April 2012 Spanish Lessons

Spanish Lessons With Marina Aguirre

 April 2012

	MONDAYS	TUESDAYS	WEDNESDAYS	THURSDAYS
9:00-10:30	Beginner	Pre-Spanish	Beginner	Pre-Spanish
10:30-12:00	Beginner-Intermediate		Beg-Intermediate
12:00-13:30	Inter-Advanced	Conversation	Inter-Advanced	Conversation

We will have 5 courses in April:

·         Pre-Spanish for students who want to learn a new language and this will be their first contact (without any background in Spanish).

·         Beginner for students who want to improve the basic tenses and practice “short and smart dialogues”.

·         Beginner-Intermediate for student ts who want to learn Idioms and different ways to express ideas in Spanish, besides the basic tenses. More ideas, more tenses, and more fun.

·         Intermediate Advanced for students who want to gain confidence speaking Spanish while also learning new grammar formulas and “tricks to understand and speak more confidently”.

·         Conversation for those students who want to feel comfortable discussing different kinds of topics in Spanish and want to have new challenges during the process to perfect their Spanish.

We will start Mon April 2^nd and Tues the 3^rd and end Wed April 27^th and Thurs the 28^th

Total no of hours: 16       Cost per hour: $70    Total course fee (to be paid at 1^st class): $840 pesos

The classes will be held at: Calle 49 No. 499B entre 58 y 60, Mérida Centro

More info: Marina Aguirre - maguirresa@hotmail.com

or Connie Burk - burk.connie@gmail.com, 924-4974

The Spring Equinox

with Marina Aguirre

Celebrate the Equinox at two archaeological sites - March 21, 2012

The Sun shall illuminate you in the dawn at Dzibilchaltún and near sunset at Chichén Itzá.

In the dawn, at Dzibilchaltún, be astonished as the Sun "looks out" of one of the doors of "The House of the Dolls," providing a unique, special and magic moment. Dzibilchaltún's center is aligned along a sacbé (sacred way) that crosses it from east to west, and  demonstrates that the city was aligned bearing in mind the movement of the Sun, from north to south in every solar cycle.

In the late afternoon, at Chichén Itzá, watch the Sun slowly illuminate the steps of “The Castle,” forming Quetzalcóatl's serpentine body. As the Sun describes its tour in the sky, it projects light and shadows on the nine levels of the pyramid  on the stairs of the north side, producing the visual effect of a giant serpent, Quetzalcoatl or Kukulkán, descending the stairs as it goes away in the evening.

Both moments are amazing and fascinating.

ITINERARY

5:00 am               Leave Merida for Dzibilchaltún, from Calle 49 No. 499B x 58 y 60, Centro.  

6:00-8:00am       Equinox at the House of the Dolls in Dzibilchaltún. Stay and tour the ruin

8:30-10:00am     Breakfast buffet

10:00am             Travel to Chichén Itzá

12:30-13:00       Arrive at Chichén Itza

13:00-15:30       Guided tour of the ruin (2½ hours)

15:30-16:00       Lunch

17:00-17:50       The equinox will last 45 minutes until the sunset

18:00                  Leave to return to Merida

20:00                  Approximate hour of arrival in Merida

Cost $1,150.00 pesos

Cost includes entrance fees to both ruins, breakfast, lunch, transportation, and guide.

Limited space

For reservations or more information, write to Marina Aguirre at maguirresa@hotmail.com

or call Connie Burk at 924-4974, cel. (999) 189-7046

February 2012 Short Course with Marina Aguirre

The Thousand-Year-Old Maya

History, Archaeology and Anthropology

With Archaeologist and Ethnohistorian Marina Aguirre

Four weeks: Tuesday, 7th February - Tuesday, 6th March, 2012

Intensive and Fascinating

In Spanish language (intermediate) - Tue. & Thur. 10:00-12:00

In English language - Tue. & Thur. 12:00-2:00  

Cost for entire course (16 hours) - $1,300 pesos

Lectures, Discussions, Stories, Myths, pre-Columbian Music, etc.

