I’m sure you’ll agree that absolutely without fail this is exactly what we should be doing. It’s our responsibility to you. Looking here and there, near and far, high and low—that’s how seriously we take building a top notch team. This week we took our responsibility to a new ... by Eric, Jan 26, 2012 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Long we’ve wondered when the lying, thieving, lazy, crooked, cunning, contemptible traffic police would get their comeuppance. And now we know. The traffic police, the “transitos,” are a totally separate jurisdiction from the real police. Corrupt top to bottom, the best first step toward a solution, clearly, is to clean up the top. Consider it done! Today our two side by side cities, Veracruz and Boca del Rio, have new commanders of their transitos. Each of these new commanders is an ... by Eric, Jan 25, 2012 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Dave and Mary Jo were headed back to school from the mall. They chatted with the taxi driver. Once here Dave paid, and they slipped out of the cab and headed to the door. As they were slipping out of the cab, in the picture you’ll see what slipped out of ... by Eric, Jan 17, 2012 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
La Bamba is the best know example of Son Jarocho, the traditional music of Veracruz. Along with it goes Veracruz’s beautiful ballet folklorico. As a part of world music, Son Jarocho must be becoming more and more popular. We’ve had several inquiries about it the past few months. So we’re working to offer it in... by Eric, Jan 4, 2012 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
And he paid me back—big time. We had a plumbing emergency, on a Sunday of course. I went in to fix it. A defective part fell apart in my hand. Water was gushing up in the air. ... by Eric, Dec 19, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
The school staff was dedicated to helping me reach my goals for my time in Veracruz both in and out of the classroom. I felt very safe in the city walking around town at night and this is the first time I have felt comfortable ... by Terry, Dec 10, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
And I love it. Just like so many of our Spanish students I had been working hard, but I couldn’t pull it all together. Just like them, I needed immersion to make magic happen. Terry Baldridge came to Veracruz for five weeks. His is a professor of music; his PhD is in musicology. He was gathering the traditional marimba music of Mexico. I just happened to be here with a marimba, a struggling (but not starving) student. With incredible patience, Terry worked with me for hours every day. I received the miracle of immersion, and I’m moving forward very fast... by Eric, Dec 5, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Straight grained, straight as an arrow, and standing straight up, they are amazing structures. But even more amazing is where they come from. Power poles, you’ll now remember forever, come from ... by Eric, Nov 17, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
In Mexico titles and status are a very big deal. My status is retired. Titles and status down here are much more important than reality. Give a manager a bigger title or bigger status and you’ve got a happy employee. You don’t to waste any money giving a raise. Titles and status aren’t tied too tightly to what actually is. You can have ... by Eric, Nov 9, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Terry (professor of music) is with us. He’s studying Spanish and getting around all the marimba music he can. Among the many projects he has in the mill, one is to teach marimba to a group of Guatemalan kids who live in his college town. He’ll actually be building several marimbas for them to play. Helping these kids preserve their culture and folk music is a kind of project that’s dear to our hearts. But back to the question, “how long does it take to get a gig?” Last night we saw that if you’re a professor of music who just happens to play both the accordion and the marimba, you’ll be ... by Eric, Oct 31, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
(I, myself, love to hang around and listen.) How dynamic, how inspiring, how life-enhancing? Well if you’re nine, as Juan Carlos’ son lets us see, it’s ... by Eric, Oct 13, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
This time, with a base {gained last time}, I was able to better feel the progress and see results. I was even able to have a good back and forth conversation with the taxi driver yesterday morning. I wish I had had more time there. ... by Elan, Oct 6, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
This highly stylized, high tech piece of hi-jinks is an ... by Eric, Oct 5, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
I just wanted to thank you again for providing such a great service. He had the time of his life. I was very happy how well he is speaking and jealous too. LOL. He told many stories and went on and on about how nice everyone was and how funny ... by Bob {Kody's father}, Sept 28, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
