can tell you  to go and enjoy here in Spain, but I want  to start with a place  which I have recently visited, LA RIOJA.  Surely, you,  foreigners or Spanish people,  have heard about this famous Spanish region because of its "wines".  You are right, RIOJA WINES are famous all around the world but the region is also  a wonderful zone to be visited. Nature, ancient villages, monuments are waiting for you!



It is a small Spanish region whose first economical activity is to produce wine.  Almost everybody is dedicated to it.  La Rioja is a rich region with its countryside full of vines and caves.

You can enjoy not only the typical Spanish wines, but the gastronomy, art, culture and adventure sport and don't forget to look around the Caves.  You have to book before but then an hour and a half visit is an excellent experience to know everything about La Rioja wines, their originins, a sightseeing through the facilities and for finishing a wine tasting. Don't miss it!

**HARO is an interesting place to stay.  There you can visit MUGA Cave, one of the most important Rioja wines in Spain.
http://www.bodegasmuga.es/
But in Haro  you can also  see the following caves:  Viña Tondonia, Bodegas Bilbaínas, CVNE, etc.  All these are family caves with an important tradition!



In La Rioja more than 500 caves can be visited with tourist guided tours!

Next to Haro you can stay at LA HOSPEDERÍA SEÑORÍO DE BRIÑAS, in a little village called Briñas. It's a rural hotel, not expensive and with an excellent breakfast. You can have lunch or dinner if you tell them.

**Next to Haro, go and visit a village called LA GUARDIA.  A medieval place, absolutely wonderful!

**THE WINE CULTURE "DINASTÍA VIVANCO" MUSEUM is a "must" if you go to La Rioja. It is situted in a village called BRIONES.  Near this place go and visit another village called SAN VICENTE DE LA SONSIERRA extremely beautiful! 

**THE CENTRE OF INTERPRETATION OF WINE in Haro is a smaller museum but interesting too.

**In Alfaro, an interesting exhibition about the Baroque Style can be seen until 12th October.

**SAN MILLÁN DE LA COGOLLA  and SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA are two villages highly  recommended because of their monasteries. 

**Gastronomy is a perfect mix with La Rioja wines.  Any restaurant or bar is going to offer you a variety of typical dishes with an enormous quality, for example, "Riojana Potatoes",  eggs with "chistorra", all kind of vegetables like asparagus, red and green peppers, artichokes, etc, all produced in the region too.




For more information : http://www.lariojaturismo.com/


Thank you everybody! Merci bien à tous! ¡Muchísimas gracias a todos!

Buenos días mis queridos bloggers, quiero daros las gracias a todos los que habéis consultado este blog en algún momento, a los que lo veis y hacéis los ejercicios y lecturas habitualmente y a todos los que lo seguís desde el principio o desde hace poco.

Desde el mes de Enero de este año que empecé a publicar diferentes asuntos principalmente en Inglés pero también en Francés y en Español, el seguimineto ha sido muy bueno no solo desde España sino desde varios países como USA, Alemania, Francia, Argentina, Ecuador, etc.  lo que os agradezco de corazón.

Si queréis que publique cosas sobre temas concretos, solucionar alguna duda o información determinada, solo tenéis que dejar vuestros comentarios y en la medida de lo posible, los atenderé con mucho gusto.

Buen fin de semana y felices vacaciones a todos los que las estéis disfrutando ya.

**My dear blogger friends, I want to thank all your support from the beginning of this blog about languages , mainly English, French and Spanish.

I have received a lot of visits from many countries, not only from Spain but from USA, Germany, France, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, etc.  Thank you everybody!!

You can write your comments and suggestions if you like to know about a determined matter, or if you have a doubt about grammar or exercises.  I will answer you.

Have a nice weekend and if you are on holiday, enjoy your time!

**Salut mes chers amis!  Merci beaucoup à tout le monde qui voit, a vu ou verra mon blog en quelque moment.

Il y a 6 mois que j'ai commencé à publier et j'ai reçu plein de visites de pays différents de l'Espagne comme les États-Unis, la France, l'Allemagne, l'Argentine, le Chili, l'Ecuador,  etc.  Merci bien!!

Vous pouvez laisser vos commentaires si vous voulez connaître quelque chose en particulier, si vous avez quelque doute ou si vous ne comprenez pas quelque chose.  Je vous répondrez sans doute!

Bon weekend et bonnes vacances si vous les avez déjà commencées! 

viernes, 1 de julio de 2011

WHAT/WHICH/HOW/WHEN... QUESTIONS WORDS /palabras interrogativas

Hi again, today we are looking at a bit of grammar!  Questions words.
Hola otra vez, hoy veremos un poco de gramática. Palabras interrogativas.




**WHO? : ¿quién, quiénes?

Who are you?
-Who wrote "The Quixote"?
-Who are you looking at?

**WHICH? : ¿qué, cuál, cuáles?
-Which is the platform for the 3.50 train?  "Platform 6".
-Which of you took my bike?
-Which of these bags do you like most?

**WHAT?:  ¿qué?
-What time is it?
-What sort of music do you like?
-What do you do?  I'm a teacher.
-What is this?

**HOW? : ¿cómo?
-How are you? Very well thank you.
-How old are you? I'm 35.
-How did the children come back home?

**WHERE? : ¿dónde?
-Where's my notebook?  Under the table.
-Where are you from?  I'm from Spain.
-Where was Peter Born?  He was born in Scotland.

**WHEN? : ¿cuándo?
-When did you have lunch?  I had lunch at midday.
-When are you going to come?  At six o'clock.
-When will you study Maths?  In September.

**WHY? :¿por qué?
-Why didn't you go to school yesterday?  I was ill.
-Why are you crying?
-Why isn't Helen at home?  She is on holiday.

TRANSLATE ALL THESE SENTENCES, PLEASE!!
TRADUCID TODAS ESTAS FRASES, por favor.