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By Sue Lavene

Having returned from Puerto Rico this past weekend, this beautiful Caribbean island is on my mind as we head into the frigid Northeast winter...

On our first full day in Puerto Rico, we excitedly drove to Cataño, which lies about 15 minutes west of San Juan, to join in on the 30th annual Bacardi Arts & Crafts Festival held on the grounds of the Bacardi Rum Distillery on the 1st and 2nd weekends of December. Not really knowing what to expect nor how far the actual fair grounds were, we drove from street to street in search of a "close" parking spot. There were no signs in the town directing us towards the fair or a parking lot so we used our basic knowledge of the street map to guide us.

Assuming that the car and pedestrian crowds ahead of us were there for the fair (again, not knowing for sure because there were no signs), we happened upon a parking lot attendant and asked him if we could park there and how far we had to walk to the fair. Since my ears were not yet seasoned to communicate in Spanish and because he spoke Puerto Rican Spanish (which is very distinctive), I made out that we could park on the lot in front of us, then wait in the 30-minute-plus line to wait for the set of unmarked vans borrowed from individuals for the purpose of taking people back and forth for $1/person from the fair to the parking lots.

One thing we weren't prepared for was the brief though steady downpour that fell shortly after our arrival. Since we had umbrellas IN OUR ROOM! we bravely decided that we were going to walk around anyway (and with as much pride as we could muster that we were not going to cave, passing the stands selling umbrellas) getting thoroughly soaked in the meantime. It actually wasn't that big a deal in the end since we were wearing baseball caps shielding the rain from hitting our faces and it was hot that day so the rain felt pleasant.

What could we do but continue walking around without crowds, while locals stood closely next to each other trying to stay under cover of the stands (those who weren't prepared either!) and others waited more comfortably under their umbrellas for this daily occurrence (this time of year) to pass. For me, it was the perfect opportunity to satisfy my craving for rice with pigeon peas (arroz con gandules), a local Christmas favorite!

Besides the kiosks selling Puerto Rican food, there were many locally made (and not so locally made) handicrafts sold at this event.

This festival was also the perfect time to listen to lively Puerto Rican musicians and watch the salsa and merengue dancers on stage as well as the grass. Thousands of Puerto Ricans look forward to the Bacardi Fair every year with their friends and families spending the day kicking back and having fun.

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By Beth Klemick

Our last day in Lisbon was spent at the Parque das Nacoes, which was home to the Expo '98 world exposition with the theme of "The Oceans: A Heritage for the Future", befitting to this seafaring nation. The Expo helped to revitalize the city and increase the international tourism market. Although the Expo has long been over the Parque das Nacoes is worthy of a full day's sightseeing, featuring several attractions; the most noteworthy is the Oceanarium with its 15,000 living examples of marine life. It is the largest aquarium in Europe, quite spectacular. The main tank holds enough water to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools, and is viewed from two floors through curved glass panels that provide a 180-degree view. Another popular diversion is the Virtual Reality Pavilion, which showcases the Portuguese age of discovery. Other attractions include a science center, cable car, the Vasco da Gama Tower and numerous bars and restaurants.

Our last evening in Lisbon was spent at a fabulous restaurant. By far this was one of the most unique and decadent dining experiences I have had abroad to date. Our hotel concierge made reservations for us at Casa da Comida, located in the city center not far from the Jardin de Las Amoreiras. It was a good thing that we decided to take a taxi versus walking and trying to find the restaurant on our own; even our taxi driver had difficulty locating the restaurant. The restaurant is located a dimly lighted street and not well marked; it could be a challenge to find, but what a treasure find when you do. As the taxi pulled away approached the door of the restaurant only to find it locked! We walked around the corner but only found darkness and no other entrances. After locating the doorbell, a tuxedo dressed Maitre d' greeted us at the door; we entered a complete jewel. He escorted us into a handsomely decorated bar/sitting room with a French Empire style bar. As we sat in two plush chairs and sipped our aperitifs, I took notice of the beautiful dining room and the charming walled garden inside the restaurant. It felt as if we were dining in someone's beautifully appointed mansion. Local gourmets tout Casa da Comida as offering some of the finest food in Lisbon, which is indeed true.

What I took away from the restaurant was the overall experience, the excellent cuisine and wine was an added bonus, but the concept of the dining experience offered at Casa da Comida is quite unique. Upon arrival of all guests, each is seated in the bar/sitting area for a cocktail and appetizers. At the same time you are presented with the menu along with the wine list, a waiter then takes your order and you can sit back and leisurely sip your drink. Once you are ready the Maitre d' escorts you to your table where you are served by two waiters and the wine sommelier; it is truly decadent. Everything is already taken care of, which allows you to enjoy your wonderful food and wine without disruption. This was an amazing dining experience and a perfect way to end our last evening in Lisbon.

