Ecuador is an incredibly beautiful and diverse country. During our time there, we learned a lot about what makes it special. Not only were the people warm and welcoming, but we learned quite a bit about the Ecuadorian way of speaking Spanish, including their sing-song tonality and unique slang. In this episode, we sat down with Kevin Maldonado from Free Walking Tours Cuenca to chat about Ecuadorian Spanish. Links: Get the interactive transcript of this episode for free Check out Free Walking Tou...
Aug 16, 2022•26 min•Ep. 124
Perhaps the most important rite of passage for women in Latin American countries is the Quinceañera. The time when a “girl becomes a woman” at the tender age of… 15. In this episode, we talk about where the tradition comes from, and whether they should bump the age back a few years. Links: 121 - Palabras del Español que no Existen en Inglés Parte 2 | Words in Spanish That Don’t Exist in English Part 2 018 - Tradiciones de los Cumpleaños en México | Birthday Traditions in Mexico 028 - Día de Muer...
Aug 09, 2022•29 min•Ep. 123
When we tell people we travel around the world full-time, they often assumed we’re loaded. But travel doesn’t need to be expensive. In fact, it can be even cheaper than living in one spot if you do it right. House sitting has been a major resource for us when it comes to visiting new countries. Not only has it allowed us to get to visit exotic countries around Latin America, it has also saved us thousands of dollars. In this episode, we share how you can do the same. Links: Get 25% Off Trusted H...
Aug 02, 2022•26 min•Ep. 122
We love taking a deeper look at differences in language, whether it’s comparing the accents of two different countries, or the words that one language has that another does not. In this episode, we take another look at some words that exist in Spanish that don’t have an exact single-word translation in English. Links: 117 - Palabras del Español que no Existen en Inglés Parte 1 | Words in Spanish That Don’t Exist in English Part 1 088 - Pesadillas de Airbnb Parte 1 | Airbnb Nightmares Part 1 Piña...
Jul 26, 2022•28 min•Ep. 121
Learning a language is more than just studying textbooks and grammar rules. At some point, you have to get out there and practice! Fred is a friend and student of ours who embodies this idea. He’s not afraid to get our of his comfort zone and practice his Spanish all over the world. And he’s done just that with us on our immersion retreats as well as with other Spanish schools in several different countries. Learn about his journey learning Spanish, the techniques he has used, and his mission to...
Jul 19, 2022•25 min•Ep. 120
Before we arrived in Cuenca, Ecuador, we didn’t really know what to expect. We had heard that it was a fairly popular expat destination, but that was about it. We weren’t expecting the beautiful rivers, clean walkways, excellent public transit, and variety of restaurants. It’s safe to say that this city is worth a visit, and for us, maybe even a place to live in the future. In this episode, we discuss some of our favorite things about Cuenca, Ecuador. Links: 080 - La Ciudad Más Bonita de México ...
Jul 12, 2022•23 min•Ep. 119
Mexican street food comes in many shapes, sizes, and degrees of spiciness. Sure, a lot of it has a corn base, a guiso , and salsa, but there’s much more to it than that. In this episode, we talk about some of the most popular Mexican street food - some of which may surprise you. Links: 084 - Los Mejores Tacos del Mundo | The Best Tacos in the World 043 - Tamales: Su Origen e Importancia | Tamales: Their Origin and Importance Candelaria in Oaxaca: Authentic Mexican Tamales Fresh From the Market (...
Jul 05, 2022•26 min•Ep. 118
One of the most beautiful things about learning a different language is discovering new words that don’t have an easy translation into English. Sometimes, one word in Spanish can translate into three or four words in our mother-tongue. In this episode, we’re sharing part one of some of of our favorite words in Spanish that don’t exist in English. Links: Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an extended breakdo...
Jun 28, 2022•19 min•Ep. 117
Listening to real Spanish conversations is really one of the best ways to learn the language. That’s why we were thrilled to meet Alba and Joel, hosts of the podcast Conversations in Spanish and Other Languages. In this episode, we talked to Alba, who is from Spain, about working and teaching online, as well as learning and working through cultural and linguistic challenges. At the end of the interview, we share one of their podcast episodes about Alba’s breakfast routine in Spanish. We know you...
Jun 24, 2022•47 min•Ep. 116
Fathers around the world are known to say some typical “dad” things. But what do dads say to their kids in Mexico? In this episode, we’re celebrating Father’s Day by sharing seven common things Mexican dads say. ¡Feliz día del Padre! Happy Father’s Day! Links: 109 - 15 Frases de las Mamás Mexicanas | 15 Mexican Mom Phrases Get 25% Off Trusted Housesitters Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an extended break...