Also, taste and learn about exquisite Prehispanic and mestiza cuisine at each class!

Be surprised and delighted with a Taste of México and its thousand-year history.

The course includes written materials.

Limited space.

More information about Marina, her Spanish classes, and tours is available at her blog: http://marinaaguirre.blogspot.com/

The classes will be held at: Calle 49 #499B x 58 y 60 (across Café Chocolate)

Registration: 1/13 - 2/3 with Marina at Calle 54 #411 x 47 y 49, or call or write

Connie Burk:  924.4974 or cel. 999.189.7046   burk.connie@gmail.com

Course Objective and Topics

Course Objective: Nowadays we have access to a great quantity of interesting television programs, eloquent books and meticulous articles, all dealing with the topic of the Maya culture with different approaches. New questions arise in us as we learn of the origin and development of this civilization. It is our interest to offer to the public a space to share, in light of relevant archaeology, history and anthropology, information about one of the most emblematic cultures of all times, the MAYA. The intention of this course is to raise the most relevant aspects of the development and evolution of the Maya culture, in order to understand its importance and transcendency across time.

Topics:

1.   The Olmec culture. Tuesday, February 7

Among the contributions that have led to considering the Olmec to be the "culture mother" of Mesoamérica are: the first ceremonial buildings constructed by agreement with a well-designed plan; the social structure, capable of organizing big works; the first and definitive good artistic style, formed the same thing in small objects as in colossal sculptures.

2. The Mayan myths of the origin of the cosmos. Thursday, February 9
The cosmogonic mythology of the former Maya, contained in the indigenous books written in the colonial epoch - that narrate the creation of the universe as a cyclical process with man being central, written in hieroglyphs from the Classic period and in codices from the Postclassic.

3. The pyramids of Mexico: symbolism, functions and how they were constructed. Tuesday, February 14

These constructions are erroneously known as "pyramids", a name that also is of common use among the experts. In spite of the fact that in the beginning, they had connotations associating them with other monuments, such as those of the Egyptians, they actually shared neither form nor an essential vocation.

4. The paths, routes and ways of pre-Hispanic Mexico. Tuesday, February 21

In ancient and colonial Mexico, the transport of objects, persons and ideas between different sites, distributed in vast territories of economic, political and religious relevancy, was accomplished with routes, paths and ways. The study of these former road links is fundamental to understanding the Maya’s social development, allowing us to review multiple aspects related to cultural interaction.

5. War in Mesoamérica. Thursday, February 23
The intention of war was undoubtedly the capture of victims to serve as sacrifices, and in this sense it can be seen as a fundamental component in the indigenous cosmovision, providing the raw material necessary for a ritual vital for survival in the world. The existence of ancient cities in places of difficult access, with clearly defined defensive elements such as walls and pits, and the remains of instruments possibly used as weapons, added to a rich set of representations of warlike topics, are clear samples of the importance of the military in pre-Hispanic Mexico.

6. The cenotes in the Maya area. Tuesday, February 28

Seen as the source of a vital liquid, the cenotes had an important place in the ritual life of the Maya groups. On their shores were located temples in which rites were held, associated with rain and fertility, and to its sacred waters diverse objects were thrown. Many of them are now proving to be examples of the artistic skill of the former Maya and of the maximum offering that could be done to the gods: the human life.

­­7. Mayan Codices. Thursday, March 1
The Auto de fé de Maní occurred in 1562, when a great number of codices and idols – the primary elements that belonged to the Maya culture – were destroyed. Only three codices were rescued; they are called the Madrid, the Selden and the Paris. We will learn and understand the meaning, transcendency and importance of each.

8. The Indigenous Mayan Resistance. Tuesday, March 6
The indigenous Mayan resistance, from times of the conquest and the settling to the present day, has been evident and constant. In what ways have the Maya resisted and which have been the cultural elements that have remained across time?