It’s hard to take, hard to see the country I love looking like it’s losing its heart. Some days it would be easy to give up; some days it’s hard not to. And some days we’re reminded about goodness and decency and humanity and humility and caring and those thousands of words I love to hear and to type and to see in action. Sister Yolanda Borbon is ... by Eric, Sept 19, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
We did see him Tuesday--backpack full, big smile, well dressed, hungry, and a college kid. His mind was already abuzz with new ideas. We must have talked for over an hour. He’s headed for international commerce and expects to work in import-export and international shipping. It’s a great future here in Veracruz. Mexico is full of roadblocks that keep kids from being able to attend college. Public universities can handle only a small ... by Eric, Sept 8, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Jose Luis, the man who delivers our gas cylinders did just that. He’ll get a bigger Christmas bonus. When a cylinder is empty, you can either have it refilled or you can just have an exchange. We started with beautiful new blue cylinders. Immediately they were exchanged for banged up old orange cylinders, and those for other old banged up orange cylinders. On and on it went. It’s no big deal. But the other day. Jose Luis hand picked just for us ... by Eric, Aug 27, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
We went to the airport to pick up a new student, and we almost stumbled over the newest improvement to both security and beauty. Coming out from the carrousels, where we wait to meet students, we used to have a blue nylon belt carried on pipe stands (like you see all over the place). We now have designer bases with carbon dioxide absorbing fill. I’m worried. The fill will inevitably extend vertically and become even more densely packed. I might have to poke a telescope through it to spot our arriving students. This picture is how ... by Eric, Aug 16, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Corrosive, humid, warm environment—what’s it take to keep it maintained? Heavy usage, lots of regular old fashioned wear and tear—what’s it take to keep it up? Maybe you already know. If you’re not sure, here’s a hint. HINT: One answer fits all. Surely now you’ve got it. But to be sure you’re right, click below to check your answer ... by Eric, Aug 9, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
The accommodations were clean and comfortable, the food delicious and the service impeccable. The individualized classes, out and abouts, field trips were educational, interesting, and fun. The maestros and charlantes were knowledgable and extremely helpful. Most of all, ... by Cindy, Aug 8, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Can a classic ever be made even better? I know it’s presumptuous of me to ask. But, well, maybe yes. Had Dr. Suess every visited Mega Commercial in Veracruz, we’d have been delighting in reading ... by Eric, Aug 3, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
But when they cut loose they’ll ... by Eric, July 28, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
I like to tell you about things down here—things that I find especially sweet and touching, or things I find particularly amusing, or things I think are of general interest to lovers of culture. I rarely talk about language acquisition and about the more serious side of the school. And, I take no credit for the success we’ve achieved. But I am proud. This small and friendly school of ours is exceptional at getting people speaking Spanish and speaking it better and better. It feels good to be part of teaching that is so highly successful. But still no credit for me. Unless, of course, I evoke the principle of ... by Eric, July 21, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
They’re established; they’re popular; they’re an institution, and they’re under attack. The renowned and truly famous Gran Café de la Parroquia, the spot where coffee is served right, has gone ... by Eric, July 19, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Lots of tourists borrow our breeze. They gather, sitting on the edge of our porch, waiting for their bus (parked along the street) to be ready to go. They buy ice cream and drinks and trinkets and whatnot from the tricycle mounted street vendors. Sometimes neighbors from the callejon (that runs through our block) come borrow our breeze. Our street is angled just right to get the best airflow. The callejon is angled exactly wrong. You can spot which neighbors are pros at breeze-borrowing. They know the ins and outs of maximum cool-breeze-pleasure. Pros ... by Eric, July 14, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Repair is easy. You simply catch a rewickerer as he’s biking down the street. (I should have known.) And he hangs your chair ... by Eric, July 11, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Veracruz doesn’t have Fig Newtons or Bit-Size Shredded Wheat; I’ve been totally forthcoming in admitting this. And this third of three little flaws I am simply a little late in mentioning. We also don’t have ... by name, June 7, 2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
