Spanish Immersion Blog

Fujimori Gets Sentenced to Jail

2009-01-05T17:40:00.001-05:00

Here is some interesting political news from Peru. Eric

General Information on Peru

Official Name: Republic of Peru
Capital: Lima(Current local time)
Government Type: Constitutional republic
Chief of State: Alan Garcia Perez, President
Population: 28,674,757
Area: 1,285,220 sq km
Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and a large number of Amazonian languages
Literacy: Total Population: 87.7% Male: 93.5%; Female: 82.1%
GDP Per Capita: $6,600
Year of Independence: 28 July 1821
Web site: http://www.peru.gob.pe/

Peru’s Ex-President Gets 6 Years for Illicit Search

This was the first prison sentence for President Alberto K. Fujimori as he stands trial on various other charges, including murder and forced disappearance.

As Ex-President Faces Trial, a Reckoning for Peru

A country that may have preferred to forget about the methods used by Alberto K. Fujimori to vanquish insurgents and economic instability is now being forced to deal with them.

50 Year Anniversity in Cuba

2009-01-03T12:01:00.002-05:00

By SIMON ROMERO

Published: January 1, 2009 - Reprinted from NY Times Online

Cuba marked the 50th anniversary of its revolution on Thursday amid somber assessments of a struggling economy, even as its Communist leaders exalted the resilience of a political system that has endured 10 United States administrations.

Fidel Castro, 82, whose group of bearded rebels waged a guerrilla war that toppled the strongman Fulgencio Batista on Jan. 1, 1959, remained behind the scenes during the subdued festivities on the island nation, grappling with an undisclosed illness that forced him into seclusion more than two years ago.

“I congratulate our heroic people,” Mr. Castro said in brief comments published by Granma, the newspaper of Cuba’s Communist Party.

Mr. Castro’s younger brother, President Raúl Castro, 77, addressed the nation Thursday night from the eastern city of Santiago. But instead of jubilation, the younger Mr. Castro, who officially became president in 2008, seems to have been preparing Cubans for more hardships as the revolution enters its sixth decade.

Speaking from beneath the same balcony where Fidel Castro declared victory over the Batista government, President Castro said the revolution would survive another 50 years.

But he also referred to a speech by his brother a few years ago, in which he warned that “this revolution can destroy itself,” The Associated Press reported; if that occurred, Raúl Castro quoted his brother as saying, “it would be our own fault.” Nearly all of the time since Fidel Castro seized control of the country has been spent under a United States economic embargo. Cuban officials said in December that the economy would grow 4.3 percent in 2008, about half the rate that had been expected.

Even though Cuba’s economy has been stabilized in recent years by the provision of about 100,000 barrels a day of subsidized oil from Venezuela, it is dealing with a host of other problems.

Hurricanes wrought damage last year, while agricultural disarray heightened reliance on food imports. The younger Mr. Castro has introduced halting reforms like allowing Cubans to buy cellphones or stay at hotels set aside for foreign tourists, but average salaries of about $20 a month put such luxuries out of reach for most people.

Scattered flags and small banners with slogans appeared in recent days in the capital, Havana, but otherwise events surrounding the revolution’s anniversary were in keeping with the somber economic mood.

Illustrating just how long the enmity between Cuba and the United States has persisted, the incoming United States president, Barack Obama, who is 47, was not yet born when President Eisenhower ordered the first sanctions against Cuba in 1960.

But while Mr. Obama has signaled the possibility of dialogue with Cuba’s leaders and the lifting of some restrictions on travel to Cuba, other nations in Latin America and elsewhere have gone much further in efforts to make Cuba less isolated.

The presidents of Brazil, China and Russia have all visited Havana in recent months, pledging greater economic cooperation. At Mexico’s initiative in December, Cuba was admitted to the Rio Group, a diplomatic association of Latin American and Caribbean countries. And in October, the European Union formally renewed ties to Cuba.

“While the U.S. is dithering, virtually every other major actor in world affairs is becoming more engaged with Cuba,” said Daniel Erikson, director of Caribbean programs at the Inter-American Dialogue, a policy research group in Washington.

