Stories about Spanish from December, 2008
Peru: Top Ten Moments of Web 2.0 For 2008
El Útero de Marita [es] posts the Top 10 moments of Web 2.0 in Peru in 2008, including the campaign of “adopt-a-Congressman.”
Puerto Rico: License to Kill Trees
The recent administrative order by Puerto Rico's Secretary of Agriculture has created a shock wave of reactions in the blogosphere. In the island of Puerto Rico if a person had to cut down a tree he/she had to request permission form the island's Department of Natural Resources - that was until recently, when the Secretary of the Agency issued an administrative order that automatically grants a "fast track" permission to anyone who wishes to cut a tree.
Ecuador: The Passing of Ex-President León Febres Cordero
Ecuador's former President León Febres Cordero passed away this week and many of the country's bloggers are providing thoughts about his legacy. Some are giving him more credit for his work as Mayor of the booming city of Guayaquil, but others think that his works as President was far from praiseworthy.
Colombia: The Murders of Journalists
A recent investigation in Colombia found that the majority of journalist murders have remained with impunity. Victor Solano of ¿Comunicación? [es] asks, “How many more journalists must die before the...
Uruguay: Holiday Phone Calls Saturate Lines
The Christmas holidays in Uruguay often saturate phone lines due to the increase in the number of phone calls made to friends and family both home and abroad. Chino of...
Costa Rica: The Organization of Saprissa
Jaguar del Platanar [es] describes Saprissa, his favorite football club in Costa Rica as “an example of organization, of hard work, joining of forces, and of planning,” which has allowed...
Honduras: Christmas Spirit in San Pedro Sula
The Christmas atmosphere is alive and well in San Pedro Sula, Honduras writes Santos Galvez of El Sam Pedrano [es].
Cuba: Best Books of 2008
Penúltimos Días [es] provides a list of the best Cuban books of 2008.
Video: Costa Rican Artist takes on the Fine Art Classics
Francisco Munguía, a Costa Rican cartoonist and artist has interpreted the Fine Arts classics and is currently doing a show in the Costa Rican Children's Museum. However, you don´t need to travel to Costa Rica to see his work: it is uploaded on YouTube in a gallery style presentation.
Dominican Republic: Census to Determine Number of Haitians
The number of Haitians living in the Dominican Republic is not currently known. However, according to Joan Guerrero of Duarte 101 [es], the Autonmous Universities of Santo Domingo and Haiti...
Bolivia: The Business of Digital Piracy in El Alto
Music and movie piracy in Bolivia is commonplace. Wilfredo Jordán takes a look at the business in El Alto, Bolivia and how many vendors travel to the Peruvian border to...
Guatemala: Farewell to Chepe Zarco
José Eduardo Zarco aka Chepe, director of the Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre recently passed away. Luis Figueroa of Carpe Diem [es] fondly remembers the man, who published Figueroa's first column...
El Salvador: Armed Groups as Electoral Campaign Issue
JJ Mar of Hunnapuh [es] writes that the possibility of armed groups in El Salvador is a current electoral issue.
Guatemala: Christmas Decorations in Antigua
As Christmas fast approaches in Guatemala, Rudy Girón posts a series of photographs of typical decorations in Antigua.
Bolivia: Apartment Hunting in La Paz
Looking for an apartment in La Paz is tough [es] writes Juan José. In a city that is known for its low temperatures, an apartment with a lot of sunlight...
Costa Rica: Call for Collaborative Christmas Video
Costa Rican online humour collective nosedecirlaerre.com which translates into "I can´t pronounce the R" has set out a call for participation from Costa Ricans and those familiar with their culture to create a collaborative video for Christmas. The campaign is called Uniting Ticos for Christmas and the requirements are quite simple: dancing in the Costa Rican style of "swing criollo" the popular end of the year song Jugo de Piña and saying something in Costa Rican slang, on video.
Mexico: Anti-Kidnapping Expert is Kidnapped
Crime in Mexico is very worrisome concern for many. Kidnappings especially have been a common occurrence throughout the country, especially in the northern border states. The recent abduction of U.S. anti-kidnapping expert Félix Batista is an ironic twist in this ongoing fight against organized crime, leaving some to wonder if experts are not safe, then where does that leave ordinary Mexicans?
Western Sahara: Cubarawis
Many saharaui children, thanks to international cooperation with Cuba, travel each year to study until they graduate from university. Then, they return to work for their Western Sahara. The Caribbean is completely different from the desert, not only because of geography, but also because of the nature of the people themselves. Cubans have rhythm in their veins and are dancing all the time. Beduins are sober, quiet and reflective. However, in the end, the exchange is worthy in both ways, as Renata Avila explains.
Paraguay: Possibe New Press Law
Edgar Ruiz Diaz of Las Preguntas de Venerando [es] is a little worried about the a possible proposal for a new Press Law in Paraguay.
Paraguay: Boom in Beauty Salons
There is a boom in hair and beauty salons in Paraguay notes Muna Annahas. In the neighborhood of Herrera, she counted 6 salons in one block alone.
Guatemala: Favorite Books of 2008
Ronald Flores continues his tradition of naming his favorite Guatemalan books of the year and publishes a list of four books that he especially enjoyed in 2008 [es].