He and his followers found cover high on the mountainside, and finally they settled a little to the southeast of today’s Orizaba. After many failed attempts by the Spanish Army to defeat the escapees, Yanga negotiated a peace that created the first free colony ... by Eric, June/15/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Students who had never mastered the subjunctive found this new way of looking at it to make good sense. We’re proud to be able to say that our students are not just studying the subjunctive but that they are in fact conquering it. Nowadays lots of our students want subjunctive. We needed more crew to teach it. Linda set aside time ... by Eric, June/13/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
The moment of transcendence fell upon us at dinner a few days ago. The waiter poured a bit of wine in a large flask. He sloshed it around and decanted it into a standard size wine glass. It looked taste-test ready. He held an open-mouthed device above the flask and poured the wine. We heard ... by Eric, May/07/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
For more than a couple of years now, I haven’t qualified as a kid, but my most special of toys, a gift from Linda two years ago, I love ... by Eric, May/31/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
“The Army and the Marines are honest,” a cab driver told us yesterday. “And most of the Federal Police are honest.” We hear this all the time. The people want them here. When the military ... by Eric, May/25/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
I had thought the program was perfect. Imagine my surprise when I found out ... by Rob, May/14/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
But, in the throes of despair, I had to leak word. I just love ... by Eric, May/12/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
I walked into the living room, and Linda and Kevin (who covers school three nights a week) were looking at some papers in a folder. I don’t know if it was Kevin who said it or if it was Linda, but I got it. My eyes jumped to the papers—official as could be. Kevin had just finished ... by Eric, May/09/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
And then I’ll sit. I’ll sit on the X I’m going to spray paint on the concrete to reserve my spot. Right now it’s only a narrow path of big rocks, but soon it will be a concrete covered ... by Eric, May/05/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
But all those gargoyles and things, what was the inspiration for them? How did anyone come up with the idea of putting heads and demons and angelic forms and trumpets and animals and on and on all over buildings. Veracruz is a wonderfully warm, caring, and accepting place. Many of life’s challenging questions are answered here. But who would ever have thought ... by Eric, Apr/27/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
But this week, Semana Santa, Juan Carlos had a very early morning performance at the Gran Café de la Parroquia. From there he came directly here to give me my lesson. With him came his ... by Eric, Apr/23/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Headed out to the high seas through the mouth of the harbor (at the end of the outer seawall) we caught sight of these new vessels. They were in formation. They’re actually a new take on an old design. And, as I must point out to you if you shop only at Sam’s Club, this new design ... by Eric, Apr/17/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
And probably you’ve had yours forever. We always used to have one. But for seven years we’ve been waiting. “When you see the furniture store,” we would say, or “When you see the bus stop open to the sea.” This work-around has served over 800 students plenty well. ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
But once a week for some months now there’ve been strange sounds coming from the class area next to my marimba. Linda’s taking Italian, and she’s a super excellent ... by Eric, Apr/14/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
“Huh? Oh Hi! Wow…” We’re in Flagstaff visiting our son. (And getting a little R and R for ourselves.) Talia is a chief at a resort hotel at the Grand Canyon. Linda and I stopped in a small shopping mall to buy a larger suitcase to bring back a bunch of books for school. So, two of us; one of the somewhere between 800 and 900 who’ve studied with us ... by Eric, Apr/11/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
A couple of blocks down the street I found a three part extension. I was awestruck. I don’t want to bias ... by Eric, Mar/14/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Up from behind our neighbor’s wall popped a head, then shoulders, and more and more moving upward. It’s an engineering thing—were the tie connectors sufficiently stout, were they tied in a super strong twist, were… were… were…? I held my breath. Relaxed as could be, he started ... by Eric, Feb/28/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
My first quick look reminded me of a concrete footing ready for the bricklayer to lay up a block wall. It looked like it would blow tires ... by Eric, Feb/27/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
The library, a librarian would say, just grew by 35 titles. But we know better—we know that the library just grew by 35 happy, happy memory makers. Our thanks to Nora yet again. The library has been lucky enough to have many children’s books on the shelves that Nora donated on two prior trips down. And now we have even many more. In order to assure that the books in Spanish are actually in good Spanish, I told Linda ... by Eric, Feb/19/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