Still, Cuba’s enduring revolution, which has secured advances in education and health care, faces other challenges. It has one the hemisphere’s lowest birthrates, 1.6 children per woman, and one of its highest life expectancy rates, 77.3 years. Emigration of thousands of young people each year also erodes its population of 11.4 million.

Some Cubans find opportunity in a society in which revolutionary fervor wanes while other needs prevail. One 33-year-old resident of Havana said he studied international trade, but gave up a legitimate career in business because of a lack of job opportunities.

Now he works on the black market. “I have my own business; I sell Viagra pills,” said the man, who did not want to be identified for fear of running afoul of authorities. “You can’t buy them in Cuban shops, so that is a pretty good business considering that the Cuban population is growing older every year.”

Big Crash in Mexico

2008-07-08T06:11:00.001-04:00

The skies are very safe for the most part, but sometimes there are crashes around theworld, like this one in Mexico.

clipped from www.mexicodaily.com

The Guardian
Cargo jet crash in Mexico kills US pilot
| By OSCAR VILLALBA | Associated Press Writer | PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico (AP) - A plane carrying a load of auto parts crashed Sunday as it was trying to land in northern Mexico, killing the pilot and se... (photo: AP / Vanguardia Saltillo)

Spain Information

2008-05-11T21:27:00.001-04:00

With Sergio Garcia winning the Players Championship, it is time to learn more about the great country of Spain. Some key facts are below, plus two news stories.

clipped from topics.nytimes.com

Official Name: Kingdom of Spain
Capital: Madrid (Current local time)
Government Type: Parliamentary monarchy
Chief of State: King JUAN CARLOS I; Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO, President of the Government
Population: 40,448,191
Area: 194,884 sq. mi., including the Balearic and Canary Islands; about the size of Arizona and Utah combined.
Languages: Spanish, Catalan-Valenciana, Galician, Basque.
Literacy: Total population: 97.9%; Male: 98.7%; Female: 97.2%
GDP Per Capita: $27,400
Web site: http://www.la-moncloa.es/

Spanish Voters Go to Polls in Fierce Rematch
By ELAINE SCIOLINO and VICTORIA BURNETT
Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero on the left and Mariano Rajoy on the right will battle in Spain’s general election on Sunday.
March 9, 2008

New Museum in Madrid
COMPILED BY LAWRENCE VAN GELDER
A new museum of contemporary art, the CaixaForum, has opened in Madrid. Artists represented in its opening show include Cindy Sherman, Anselm Kiefer and Georg Baselitz.
March 7, 2008

Spanish Language is Everywhere

2008-05-11T21:24:00.001-04:00

As the three stories show below, Spanish is becoming the language to learn in the US.

clipped from topics.nytimes.com

Telemundo Is Said to Have Struck Deal in Mexico
By BILL CARTER
Executives involved in the deal said that Televisa had agreed to include multiple hours of Telemundo programs on one of its Mexico-based broadcast television stations.
March 17, 2008
MORE ON SPANISH LANGUAGE AND: CABLE TELEVISION, TELEVISION, MEXICO, NBC UNIVERSAL, TELEMUNDO, ZUCKER, JEFF

On Local Radio, an Accent on Spanglish
By NICOLE COTRONEO
Long Island’s Hispanic population has tripled to about 350,000 since 1980, according to 2006 census data, and one radio station is trying to secure the audience.
March 2, 2008
MORE ON SPANISH LANGUAGE AND: ADVERTISING AND MARKETING, RADIO, LONG ISLAND (NY)

If It’s Tuesday, It Must Be Spanish
By HILLARY CHURA
An increasing number of American parents want their children to be bilingual if not multilingual.
February 2, 2008
MORE ON SPANISH LANGUAGE AND: CHILDREN AND YOUTH, LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES

Paulina Rubio Video

2008-04-24T20:52:00.001-04:00

Plenty of Belize Information Below

2008-04-11T20:14:00.001-04:00

Are you thinking of going to Belize? Well, you can learn plenty by reading the posting links below.

clipped from travel.nytimes.com

Away from the high-end resorts and the increasingly crowded beaches of this popular Central American country is a lush interior, thick with rain forests, Mayan ruins and intense wildlife.

