Christmas in South America is totally different! Lets begin by saying there is NO snow!

The City is full of lights, specially the Rio Medellin covered with lights like the picture shows. Beautiful!

Even though we may be sunbathing and having asados in Argentina, Lechona in Colombia, ceviche in Perú for Christmas here in South America, it doesn”t mean that we”ve lost our holiday spirit! Things are a bit different down South–but we could say the exact same thing from household to household up North.

Back home, oftentimes the presents are opened on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas morning; some families have elaborate dinner while others eat Dim sum; and some decorate their house to the max while others go for a more sparse look. In my experience, because of the widespread Catholicism in the Spanish-speaking countries, the holiday is more religious and less about presents. Generally there is a large dinner on Christmas Eve and another large lunch on Christmas Day, but the hooplah that exists up North is absent here. There are decorations, though, and the image of Papá Noel does exist—people just kid about how he wears less clothing.

Our Lovely models from Bueno Entonces!

In the Spanish-speaking world, each country (and family) has different traditions (dinner, when to open presents, etc.), but the vocabulary stays the same. Here are some useful vocabulary terms that you can use to show off your Spanish skills this holiday season!:

Nochebuena = Christmas Eve

Dí­a de Navidad = Christmas Day

(el) regalo = present

(el) muérdago = mistletoe

(el) Árbol de navidad = Christmas tree

¿Qué te regalaron para Navidad? =What did you get for Christmas? (What did they give you for Christmas?)

Año Nuevo = New Year

Nochevieja = New Year”s Eve

El dí­a de año nuevo = New Year”s Day

Túrron = A typical Spanish sweet eaten during the holidays, made of almonds, nougat, and sometimes rice or chocolate

Una rosca de reyes = a bread eaten on the 6th of January (stay tuned for a more in-depth post about this day in the New Year)

There you have it. Now, spike some eggnog, grab some muérdago, and make this holiday season an unforgettable one!

Felices fiestas from Bueno, entonces…!

Don’t get bored.

That’s our philosophy here is Bueno, entonces…—make it as fun, culturally relevant, and engaging as possible. Check out our videos if you aren’t familiar with the program!

Also, try out Bueno, entonces…. Class 1 for Free! Click here to get started

 We are used to the idea that Friday the 13 is a day of bad luck due to the Hollywood movie that goes by it’s name. But in Latin America its on Tuesdays! MARTES 13

Are you scared at your desk while you are reading this? Well you should be! Martes 13 it’s a very serious day and nobody leaves their houses unless they are wearing black! I am just playing with you guys it’s like any other tuesday, but the story behind this day, is very interesting.

Number 13 (número 13) around the world has been considered a bad luck number for several reasons, especially in religion:

• Paganism (Paganos): 13 is the age when people start learning witchcraft (magia negra).
• Christianity (Cristianismo): There were 13 attendees of the Last Supper and the 13th dinner guest, Judas, betrayed Jesus to the Romans. It was on Friday, the 13th of October, 1307 that King Philip IV sent out his guards to systematically massacre the Templar Knights.

• Sikhism (Sijismo): It is a lucky number in Sikhism, in which it means ‘yours.’ The holy word of Sikhs ‘Waheguru’ appears only 13 times in the Holy Sikh scripture. The Baisakhi festival is celebrated on April 13
• Judaism (Judaismo): God has 13 attributes of mercy. 13 years is the age of maturity. 13 circles, or “nodes” make up Metatron’s Cube in Kaballistic teachings.

Many of the buildings around the world don’t have a 13th floor, ( just went to check my elevator but it does have floor 13, I guess my building was built by an unsuperstitious architect) or they just skip the number 13 in the elevator. But that does not mean there is no 13th floor! They say that in government buildings 13th floors are not open to the public, and used for top secret activities.

Por qué un Martes? (Why a Tuesday?)

At the end of the  Medieval Age ,specifically, Tuesday 29 of 1453, the Christians lost control of one of the most important cities of their empire; Constantinopla. This was such a slap in the face for the Pope, Genoa and the Venetian States that they marked this day as a day of bad luck. Also, the name “Martes” is related to the planet Mars (Planeta Marte) that was seen as  the “small hex planet” (pequeño maleficio) in the middle ages. That is why it’s Martes the 13th not Viernes the 13th like the Hollywood movie says!

