It is believed by scientists that all potatoes have a single origin in Peru where thousands of varieties still exist in the Andes and where over 100 cultivars might be found in a single valley. It is also believed that the potato was first domesticated between 2000 and 3000 BC and flourishes today in a wide variety of colors, flavors, textures and sizes. There are approximately 5,000 varieties worldwide, 3,000 of them are found in the Andes, mainly in Peru.

Here in Peru, potato connoisseurs can sample from nine different colors of native potatoes, varying in texture, flavor and nutritional value. Some have drawn the attention of the world of haute cuisine as exotic ingredients and have been used in exhibitions because of their flavors as well as nutritional value. Their traditional uses are as varied as the potatoes themselves each having its own special or ceremonial use. Some potatoes are for eating, some for weddings, baptisms, some for funerals and so on. Some are high in antioxidants, like the red “moro boli” some need to be soaked or steamed and some are made into potato alcohol.

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So. Learning has started here at AMAUTA Spanish School in Buenos Aires. It’s back to school all over again. Students, teachers, classrooms. Some things are quite different though. It’s funny how something mandatory in high school can be so much fun later in life. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I’m in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires surrounded by bigger-then-big trees, and sweeter-then-sweet sweets* but new palabras and verbos (do go and search for them on Google Translate) are going round in my head like a 16-year old American girl going round her walk-in closet on a Friday night.

I even like my homework because every new bit of integrated information makes it easier for me to connect with Buenos Aires and her lovely Porteños. Being able to order your own café con leche con tres medialunas without having to use your hands and feet is not only easier but much more fun.

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Learning Spanish at AMAUTA in Cusco (Peru) is a great experience. You will be totally immersed in the Spanish language local cultural as FREE DAILY ACTIVIITES are freely offered for all Spanish students and volunteers.

Our Spanish Programs include a dynamic, interesting and fun leisure program that is complementary to the process of learning the Spanish language.
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Living in a new place is hard. But learning a new language is a whole different ball game. I know from personal experience how difficult it can be. This is the second time I have set up shop in a foreign country. Two years ago I lived in Athens, Greece. Even though I was there for four months, I left the country with barely any understanding of the language. To make matters even worse, I had been taking Greek language classes at a school. You might be thinking, how could this happen? Who lives in a place, studies the language, and still does not learn anything? Well, I can tell you how: I was too scared to ever speak in public. As you can expect, my failure to learn Greek, came as a big disappointment. So this time around, when I finalized my plans to move to Buenos Aires, I promised myself that things would be different. I would learn from my past mistakes.

I have been here for a little bit over a month, and I can already see the difference speaking in public has made for my comprehension of the Spanish language. Where as in Greece I never opened my mouth, here in Buenos Aires I am sure to speak Spanish at any opportunity. When I go to the Supermercado or to the “verdulería” I try to make conversation with the workers. Even if we just talk for two minutes or I simply ask “¿cómo estás?” or “¿cuánto cuesta?” I feel accomplished after speaking en espanol. Just the other day, I stopped by my favorite Fruteria to pick up some mandarinas, and ended up talking to the store owner for ten minutes. We covered all the basics–¿de donde es? cuanto tiempo querés quedarte?–and he gave me the time I needed to respond effectively in Spanish.

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Chris Norton
Country : United Kingdom
Age: 26

“The three weeks that I have spent studying here at Amauta School have been one of the highlights of my six months of travelling around the world. I´ve taken a few Spanish courses in the past and the classes here at Amauta are by far, the best lessons that I have had. The teachers are wonderful, the facilities are great and Cusco is an amazing place to live. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Amauta to anyone looking for a great learning, social and cultural experience