1 Course Regular Tuition; 2nd at HALF Tuition!
Are you looking to take a Spanish course abroad but would prefer not to travel alone? Look no further, IMAC has the answer: register now to begin a group course on any start date and the person accompanying you will receive her/his Spanish instruction at ½ price! This offer is for a limited time only so don’t miss out, apply now!Please note that if both persons will not be attending for the same length of time, the lesser of the two will receive the 50% discount. Minimum length of time, 3 weeks.
*No other discounts are valid in conjunction with this offer
* For new registrations only.
* When registering please use 2nd at Half Tuition code.
New Permanent Promotion on Our Spanish Programs!
Ever heard the expression the early bird gets the worm? Well at IMAC you can now obtain savings on your Spanish Immersion Program for booking your course earlier in advance:- Register 2 months in advance for group courses of 4 weeks and up, you get $150 off of your tuition fee
- Register 1 month in advance for group courses of 3 weeks, you get $50 off of your tuition fee
You literally cannot wait to let this offer pass you up. Register now and save!
*No other discounts are valid in conjunction with this offer.
* For new registrations only.
* When registering please use 2 months/1 month advance code.
A Good Walk
Visiting any city for the first time always requires dedicating a day or two exclusively to sight seeing. This is not always an easy task and requires some strategic planning if one wants to get the most out of the day. Depending on the size of the city will determine how many places within the metropolitan are one will actually get to visit. To make things easier here is a good walking route that you can take of the Historic Downtown Guadalajara area that may save you some time.Begin a tour of downtown at the 16th-century cathedral on Avenida Alcalde between Avenida Hidalgo and Calle Morelos. Go out through the main doors and cross Avenida Alcalde to Plaza Guadalajara, dotted with benches beneath square-cut laurel trees. To your right (with your back toward the cathedral) across Avenida Hidalgo is the Palacio Municipal, or City Hall, a clever colonial-style fake: It was built in 1952 with an arched facade and interior patio so it would fit in with neighboring buildings. Inside is a colorful mural depicting the founding of Guadalajara. For a brief detour into the history of journalism and print, head east (left) around the corner from the Palacio to the new Museo del Periodismo y las Artes Gráficas at Avenida Alcalde 225, just north of Calle San Felipe; it’s located in a building long known as Casa de los Perros because of the two wrought-iron dogs (perros) guarding the roof.
Return to Avenidas Alcalde and Hidalgo and proceed one block east to Calle Liceo, where you’ll see the Museo Regional de Guadalajara. You’ll pass the Illustrious Jaliscans’ Rotunda de, a tree-shaded square whose central colonnaded rotunda covers a mausoleum containing the remains of 17 of the state of Jalisco’s favorite sons and daughters. Surrounding the square are brass sculptures representing those buried inside.
When you exit back onto Calle Liceo, you have two alternatives: Three blocks to your right is the Casa-Museo López Portillo. Around the corner to the left, on Avenida Hidalgo, are the Palacio Legislativo, a former customs house, tabacco warehouse, and inn that today houses Jalisco’s state legislature, followed by the Palacio de Justicia, built in 1588 as part of Guadalajara´s first convent and now the state courthouse. Across Avenida Hidalgo on your right sprawls the Plaza de la Liberación, at the east end of which rises the spectacular Teatro Degollado . Behind it begins the Plaza Tapatía, five-block-long pedestrian mall lined with shops, trees, and whimsical sculptures and frequented by mimes and street musicians. At the end of Plaza Tapatía, visit the Instituto Cultural Cabañas; then proceed back west through Plaza Tapatía to the modernistic Quetzalcóatl Fountain in the center. Turn left and walk down the stairs to the three-story Mercado Libertad (Shopping, below). Turn left again when you leave the market and cross the pedestrian bridge over Avenida Javier Mina to the Plaza de los Mariachis (Not nice or recommended after 7:00 p.m.).
Return to Plaza Tapatía by heading right to the intersection of Calzada Independencia Sur and Avenida Javier Mina, in front of the Iglesia de San Juan de Dios. Continue two blocks past the church and o pack up the stairs. Turn left and walk west four blocks (giving you the opportunity to see the stores on this side of the plaza) to Iglesia de San Agustín.
As you leave the church, turn left down Calle Morelos to Avenida Corona. Turn left again, walk half-block to the main entrance of the Palacio de Gobierno. Exit the Palacio de Gobierno back onto Avenida Corona (the way you came in) and cross the street to the Plaza de Armas, where you can rest on a wrought-iron bench, or imagine yourself a gracious don or doña as you stroll amid the trees and flower beds surrounding an ornately sculpted kiosk, a gift from France in 1910. You have now come full circle, with the cathedral to your right, on the north side or the plaza.
La Catedral
Perhaps Guadalajara’s most famous historical building is the Metropolitan Cathedral who’s first yellow-gray stone was laid in 1561, and it was finally completed 30 years later. This was not due to sloth, inadequate funds, labor problems, or even warfare. Rather, upon being crowned, each Spanish sovereign would halt this and other works in progress, to review them at his or her leisure. The work in progress was inevitably scrapped, for having gone out of style or for not bearing the new monarchs personal imprint. New plans would be commissioned and presented, to be criticized, revised and eventually accepted. These were then turned over to the officials responsible for the works completion, who of course entertained architectural ideals of their own.The resulting mishmash of Renaissance, neo-Gothic, neo-Classic, and a Moorish Style referred to as Mudéjar make for a construction that is interesting if not harmonious.
