Bombon el Perro

In class, I recommended an endearing Argentinian film called Bombón le chien.

I know it is not going to help you improve your English, but it may provide insights into the human devotion for dogs. This recommendation is not an assignment, however, just a suggestion. 

By the way, as far as I know, this film was made without proper, trained actors. All of the folks in the film are their real selves, especially the dog... although I do not think his real name is Bombon le chien!

 
endearing = de cariño, película tierna

Clap your hands at the door in Tejeda

In our advanced class, I mentioned the 2004 film "Bombon le chien," (or Bombon el perro, for more details see http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420548/) in reference to how people greet their neighbors when they stop by for a visit. In this case, the Chilean hero of the movie, which takes place in the southern reaches of Patagonia, tends to clap his hands a couple of times when he is at someone's door. This struck me as odd but a friend from Tejeda said this was a custom in her mom's village up in the mountains. Tachy happens to work in Tejeda and filed this report.  


Hi David. Yesterday I was thinking about what you said in class about how people in Tejeda used to clap hands instead of knocking at doors. Today I asked an old man in Tejeda about this and he said me that is true. The reason is because the doors of the houses used to be opened, so people made noise before venturing in (in case the occupants were in the bathroom or in a more embarrassing situation) . Another interesting fact the old man told me was that people in Tejeda (particularly in La Culata) used to ask the family's father the blessing while they kissed his hand. This was custom not long time ago ... amazing! ¡échale mojo!

Thanks, Tachy for this Information Poster

Fiesta de San Mateo, Autumn Begins!

Autumn begins in the Canary Island town of San Mateo with the feast day of its patron, Saint Matthew. These festivities include a great cattle and livestock show (in Spanish, la feria de ganado) and much music. Last Friday we processed up the cobbled streets of the old town to the church with one of the floats (in Spanish, carrozas) carrying our offering for the poor. Our load consisted of fruit and vegetables with crates of locally grown potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers and lots more. The theme of each float generally commemorates some local feature of the town. This is almost always from the past and ours was decked out with old fashioned gas pumps from a service station now long gone (but not forgotten).

Each float carries food and drink to share with revellers and our stash included hard boiled eggs (in Canary Spanish, huevos sancochados) and much drink. The group that was s

upposed to provide musical accompaniment as we traipsed along did not show up, however, so the Patricia González and her brother Gregorio (former town mayor) had to settle for a long timple player. I think the guy was a foreigner and he only knew Canary folk songs in English. Can you imagine!

After the procession, everyone congregated in the town center for a night of dancing and merriment, till dawn, I am told. It is a great Canary tradition and I say "¡Viva la Vega de San Mateo!" (Long live San Mateo township).

Susan Werner singing her song May I Suggest

May I Suggest by Susan Werner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW1DDSQnEYo

May I Suggest

May I suggest
May I suggest to you
May I suggest this is the best part of your life
May I suggest
This time is blessed for you
This time is blessed and shining almost blinding bright
Just turn your head
And you'll begin to see
The thousand reasons that were just beyond your sight
The reasons why
Why I suggest to you
Why I suggest this is the best part of your life

There is a world
That's been addressed to you
Addressed to you, intended only for your eyes
A secret world
Like a treasure chest to you
Of private scenes and brilliant dreams that mesmerise
A lover's trusting smile
A tiny baby's hands
The million stars that fill the turning sky at night
Oh I suggest
Oh I suggest to you
Oh I suggest this is the best part of your life

There is a hope
That's been expressed in you
The hope of seven generations, maybe more
And this is the faith
That they invest in you
It's that you'll do one better than was done before
Inside you know
Inside you understand
Inside you know what's yours to finally set right
And I suggest
And I suggest to you
And I suggest this is the best part of your life

This is a song
Comes from the west to you
Comes from the west, comes from the slowly setting sun
With a request
With a request of you
To see how very short the endless days will run
And when they're gone
And when the dark descends
Oh we'd give anything for one more hour of light

And I suggest this is the best part of your life

To my students, As you probably know, we are back in class and happy to be here. If you are in NB 1, we are using the Face2Face elementary and in the NA2 advanced class, the New English File Advanced text book.

Farewell Fuerteventura, I Wish You All the Best!!

You are my Sunshine (for NB 1 classes)

http://www.keeponliving.at/song/you_are_my_sunshine.html
Welcome to class! This message is for my first year students of the EOI Santa Brigida. This song has been a big hit success with other classes here and abroad, so it might be good to know some of the history behind the song. It is not just a catchy number!

Back at Santa Brigida

To all my students, I am happy to be back at EOI Santa Brigida. David