That is why in Spanish there is a saying : En un Martes 13 ni cases ni te embarques. (Tuesday the 13th neither get married nor start a journey (take a boat or a plane)).

What do you think about all this? Are you a Triskaidekaphobia (someone who has a phobia of the number 13?)

Now you know about Tuesday the 13th! There are a bunch of traditions and superstitions to learn about here in Latin America. We are more than welcome to be writing about them, this is what is all about sharing knowledge. Follow us on #Facebook! Facts, Lessons, and many other #spanish things! http://www.facebook.com/buenoentonces . You can also start learning Spanish with our program! Try it for free! http://bit.ly/BEFreeTrial

This is how we do it! 

BUENO ENTONCES – Video Presentation on Vimeo.

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Bibliography:

• Home of beliefs : http://www.homeofbeliefs.com/the-number-13-superstition/
• Wikipedia: Martes 13

While many of you in the Northern Hemisphere may be complaining about snow and freezing temperatures, us Gringos in South America are burning our pasty Gringo skin and being eaten alive by bichos (bugs/little critters). It’s the holiday season, after all!

We all know that whenever one leaves their country (or region) they encounter all sorts of new bichos. They may be different. They may be larger. And if you’re in a tropical location, they are most likely much more aggressive.They bite, suck your blood, or burrow themselves beneath your skin.

It’s disgusting, we know. But these situations do happen, and we at Bueno, entonces…feel that it is imperative that you, Gringo, learn Spanish and know how to explain a) what has bitten you, b) what has burrowed itself in your skin, or c) what has infested your house.

Plaga=Infestation

Repelente de Insectos=Insect repellent

Picadura=Bite

Tengo alergia a las picaduras de…/I am allergic to (type of bug) bites.

Tengo una garrapata.=I have a tick.

Araña=Spider

Mosquito=Mosquito

Hormiga = Ant

Escarabajo=Beetle

Pulga=Flea

Chinche=Bedbug

Mariquita/Vaquita de San Antonio=Ladybug

Mantis Religiousa=Praying Mantis

Abeja=Bee

Garrapata=Tick

¡OJO!Each bug name (and whether to refer to a bug as an insecto or bicho) varies from country to country, so make sure to double check with a local or Googlearlo antes de irte (Google it before you go). Yes, Googlear is a verb in Spanish, too.

So there you have it’s mosquito bites? No problem. Bedbug infestation? Piece o’ cake. Tick burrowed beneath your skin? Well, not great, but at least you know how to explain yourself!

If you want to further explain what the hell is going on with your skin, we recommend you buy whole Bueno, entonces… program. We also have clips of our Spanish classes on Youtube – go check them out and get a taste of our style. Become a fan of Bueno, entonces… on Facebook to interact with other users in our Spanish-learning community and learn useful (and hilarious) Spanish phrases!

There is only one reason for today’s Blog. There are only 24 hours left. Of what, is the question. Let’s see what can we do in 24 hours.

“24hrs left” is such a cliche, it even became a tv show! But is 24hrs hours a lot of time?  What can you get done in a day? Time magazine always has a section of what you can do in 24hrs in different cities around the world. It’s interesting but we all know it’s just impossible to do it all. And honestly, I think that when you are traveling it’s better to take your time, it’s quality not quantity.

At Bueno Entonces we really focus on making your lessons as useful as possible, that’s why Jimena and David (the Main Characters of the classes) go through everyday situations, which real travelers face, including SEX<DRUGS<ROCK & ROLL. Because this is Spanish for real world situations. Books and Spanish schools usually don’t teach you the real thing, they probably teach you the ‘right’ thing, but you will sound like a robot. Plus! Most people don’t actually say the ‘right’ thing, and you want to understand them!

SLANG & EXPRESSIONS make Spanish fun, interesting and RICH! So this is why we think in 18hrs (NOT 24HRS) we can give you what is needed.