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By Beth Klemick

Did you know that Lisbon has a sister bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco?

While our very friendly Portuguese taxi driver was pointing out the club scene along the Tagus Riverfront, my attention was solely on the bridge we were about to pass. If you forgot about where you were for one second, you could have easily imagined that you were in San Francisco, not Lisbon. The Portuguese sister bridge, the Ponte 25 de Abril, is no mere coincidence, as it was constructed under North American management beginning in 1962. This suspension bridge opened in 1966 and was originally named the Ponte Salazar after the then-prime minister/dictator of Portugal, Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. The bridge was renamed the Ponte 25 de Abril after the 1974 Portuguese Revolution, which started on that date, so as to remove any reference to the former dictator. The bridge connects western Lisbon and Almada on the southern bank of the river, adjacent to the Cristo Rei monument, which is a smaller version of the Brazilian original in Rio de Janeiro. At one time the Ponte 25 de Abril was the longest suspension bridge in Europe, but it has been now been surpassed by the Humber Bridge in the United Kingdom and Bosphorus Bridge of Istanbul.

Coming soon...our visit to Parque de Nacoes, home and host of the World Expo of 1998!

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By Beth Klemick

Sunny, brilliant Portugal, how I wish I was back there now. Fall is here in Philadelphia, and the temperature is becoming cold. In late September, my boyfriend and I traveled to and spent eight wonderful days between Lisbon and Armacao de Pera in the Algarve. It was a perfect balance of city, culture and history blended with a few carefree, relaxing days lounging on the beach.

Lisbon, the Capital of Portugal, is a fascinating, monumental city that boasts centuries of history and has endured the conquest of the Moors, a devastating earthquake and fire. It is also a city with great shopping and nightlife; as you wander the medieval streets at night, you can hear the fado pouring out into the narrow streets.

Our first full day in Lisbon was spent mainly in Belem, which is often referred to as the historical heart and soul of Portugal. The natural harbor of Belem was the launching point for the exploratory voyages that made Portugal a sea-faring nation and once a dominant world power. There are so many notable sights of interest in Belem to explore. For example, the Tower of Belem (served as a fortress, prison and lookout), the Monument of Discoveries (patterned after a ship with Price Henry the Navigator at the bow), the Jeronimos Monastery (the tomb of Vasco de Gama is here!), and the Presidential Palace/Museum, all of which are free on Sundays!

Next week, is that the Golden Gate Bridge in Portugal? More exploration of Lisbon and the Algarve to follow too!

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By Elizabeth Gregory

Back on the road again. This time I'm in California. I can honestly say that the thought of going back to San Francisco made me shudder as I thought back to my last trip here. During that escapade, I was cursed with a Dodge Neon rental car where the interior light did not go out. (I'm not knocking Dodge; I had a Shadow for 8 years!)Anyway...as soon as I was on the highway (sorry, freeway) heading away from the airport the interior light came on as did the light on the dash saying "door". Instead of driving back and demanding a new car, I chalked it up to my door not being closed properly. When I wound up at my hotel half an hour later with the light on the whole time I didn’t know what to do. I did know if I didn't solve the problem, I'd be faced with an even bigger one the next morning (AKA dead battery). Well, I eventually discovered that the "trick" to getting the light to go out was to open and close every single door about 4-6 times. By day 2, I had enough and went out to the car to find the fuse box. I pulled every single fuse except the 2 marked "airbag". Wouldn't you know, none of them got the light to go out. Day 3 - I tried to pry the light cover out of the ceiling to remove the light bulb. No dice. It must have been glued in there. So I had to stick to my OCD routine of opening and closing all 4 doors over and over again. Day 4 I got to return the car.

Memories of that fiasco inspired me to share my top travel tips (mostly used for US domestic travel, but most can be applied anywhere). Most of these are common sense, but friendly reminders never hurt when you're planning your next getaway (especially when it involves a rental car!) OK, so why didn’t I return the rental after day 1? Unfortunately, I was far away and had a jam-packed schedule. Believe me, if that ever happens again, I'm taking the car back pronto!!