It’s simple as can be. Our buses just aren’t ... by Eric, Jan/31/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Learning Danzon, a beautiful but very complicate dance, requires a good teacher and practice in a studio. In not too much time you’ll have the basics. But the studio, the best beginning point, isn’t where Danzon belongs. It’s as much a part of the cultural of Veracruz as is Son Jaracho and Ballet Folklorico. The zocalo is where Danzon belongs—outdoors, in the cool evening sea breeze, under the stars, surrounded by admiring viewers. And Danzon should not be danced to a stereo. It needs live music with its full and fresh sound, its variety, and its quirks. Small bands and skilled couples bring the flow of music and movement to the zocalo—to the dance floor. Maybe you’re not yet ready to go public? Maybe you feel ... by Eric, Jan/30/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
It’s an address in the US where we can receive donated books. The problem has been that it’s just way too expensive to mail books from the U.S. to Veracruz. But now it’s going to be just like mailing then to a friend—third class, book rate, low cost postage. Our books-in-English-lending-library is a free public service ... by Eric, Jan/23/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
What makes this hat super cool is that it says 100% JAR-8. Say it out loud and it’s One hundred percent JAR Ocho. Pull it together and it’s one hundred percent Jarocho, the people of Veracruz. “Too slick for words,” you affirm. “Cooler than cool,” you effuse. You’re right! And I have the ... by Eric, Jan/18/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
Jeff set his father-in-law’s camera on the counter. Purchase in hand (but not the camera) they walked out. On vacation a missing camera is soon noticed. A couple of hours later they were ... by Eric, Jan/17/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
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Ugliness has overtaken so much of the conversation in America. And racism is increasing so terribly. We support immigration reform. We weep about the hell along the border that exists because Americans buy illegal drugs. We understand the imperative of teaching children in a language they understand. We stand firm with the founding fathers insisting on the separation of church and state. We know more about Mexico than do most Americans. We know wonderful truths about the people of Mexico, truths that need to help guide America’s view. We will make ourselves heard. We will push (as much as two worried private citizens have the power to do) to move America to a much better, more decent place than this to which it has sunk. And, of course, we ask that you also help America. by Eric and Linda, Jan/9/2011 |
We moved our books-in-English-lending-library to the dining hall. It has more space. It’s closer to the coffee pot. It has more tables. It’s more accessible. We also have two university students publicizing the library. They are going all over town visiting English classes in schools and colleges, and they are distributing literature. Ron Wilson runs the library on Saturdays. Here he is with his daughter Amanda. By having native English speakers in the library, we double ... by Eric, Jan/08/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
A year and a few months ago years ago we went to Chiapas for three weeks. It was absolutely wonderful. And then, we were so happy to be back in Veracruz. A year ago we went to ... by Eric, Jan/02/2011 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
The young fellow saw a beautiful, rust colored, fancy ... by Eric, Dec/31/2010 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
My newly acquired perspective (gained, as you might guess, down at the zocalo) makes all of these old-fashioned solutions look terribly unimaginative. Here’s the ultimate, ... by Eric, Dec/28/2010 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
It’s not against the law, of course, but it is totally contrary to school policy. We were between a rock and a hard spot. Linda saved the day by doing what every good mom knows to do. We had an UN ... by Eric, Dec/21/2010 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
And we don’t have “ice and snow” but we do have a delicious ice cream called nieve. We don’t have Crosby singing “White Christmas,” but right here today ... by Eric, Dec/17/2010 ---Click Here to Continue with blog--- |
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Veracruz--sitting right on the ocean's sandy beaches and just 80 miles, as the crow flies, from North America's third highest mountain peak..
Veracruz is one of the world's safest cities.
Contact us:
info@veracruzspanish.com
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Phone:
Our U.S. number is (415) 939-4388
This is a San Francisco number that rings right through to us in Veracruz.
The Language Immersion School
Calle Alacio Pérez #61
Col. R. Flores Magón
Veracruz, Ver. Mexico
C.P. 91900
(229) 931-4716,
Within Mexico Cellular (229) 207-1929