Multimedia

Slide Show

Inside Belize

Away from the country's coastline, Belize can feel like an end-of-the-world place.

SURFACING: AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem in Caye, Belize

By CHARLES RUNNETTE

July 30, 2006

Bobbing off the coast of jungly Belize, south of hard-partying Yucatán, with one pedicured toe in the Caribbean, Ambergris Caye is ripe for picking.

A Belize Hideaway, Even for the Fish

By DANIELLE PERGAMENT

May 29, 2005

The three-acre island of Ranguana Caye, perched atop a barrier reef, has just three cabins for overnight guests.

A three-night chartered cruise off the coast of Belize doesn't offer much privacy, perhaps, but the honeymooners have the rest of their lives to be alone.

Dominican Republic News

2008-04-04T18:16:00.002-04:00

Since the Cap Cana Golf Tournament this weekend is in the Dominican Republic, we thought here at Spanish Immersion Online to give you some information on the country.

clipped from topics.nytimes.com

Official Name: Dominican Republic
Capital: Santo Domingo (Current local time)
Government Type: Democratic republic
Chief of State: Leonel Fernandez, president
Population: 9.37 million
Area: 18,704 square miles, about the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: Total Population: [87%] Male: [87%]; Female: [87%]
GDP Per Capita: $8,400
Year of Independence: 1844
Web site: Presidencia.gob.do (In Spanish)

Santo Domingo Journal

A Subway: Just What’s Needed. Or Is It?
By MARC LACEY
The new subway in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is still under construction, but it has already become a hot topic of conversation.
September 3, 2007WorldNews

Dominican Republic Gives Tournament Ultimatum
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The president of the Dominican Republic’s baseball league said the nation would pull out of next year’s World Baseball Classic if it was not chosen as a site.
March 5, 2008

Paraguay facts and news

2008-03-29T08:15:00.001-04:00

Please click the links below to read about the great country of Paraguay.

clipped from topics.nytimes.com

Paraguay

A list of resources about Paraguay as selected by researchers and editors of The New York Times.

C.I.A. World Factbook country profile

State Department -- history and overview

BBC country profile

News and online media

Official Name: Republic of Paraguay
Capital: Asuncion (Current local time)
Government Type: Constitutional republic
Chief of State: Nicanor Duarte Frutos, President
Population: 6.7 million
Area: 157,047 square miles; about the size of California
Languages: Spanish, Guarani
Literacy: Total: 94%
GDP Per Capita: $4,800
Year of Independence: 1811
Web site: Presidencia.gov.py

After an opening wipeout against Argentina, the United States is hoping to bounce back against Paraguay tonight in the Copa América. The Americans took an early lead against Argentina on Thursday, then gave up four straight goals. With a poor goal differential, the United States probably needs at least a tie against Paraguay to keep alive its chances of advancing.

Uruguay News and Stories

2008-03-16T18:41:00.001-04:00

Here is some info on Uruguay.

clipped from topics.nytimes.com

In Uruguay, Bush Finds Friendly Ear and Taste of Home
By JIM RUTENBERG
President Tabaré Vázquez is a leader seen as willing to buck the trend of regional anti-Americanism.
March 11, 2007

General Information on Uruguay

Official Name: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
Capital: Montevideo (Current local time)
Government Type: Constitutional republic
Chief of State: Tabare Vazquez, President
Population: 3.5 million
Area: 68,000 square miles; slightly smaller than Oklahoma
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: Total population: 98%
GDP Per Capita: $10,900
Year of Independence: 1825
Web site: Presidencia.gub.uy

Anyone, Anything, Anywhere
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Uruguay has leapt ahead of its neighbors by being the first to understand what can be done in today’s increasingly flat world.
September 22, 2006

Three Stories on Puerto Rico

2008-03-16T18:38:00.001-04:00

Here is some info on Puerto Rico.

clipped from topics.nytimes.com

Puerto Rico’s Governor, Under Inquiry, Sees Politics
By DAVID JOHNSTON
The Democratic governor of Puerto Rico says he has been improperly made a target of Justice Department prosecutors.
November 2, 2007U.S.News