The total class footage is 18hrs. We know you won’t sit in front of your TV or PC for 18 straight hours and learn it all! Language practice must be involved, but we assure you that if you take them regularly you will learn spanish! AND you only have 24hours left to get it all at HALF PRICE ! So what does this deal include?

• 6 DVDs with all 30 classes for learning Spanish Levels I & II which you can watch on your TV or PC.

• Over 18 hours of David and Jimena hi-jicks that’ll keep you entertained and learning.

• All the backup files so you can save, store and view the classes on your laptop, as well as most mobile devices (like iPhones, iPod, and iPads).

• The BE Unique style of teaching, which replicates the immersion process while you learn grammar, gender, vocabulary and sentence structure subtextually.

• Free Lifetime support in addition to an electronic Study Guide and Slang Dictionary.

• A US$197 product, which for the next five days only, will be on sale for US$99. 

• Did we mention Free shipping and handling???

So get yours now! If you don’t like them, we have a 100% return policy, no questions asked- we like making people happy! This is the link to buy the DVD’s http://bit.ly/HalfOffDvds 

 24hrs left of half price + 18hrs of Spanish = Learning Spanish in a fun way!

No matter where you are in the world you can immerse yourself in learning Spanish. Designed for students, travelers, and people on the move, Bueno, entonces… allows you to learn Spanish on your laptop, netbook, or any portable media device; wherever, whenever you have time.

Hello everyone, I hope you had a great weekend and that this monday goes well for you!

To start the week we are listenning to this emerging artist from Bueno Aires, Argentina, Javier Zuppi.  His Pop Rock style, began in 2008 as soloist, featuring numerous shows in Buenos Aires andother cities of the province of Buenos Aires, such as, La Plata and the Atlantic coast, having among his guests the participation of musicians of Barassiinternational and Mario ”Super Mouse” and Fernando Nale, bassist from “GustavoCerati”.

His first CD “Sin excentricidad” was launched on 2010, and has been played on the radio stations in Argentina and Colombia. He would be touring in Colombia and Argentina during summer 2012. Check him out he has some cool catchy tunes.

Here is one of latest videos: Cientos de Variantes 

This are the lyrics so you can sing along!

Dame el tiempo para conocerte un poco más,

aeropuertos ya nos separaron y no volverá a ocurrirnos,

por eso estoy tranquilo, yo quiero desnudarte!

Por tu espalda corren cientos de deseos míos,

cientos de variantes para  amarte.

Un distante y cítrico mensaje  vuelve a amenazar,

ya sabemos como resolverlo ya pasamos mas de una lección de riesgo,

por eso estoy tranquilo, yo quiero desnudarte

Por tu espalda corren cientos de deseos míos,

cientos de variantes para  amarte.

Demostrame que tenes lo que yo interpreto,

de tu cuerpo no se escapa mas!!

Por tu espalda corren cientos de deseos míos,

cientos de variantes para  amarte.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=b0oyEqVG1j8

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How’d you do? It’s really important to practice your Spanish listening with how people really sound, accent and all! In fact, training your ear is one of the most important steps to learning a language, because once you can understand people, you will start getting new words, grammar, and sentence structure.

That’s what so special about Bueno, entonces…Learn Spanish I & II- a program unique in its format and structure. It teaches you Spanish at REAL speed, and gets your ears ready for talking folks on the street.

PLUS: You’ll hear Spanish while seeing both the Spanish and English written below, color coded and with road signs so you can pick up grammar and vocabulary easily.

Best thing of all? You can take it ANYWHERE – on your laptop, iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Check out the first Bueno, entonces… class for free & get a discount!:http://www.generallinguistics.com

The names of your groceries may change in the translation, so how do we call…

Lets start by the personal hygiene while traveling, things you always forget to pack! And they are the things you will need to buy as soon as you land.

Deodorant – Desodorante

Soap – Jabón

Toilet paper – Papel higiénico

Toothbrush – cepillo de dientes

Toothpaste – crema dental

Foot deodorant – talco para píes

Sunscreen – Protector Solar

Dental Floss – Hilo Dental

Panty Pads – Toalla higiénica.

