MADRID BEATEN IN THE FINAL VOTE FOR THE 2016 OLYMPICS (B1)

 Rio de Janeiro more than doubled the vote for Madrid in the last round
Madrid has failed for the second consecutive attempt to host the Olympics. The 2016 games will be held in Latin America for the first time in Rio de Janeiro.
The bid surprise in the election process to separate the last four was the [...]

SAY GOODBYE TO PLASTIC BAGS FOREVER (B1+)

Say goodbye to plastic bags forever
Environmentally friendly alternatives are available and can save you money

GOING GREEN
Cloth bags replace plastic in a greengrocersIt is a scene that is becoming more and more commonplace, a young girl is buying bread in her local bakers, the assistant offers her a plastic bag for her purchase, “ No thanks,” [...]

VALENCIA “EN FIESTAS (B1+)

Valencia en fiestas
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By h.b. – Mar 16, 2009 – 7:26 PM

The Falla celebrations are well underway and as always there is plenty of political satire
Valencia is currently enjoying the Falla celebrations and as always some of the statues mark political satire of the moment, at least until they are burnt to ash on [...]

WHO DOES THE HOUSEWORK? (B1+)

Who does the housework?

30.01.09 –

Liz Parry

The answer to “Who does the housework?” in Spain used to be obvious – the housewife. And the mother taught the daughters to cook and clean and sew, while the sons played with their toy cars. That was two generations ago, and there are women of 30 who [...]

MEN vs WOMEN: STEREOTYPES (B1+)

WATCH THIS VIDEO. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?
Scientists have come to accept that a few fundamental differences between men and women are biological. It turns out that men’s and women’s brains, for example, are not only different, but the way we use them differs too. Women have larger connections and [...]

SUPERSTITIONS IN THE UK (B1+)

DO YOU BELIEVE….?

 
 
 
Good Luck

Lucky to meet a black cat. Black Cats are featured on many good luck greetings cards and birthday cards in England.
Lucky to touch wood .
Lucky to find a clover plant with four leaves.
A horseshoe over the door brings good luck. But the horse shoe needs to be the right way up. The [...]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! (A1)+(B1+)

SPANISH LUCKY GRAPES TURN 100 (B1+)

Spanish lucky grapes turn 100 years old, according to some
By h.b. – Dec 28, 2008 – 1:13 PM

 
 
 
 
Bags of a dozen already prepared grapes are sold in supermarkets – Photo EFE
The Spanish custom of eating 12 grapes at midnight New Year’s Eve, in time with the clock strikes, has only been followed for the past [...]

CHRISTMAS IN SPAIN (B1+)

Christmas in Spain
 
Unlike many other places in Europe, Christmas lights do not go up in Spain until December. Every town and city will decorate the streets. Christmas markets also begin to appear. Christmas trees are on sale everywhere and gypsies begin to sell Christmas trees in the streets.
The first major sign of Christmas is the [...]

DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS ?(B1+)

Another cold and wintery weekend forecast for Spain

Snow showers are forecast across much of the country.
Spain is in for a weekend of snow, rain and wind, with falling temperatures.
Persistent rain is expected in areas of Galicia and Cantabria, with strong winds along the coast and on high ground.
Showers are forecast in the west, south and [...]