Real Madrid 2- Barcelona 6

If you are a student from one of my English “A” levels, you must have already revised the specific vocabulary used when dealing with soccer.  Otherwise you can have a look here.

And now click either here or on the picture to enjoy watching in English the goals in “El Clàssic” Real Madrid vs. Barcelona F.C.

Image from: www.telepepito.com

Stop bullfighting!

Bullfighting is a disgrace for our country, period. Fortunately, according to the latest surveys, in present Spain there are more people who are either indifferent or against than in favour. And we are on the increase. For sure it depends on regions: the “antitaurino” movement is very strong in Catalonia (56 towns -53 in Catalonia- are officially against) and perhaps weaker in regions where it’s identified with some kind of Spanish essence, whatever it means.

Just google the word “antitaurino” and you’ll run into a quite different Spain. For example, you can visit www.thebulltribune.org, www.latortura.es or  www.asaltoalruedo.org .

If you are a foreigner, I ask you not to support this crime. Don’t attend a corrida as part of your visit. On the contrary, do give publicity to Spanish antitaurino movements.

To Iberia And Beyond

One student’s adventures to, in and around Western Europe.

I really recommend you to read this blog about the experiences of an American student in our country. Click  either here or on the passport.

Eurocursos 2009

Would you like to study next summer in Ireland or the UK? English lessons, cultural trips, sports, 4 weeks full board stay in an Irish/British family, return airplane ticket… all this for just €450! If you are a Batxillerat student you can apply for an Eurocursos grant. Click  here for information about Eurocursos grants to spend a month in either the Republic of Ireland or the UK.

“I have a Dream”.

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Day, a United States holiday marking the birthdate of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday of January each year. He fought for racial equality in the USA and was murdered in 1968, although his powerful message became his legacy to the world to remind us that we all are part of a big brotherhood. Here’s a moving homage to him:

Click here to read his most famous speech I Have A Dream delivered on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963 or watch it here:

All Blacks Haka.

Picture from vintagesoftball.com

I suppose you know the Six Nations Rugby World Cup is being held in France these days, and if there’s an image that really calls our attention, that’s New Zealand ritual Haka. The team is also known as the All Blacks.

The Maori (native people from New Zealand) ritual dance carried out by the players before a match is called Haka. It is an expression of the passion, strength and identity of their race. It used to be (= solia ser) a war dance, carried out before a battle. These are the words:

Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!

Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!

Tenei te tangata puhuru huru

Nana nei i tiki mai

Whakawhiti te ra

A upa … ne! ka upa … ne!

A upane kaupane whiti te ra!

Hi !!!

English translation

I die! I die! I live! I live!

I die! I die! I live! I live!

This is the hairy man

Who fetched the Sun

And caused it to shine again

One upward step! Another upward step!

An upward step, another.. the Sun shines!

Maori is pronounced like in Spanish, but WH sounds like an F.

Before the Haka, the team leader – usually of Maori descent – encourages his mates with the following words:

Ringa pakia
Uma tiraha
Turi whatia
Hope whai ake
Waewae takahia kia kino hoki

English translation

Slap the hands against the thighs
Puff out the chest
Bend the knees
Let the hip follow
Stamp the feet as hard as you can

(Text translated from http://www.woodward.cl/nzhaka.htm)

And now, enjoy and sing the Haka!