Hopefully this will help you around if you land in a new country, but forgot a few things- the things that are necessary to keep yourself clean during your visit! We will continue with this lesson next week!

This is simple vocabulary, but Want to learn more Spanish? Head to our site to get the first 40 min Spanish class for free! Go here today:http://www.generallinguistics.com

You can also see funny Spanish classes on our Youtube Page.

The only place in the world where you are invited to drink and drive!

In South America, the wine culture has been growing rapidly in the last century, especially in Argentina and Chile. In the western city of Mendoza, Argentina you can find more than 1200 vineyards and most of them are open to the public in guided tours. The wines from the region of Mendoza have always been recognized in Argentina. The Harvest Festival, between February and March, is known nationally, with musical performances, parades, and the election of a queen. In the last decade, with the organization of  rutas del vino”wine roads”,  it exploded as wine tourism destination: the wineries opened their doors, organized visits to vineyards, wine tastings, started up restaurants and art galleries. Some of them are even offering accommodation in boutique hotels and spa’s with ”wine”.

The idea of the “wine roads” is to visit the vineyards in the lovely summer weather of Mendoza, and one of the options is by bicycle. The tour is around 12km and it takes the whole day. You visit around 6 different wineries, a chocolate and olive oil factory and some other stops that would let you catch a breath if you are not an exercise fan!

But before you pack your bags to see this amazing place, get your language skills up to scratch so you can fully enjoy the locale (and the locals!) Start Bueno, entonces… Learn Spanish I & II today and get the first class free: http://www.generallinguistics.com

Coolest thing? You can take the classes everywhere with you on your laptop, iPhone, iPod, or iPad so you can learn while you’re exploring!

See for yourself: http://www.generallinguistics.com

A few years ago when you told your friends that you were coming to South America,most of them would have said to you: “You know it’s Dangerous”, “Are you going to be safe?”

Well, we are not going to lie about it, South America has its issues, but who doesn’t? Countries in Latin America have their pros and cons (los pros y los contras), and one of their main pros is that there is a big RISK (Peligro) of  falling in love with the country you visit. Have you ever talked to a Colombian about the civil war in their country, or better yet, read the appropriate articles about the situation and not ONLY the sensationalist press(Prensa Amarillista)? That is the biggest outcome on the image of Latin America in general, it only pops-up on the news every time something bad happens.

But times are changing (Pero los tiempos están cambiando) and in that contient that begins with Colombia and ends in Argentina, holds 371,000,000(Trescientos setenta y un millones) happy enthusiastic souls. Good things happen in Latin America everyday, that’s why they wake up every morning with a smile, because their issues are just a little part of their lives, and they try to overcome them every  day, just like you. When you step a foot in Latin America you will receive a “smile-tan” all over your face, and that would be reflected on your experiences of traveling or living in Latin America. The three things we recommend you are basic, be respectful (respetuoso), comprehensive(comprensivo), and have a positive attitude (actitud positiva) -  the recipe  to a successful experience with the Latinos!

So come to Latin America, read about it, practice your spanish, experience the culture, and try new things! It would be a mind opening, this culture is more than amazing! Here are some useful links for countries in South America!

www.colombia.travel

www.peru.travel

www.ecuador.travel

www.paraguay.travel

www.chile.travel

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Feel like learning Spanish to travel all over South America? Get Bueno, entonces… now and you’ll be speaking and understanding native Spanish in just five weeks! We also have clips of our Spanish classes on Youtube – go check ‘em out and get a taste of our teaching style.

Better yet – you can now get the first 40 minute class for free! Try it out here: http://www.generallinguistics.com

Before any foreigner heads down to Argentina (as well as Uruguay and a few other spots in South America), there is one thing they must know about the culture: mate (pronounced mah-teh).

Now, what the hell is mate? Mate is a highly-caffeinated drink that is made up of natural yerba mate (the mate herb–pronounced shair-bah) mixed with hot water, and should always be drunk out of a mate gourd using a bombilla (special mate straw– pronounced bom-bee-shah). It is so much more than a drink, though. Here, mate is practically a way of life.

