Gringo Guide to Speaking Spanish – Instantly Know What To Say!

My story: I had a challenge. I needed to move to Mexico for my health and retire, and I spoke English, a few words of French from high school, about 12 words of Spanish which could wind me up in fight or jail, yeah - mostly cuss words.

I was in trouble and when I arrived I needed help. Luckily I met Reuben Varela, a well known Restaurant owner from Lake Chapala, and Gerardo Tolentino, an English teacher from San Juan Cosala.

Reuben pushed me to find ways of learning and practicing Spanish, and Gerardo worked with me to create the Gringo Guide. I'm the gringo -- and I sure needed a guide to get me through the experience of living in Mexico.

We searched the internet, and books on Spanish, and listened to conversations in the English speaking sections of restaurants in Ajijic and San Miguel de Allende where most of the gringos hang out and we figured out what was needed.

We talked to Americans and Canadians in Mexico and asked them what they needed, and we listened to what they asked of the waiters, restaurant owners, etc. Later, then Gerardo accompanied me to doctors and we went to travel through Mexico.

Now, you can speak like native in Spanish speaking countries/Mexico. It's that easy.

Now, everyone I know who visits Mexico, Spanish or anywhere else in Latin America - can speak like a expat that lives in Mexico. It's that easy. The audios cover every unique sound of Spanish speech. The printed book will fit in your shirt pocket for use whenever you want.

The electronic pdf will fit on pocket devices to help you communicate on the spot with electronic support. So, when someone says: Que quieres tomar?

You'll immediately know the answer -- una marguarita, una coca, una limonada, un modelo negro (beer), or whatever you want, por favor! Fulfill all your needs to communicate in Spanish for Spain, Mexico or Latin America?

The book comes with a full guide, by sections to learn, use, and get answers to all your questions. It's guaranteed to make your vacation -- fantastic.

Vacationing in Mexico, South America, Spain, learn the Spanish you need to enjoy your trip like you were born there. Gringo Guide for Speaking Spanishebook digital guide with mp3 to learn sounds. This and other unique content 'vacations' articles are available with free reprint rights.

December 24 2009 | vacation | No Comments »

Your Guide To Cancun Vacation Packages

So it's that time of the year again. You can't wait to get away from the office and it's a fantastic opportunity to go for a holiday with your family. You've been musing to go to Cancun, Mexico and it sounds like a great plan. But hold on, should you go free and easy? Or opt for the vacation package? Well there are pros and cons to both.

If you are on a budget, familiar with the place (or know someone who lives there who can show you around), then it is a very economic but fun way to explore Cancun.

The experience would be more on-the-streets. Granted, your family might not be happy if you were trotting around looking at a map! For those with a little bit more money, and just want to enjoy what Cancun has to offer, then you would definitely want to choose the Cancun vacation packages.

So what is it about Cancun that is so attractive to many tourists? Well for one, it is famous for being a resort city. The long stretch of beaches, tranquil water and amazing hotels gives the visitor an immediate relief and anticipation for fun. With it's many fun-filled water activities and amazing entertainment centers, there is definitely something for everyone.

Ok for those of you looking for Cancun vacation packages, you first thing you can do to get started is to check with your trusted travel agents. Usually these agencies already have made deals with the hotels, airlines and cruises there.

Depending on what kind of activities you want to indulge in, they can offer you the standard holiday package or maybe even customized ones. For example, newly weds have a variety of honeymoon vacation packages they can choose from. Or for the family vacation people, there is also a wholesome but fun vacation package for them.

So no matter what your needs are, if you don't want the hassle of sourcing or checking out for places to visit in Cancun, then checking out the various Cancun vacation packages is the way to go. Your family will thank you for it. And your wife or husband will love you for it.

September 30 2009 | vacation | No Comments »

Cozumel Island – Mexico

One of Mexico's biggest islands, Cozumel, is located 20 km (12 miles) from the mainland, and 60 km (36 mi) south of Cancun. It's a flat, limestone formation shaped like a holster, and punctured by dozens of cenotes (water-filled sinkholes), many with their own marine life, which are an extra attraction for swimmers and marine biologists who come to experience the island's beautiful offshore reefs.

Jacques Cousteau first promoted Cozumel in 1960, when he identified Palancar at the island's southern tip as one of the world's best diving sites. He triggered an explosion of tourist development, only moderated in with the establishment of the National Marine Park in 1996: but the reefs were badly damaged by the wharves built for cruise ships to bring new tourists.

Attitudes changed quickly. Cozumel's new islanders (the 40,000 Maya who welcomed Herman ('Stout') Cortes in 1519 were reduced to 30 by 1510, and Cozumel became uninhabited) realised the value, not just of their spectacular marine wealth, but also of the island's undeveloped centre.

You'll never get a better chance to appreciate Mayan culture so close to good beaches. The biggest Mayan site, San Gervasio (named much later), was for centuries sacred to lx Chel, the goddess of fertility, and one of the Yucatan's most important sanctuaries. There are several others, recovered from jungle and swampy mangrove lagoons now teeming with cormorants, pelicans, primary-coloured tree frogs, iguanas and crocodiles.

These days, the duty of collective care is replacing the ecological mistakes of the 1970s. You can see 250 species in its clear waters, including the bright blue-and-yellow queen angelfish, the toad fish (unique to Cozumel), and enormous sponges like the barrel and elephant ear, which grows to 3.6 m (12 ft) across. Cozumel is fabulously pretty and exotic, and you should go there with someone you love and watch the sunsets.

July 31 2009 | holiday | No Comments »