Elizabeth's travel tips for the independent traveler
1. Charge your cell phone in the bathroom of the hotel room (this way you're less likely to forget it when you awake early and groggy having to pack up all your belongings prior to a 6am flight for example).
2. Pack a "plane supplies" bag in your roller carry-on. Be sure that this smaller carry-on fits under the seat and has all you need for the flight (good book, glasses, music, gum...). Take it out just before boarding and you'll be all set!
3. Bring your favorite tea for the hotel. (This is great when you're sick!) Use the hotel room coffee maker to brew hot water. (To minimize coffee taste, take out the filter basket).
4. Know automobile basics (how to check the oil, where the fuse box is, etc.).
5. Ladies - clean out under your vanity and pack your personal bag with make-up samples, lotions you've received from gift baskets, etc. This way you're getting rid of clutter at home and not sacrificing your favorite or expensive stuff if luggage is lost or stolen.
6. Explore your new surroundings on foot - but ask first where is safe to go and where should be avoided.
7. Pack empty plastic bags (perfect for wet clothes and/or dirty laundry).
8. Don't be afraid to ask for driving directions. Remember, the interstate system works the same throughout the US. If you miss your exit, don't panic. Turn around and try again.
9. Save taxi fare when lodging is outside of city limits. It almost always pays to ask about public transportation options.
10. Shop around for the best hotel deals. My personal favorite is Priceline. If you are not familiar with it, you can always select the section of the city where you want to stay. I have been able to stay at Hiltons and Hyatts in major cities (including Boston & Chicago for just over $50/night!!

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The next city I visited is Koeln. I took a train here. I recommend to you that you pay those extra 3 euros to reserve a numbered seat because if not, you might have to travel standing! Koeln is a small city known for all the different universities here. A third of all students in Germany are in Koeln, so there is quite a night life.

The great wonders of the city are the cathedral, the river and the walking streets next to the river and the sport dome. I have never seen such a big cathedral, and they say that in the gold coffer inside of the church there are the remains of the three kings.

Koeln is considerably less expensive than Hamburg and Berlin. A normal public transportation ticket costs 2.1 Euro, while in Hamburg it costs 1.5 Euro. I still think it is important to go to both big cities and small cities just to get the real feeling of what it is like to live in Germany. Koeln is not considered a small city, but so far it is the smallest one I have visited.

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I ended my Berlin trip with a short stop in Potsdam, which is about an hour southwest of Berlin. It is a beautiful town with castles and old historical buildings, and everything is beautiful and for you to enjoy. Potsdam is a must if you go to Berlin!

When leaving Berlin, don’t forget that the InterCity bus system is one of the best in Germany, and it is quite cheap, sometimes even 50% cheaper that the DB.

Must-Have Foods:
lebkuchen, a dry cookie with ten different spices in it. Combined with chocolate is best for someone who is not used to eating so many spices mixed together.
bratwurst
leberwurst
souercrout You can buy this in the supermarket, and it is also very good.

Now I am in Hamburg, and if I thought Berlin was beautiful, Hamburg is even nicer! It is very attractive for its port, water, ships, birds, and docks. The city was destroyed and rebuilt a few times, so you can really see a mixture of old and the new. It is a very green city with large parks. These are not regular parks; they have all types of plants and flowers all very well taken care of, all part of an overall design and serving a purpose. In one of the biggest parks, there is a light show every night at 9:00pm from July to September, where the lights and water are controlled by a piano playing classical music.

There are endless things to do in this city, and the nightlife is amazing. People start at Schulterblatt Str., where there are small bars. At around 1:00am, they head on to Reeperbahn Str. Here you will find all types of places, from bars to dance clubs, motels per hour and lots more! Later on, at around 5am on Sunday, the fish market opens, which is a must. Here you will find all types of fresh seafood, fruits and flowers to buy. At the main warehouse, people keep on partying until the sun comes up! Then you can eat fried fish with bread for breakfast.

Public transportation is very good in Hamburg; you can even take a boat to other locations around the city! The trip is very nice, and it costs the same as the U-Bahn and S-Bahn. You can pay extra and take a smaller boat through the canals inside the city. You should also walk around the Binnenalster next to the downtown area and then continue through the walking streets.

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I arrived in Berlin a week ago with almost no German knowledge. I was quite frantic before arriving because, unlike last time that I had been here with a German speaker, this time it was just me.

I arranged to take a German course at a language school here in Berlin, and they have also arranged my accommodations in a great area of town, close to Alexanderplatz. I arrived in Berlin at 11:00pm, and I really could not find my way. I had my suitcase in one hand and my Lonely Planet map in the other, so I decided to ask for help with where I had to go. The people who helped me (who, of course, turned out to be tourists as well) even accompanied me a few blocks!

Berlin was already feeling like home. It was very dark when I arrived, but it felt safe walking around since quite a few people where out.