Scrutiny for Puerto Rico Over Animal Treatment
By KIRK SEMPLE
Families claim that city employees and contractors flung dozens of animals from a 50-foot-tall highway bridge into a ravine and left them to die.
March 9, 2008

Puerto Rico’s Political Melodrama Plays On, With Its Governor in the Lead Role
By KIRK SEMPLE
The investigation into charges of campaign finance violations relating to Gov. Aníbal S. Acevedo Vilá has captured the imagination of Puerto Rico’s political class and news media.
February 24, 2008

Costa Rica Cities I visited - Test of Google Embed Maps

2008-03-05T20:27:00.001-05:00

View Larger Map

Argentina News Below

2008-03-02T19:40:00.001-05:00

clipped from topics.nytimes.com

World news about Argentina, including breaking news and archival articles published in The New York Times.
Related: Argentina Travel Guide

Argentine Leader Faults U.S. on Inquiry
By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner lashed out at the United States on Thursday for meddling in Latin American affairs.
December 14, 2007WorldNews

Buenos Aires Journal

In Macho Argentina, a New Beacon for Gay Tourists
By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO
The Axel Hotel, a Spanish import that opened in November, symbolizes Buenos Aires’s increasingly aggressive effort to court gay dollars and euros.
December 3, 2007WorldNews

In Argentina, the Campaign of ‘Queen Cristina’ Focuses on Global Relations
By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO
Critics of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s election campaign say she is conveniently ignoring serious domestic problems.
September 25, 2007WorldNews

Tourism Still Strong in Costa Rica

2008-02-28T19:32:00.001-05:00

This story shows how folks still want to go to Costa Rica, despite a downturn in the US economy.

clipped from www.ticotimes.net

Hold Really Still, Mommy...
Colleen Chesky, 5, peers over her mother Jeanne's shoulder to watch a butterfly Wednesday at the National Museum 's Secret Garden . Visitors like the Cheskys, from the U.S. state of Michigan , continue to pour into Costa Rica at a strong clip, according to tourism officials, despite fears of economic slowdown in the U.S.

Si Te Vas Shakira

2008-02-07T21:10:00.000-05:00

Nice Salsa Music

2008-02-07T20:40:00.000-05:00

Costa Rica Travel Information

2008-02-07T20:37:00.001-05:00

Here is some good information from Costa Rica Guide.

clipped from costa-rica-guide.com

The Costa Rica travel and vacation guide website is a companion to the Toucan Guides waterproof travel map.

Home to detailed information about all the adventures shown on the map from canopy tours to butterfly gardens. Descriptions of the rain forest, turtle nesting beach and volcano National Parks include maps, hours, hiking trails and what to do.

Every tourism location page automatically maps out hotels, activities, and other parks in the same region so you don't have to search around for them.

So whether you’re considering travel to Costa Rica on an all inclusive tour, an ecology expedition to spot animals, a surfing safari, real estate shopping or you just want a relaxing vacation on the beach, pick a topic from the menu on the left and welcome to the Costa Rica guide…

Mexico Facts

2008-02-07T20:33:00.001-05:00

Here are some facts about Mexico.

clipped from www.thenewsmexico.com

Situated in the southwestern part of mainland North America and roughly
triangular in shape, Mexico stretches more than 3000 km (1,850 miles) from
northwest to southeast. Its width is varied, from more than 2000 km (1,200
miles) in the north and less than 220 km (135 miles) at the Isthmus of
Tehuantepec in the south. Mexico borders two major bodies of water, the
Pacific Ocean (with the Gulf of California between the mainland and the
Baja California peninsula) to the west and on the east the Gulf of Mexico
and the Caribbean Sea that lead to the Atlantic Ocean. Here are found
coastal plains, whereas central Mexico consists of high plateaus and
rugged mountains, including volcanoes, the highest of which is the
Pico de Orizaba at 5 610 m.

Ferry Service has Trouble in Costa Rica

2008-02-01T16:37:00.001-05:00

I rode this ferry when I was there.

clipped from www.amcostarica.com

Paquera ferry operators lose battle in supreme court

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Sala I of the Corte Suprema de Justicia put the Ferry Peninsula out of business Thursday.

