Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Futból

Soccer is ultimately the worlds most popular sport. At the turn of the the 21st century, the game was played by 250 million people in over 200 countries worldwide. In spanish speaking countries, this sport is known as futból. Most people in spanish speaking countries play futból as a child and continue to watch or play it as an adult. They say soccer is like a religion in Spain. Real Madrid, a Spanish soccer team, is the most successful team in all of Europe.

Friday, December 16, 2011

How do People in Spain Celebrate Christmas?

People in Spain celebrate Christmas in a much different way then the U.S, Canada, or other western countries. First of all, Christmas in Spain is not as commericalised. The Spanish treat it more as a religious event. The Spanish do however, decorate their houses with lights and nativity scenes. Christmas Eve is called Nochebuena and is the most important family gathering in the world. They typically have a much calmer Christmas Day celebration then on Nochebuena. There may be small presents for the children, but the main present giving day is typically Three Kings Day (Janurary 6th).
http://www.proper-spanish-tapas.com/christmas-in-spain.html

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Do People in Spanish Speaking Countries Celebrate Halloween?

Among many spanish speaking countries, Halloween is known as "El Dia de los Muertos." It is a happy holiday, in which the people celebrate the passing of loved ones and friends. The three day celebration offically begins October 31st. In order to honor the dead, the first thing people do for El Dia de los Muertos is design in alter in their homes. They decorate it with candy, flowers, fresh water, and all the deceased's favorite food and drink. Candles are burned so the spirit returning and easily find their way home. Relatives also tidy up the dead loved one's gravesites, the grave is then constructed with flowers and decorations.

Cyber Cafes

Many people in spanish speaking countries enjoy spending time at a Cyber Cafe, or a cafe with access to the internet. In 1997 there was 30 Cyber Cafes in Mexico. Today, there is over 500 Cyber Cafes in Mexico. This shows how much technology has advanced in the past 10 years, and that people enjoy the internet as much as we Americans do. In Minnesota, i really dont see any Cyber Cafes open. Maybe it's because so many people have internet access availabe at their houses?

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Mexican Cuisine

Mexican cuisine is known for it's varied flavors, colorful decoration, variety of spices, and ingredients, most of which are native to the country. Mexican cuisine has been influenced by many different cultures. For example, when the Spanish conquistadors arrived they introduced many new foods to the people that were already there. Chocolate played an important part in Mexican cuisine, and it was first drunk rather than eaten. Back in the day, chocolate was also used as currency and for religious rituals. Mexican cuisine consists of tacos, chimichangas, tamales, ect.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Air Pollution in Mexio City

In the 1990's, the United Nations declared Mexico City to have the worst air quality in the world. In fact the air is so bad, that it has affected many different animals. One of the biggest factors to Mexico City's air pollution problem is the burning of fossil fuels. The National Institute of Public health says that breathing the air in Mexico City, affects children worse than cigarette smoke does. Most drivers in Mexico City are restricted to only using their cars to one day a week. In spite of all these problems, leaders of Mexico have devised a plan in order to make the city "greener". People have started planting gardens on their roofes', which adds oxygen to the air. Biking is also becoming very popular.

Texting in Spanish Speaking Countries

In America, texting has very recently become one of the most popular ways that we communicate with one another, and this is also true in many of the spanish speaking countries. Here, we have many ways to abbreviate words. In spanish speaking countries, they also abbreviate words to make texting an easy task. Here are some examples:
100pre - siempre
amr - love
a2 - adios
aki - aqui