Comments from February 2011 Course Participants


Marina, thank you, thank you! This course was excellent. Your knowledge of all aspects of the history and culture here are amazing. Your method of explanation is clear and concise. Your passion and enthusiasm are contagious.   -- Debbie Moore

Gracias, Marina, I really enjoyed your course. The material was extremely well organized and clearly presented. You made the course very interesting with your enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge. Thank you.  -- Norma Davies

Marina, thank you for a fascinating class. It was very interesting. You are an excellent teacher. I particularly appreciate that you speak clearly and explain concepts in terms that make the subject understandable. I was lucky to be here.   -- Sue Auerbach

This class with Marina is absolutely fantastic in every way. The subject matter of the Mayan culture is fascinating. Marina speaks Spanish so beautifully that she makes me falsely believe that I am bilingual. I have learned so very much, culturally and Spanish. Luís' Mayan food is muy rico. I highly recommend this experience. -- Tonia Kimsey

Wonderful presentation, interesting subject matter. Well worth the time. And great snacks!  

-- Susan Carson

Muy interesante de todos partes. Marina habla con un voz que es muy fácil de entender. La información sobre las estelas y otras cosas de los mayas, la historia fue más fácil de entender. Puedo recomendar a otras personas este curso. También la comida era muy buena.  

-- Katrina Joa

Thank you, Marina, for your intense studies with us. You helped to bring us nearer the Maya history and you helped with our Spanish. Luís made amazing pre-Hispanic dishes. Looking forward to another class with you. Great job.   -- Doris Huber

The "icing on the cake" was the amazing pre-hispanic food you served at every break. Luís takes food to a new and amazing height. Please let me know about your next course. I will be there!   -- Debbie Moore

I enjoyed the course, "Mexico - a Través de los Siglos". It was exciting to learn about Mayan beliefs, their amazing use of the stars and architecture to invent and use their calendar and how their calendar affects all aspects of their life. The food served by Luís and his interesting descriptions of pre-hispanic foods of the Maya were an additional bonus.  

-- Evonne von Boeck

Disfrute el curso mucho. Hace estaba una niña mi gustaró mucho archaeología y anthropología. La clase fue muy interesante y ahora yo se y yo entiendo más de la maya. Me gusta que habla lentamente y claro y puedo entender demasiado. Y la comida fue muy rico. Quiero tener uno  curso más.  -- Roberta Fertel


Marina was very well-prepared and enthusiastic. I liked having the notes beforehand so that I could read and learn more from the discussion. The botanas were wonderful. They provided another chance to learn about México and to hear Spanish spoken by another person. Thank you, Marina and Luís, for a great time this month.  -- Sarita Willson

Explore Chiapas, January 2012

EXPLORE AND DISCOVER CHIAPAS 

with Marina Aguirre  

 This is a wonderful trip to learn the customs, traditions, archaeology and culinary arts of a magical and poetical place

Eight unforgettable days from January 18 to January 24, 2012

 

Panel de Estucos de Toniná, Chiapas

 

The trip will begin on Wednesday, the 18th of January, 2012
and end on Wednesday, the 24th of January, 2012

We will spend

8 days and 7 nights 

(2 nights in Palenque, Chiapas and 5 nights in San Cristóbal de las Casas)

The trip includes: 

1.    Transportation during the whole tour

2.    Accommodations

3.    Guide specialized in archaeology, ethnography and anthropology

4.    Breakfasts

5.    Traveler's insurance

6.    Entrance fees to all the attractions detailed in the tour

It does not include: 

1.    Meals other than breakfasts

2.    Tips

3.    Telephone calls, laundry.

ATTRACTIONS DURING THE TRIP

 You will actively take part in 3 traditional celebrations, all full of great beauty and color. The "Fiesta de los Parachicos" that is celebrated in Chiapa de Corzo, this year was named a Cultural Heritage of the Humanity by the UNESCO. It is Chiapas' magical and emblematic holiday. Also, we participate in two other important celebrations in Comitán and Las Margaritas.