I arrived at the apartment and...I had to walk up six flights of stairs!! Good thing a friend of mine had advised me to pack a portable bag. I reached the sixth floor quickly and without making any noise.

• I was happy I had brought a portable suitcase (one that can become a backpack), which I could carry myself without having to ask for help.
• In case of emergency, ask for help.

I love this city. Everything is nice here. I walk around, and I just admire everything I see! Great buildings, quite a lot of history, restaurants with tables outside, sunny days, no traffic jams, little noise. A lot of people ride bikes here. There is even a special street lane and street light for bikes only.

The public transportation is very good; Berlin in known for having great public transportation. You can buy a day pass to tour around Berlin or a short distance pass if you are only going to ride to two or three stations.

There is also a lot of night life in Berlin. Some bars are even open until the next morning. There are lots of types of bars: Russian, German, Latin American...you name it, everything is here!

• When going to the supermarket, take your back pack to be able to carry your items home because they charge you for the bags.
• Credit cards are not very commonly used for the everyday stuff like lunch, in small supermarkets, etc.
• Make sure you validate your public transportation ticket after you buy it; control patrol is very common.

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Periodically, I have the pleasure of heading out on the road as an AmeriSpan exibitor at study abroad fairs that take place on college campuses across the U.S. This past week, I was in Iowa and Utah for the first time. I love going to new places and meeting new people. Ever the language enthusiast, it never takes me long to pick up the local frequently used expressions. I quickly discovered that “no problem” and "it’s OK" used back home were replaced with "you bet!" and "you’re fine", respectively in these 2 states.

It is always fun (and sometimes nostalgic) for me to talk to the students to share my experiences with study abroad and foreign languages. My hope is that the information, advice, and suggestions I provide in person will help at least some of them choose to take the plunge to study abroad or to develop and improve their curent foreign language skills.

Although I do have several interesting stories from my travels, I decided it would be more practical for me to provide you with the most commonly asked questions that the students ask me when I meet them face to face. If you are thinking about studying abroad, you may be asking yourself some of the same questions. The questions and my answers are here to help you in your decision making.

Should I go? / Why should I go?
My consistent answer and personal opinion to the first questions is YES!!! (if you can swing it). The why part of this question is a little trickier to answer (although if you’re asking, you must have some interest in going, right?) and many times relates to personal reasons. Many times, the answer to the why is also tied into the where question which is next.

Where should I go?
In order to answer this question, you need to consider some or all of the following: your goals, objectives, college major, budget, interests, and of course the places you’ve dreamed of seeing. Sometimes I am very successful in helping students narrow down their options. The flip side to this is I can also help them think about places that may not have occurred to them.

Can I afford to go?
(This question has dual meaning and can relate to time as well as money)
The real answer to this question is you can’t afford NOT to go!!

In the case of money, realistically speaking, you may have to come up with a budget and financing plan to make it happen. In the worst case, you may not be able to go for as long as you like, or may have to consider a 2nd choice location where the cost of living is cheaper. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The key is to be open and flexible in exploring all options so that you can find the BEST option for you.

Time wise: Talk to your advisor and make sure you choose the best time to go. You may have to be flexible with when you go so that you don’t miss any classes that are only offered on your campus once per year. Consider how long you would like to go (or may need to go for credit, etc). Ultimately, choose a program location and time length that fits your schedule and your wallet.

How do I choose?
See all reasons mentioned above and add your own. Contact us with any questions you have about choosing. We are happy to help you.

How long does it take to become fluent?
My standard answer to this is that everyone has their own definition of fluent, so I always try to get more specifics on what exactly they want to accomplish. A general basic example is that if you are an absolute beginner and go for one month with little/no English spoken you will be very conversational in the present tense (at the very least), will be able to understand most things, but will still not be able to say as much as you would like to.

From my own personal experience, I learned and improved my Spanish more in 4 months in Spain than I did from 6 years of classroom instruction here in the U.S.

Have you studied abroad?
Yes! I spent a semester in Spain in college and did our 2 week German immersion program in Frankfurt, Germany. I would go again in about 2 seconds!!

Do you speak another language?
I am fluent in Spanish, speak a little German and a little French. I’ve recently been trying to learn Japanese from CDs in my car, but it’s tough!!

What if I don’t speak (insert language of choice here)?
Doesn’t matter. Our programs accommodate all levels, including ZERO vocabulary. Sure, it may be challenging to try and get your point across, but every location has English speaking staff, so you’ll be fine. We’re still here too even when you’re overseas. You have tons of support, so no need to worry.

By Elizabeth Gregory