The Poder Judicial reported that the high court, which deals in civil
matters, agreed to bar the Asociación de Desarrollo
Integral de Paquera from running its ferry.

The association said this would affect the income for 60 families in
Paquera. It estimated it would lose 46 million colons (about $92,000) a
month.

Naviera Tambor sought the injunction. The company owners and operates
two ferries, Tambor I and Tambor II, between Puntarenas and Paquera.

Mexico News

2008-02-01T16:33:00.001-05:00

Here are some stories about Mexico from the NY Times.

clipped from topics.nytimes.com

Highlights From the Archives

Drug Trade, Once Passing By, Takes Root in Mexico
By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.
As cartels have grown in power, they have opened up local markets for cheap forms of highly addictive drugs.
October 3, 2007WorldNews

With Bombings, Mexican Rebels Escalate Their Fight
By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr. and ANTONIO BETANCOURT
The shadowy Marxist rebel group that has rattled Mexico in recent months by bombing natural gas pipelines has a long history of financing its operations with kidnappings.
September 26, 2007WorldNews

Mexico City Journal

A Tower Fight, but Just What Borough Is This?
By ELISABETH MALKIN
In Mexico City, the fight over what would be Latin America’s tallest skyscraper — at 984 feet — takes on a tinge of high drama.
September 20, 2007WorldNews

Columbia Facts

2008-01-21T18:31:00.000-05:00

Colombia is a country located in the northwestern region of South America. Colombia is bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the North by the Atlantic Ocean, through the Caribbean Sea; to the north-west by Panama; and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. Besides the countries in South America, the Republic of Colombia is recognized to share maritime borders with the Caribbean countries of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Central American countries of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.^[4]^[5]

Colombia is the 26th largest nation in the world and the fourth-largest country in South America (after Brazil, Argentina, and Peru), with an area more than twice that of France. In Latin America, it is also the country with the third largest population after Brazil and Mexico.

Colombia has the second largest Spanish speaking population of the world after Mexico. It is largely recognized for its culture and is also one of the largest manufacturers in South America. Colombia is also one of the most ethnically diverse nations because of large-scale migrations during the 20th century which has caused a dramatic population growth since then.

Hola Test Movie

2008-01-11T22:04:00.001-05:00

Get your own at Gizmoz.com

Test Spanish Clip

2008-01-03T21:44:00.001-05:00

Here is a clip in Spanish

clipped from www.oem.com.mx

Se trata de la segunda vez en cuatro años que Belichick obtiene el premio. Foto: AP

Belichick, mejor entrenador de la NFL

La marcha invicta de los Patriotas de Nueva Inglaterra sumó otro logro personal: Bill Belichick fue seleccionado como el mejor entrenador de la NFL

Atléticos canjea a Swisher

Los Atléticos de Oakland enviaron al jardinero Nick Swisher a los Medias Blancas de Chicago en un canje por tres jugadores de Ligas Menores.

Ronaldinho no jugará ante el Mallorca

Ronaldinho se perderá el duelo que su club Barcelona disputará el sábado ante el Mallorca debido a una molestia en el tendón rotuliano de la pantorrilla izquierda.

Real Madrid homenajeará a Di Stéfano

El Real Madrid realizará un homenaje mundial a su presidente de honor, Alfredo Di Stéfano, el próximo 16 de febrero.

Sample Pelicula

2008-01-02T17:04:00.001-05:00

Get your own at Gizmoz.com

Pingüino (Penguin)

2007-09-03T08:33:00.001-04:00

Express Yourself with Gizmoz Video Clips

Time to start planning

2007-08-26T19:21:00.000-04:00

Spanish learners,

I have been working this summer, playing golf, and keeping up with golf and Spanish web sites. But now it is time to make some decisions and plans. I will be doing a lot of postings over the next couple months as I plan my second immersion trip. Yes, I am really going back and continuing to learn more Spanish, but this time I won't be going to Costa Rica. I will be doing my final research, selecting a country, and taking another trip in December. In the meantime, I hope you will join me here on the Spanish Immersion Blog, companion to Spanish Immersion Online, as I go through the adventures of making the plan. It may help to give you some ideas for your trip as I share mine. So, adios for now.

