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Some other good places in Europe to celebrate Carnival
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art27375.asp

Sarah.. I teach English and German. I also teach Spanish to foreigners (mainly North-Americans and people from Africa). I understand French and Italian but I don't teach them. I'm now trying to improve my Italian.

It's a bit ironic, I can speak to most people in Europe and I find it hard to understand people from Andalucia.

As for the carnival satiric lyrics, it really shows the way Spanish people are. We love laughing and talking so there are few subjects we avoid when talking in public. My students say we are a nation of gossipers. As long as you use humour, there are no taboo subjects.

I lived in England for a time and I found out that you can talk about anything when you're with friends but there are some topics one should avoid when talking to other people. Is it the same in your country?

I'm English (a naturalized US citizen), and I have noticed some big contrasts between American and English social culture. In my opinion -- just mine <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> -- I think politics and religion in particular can be very touchy subjects here, especially now. But it is all about delivery of the discussion.

In my eperience, I have found Americans to be far more politically and religiously minded and therefore far more likely to express their political and religious views openly. I have a lot more to say about this but I hesitate... is it because I am on my way to work or because I am English?? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Sarah. For a few years I lived in the West Ruislep area and there are a few things that I miss. Roses and fresh dairy products. I learned what a Stinging Nettle was and to stay away from them. LOL <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I see. Maybe Spanish are a bit different because we love debates. I, personally, believe you can learn a lot by listening to others. Although, sometimes, a debate can become a quarrel. Perhaps we don't take things so seriously.
Obaya

Hello again Bob and Obaya. I'm back from work now with more time to elaborate.

I find a good debate is always easy to find in England. In my experience, I also find that a debate about the topics mentioned above in America can easily end in a quarrel these days. Political debates with Europeans is often a much more light-hearted affair. But it is of course hard to generalize, because it all depends on the delivery and the particular people involved.

One subject I have learned NEVER to debate again with my mother (and many people of her generation or older) is the British royal family! That debate could go on forever... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bob. Talking of "stinging nettles" -- my mum used to make the best nettle soup. It sounds horrendous, but it is one of those "don't knock it" food items really <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I miss getting bottles of milk on the doorstep, but my mum doesn't get them either now! I still get nostalgic thinking about milkfloats. I was born in Kent and grew up on the Hampshire/Dorset coast - in the New Forest.

Obaya. Is it true that French and Italian, as romance languages, come very naturally to native Spanish speakers? Or is it still an active "learning" process?

Sarah. I used to hear a lot of disparaging remarks about English cooking and these remarks came from the English themselves. I HAVE TO DISAGREE. People who visit England will not be disappointed. As humble as it is, there is nothing like fish n chips served up in a newspaper and I even liked steak and kidney pie or even a plowman's lunch. There is nothing like an English breakfast to start the day and new experiences and tastes never cease: try a crown roast sometime. You are right Sarah, it does not pay to argue about the Royal Family even with the younger generation. The Royal Family is the national symbol of England. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But what is going on with this royal wedding? Sounds like a disaster! Not going half as smoothly as the recent Spanish or Danish royal weddings... but then our British royal family has a habit of making a mess of their marriages! Obaya. Can you tell us something about the Spanish royal family?

Bob. Thanks a lot! Now I am getting grumbles in my tummy for some lovely chips and vinegar. My husband misses good tea. My brother misses scotch eggs, pork pies and pickled onions. We all miss pub lunches! Well I think I'll go make a trip to the fridge! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Bob and Sarah. I also miss fish 'n' chips, Yorkshire pudding, 'mushy peas and those amazing sweets I used to have in England. English food is much better than people think.

Sarah. Romance languages share many grammatical processes and words are pretty similar. Italian and Spanish share the same sounds so it's easier for us to learn them. French is a bit more difficult. Spanish people normally understand Italian, even if you haven't studied it, but Italians find it hard to understand Spanish.

Royal Family. Spanish kings and queens have a long established tradition in Spain. During the Arab Conquest, Spain was divided into small kingdoms. King Pelayo defeated the Arabs in Covadonga (Asturias) and he established the first real kingdom in Spain. He started the re-conquering of the country. The Catholic King and Queen of Spain finished the re-conquering of the country centuries later.

From that moment on, Spain was ruled by monarchs. The grand-grandfather of King Ju�n Carlos was the last king of Spain; then, there were several republics, the Civil War and finally the dictatorship of Franco. When Franco died, king Ju�n Carlos was appointed heir of Franco with the title of king. At those times, people called him Ju�n Carlos, el breve (the brief), as they thought his reign wouldn't last. The king surprised the population when he claimed he wanted the country to become a democracy.

Of course, this made him quite popular. Also, at the beginning of our democracy, there was a coup d'�tat but the King was a key figure to stop it. He became a national hero. That's why people respect him and his family.

The marriage of the prince was well accepted by the population. His wife is from Asturias, she is a journalist who used to work in our national TV. I think, most women feel represented by her. You know, she was paying a mortgage, she lived in the "real world" but she has adapted herself to her new post quite quickly. There's some criticisim about her but it's mainly done by old people and Catholics (she's divorced).

The key for the success of the royal family is, in my opinion, that they are very sober, they don't have a court around them and they aren't the richest people in the country. They don't live in a palace and they visit most of the country every year. Journalists never publish any scandals concerning the King, the Queen or the Prince. Sometimes they try but people don't like or don't believe them.

Bob. The king is a radio enthusiast so maybe, you're talking to him one of these days.

Bob and Sarah. I also miss fish 'n' chips, Yorkshire pudding, 'mushy peas and those amazing sweets I used to have in England. English food is much better than people think.

Sarah. Romance languages share many grammatical processes and words are pretty similar. Italian and Spanish share the same sounds so it's easier for us to learn them. French is a bit more difficult. Spanish people normally understand Italian, even if you haven't studied it, but Italians find it hard to understand Spanish.

Royal Family. Spanish kings and queens have a long established tradition in Spain. During the Arab Conquest, Spain was divided into small kingdoms. King Pelayo defeated the Arabs in Covadonga (Asturias) and he established the first real kingdom in Spain. He started the re-conquering of the country. The Catholic King and Queen of Spain finished the re-conquering of the country centuries later.

From that moment on, Spain was ruled by monarchs. The grand-grandfather of King Ju�n Carlos was the last king of Spain; then, there were several republics, the Civil War and finally the dictatorship of Franco. When Franco died, king Ju�n Carlos was appointed heir of Franco with the title of king. At those times, people called him Ju�n Carlos, el breve (the brief), as they thought his reign wouldn't last. The king surprised the population when he claimed he wanted the country to become a democracy.

Of course, this made him quite popular. Also, at the beginning of our democracy, there was a coup d'�tat but the King was a key figure to stop it. He became a national hero. That's why people respect him and his family.

The marriage of the prince was well accepted by the population. His wife is from Asturias, she is a journalist who used to work in our national TV. I think, most women feel represented by her. You know, she was paying a mortgage, she lived in the "real world" but she has adapted herself to her new post quite quickly. There's some criticisim about her but it's mainly done by old people and Catholics (she's divorced).

The key for the success of the royal family is, in my opinion, that they are very sober, they don't have a court around them and they aren't the richest people in the country. They don't live in a palace and they visit most of the country every year. Journalists never publish any scandals concerning the King, the Queen or the Prince. Sometimes they try but people don't like or don't believe them.

Bob. The king is a radio enthusiast so maybe, you're talking to him one of these days.

Obaya