Jun 21, 2022•16 min•Ep. 115
Ecuador is a country that seemingly has it all. Located on the equator on the west cost of South America, the Republic of Ecuador is full of biodiversity. It’s home to beaches, mountains, volcanos, the Amazon, and the Galapagos Islands. It’s also where you’ll find the highest capitol in the world (Quito), a variety of climates, and ciudad “mitad del mundo,” the halfway point between the north and south poles. Find out more in this episode! Links: All countries in our “Country Series” Get 25% Off...
Jun 14, 2022•31 min•Ep. 114
Nicaragua is a country that caught us by surprise. After spending a month just outside of the city of Granada, we learned a lot about the people, culture, food, flora, and fauna of this not-so-touristy nation. We saw monkeys, people shaking their cars at the gas station, a lake in the crater of a volcano, and much more. Find out what we really thought about life in this Central American country in this episode. Links: 107 - Sobre Nicaragua | About Nicaragua Check out our Nicaragua Highlights (Re...
Jun 07, 2022•32 min•Ep. 113
If you’re trying to get around in Mexico, you have plenty of options. From luxury buses that go from state to state, to colectivo shuttles that’ll take you around town or between cities, there’s option to suite your needs. In this episode, we cover the different types of transit in Mexico and how to use them. Links: 068 - Todo Sobre el Tequila | All About Tequila 7 Best Tips for Renting a Car Abroad (Budget Travel in Mexico and Beyond) The Copper Canyon and El Chepe Train in Mexico (YouTube Vide...
May 31, 2022•26 min•Ep. 112
The saying goes that “travel changes you.” Well, living in Latin America has certainly changed me. I never thought I’d be taking a special pill once a year, checking my shoes before I put them on, or a number of other things that have now become habit. In this episode of the podcast, we explore seven ways that living in Latin America has changed the way I live. Links: Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an e...
May 24, 2022•24 min•Ep. 111
What do you imagine when you think of the word “travel?” If you’re like me, thoughts of laying on the beach with a cold drink come to mind, or perhaps a hike in an exotic location. But there are many different types of travel, and our beach example is just one type: the care-free vacation. In this episode we explore other travel options that will not only enrich your life, but the lives of the places you visit. Join us as we talk to Camilo, our Chilean friend from Worldpackers, about traveling t...
May 17, 2022•42 min•Ep. 110
Tough love can sound pretty tough… especially if you’re a kid in trouble with your Mexican mom. While a lot of things that moms say to their children are fairly universal in any language, you’ll be shocked to hear what some moms say in Mexico to get their children to behave. In honor of Mother’s Day, In this episode we explore 15 of the most common things Mexican moms say to their kids. Links: 3 Funny Things Mexican Moms Say (YouTube Video) 106 - El Desayuno Más Típico de México Que No Conoces |...
May 10, 2022•26 min•Ep. 109
Learning Spanish by listening to music can be a powerful tool in your toolbox, but you can't necessarily trust everything you hear. Musicians make mistakes too... sometimes on purpose. In this episode, we explore ten different Spanish songs with grammatical errors. Links: Errors in Spanish Music Spotify Playlist 051 - La Vida y Muerte de Selena | The Life and Death of Selena Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen ...
May 03, 2022•26 min•Ep. 108
While Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, it’s often overlooked as a tourist destination. In this episode of the podcast, we dive into tons of interesting facts about Nicaragua, including some of the best things to do in the country. Links: 069 - Sobre Puerto Rico | About Puerto Rico 075 - Sobre México | About Mexico 099 - Sobre Guatemala | About Guatemala Get 25% Off Trusted Housesitters Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Level up your S...
Apr 26, 2022•34 min•Ep. 107
What’s crunchy, spicy, and the perfect cure for a hangover? The answer might surprise you. It’s chilaquiles! And for whatever reason, they’re not nearly as common in the U.S. as they are in Mexico. Learn how to prepare this traditional Mexican dish with May’s mom Oly in this special episode of the podcast. Links: 013 - La Comida Mexicana | Mexican Food 017 - El Origen de la Comida Tex Mex | The Origin of Tex Mex Food 022 - Bebidas Tradicionales de Colima, México | Traditional Drinks of Colima, M...
Apr 19, 2022•22 min•Ep. 106
Ever since we got married, we wanted both of us to be able to travel to and live freely in each other’s country. That’s one of the main reasons why we decided to take the first step towards getting my Mexican citizenship, and that’s by getting Mexican residency. In this episode, we tell you more about the process, the cost, our experience, and everything you need to know about becoming a Mexican resident through marriage. Check it out here! Links: Blog post: How to Apply for Mexican Residency Fa...
Apr 12, 2022•26 min•Ep. 105
Chili pepper is so common in Mexican food, that the first question many people ask before taking a bite is “It is spicy?” In this episode, we explore Mexican chili peppers, where they come from, which ones are the hottest, and much more. ¡Al chile! Links: 013 - La Comida Mexicana | Mexican Food 025 - El Chocolate: Un Regalo de México al Mundo | Chocolate: Mexico's Gift to the World 068 - Todo Sobre el Tequila | All About Tequila 084 - Los Mejores Tacos del Mundo | The Best Tacos in the World Lev...
