عيد الفطر (ʻīd al-fiṭr) is an Islamic feast celebrated on the first day of the month of شوّال (Shawwāl) in the Islamic calendar. عيد الفطر is a celebration of the end of the month of رمضان (Ramaḍān), during which المسلمون (al-muslimūn, Muslims) practice صوم (sawm, or fasting) during daylight hours. Continue reading
There are six children in my family, ages 2 to 11, and for this reason, Sunday lunch hasn’t been peaceful for a long time. Over appetizers, paella, red wine (for the adults only), fruit and dessert, parents, grandparents, aunts and … Continue reading
Almost everybody knows the 1962 hit A Garota de Ipanema (ah - gha WRO tah - dee - ee – pah – NUH –ma], The Girl from Ipanema by Tom Jobim. It has been adapted from its original bossa nova style … Continue reading
More than just une comptine (a nursery rhyme) for children, ‘À la claire fontaine’ is deeply embedded in the French culture. Its verses are filled with beauty, romance and a sense of legend. Hundreds of variations of this song exist, emphasizing … Continue reading
French greetings follow a number of tacit étiquettes (pronounced: eh-tee-kayt). They come down from centuries of traditions, some of them quite sophisticated. La bise (s’embrasser sur la joue)(the kiss on the cheek; to kiss each other on the cheek) is perhaps … Continue reading
The 2014 Brazil World Cup had come to an end. So this a good time to review some expressions in Brazilian Portuguese used for competitions, victories and defeats. Foram trinta e dois dias de alegria para alguns e tristeza … Continue reading
The famous French painting by Eugène Delacroix depicts Liberty as a woman wearing un bonnet phrygien (a Phrygian cap), le drapeau de la Révolution (the flag of the French Revolution) and un mousquet avec une baïonnette (a musket with a bayonet). The woman … Continue reading
The San Fermín festivities will come to a close this weekend, at midnight on the 14th of July. That is the moment when a great crowd gathers in front of el ayuntamiento (Town Hall) of Pamplona to sing the traditional song "Pobre de mí". Continue reading
After a number of years living in the U.S., I dare to say that Americans apologize more often than Spaniards do. In the U.S., for example, people apologize all the time and with a lot of intensity for physical contact. … Continue reading
In my Valencian hometown in the late 80’s and early 90’s sangría was a staple in las fiestas del instituto (high school parties); it was the cheapest alcoholic drink available. High school parties took place in bares (bars) and discotecas … Continue reading