Simple Stories in Spanish

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Many countries celebrate Carnaval and they all have their own twist. In a previous episode, I told the story of Carnaval en la República Dominicana. Today I will tell the story of Carnaval en Guaranda, Ecuador. Like the Carnaval Dominicano, El Carnaval de Guaranda combines indigenous culture with European influence to create a truly unique celebration.

This story is told in the the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “desfile” (parade), “maíz” (corn), “divertido” (fun), “divertirse” (to have fun), and “ropa” (clothing). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2021/06/13/simple-stories-in-spanish-el-carnaval-de-guaranda/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher 

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This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. “Las Fiestas de San Fermín” are more commonly known as “The Running of the Bulls”. These eight and a half days involve so much more than the 3 minute sprint from the Ayuntamiento, or City Hall, to the Plaza de Toros. There are parades, music, giant paper maché heads, brilliant fireworks, and bullfights

This story is told in the the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “toro” (bull), “corrida” (bullfight), “fuegos artificiales” (fireworks), “Ayuntamiento” (City Hall),  “calle” (street) and "lucha" (fight). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2021/06/06/simple-stories-in-spanish-las-fiestas-de-san-fermin/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher 

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This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. To visit Costa Rica is to experience la pura vida, or pure life. While it is known mostly for nature and coffee, the celebrations of Costa Rica make you feel alive. They are full of that “pura vida”. The biggest celebration in Costa Rica is Fiestas de Palmares - two weeks of parades, bullfights, concerts and soccer, or football, matches.

This story is told in the the present tense. Repeated words and phrases include “caballo” (horse),“jinete” (horse rider), “lucir” (to show off), “toro” (bull), “corrida” (bullfight), “tico/tica” (Costa Rican), “carpas” (tents), and “largo” (long). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2021/05/30/simple-stories-in-spanish-las-fiestas-de-palmares/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher 

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This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Oaxaca, México is best known for its celebration of Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead. However, there is another festival in Oaxaca that bears mentioning: La Noche de Rábanos, or Night of the Radishes. This colorful evening of radish and vegetable sculptures is a feast for the eyes as professionals and amateurs alike compete to make the best radish sculpture. 

This story is told in the both the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “rábano” (radish),“agricultores” (farmers), “puesto” (stand/stall), “gente” (people), and “además” (in addition). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2021/05/23/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-noche-de-rabanos/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher 

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This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Northern Chile embraces more than Chilean culture. In this region you can find Bolivian, Peruvian, and indigenous influence. This combination of cultures is presented each year in the Fiesta de la Tirana. While “Tirana” means “tyrant” the festival actually celebrates the Virgen del Carmen, one of the Virgin Mary’s many incarnations. It takes place in the very small town of La Tirana, named for a rebellious Incan princess.

This story is told in the both the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “fe” (faith),“bailes” (dances), “bailadores” (dancers), and “iglesia” (church). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2021/05/16/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-fiesta-de-la-tirana/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher 

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This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. La Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia is the second most popular fiesta en Argentina. Vendimia means “grape harvest” and the province of Mendoza has a lot of grapes. This 10-day festival includes parades and presentations that represent the rich culture and heritage of wine making in Mendoza.

This story is told in the both the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “vino” (wine),“viña” (vineyard), “uvas” (grapes), “cosecha” (harvest), “bendición” (blessing), and “reina” (queen). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2021/05/09/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-fiesta-de-la-vendimia/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher 

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This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Inti Raymi was the most important celebration of the Incas. People came from every corner of the Incan empire to pledge their allegiance to the Sapa Inca and to honor Inti, the god of the sun. The Spanish occupation put an end to Inti Raymi, but 400 years later it was reborn. Inti Raymi today is a celebration of Incan history, language and culture.

This story is told in the both the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “sol” (sun),“incaico” (Incan), “momias” (mummies) and “próximo año” (next year). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2021/05/01/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-celebracion-de-inti-raymi/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher 

Support the show

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Carnaval is a popular celebration throughout Latin America. Each country has its own special way to showcase their local culture during this multi-day party of food, music, and dancing. Carnaval originated as a three day party before Lent, but has since evolved into vibrant celebrations of culture. In the Dominican Republic, Carnaval lasts an entire month with each town giving it its own twist.

This legend is told in the both the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “desfile” (parade),“disfraz” (costume), “máscara” (mask) and “diablo” (devil). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2021/04/25/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-celebracion-de-carnaval-en-la-republica-dominicana/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher 

Support the show

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Medellín, Colombia is already a vibrant city, but somehow it becomes even more vibrant and lively during “La Feria de las Flores”. The entire city is decorated by carnations, lilies, orchids, roses and more as the Department of Antioquia, of which Medellín is the capital, celebrates one of its largest exports with flower displays, flower decorations, and a giant flower parade.

This legend is told in the both the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “desfile” (parade), “flores” (flowers), “campo” (countryside), “atrae” (attracts), “lleva” (carries), “arreglo” (arrangement), and “silleta” (a wooden structure, like a chair with its legs cut off, that was strapped to a person’s back and used to transport people and goods from the country to the city). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2021/04/18/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-feria-de-las-flores/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher 

Support the show

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Latacunga, Ecuador is the home of a celebration in honor of la Virgen de las Mercedes (The Virgen Mary has many names and many faces in Hispanic cultures, in this instance, she is the Virgen of Merced, or “Mercy”). They celebrate with a large parade. At the center of this celebration is Mama Negra, a representative of African cultures in Ecuador.

This legend is told in the both the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “desfile” (parade), “rezar” (to pray), “esclavos” (slaves), “ropa” (clothing) and “iglesia” (church). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2021/04/11/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-celebracion-de-la-santisima-tragedia-mama-negra/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher 

Support the show