6.4 Espejo Cultural
This activity will help you think about some of the possible differences between public places in Spain and Latin America, and in your own country.
Actividad 6.4
Part 1
Think of the different public places in Spain and Latin America that you have seen so far. Note them down.
Answer
So far in this course you have seen a few ‘public’ places, for example la estación and el mercado central , and you have also come across los bares. Other buildings frequented by the general public that have come up in this course are el museo, el hospital, la escuela, el polideportivo o el centro deportivo, el ayuntamiento, el aeropuerto, la oficina, el banco, el restaurante, and a more modern one, el cibercafé. Another place in Hispanic countries where the community gathers is la iglesia, and of course los parques and las plazas.
Part 2
Link each of the following public places with as many adjectives as you feel appropriate from the box below. The choice of adjective is entirely subjective, and is designed to help you express your own attitudes towards these public places.
Enlace.
(a) museo
(d) estación de tren
| precioso • moderno • caótico • tranquilo • animado • relajante • ruidoso • antiguo |
| ruidoso | noisy |
| tranquilo | quiet |
| relajante | relaxing |
Answer
Here is a possible answer:
- (a) museo: moderno
- (b) parque: tranquilo
- (c) bar: ruidoso, animado
- (d) estación de tren: antigua, caótica
- (e) cibercafé: moderno, tranquilo
- (f) polideportivo: relajante.
Part 3
Do you think you would have made the same word associations in Part 2 if you were thinking of your own country? Note down your thoughts (there's no right or wrong answer).
Discussion
You may think that these public places are totally different in your country, or you may think them similar. The important thing is to be aware of any similarities as well as differences between countries.
Part 4
Imagine you want to write an ‘electronic postcard’ to a travel guide website giving some tips for travelling to Valencia, Santiago de Chile, Montevideo and Havana. What would you say to your fellow travellers? Choose from the following phrases, taken from different websites, to write sentences about these cities.
Escriba frases.
| Imprescindible ver… | Do not miss… |
| De mi viaje a… | From my visit to… |
| Para relajarse… | To relax… |
| Sobre todo… | Above all… |
Answer
Here is a possible answer:
Valencia es una ciudad preciosa. Imprescindible verel campanario del Miguelete.
De mi viaje a España recomiendo visitar las Torres de Pere Quart y la espectacular estación modernista en Valencia.
En La Habana hay unos bares de los años 50 muy animados.
Para relajarse en el viaje, recomiendo ir a un centro deportivo en Santiago de Chile. En Montevideo hay una ciudad vieja muy bonita.
Sobre todo, visitar El Cabildo en la Plaza de la Constitución.