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8 Weird and Funny Things Seen in Peru
8 Weird and Funny Things Seen in Peru
The idea of cultural relativism can be beneficial when traveling to a new country. Especially when you go with the goal of learning the Spanish language and be immersed in the local culture, being flexible is a helpful skill. If you are on a Cultural Spanish Language immersion program in Peru, you want to do so with an open mind.
However, in spite of our best intentions to appreciate a different way of doing things, our natural inclination can sometimes be to get annoyed by certain things or at least laugh at what we are experiencing. Without a doubt, this happens to Spanish students in Peru too; just, because some things are too funny. 🙂
Peru has a rich history which has produced many beautiful things that need not one iota of cultural relativism to be able to appreciate. There are, on the other hand, several things which I, and many AMAUTA students learning Spanish in Cusco with me, have had to stop and scratch their head about.
Below is a list of eight aspects of Peruvian society that Spanish students in Peru often find a bit strange, funny and have a hard time reconciling. So keep on reading the observations from our Spanish Students and check out those (more…)
Mother´s Day in Cusco, Peru
Mother´s Day in Cusco, Peru
Mother´s Day s a holiday celebrated all around the world. When travelling in Cusco, Peru it is apparent that it is a very special day here too. At the end of April, advertisements begin appearing about what to get your mother on this significant day. As in most places of the world, the bigger companies use it as a marketing technique to bring in more money. However, the real significance of “El Día de la Madre” is for everyone to show their appreciation towards the mothers who have worked very hard to make a good life for their children. In order to get a closer look at how Mother´s Day is celebrated in Peru, I asked around our Dos Manos and AMAUTA Spanish school administration here in Cusco, Peru.
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Living at the AMAUTA Student Residence in Cusco
Living at the AMAUTA Student Residence in Cusco.
The AMAUTA Student residence, located right in the heart of Cusco city, at a stones throw from the Plaza de Armas, is a great place to live and to explore the city. The Residence is located within the same building as the Spanish school. Could you possibly be closer to the location of your Spanish classes in Cusco? The time you safe traveling back and forward to your Spanish classes can be used to explore Cusco.
In the students residence, you find single and shared rooms, most of them with shared bathroom facilities. There is a common room, a sunny courtyard, free WIFI and a balcony.
Best Things to do in Mendoza
Best Things to do in Mendoza
When in Argentina, the famous wine region of Mendoza is a must-visit. Therefore, a weekend in Mendoza is a must-do for our Spanish students in Buenos Aires. The beautiful province of Mendoza is located at the foot of the Andes. Find out here what are the Best Things to do in Mendoza.
Mendoza holds over 1000 vineyards and is responsible for 2/3 of Argentina’s wine production. Have you ever heard of a wine label called Malbec? This is the main export of Mendoza and is produced in 3 main regions within the province: Maipú, Lujan de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. A trip to Mendoza will allow you to enjoy wine tastings in various bodegas, go horseback riding or bike riding during the sunset or hike one of the beautiful trails of the Andes Mountains. What are you waiting for? Check out here the Best Things to do in Mendoza.
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Travel Kit for Spanish Students in Peru
Are you coming to Cusco to learn Spanish in Peru? Great! We are looking forward to seeing you! If you are now preparing your trip to Peru and you are thinking about whether or not to pack a certain item, here is this very useful list for you: the essential items for the AMAUTA Spanish Student and in Cusco!
- Take a handy Spanish Dictionary with you! In our nowadays digital times, you might not think about it as there are so many apps to quickly translate a missing word…but what if you are without internet in another country? Better to take an analog backup!
- There are two things to point out concerning your accommodation at the AMAUTA residency or your host family: in any case – please take some towels! You will not need bed sheets or cushions neither at the host family or at the AMAUTA student residence – but towels are not provided!
Top 5 Museums in Buenos Aires
Top 5 Museums in Buenos Aires.
Most of our Spanish students in Argentina enjoy the cultural ambience of Buenos Aires. The Argentine capital, an excellent destination for a Spanish course in Argentina, is full of festivals, theatre, music, dance, concerts and so on. There is also a great offer of art galleries and museums.
Find below our Top 5 Museums in Buenos Aires, not to be missed! (more…)
Testimonial: observing Spanish Students in Cusco
I’ve been at the Amauta Spanish School in Cusco for a few months now and observing Spanish students hasn’t gotten boring yet. I still find it fascinating how most students start at this Spanish school in Peru not speaking a word of Spanish and leaving being able to express themselves in Spanish. Old people, young people and everything in between continue their travels in Peru talking in Spanish, in the language they found impossible before.
My friend Isabelle came to visit me. She took 1 week of Spanish classes in Cusco and even in this short period of time she learned a lot. When I met her last year in Colombia she hardly spoke a word of Spanish. I had to do all the translating. She went home and I stayed in South-America. Here in Cusco I figured I had to do the translating again. We were at a market and she wanted to buy a necklace. When the bargaining began I started translating what the salesman was saying. Even though she only studied for 1 week she didn’t need my translation. She just said: “yeah, yeah I got what he was saying”. I didn’t know she had improved that much.
Great trip for students: visit the Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate
After hearing many enthusiastic stories about the extraordinary natural phenomenon of Perito Moreno, me and Vincent, both doing our internship at AMAUTA Spanish School Buenos Aires, decided to travel to the south of Argentina , to El Calafate. This cute little town is home to one of the most impressive glaciers worldwide: el Perito Moreno. El Calafate has become a very popular tourist destination in Argentina since the opening of their international airport. Not only for young backpackers and travelers, but also for Argentineans and travelers from other Latin-American countries. No wonder, because this is something you won’t find in many other places around the world, especially not with the current climate changes. This makes the Perito Moreno one of the most stunning sites in South America.
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What’s next: The Festival of the Virgen del Carmen in Paucartambo
There have already been so many amazing and colorful celebrations in Cusco during the month of June, like for instance Inti Raymi. But we are not ready yet with the upcoming Festival in the Andean Village of Paucartambo: the Virgen del Carmen.
For Spanish students, volunteers and travelers in Cusco, Paucartambo is the place to be on July 15 and July 16. La Fiesta of La Virgen del Carmen – by the local people also called nicely Mamacha Carmen – is a great colorfull happening with many music bands and traditional dances in awesome costumes.
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Cruising through the Vineyards of Mendoza !
When travelling through Argentina after or during your Spanish course in Buenos Aires, Mendoza is a place you do not want to miss. Mendoza is beautiful in many different ways, but mostly it is famous for its good, red wine. What some people may not know is that you can experience these tasty wines in many different ways. Tasting Mendoza´s wine is fun in itself, but savor the flavor even more with a fancy weekend package, a quick half day tour, blending your own wine, or renting a bike and going on an adventure! The last one is without a doubt the most exciting to do with a few friends or fellow students because you can take your time and enjoy some fresh air as well. Mendoza has many different bike rentals but the one I would recommend is Hugo’s Bike Rental. Hugo is a sweet, old man who runs his family business with passion and you can truly notice it by how he treats his guests. We were with a group of 8 international Spanish students from AMAUTA Buenos Aires and from the moment we arrived the staff made us feel at home. After we got our red bikes, a map of the wine paths through Maipú, some discount coupons, and even a place to pick up a free glass of wine, we were ready to go!
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