I have traveled and studied all over the world, from Australia to Mexico to France, Italy, England, and many more countries, and have experienced many different cultures and languages firsthand. Traveling to Lima, Peru was the very first time I had ever been to South America, and I was not disappointed! I attended ECELA in Lima for 3 weeks, and I had the most fun, amazing, unique, and unforgettable experiences. The people who run ECELA are very friendly and approachable. The teachers challenge their students on a daily basis to learn the Spanish language, but at the same time make learning fun through interesting, interactive conversations and various educational games. ECELA provided snacks and drinks during break time, which was great to keep students going until their next meal. Additionally, ECELA had optional events throughout the week that enabled students to get out and explore the area with their peers. Studying Spanish in a country that speaks Spanish as its native language is the best way to learn. I lived with a Peruvian family as well as conversed in Spanish on a daily basis in order to get places via taxi, order food at a restaurant, ask for directions, and more, so I was fully immersed in the Peruvian culture and Spanish language, enabling me to learn quickly. I highly recommend ECELA, and look forward to returning to Peru soon!
Testimonial: Carly Brennan
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Cultural Tidbit: Nazca Lines
Long before the Incas began to build their empire, another culture was undertaking a tremendous building project in the desert of southern Peru. They were the Nazcas, and their project consisted of a vast and mysterious collection of geoglyphs, or drawings, laid out across a section of desert 190 square miles in area.
These geoglyphs are commonly known as the Nazca Lines. There are over 300 of them, including geometric shapes and representations of animals, plants, and humans. The lines are actually shallow trenches dug into the ground, from 4-6 inches deep. As the brownish red surface rock was removed, the yellowish soil came into view, creating a contrasting line.
The fascinating thing about the Nazca lines is that they can only be appreciated from above. In fact, they weren’t even discovered until 1939, when a scholar happened to be flying over the desert mapping irrigation systems. The Nazca lines have baffled scholars ever since their discovery. Many different theories have arisen concerning their purpose, from signals to aliens, to an astronomical calendar, to paths for religious processionals.
Whatever the purpose of the lines may have been, today they stand as a reminder that Peru holds many mysteries.
Posted in Cultural Tidbit, General, Peru
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Modismo del Día: A mal tiempo, buena cara
Spanish Idiom: A mal tiempo, buena cara.
Literal Translation: To bad times, good face.
English Equivalent: Keep your chin up; stay positive in the face of bad times.
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Cultural Tidbit: Los Huasos Quincheros
If you learn Spanish in Chile, you will quickly find that that music and dance are very important to the country’s people. The sound of the country’s folk music differs from one geographical zone to the next, and tends to change depending on if you are in north, central, or south Chile, or among the Rapa Nui or Mapuche people. However, the band Los Huasos Quincheros has been able to successfully unite the whole country with music that embodies the spirit of traditional folk music.
Believe it or not, this group has been popular since the 1930s. Four young college students started the group with the goal of popularizing traditional Chilean folk music. Of course, due to the long passage of time, all of the Huasos’ original members have been replaced. The group’s current incarnation recently staged a show called Tiempo de Recordar, or “Time to Remember,” to help people impacted by the recent earthquake. The goal of this event was to rebuild Chileans’ positive spirit through song.
The group’s music longs to create a sense of nostalgia for simpler times. It is evocative of traditions, the Chilean people and the country’s landscapes. Clearly, people respond to this music, as Los Huasos Quincheros have been performing for an impressive eight decades.
Have a listen to one of their songs here:
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Vista de Viernes: Cuevas de Marmol
Caves along the shore of Chile’s Lake General Carrera
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Testimonial: Alex Croz
ECELA Lima is another way to say the perfect place to learn Spanish. I spent three months and I do not regret my choice for one second. On the one hand, Lima is a very interesting city. There is always something to do, to visit, and more beaches for surfing. On the other hand, the smiling school staff are super nice people and lovely (mostly women, which helps). I continued to see them after my week course and they became my friends and even like a family, a landmark in Lima where I could go for help when I had the need. My brother had already had a great experience with ECELA, had recommended to me and now I can confirm that. A big THANK YOU to this wonderful team of ECELA Lima.
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Cultural Tidbit: Musica Negra Peruana
Check out this video of Alex Acuña rocking out on Peru’s national instrument, the cajón! The cajón started out as a makeshift instrument invented by African slaves, but it has evolved into a mainstay of all kinds of Peruvian and world music.
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Modismo del Día: A lo hecho, pecho
Spanish Idiom: A lo hecho, pecho.
Literal Translation: To the done, chest.
English Equivalent: What’s done is done; Face what’s done.
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Cultural Tidbit: Afro-Peruvian Culture
What you may not know before arriving to study Spanish in Peru is that there is a large Afro-Peruvian population in the country. Many people do not realize that imported Africans and their descendants had such a strong impact on the evolution of the country’s culture. Today, people of African descent make up approximately 10-15 percent of the country’s total population.
Slaves were first brought to Peru with the conquistadors. They continued to be imported all through the years of the slave trade, up until slavery was outlawed in 1856. Initially, there were two categories of Africans: bozales and ladinos. Bozales were born in Africa, largely untrained, and worked mainly on sugar and cotton plantations and shipyards. The ladinos actually had previous exposure to Spanish culture and spoke the language. They were often skilled artisans, such as carpenters and tailors. The work of ladino blacksmiths was highly sought after, to the point that the slaves were sometimes even paid for their work.
At first, Afro-Peruvians played an intermediary role between the Spanish colonists and native Peruvians. But as the Spanish and indigenous people continually syncretized their cultures, the Afro-Peruvians were pushed to a lower social strata as they were no longer considered to be as vital in intercultural relations.
Afro-Peruvians have contributed tremendously to Peru’s culture, especially in regards to music and dance. They developed the cajón, a wooden box that is one of the country’s national instruments. It developed due to the fact that traditional African instruments like marimbas and drums were once banned. Africans started to use everything they could get their hands on as substitutions, and so tables, chairs and wooden boxes all became makeshift instruments.
Every year in Chincha and El Carmen, The Verano Negro festival is held to celebrate the food, music, dance and poetry of Afro-Peruvians. It takes place at the end of February for 10 days. Among the activities are parades, dance contests, beauty pageants and Afro-Peruvian/Creole food fairs. If you learn Spanish in Peru during the summer, you can also attend the festivities for Afro-Peruvian Culture day, which is June 4th.
Posted in Cultural Tidbit, Peru
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