Guatemala info

2007-08-17T14:05:00.000-04:00

The Republic of Guatemala (Spanish: República de Guatemala, IPA: [re'puβlika ðe ɣwate'mala]), is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the northwest, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast.

The most populous nation in Central America, Guatemala is a representative democracy with its capital at Guatemala City. Although the nation has been relatively stable since 1996, Guatemala's recent history has been plagued by civil war and military coups, which have slowed the nation's development. Large portions of Guatemala's interior remain wholly undeveloped, including the nation's many rainforests and wetlands. Guatemala's abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems contribute to Mesoamerica's designation as an important biodiversity hotspot.

The Spanish of Mexico

2007-08-08T15:00:00.000-04:00

There is no official language at the federal level in Mexico. Spanish, however, is spoken by 97% of the population. The General Law of Linguistic Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, however, grants all indigenous minority languages spoken in Mexico the same validity as Spanish in all territories in which they are spoken, and indigenous peoples are entitled to request some public services and documents in their languages. Along with Spanish, the law has granted them –more than 60 languages– the status of "national languages". The law includes all Amerindian languages regardless of origin; that is, it includes the Amerindian languages of ethnic groups non-native to the territory. So, Mexico recognizes the language of the Kickapoo, which immigrated from the United States, and of those of the Guatemalan Amerindian refugees. Mexico has the largest Spanish-speaking population having almost two times more speakers than the second Spanish-speaking country, with almost a third of all Spanish speakers around the world. The Mexican government has promoted and established bilingual primary and secondary education in some rural communities. Approximately 6% of the population speaks an indigenous language and 3% do not speak Spanish. Nahuatl is spoken by 1.5 million and Yucatec Maya by 800,000. Some of the national languages are in danger of extinction; Lacandon is spoken by fewer than a hundred people. English is widely used in business, at the border cities, as well as by the one million American citizens that live in Mexico, mostly retirees in small towns in Baja California, Guanajuato and Chiapas. I hope this helps you understand better the languages of Mexico!

Uruguay information! Immersion here?

2007-07-29T14:04:00.000-04:00

Officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay or the Eastern Republic of (the) Uruguay (River) is a nation located in the southeastern part of South America. Home to 3.3 million people, 1.7 million of which live in Montevideo and its metropolitan area. It is bordered by Brazil to the northeast, the Uruguay River to the west, the estuary of the Río de la Plata (literally "River of the Silver", but also known in English as "River Plate") to the southwest, with Argentina on the other bank of both, and finally the South Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. It is the second smallest independent country in South America, larger only than Suriname and French Guiana, which is an overseas department of France. According to Transparency International, it is considered to be the second least corrupt country in Latin America (after Chile). Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent. Maybe I should go on my next immersion trip to Uruguay?

Belize Language Makeup

2007-07-21T11:51:00.000-04:00

This chart is very interesting. I have been thinking about going to Belize for my next Spanish immersion experience, and I have learned that Spanish is not the majority language. This is something to think about in my decision on where to go. Eric

Languages in Belize according to 2000 Census
Language	Mother tongue speakers	Percentage	Current users	Percentage
Chinese	1,607	(0.8%)	1,529	(0.7%)
Creoles	67,527	(32.9%)	75,822	(37.0%)
English	7,946	(3.9%)	11,551	(5.6%)
Garifuna	6,929	(3.4%)	4,071	(2.0%)
German	6,783	(3.3%)	6.624	(3.2%)
Hindi	280	(0.1%)	193	(0.1%)
Maya Ketchi	10,142	(4.9%)	9,314	(4.5%)
Maya Mopan	6,909	(3.4%)	6,093	(3.0%)
Maya Yucateco	1,176	(0.6%)	613	(0.3%)
Spanish	94,422	(46.0%)	88,121	(43.0%)
Others / no answer	1,402	(0.7%)	1,192	(0.6%)