Mate originated out in the campo (country) and was used by gauchos (cowboys) to stay awake and maintain their energy for the day. At one point or another, it became widespread throughout the nation and now it is virtually used in every household. At first glance, it looks like it is either a) an outdated, traditional tea that only really old-fashioned Argentines would drink, or b) some sort of drug. In reality, it is neither, and we cannot stress enough how much of a major part of the culture here is based off of mate. In fact, even the production team here at Bueno, entonces… couldn’t survive without it.

Working hard on creating Bueno, entonces...

As mentioned before, mate is always drunk out of a special mate gourd and done so through a bombilla (as seen in the photo). The yerba (the actual herb of the plant- it looks a bit like marijuana) is put into the gourd, and then the gourd is filled with hot water to the very top. You then sip the mate through the bombilla, which has a special filter at the bottom to keep you from sucking in the yerba until the water is all gone, then you pass the gourd to be filled (with water–you keep the same yerba until it is completely drained of any caffeine or taste) by the next drinker. It is a communal thing, and, although people drink it by themselves, it is most often shared by a group in which everyone uses the same bombilla. Germs? What germs?

Seriously, take a walk around a park anywhere in Argentina and Uruguay and you are bound to find some mate drinkers. Or go to an office. Or even a taxi cab (how do you expect them to stay awake all day without a bit of mate?).

It. Is. Everywhere.

And one last thing– if you want to read a blog post about Episode 8 (the episode about mate) of Bueno, entonces… check out this blog of one of our users! http://juniperbsas.blogspot.com.

We at Bueno, entonces…learn Spanish have decided to give you a lesson in la vida nocturna (nightlife), ranging from tragos (drinks) to drogas (drugs) to música (music) to…well, anything else we can think of, really. So here it goes:

Let’s start with clubs. Clubs in Argentina are called boliches, but boliche is a word that is only used in Argentina and Uruguay. If you want a more neutral word that will be understood everywhere, just stick to discoteca. As far as bars and pubs go, Spanish keeps it simple by using the same words, but putting a Spanish accent on them. Conozco algunos bares… (I know some bars…) ¡Vamos a un pub! (Let’s go to a pub!) But watch out for la entrada or el cover (the cover charge), sometimes they are crazy expensive in the city, and even in places where you least expect it.

Now, it is important to know music when you go out at night, because you don’t want to get stuck in a bar, pub, or boliche listening to something resembling a dying cat all night, or something like Celine Dion, which is equally as bad. These are pretty easy to remember though, because the Spanish words are the same as the English words, only said with an accent. El rock, el pop, la electrónica, el jazz, el reggaetón, el reggae, la salsa, el merengue, la cumbia (okay, we might have stolen a few of those from Spanish originally), etc… The words are all pretty much the same, with the exception of the varying genders for each genre.  That part is a bit tricky, but you’ll learn with time.

Now for the substances. Cigarrillos (cigarettes) are always popular both day and night in Argentina, but make sure you ask for a cenicero (ashtray) before you go and ash on someone. And tienes fuego? is the easiest way to ask for a light (literally, do you have fire?). The types of alcohol are pretty much the same as they are in English, as well, with a few exceptions. Vodka, Ron (Rum), Ginebra (Gin), and, of course, cerveza (beer) and vino (wine).  In Argentina, however, fernet is a staple to any good night.

Drogas are a little trickier. There’s marihuana (which, like in English, as a bazillion different names, and every country’s is unique- here, you can call a joint either a porro or faso, among many other things). Pastillas (pills) of all sorts as well as the rest of the harder drugs have varying names from place to place, but again, use the name in English and they will often understand.

There you have it- all the nightlife knowledge you could possibly need when going out in Argentina (or else where in Latin America). Oh, and remember, dancing here is not the same as in most English-speaking countries, so try to keep the grinding to a minimum as to not embarrass yourself and offend others.

Want to learn more Spanish? Head to our site to get the first 40 min Spanish class for free! Go here today: http://www.generallinguistics.com

You can also see funny Spanish classes on our Youtube Page.