Apr 05, 2022•30 min•Ep. 104
¡Aguas! Mexican Spanish is well-known for its peculiar slang and unique sayings. In this episode, we go beyond “chido” and explain fifteen of the most common Mexican words and phrases. Links: 021 - Español Callejero | Street Spanish 086 - Las Groserias Mexicanas con Mextalki | Mexican Swear Words with Mextalki La video con “el cholo” Spanish Immersion Retreats Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an extended ...
Mar 29, 2022•26 min•Ep. 103
Have you ever caught yourself saying “I’d love to… I just don’t have the time”? I know I have. But the truth is, it’s likely not true at all. We have time for the things that are important to us. Or put another way, we make time for the things that are important to us. In this episode, we dive deep into how to find and make time for what’s important to us. Links: 044 - Esto Sabotea Tu Motivación | This Sabotages Your Motivation 065 - Ser Autodidacta | To Be an Autodidact 085 - Cómo Aprendería Es...
Mar 22, 2022•24 min•Ep. 102
Spanish is a diverse language, so it’s no surprise that Guatemala would have its own unique vocabulary and phrases. Located just south of Mexico, we expected to hear a lot of similarities with Mexican Spanish, but I wasn’t expecting to learn about a whole different way of addressing people. Vos tenés ? Find out about some of the most popular Guatemalan Spanish words and phrases, or chapinismos , in this episode with our friend and Guatemalan hostess, Krista Perez. Links: 099 - Países: Guatemala ...
Mar 15, 2022•27 min•Ep. 101
Doing 100 of just about anything non-stop is a lot, which is why this week we’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Learn Spanish and Go podcast! We’ve crossed a number of major milestones since we’ve started, and it’s all thanks to you. So in this episode, we let you guys choose your favorite episodes from the past couple of years. Special thanks to Adrian, Rob, Linda, and Kavan for your submissions! And thank you for your support. Here’s to the next 100! Links: 052 - El Primer Aniversario del Pod...
Mar 08, 2022•29 min•Ep. 100
Guatemala is a country in Central America known as the “Land of the Eternal Spring.” Join us for our third episode in our Country Spotlight series as we take a look at this incredible country full of culture, volcanos, coffee, and so much more. Links: 007 - COVID-19 y el Futuro del Turismo | COVID-19 and the Future of Travel 019 - Reflexiones del Confinamiento | Reflections on Confinement 069 - Sobre Puerto Rico | About Puerto Rico 075 - Sobre México | About Mexico Get $10 Off Worldpackers Spani...
Mar 01, 2022•38 min•Ep. 99
1¢ per year of college?! Register early or get stuck with night school? In this episode, we explore what the Mexican education system, and what May and our Membership Manager Natalia’s experience was like going through it. Links: 080 - La Ciudad Más Bonita de México con Laura Barrón | The Most Beautiful City in Mexico with Laura Barron Spanish Immersion Retreats Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word Listen to an extende...
Feb 22, 2022•34 min•Ep. 98
There’s a lot more going on with the Mexican flag than meets the eye. In this episode, we talk about some curious facts about Mexico’s flag, its evaluation, and what’s going on with the eagle eating a snake at the center of it all. Find out more in this episode. Links: 023 - La Independencia de México | Mexico's Independence 034 - La Revolución Mexicana | The Mexican Revolution 056 - Cinco de Mayo 087 - La Virgen de Guadalupe como Símbolo Mexicano | The Virgin of Guadalupe as a Mexican Symbol Le...
Feb 15, 2022•30 min•Ep. 97
France, Italy, Argentina… These are some of the countries most people tend to think of when they think of a romantic getaway. But why not Mexico? We always say there’s something for everyone in Mexico, and there’s no shortage of romantic locations to visit just south of the U.S. border. In this episode, we explore Mexico’s top romantic locations, as well as a few of our personal favorites. Links: 045 - San Valentín | Saint Valentine Spanish Immersion Retreats Level up your Spanish with our Podca...
Feb 08, 2022•23 min•Ep. 96
Feeling stuck? No matter what the skill you try to master, there comes a point for everyone where they plateau. It’s normal. But unless you’re determined to take action, you’ll probably just stay there. So if you want to get unstuck and overcome the dreaded plateau, this episode is for you. Links: Get $10 off your first month month of Baselang 065 - Ser Autodidacta | To Be an Autodidact 076 - Hacer Que el Aprendizaje Se Te Pegue | How to Make Learning Really Stick 085 - Cómo Aprendería Español d...
Feb 01, 2022•20 min•Ep. 95
