Oct 26-They are coming back
On this Update: / -Get ready for "dia de los muertos"/ -The miniature market "alasitas"/ -Weather updates/ -Latin bangers/
On this Update:
-Get ready for "dia de los muertos"
-The miniature market "alasitas"
-Weather updates
-Latin bangers
At "The Spanish Update", we aim to help English speakers build lifelong friendships with Hispanic folks. We do our best to provide context and cues about current events in our countries, so you can strike up a conversation with co-workers, extended family, strangers in the streets, or basically anyone.
We also know it's hard traveling, or having someone you care about visiting or living in a Latin American country; we aim to keep travelers, students, business people, or anyone informed about events that may affect your experience while visiting us.
From the bottom of our hearts:
THANK YOU
For helping us build bridges between our communities
Hello and welcome;
Let's start with this update phrase:
"Esta dura la cosa"
This translates to:
"This situation or thing is hard to handle"
Use it in a casual context to comment on the current economy, living costs, or a general topic to say it is difficult.
This is a good way to build rapport with a Spanish speaker.
-Get ready for "dia de los muertos"
Around the end of October, several countries around the world celebrate festivities honoring people who have left. These are massive celebrations with many interesting aspects worth talking about.
So, we'll cover them little by little in the next updates.
Let's start with:
¿What exactly are "Alebrijes"?
You definitely have seen them before: fantastic creatures, mixes of 2 or more animals covered in very shiny colors.
These artisan masterpieces are relatively recent in Mexico's "Día de los Muertos" celebrations. They were created by a paper mache artist named:
Pedro Linares Lopez
After a dream he had while suffering from a high fever. He said he found himself in a bright forest filled with animals with parts of other animals, and they all said "alebrije" to him. He started recreating these pieces with his craft, and they were a real hit; figures like Frida Kahlo collected his work.
Some people said that they are the guides of the afterlife that will get you safely to the other side after, but this is a task specifically given to
"Xoloitzcuintli", the hairless Mexican dog:
"I love Alebrijes, which one is your favorite?"
"Me encantan los "alebrijes", ¿cuál es tu favorito?
-The miniature market "alasitas"
In Bolivia (a country in the middle of South America), a traditional market opens for special occasions during the year. You can find anything and everything here, but there is a catch.
They are all miniatures.
Tradition says that you first buy the miniature, so you have good luck buying the real thing.
And these could be anything, really.
Cars? Yes,
Houses? Yes, how many floors do you want? Do you want pets?
How about a bachelor's degree certificate? Of course, and you can literally get your name printed on the miniature:
These are all artisan-made pieces with deep symbolism.
Do not forget to check them out if you're ever in Bolivia.
"I want to buy a two-floor house, please"
"Quiero comprar una casa de dos pisos por favor"
-Weather updates
-Peru is expected to have an extremely rainy end of 2026 and beginning of 2027, especially on the coast. (Towns of Piura and Tumbes). This is part of " El Niño" the phenomenon that we discussed in a previous post. The city of "Lima," which is the capital, is also expected to see heavy rains.
-Mexico will receive Hurricane Trudy, a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds up to 60-90 mph. Extreme weather warnings have been issued for the towns of Jalisco, Michoacan, and Colima. Please be aware if you are on Mexico's southwestern coast. (Update: Trudy has been downgraded to a tropical storm, and coastal warnings have been lifted)
-"El Niño," which is an extreme weather phenomenon (discussed here), is expected to peak in December.
Latin Banger:
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