There are now two venues set for the Teen programs in summer 2008. We are hosting 7 programs in total; 5 in La Alberca and 2 in Cazorla. The dates can be found here on our calendar and if you visit the Teen website there is plenty of information on the beautiful venues. La Alberca veterans looking for a change of scenery will not be disappointed with Cazorla. Also, could you get a story about your Pueblo Ingles experience published in your local paper or travel magazine? There would be a nice cash incentive in it for you! Contact anglos@puebloingles.com if you are a budding writer!

We keep harping on about how second life is a great place to meet other people and our 3D replica of Valdelavilla is a fabulous reunion venue after your program. The system is now set up for voice so all you need is a headset with a microphone and you can talk to anywone from around the world - for free! We are always logged in from 9:00am to 6:00pm Mon-Fri, so come on in and chat to us!

At Pueblo Inglés we all get an insight into the types of problems that Spaniards face when trying to conquer the English language. There are a million and one reasons why it's a tough and hazardous affair.

In the Language Corner this time around we are looking at ‘false friends', ‘bogus buddies' or ‘misdemeanant mates' (actually we made up the latter two)

These are words that despite sounding similar in English and Spanish, are actually completely and utterly unrelated, totally chalk and cheese! And beware Anglos, if you think you've been picking up a few words of Spanish during your travels you too might want to double check your vocabulary lists. There are traps and pitfalls everywhere! Here's a fine example of how things can go wrong!

After stopping to go to the bathroom at a roadside diner, Anglo Co-ordinator Luke caused a bit of confusion when he reported that there was no “sopa” in the toilets, rubbing his hands together as if soaping them up. It's not surprising the manager looked bamboozled as “soup” is probably not most people's preferred choice of hand wash! In fact when it comes to food and restaurants abroad, misunderstandings are common place particularly when dishes and menus are translated into English. During your visit to Spain don't be put off by an offering of “Rape sailor style”. In fact the “Monkfish” or “Angler fish” in a Shrimp/parsley/garlic sauce is quite tasteful and certainly tasty! The misleading menu might be seen as some kind of “deception”, but if it was a Spanish “decepción”, it would actually be a “disappointment”. And if it were to offend too many English speaking clients, maybe they could “remove” the “rape” from the menu? But to “remover” it in Spanish they'd have to make it into a “sopa” first as “remover” is Spanish for “stir”.

Talking about breaking down food reminds us of another famous false friend. Members of the Anglo department got a bit of a shock one morning after asking their Spanish colleague Laura how her weekend was. “Not very good”, she said, “I have been constipated”! But we soon had a giggle when the penny dropped. Of course if you're “constipada” in Spanish you are actually suffering from a cold! In any case, maybe a nutritious hot sopa is in order?!

Since you tell us so much about yourselves, it's only fair that we divulge some tidbits about ourselves! Continuing with our regular feature of Ten things you didn't know about......let us introduce Cheryl Forrest, Anglo Dept. Manager.

1. Although her sporting achievements at school were pitiful, she is a qualified aerobics instructor and can only dream of walking in Jane Fonda's shoes one day. Although instructing the two classes a week is better than nothing, she has a long way to go!
2. Her debilitating addiction to shows such as "Lost", "Prison Break" and "Without a Trace" must be controlled, to allow her to properly function in society.
3. She has just married the man of her dreams in Vegas (she swears it was a classy affair!) and has plenty of pictures of herself and Danny Devito, who she bumped into after the wedding ceremony.
4. She can hold a tune (and not just in the shower). Cheryl and her band (The Combinations) will make their debut at the end of November in Madrid with their funked up motown/soul stlyeeee.
5. Her food notions are wide and varied (and bountiful), and even though she doesn't eat meat, not much else is off the menu. However some of her husband's creations are pretty questionable and she'd love nothing more than to send him to a cooking class.
6. Her claim to fame was way back at the age of 12 when she modelled the summer fashions of a high street shop, British Home Stores (BHS), on her one and only catwalk stint.
7. Her dream job (apart from the one she has at P.I of course), changes regularly and her fantasies range from a classically trained singer to a plastic surgeon, to a dating agency owner.
8. She was called the "Question Master" at school because of her incessant inquisitiveness. Not wanting this quality to be mistaken for nosiness, she reigns it in now. Don't doubt for a minute though that those questions aren't buzzing around in her head until she gets an answer!
9. She is a proud Scot and curious about her heritage but she'd rather live under the sun in Madrid! It's amazing what lengths she'll go to to avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder!
10. She has found the perfect use for the ever present bidet in Spanish bathrooms - bathing her guinea pig Bruce! This lad gets the best of treatment and he even flew in first-class cargo when they emigrated to Spain!