Then there was the earthquake of 1818 that totally destroyed the Cathedrals steeples. Shortly afterward, the bishop (cathedrals are designed not only to serve as administrative centers, but also to house the bishop) happened to note upon a platter from which supper was being served the likeness of a steeple. His Excellency was sufficiently impressed to pass the plate on to the architect and so, unknown to him, an anonymous artisan designed what was to become Guadalajara’s Eiffel Tower.
Rotonda De Los Jalicienses Ilustres
The illustrious Jaliscans’ Rotunda is a small park featuring statues of the state’s favorite sons, the remains of whom are interred therein. It’s indicative of the character of Guadalajara and Jalisco that among the honored are fifteen men of arts, literature and science, but only two from the military. Originally, the block was occupied by a seminary, and later by a church jail in which errant priests where punished.
Palacio De Justicia
The courthouse facilities were originally part of the city’s first convent, a complex occupying what would constitute six of today’s city blocks. It was donated by a single individual. In past centuries the only charity organization in Mexico was the Catholic Church. Contrary to popular belief, convents and churches were financed by gifts or inheritance, while alms and tithes were generally distributed among the poor.The mural above the stairway was painted by Guillermo Chávez and represents progressive landmarks in the Mexican judicial system. The central figure is that of Benito Juárez who, overcoming almost insurmountable odds became México’s first full-blooded Indian cited for his pivotal creation of a new constitution.
Day of the Dead
Our students are excited about being in Guadalajara next month as they will have the pleasure of witnessing one of Mexicos most traditional holidays: The Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos. This holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration, where partying and eating is common.Scholars trace the origins of the modern holiday to indigenous observances dating back thousands of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl. The celebration occurs on November 2nd in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1st) and All Souls' Day (November 2nd).
November 1st honors children and infants, whereas deceased adults are honored on November 2nd. This is indicated by generally referring to November 1st mainly as Día de los Inocentes ("Day of the Innocents") but also as Día de los Angelitos ("Day of the Little Angels") and November 2nd as Día de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos ("Day of the Dead").
During the two-day period, families visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are burried to be with the souls of the departed. They clean and decorate their graves with ofrendas ("offerings") with the intent to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Catrinas, one of the most popular figures of the Day of the Dead celebrations in MexicoToys, are brought for dead children (los angelitos, or "the little angels"), and bottles of tequila, mezcal or pulque or jars of atole for adults. A common offering and decortaion used during this celbration and which is one of the symbols of the Day of the Dead is the Flor de Muerto ("Flower of the Dead) or orange mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta), also called cempasúchitl (originally named cempoalxochitl, Nahuatl for "twenty flowers"). These flowers are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings.
Another common symbol of the holiday is the skull (colloquially called calavera), which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas (colloquial term for "skeleton"), and foods such as sugar or chocolate skulls, which are inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead. Sugar skulls are gifts that can be given to both the living and the dead. Other holiday foods include pan de muerto, a sweet egg bread made in various shapes from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits, often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones.
Some families also build altars or small shrines at the grave site of the departed and in their homes. These usually have the Christian cross, statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives and other persons, scores of candles and an ofrenda. Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar, praying and telling anecdotes about the deceased. In some locations, celebrants wear shells on their clothing, so that when they dance, the noise will wake up the dead; some will also dress up as the deceased.
El Panteon de Belen is Guadalajaras oldest cemetery and is located in the downtown area. This historical landmark offers day and night tours year-round which delight its visitors with legends and gohst stories. There is no better time of year to walk the grounds of this site than during the Day of the Dead celebration, when it appears to vibrate with life and color as if the souls of the departed truly did returned just for this occasion; to celebrate along with their families and friends.
Students at IMAC will honor the Day of the Dead by building their own altar at our school dedicated to a famous figure which made their mark in Mexicos history. Each student will have a chance to participate in this event, and lend a hand in various ways.
October Mexican Culture Lessons
Our students are sure looking forward to attending our Spanish Immersion Program during October as this month is sure to be twice as rewarding. They will not only obtain or improve their Spanish skills, but will also have the opportunity to learn about Mexico’s history and culture through our Mexican Culture Lessons. For 1 hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday our students will have a chance to take a trip into Mexico’s past, and dig deeper into our countries roots. They will discover how we came to be the society we are today and the history behind some of our traditions.Here is a list of the topics which will be presented by the week:
1st week: 12 de octubre en Guadalajara. Romería de la Virgen de Zapopan. La gastronomía de Jalisco. 16 de septiembre. Día de la Independencia de México.
2nd week: Clemente Orozco y sus contemporáneos. 01 y 02 de noviembre. Día de muertos en México. La Navidad en México.
3rd week: 20 de noviembre. Día de la Revolución Mexicana. El cine mexicano. 12 de diciembre. Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe.
Octoberfest in Guadalajara
Our students attending our Spanish programs in October will have a chance to experience Gudalajara’s largest celebration: “Octoberfest” or “Las Fiestas de Octubre” as we locals call it. This yearly festival is much anticipated by the citizens of Guadalajara and during this month students will have the opportunity to find out why.They will get to experience a variety of cultural events like folkloric ballet and dance performances, film and painting exhibitions, and expositions of Mexican craftsmanship. They can get an adrenaline rush from the mechanical rides, delight their taste buds with a variety of Mexican “antojitos” (or snacks), or bare witness to the famous cock fights held in the arena known as “El Palenque” amongst other things.
Guadalajara’s Octoberfest also draws the participation of Mexico’s finest performers, from the year’s top pop music acts to the ever favorite singers of Mexicos traditional Rancheras and Mariachi music.
Festivities kick off on the first Saturday of October with a parade along 16 of September Avenue and end on the first Sunday of November. Every year the goal is to top the one before and you can bet that Octoberfest 2011 will live up to this tradition!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)