Another friend from Costa Rica

2007-07-17T13:05:00.001-04:00

Here is some information on the Panama Canal

2007-07-14T14:28:00.000-04:00

The Panama Canal (Spanish: Canal de Panamá) is a major ship canal that traverses the Isthmus of Panama in Central America, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Construction of the canal was one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken. It has had an enormous impact on shipping between the two oceans, obviating the long and treacherous route via the Drake Passage and Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. A ship sailing from New York to San Francisco via the canal travels 9,500 km (6,000 miles), well under half the distance of the previous 22,500 km (14,000 mi) route around Cape Horn.^[1] Although the concept of a canal near Panama dates back to the early 16th century, the first attempt to construct a canal began in 1880 under French leadership. After this attempt failed and saw 20,000 workers die, the project of building a canal was attempted and completed by the United States in Panama in 1914, when the canal opened. The building of the 77 km (48 mi) canal was plagued by problems, including disease (particularly malaria and yellow fever) and landslides. As many as 27,500 workers are estimated to have died during construction of the canal.

Since opening, the canal has been enormously successful, and continues to be a key conduit for international shipping. Each year more than 14,000 ships pass through the canal, carrying more than 203 million tons of cargo. By 2002 about 800,000 ships had used the canal altogether.^[2]

The canal can accommodate vessels from small private yachts up to fairly large commercial ships. The maximum size of vessel that can use the canal is known as Panamax; an increasing number of modern ships exceed this limit, and are known as post-Panamax vessels. A typical passage through the canal by a cargo ship takes around nine hours. 14,011 vessels passed through in 2005, with a total capacity of 278.8 million tons, making an average of almost 40 vessels per day.

How about Peru

2007-07-01T15:46:00.000-04:00

Spanish Learners, I met a new acquaintance who is from Peru, and we agreed that I would try to help with her English and she would try to help with my Spanish. I think this is a good idea for any of you wanting to practice. I will keep you updated on whether this really enhances my learning. Here is a map of Peru.

Panama or not?

2007-06-28T20:26:00.001-04:00

Spanish learners, I am starting to plan my next immersion experience to complement my trip to Costa Rica last September. Where do you think I should go? How about Panama? There is a lot of natural vegetation there. Eric

Costa Rican Monkey Photo

2007-06-22T13:04:00.001-04:00

Isn't he cute?

New Spanish Word

2007-06-22T12:28:00.001-04:00

Here is another word to have in your vocabulary.

tener ganas (de) (teh-néhr gáh-nahs)

feel like (verb expression)

Example: No tengo ganas de estudiar hoy.
Translation: I don't feel like studying today.

Sin Embargo

2007-06-17T14:26:00.000-04:00

Spanish learners, I recommend using the following word in your Spanish practice. Eric

sin embargo (seen ehm-báhr-goh)

however (conjunction)

Example: Ella no tiene dinero en efectivo - sin embargo sí tiene muchas acciones.
Translation: She doesn't have any cash - however she does have a lot of stocks.

Practice, practice, practice

2007-06-16T15:35:00.000-04:00

Spanish learners, we need to practice our Spanish as much as we can. Living in Northern Virginia, I am fortunate to have many opportunities because of the large Latino population. I can talk to people in Spanish in stores, restaurants, and other places. You should try to practice, too! Eric

Cost Rican news

2007-06-14T21:20:00.000-04:00

Spanish learners, Here is a really good web site to get Costa Rican news.

Spanish Word

2007-06-14T17:33:00.000-04:00

Here is the Spanish concept of being afraid.

Locución: tener miedo

Significado: to be afraid

Ejemplo: Tenía miedo, miedo de perder mi trabajo, pero tenía que hacer huelga.