Please, see the following link to enjoy this video it is about the "Fiesta de los Parachicos".http://youtu.be/VmOfSDdAayo

Fiesta de los "Parachicos" en Chiapa de Corzo.

This year it was named a Cultural Heritage of the Humanity site by UNESCO

En Comitán	20 de enero
En Las Margaritas	20 de enero
“Los Parachichos”  in Chiapa de Corzo	21 de enero

In addition you will visit three colonial cities

Iglesia de Santo Domingo en San Cristóbal de las Casas

Colonial cities	Dates
Comitán	20 de enero
Chiapa de Corzo	21 de enero
San Cristóbal de las Casas	19-24 de enero

And you will visit three natural areas of incomparable beauty

Cañón del Sumidero

Agua Azul	19 de enero
Misol-ha	19 de enero
Cañón del Sumidero	21 de enero

You will take part in the markets and daily activities in seven indigenous towns,

Zinacatán, Chiapas

Amatenango del Valle	20 de enero
Las Margaritas	20 de enero
Zinacatán	22 de enero
San Juan Chamula	22 de enero
Tenejapa	22 de enero
Oxchuc	24 de enero

  You will visit and learn about 3 archaeological sites of great importance.

Palenque, Chiapas

Palenque	19 de enero
Chiapa de Corzo	21 de enero
Toniná	24 de enero

You will also visit numerous artisans and craftsmen including the makers of:

TEXTILES

 Oxchuc, Ocosingo, Tenejapa, Amatenango del Valle, Zinacantán, San Juan Chamula, Las Margaritas
 

CLAY and POTTERY

Amatenango del Valle

LACQUER IN WOOD AND AMBER
 Chiapa de Corzo

 BASKET-MAKING
 Tenejapa, Zinacatán, Ocosingo, San Cristóbal de las Casas

 HARNESS-MAKER'S SHOP, METALWORK, ARTISTIC CHANDLERY
 San Cristóbal de las Casas

Amatenango del Valle

COMMON QUESTIONS

Why travel to Chiapas in January?

From January 8 to January 23 in Chiapa de Corzo you will experience one of the most interesting and colorful festivities, called La Fiesta de los Parachicos. In 2011 it was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

During the festivities, every day the people of Chiapa de Corzo carry their costumes of Parachicos and of Chiapanecas, to dance in the streets in a mixture of pagan and religious rituals. 

It is a unique and special opportunity.

How is the climate in San Cristobal for these dates?

The temperature ranges between 14 and 16 centigrade degrees (57-61F) during the day, in the lows at night down to 6 degrees (43F). During the day the sun can be hot and in places such as the Cañón del Sumidero, Palenque and Chiapa de Corzo can be humid as well.

We recommend that you bring a light coat and/or sweater. 

What comforts are offered by the hotels in which we will lodge?

They are 4 stars hotels and offer all the comforts of the modern world.

They include:

Hotel Mansión de los Angeles
www.hotelmansiondelosangeles.com

Hotel Misión Palenque
www.hotelmisionpalenque.com

How large is the group?

The trip is designed only for 20 persons. The intention is that the attention is personalized and that the experience is unique and unforgettable.

What transportation will be used?

The tours will be done in a comfortable ADO bus that has sanitary services and air conditioning, as well as sufficient space for luggage and to keep your purchases safe.

All purchases that need to be shipped may be transported in a sure and practical manner to my domicile in Merida.

How much does the trip cost?

The trip costs

$10,800.00 if it is paid from November 25 to December 20
 and

$ 11,850 if it is paid after December 20
 

Last date to make a reservation and payment will be January 8, 2012

Payment details:

Payment in cash can be made at in Calle 54 No. 411 between 47 and 49 or by bank deposit in Banamex addressed to Marina Aguirre de Samaniego. 




For more details, please contact: maguirresa@hotmail.com