Traducción: I was afraid, afraid of losing my job, but I had to go on strike.

thanks for coming to blog

2007-06-11T11:48:00.000-04:00

Spanish learners, I am been looking at the hits, and I really appreciate you coming to this new blog. As you know, the old blog will be discontinued in a couple weeks. I hope you will keep coming back here to learn Spanish and talk about Spanish issues. Remember, before and after going to the blog, please visit the main site, www.spanishimmersiononline.com for all of your information on learning Spanish. Eric

Here are some more Spanish Words

2007-06-09T09:18:00.000-04:00

especial (éh-speh-see-áhl) / Spain: (éh-speh-thee-áhl)

special (adjective)

Example: Tú siempre serás para mí la persona más especial de mi vida.
Translation: For me you will always be the most special person in my life.

puro (póo-roh)

pure (adjective)

Example: Quiero ir a las montañas para respirar aire puro.
Translation: I want to go to the mountains to breathe some pure air.

supervisar (soo-pehr-vee-sáhr)

supervise (verb)

Example: Tenemos que supervisar más a los nuevos empleados.
Translation: We have to supervise the new employees more.

New word - CASE

2007-06-06T15:57:00.000-04:00

Here is a Spanish word which might come in use for you. I will provide in each example the Spanish sentence and the translation.

caso, noun:case

En casos así es mejor callarse.
In cases like this it’s better to keep quiet.

No me hacen caso.
They don’t pay any attention to me.

No hizo mucho caso de lo que le dije.
She didn’t take much notice of what I told her or She didn’t pay much attention to what I told her.

Hazle caso, que ella tiene más experiencia que tú.
Listen to her, she has more experience than you.

More Spanish words

2007-06-05T12:17:00.000-04:00

Hi Spanish Learners, I offer you today 3 Spanish words to study.

cansancio (cahn-sáhn-see-oh) / Spain: (cahn-sáhn-thee-oh)
tiredness / weariness (noun)Example: El cansancio al volante es causa de muchos accidentes. Translation: Tiredness while driving is the cause of many accidents.Learn Spanish:

(la) comisión (coh-mee-see-óhn)
commission (noun)Example: Los bancos ganan gran parte de sus beneficios con las comisiones. Translation: Banks earn a large part of their profits with commissions.Learn Spanish:

privilegiado (pree-bee-leh-hee-áh-doh)
privileged (adjective)Example: Somos personas privilegiadas porque no nos tenemos que preocupar por las necesidades básicas. Translation: We are privileged people because we don't have to worry about basic necessities.

Spanish lesson of the day

2007-06-04T09:16:00.000-04:00

callarse, verb:to stop talking; to keep quiet

The basic idea behind callarse is that of ‘not talking’.

Cuando entró el profe, todos nos callamos.

When the teacher came in we all stopped talking.
Me callé lo que ya sabía. I kept quiet about what I already knew.

You can use it to tell people to be quiet:
¡Cállense, por favor!Please be quiet!
But callarse la boca is rather informal:

¡Cállate la boca!Shut up!

Web site is fine

2007-06-03T14:08:00.000-04:00

Hello Spanish learners. Well, it looks like the new web site is in good shape and the new blog is taking shape as well. Right now, the plan is to eliminate the old blog within about a week and just use this one. Today, I spoke Spanish at a lavanderia with a person from Bolivia. He did not speak English, but that did not matter. Eric

Web site is fine, but need to make a fix or two

2007-05-25T16:01:00.000-04:00

Hola,

The web site seems to be fine. All of the new features are working, except a couple, such a the flash cards. Spanish learners, we will fix those as quickly as we can and you will be pleased to see the full 19 pages will be helping you learn Spanish. Eric

New Web Site is Up and Running!

2007-05-21T19:01:00.000-04:00

Well Spanish Learners, we are very proud that our new web site is up and running. We hope you will enjoy all the new features. We will correct any errors we see on the pages, and we thank you for using Spanish Immersion Online.

Countdown to new site

2007-05-17T20:06:00.000-04:00

Spanish Learners,

This Saturday, we will launch the new web site, and expect to see many new ways to learn Spanish.

New Travel Articles

2007-05-15T19:43:00.001-04:00

Fellow Spanish Learners,

We now have 9 of the 10 Spanish Learning Articles up on our web site. We hope you will read the articles and enjoy them. Eric

Blog is moving here

2007-05-05T13:54:00.000-04:00

Well, Spanish learners. We are moving the blog to a new service. We think this will be better for the future. Don't forget that the other sites, past and present are

www.spanishimmersiononline.com
blog.spanishimmersiononline.com
ericsgolf.blogspot.com

Keep coming back as we upgrade all the sites.