Blog

The World Cup 12/07/2010

The World Cup in South Africa has been a sociological phenomenon of great importance in Spain. Never before, since the arrival of democracy, had so many flags been seen on the streets, balconies, windows and cars in every corner of Spain. What is the reason?

Simply because ultraconservative if not fascists groups had converted the Spanish flag into their national symbol. People in general were reluctant to use the flag as they did not want to be associated with these fanatic groups.

The world cup has brought out the deep felt and collective feeling of the Spanish national identity with the flag. We should be grateful to a group of down-to- earth players kicking a wretched football and winning the World Cup.

The World Cup has cleansed the image of our flag and from now on it will belong to all Spaniards, and not just a few.

La Meridiana Restaurant – Taberna del Alabardero – Marbella 22/07/2010

We visited La Meridiana Restaurant in Marbella.

The restaurant belongs to the Lezama group which was founded by the priest Luis Lezama with the idea of creating a ‘Restaurant school’ for young people. The social work of this restranteur has spread throughout his restaurants in Madrid, Washington, Seville, Marbella and Seattle.

For years La Meridiana has been a reference point for gastronomy and glamour on the Costa del Sol. It is located on the Golden Mile in Marbella, in an unsurpassable and heavenly place a short distance from Marbella Club, Puente Romano and Puerto Banus. The restaurant is beautiful and oozes glamour and elegance. There is a large parking area which leads to an entrance with a steps and gardens which take us to the reception, where Saray, the hostess, welcomes us with the best of her smiles. She asks us to follow her through the Winter Restaurant and before us opens up a magnificent garden with pergolas full of wisterias which fill the garden with violet and white. In the center the floor is made of a back lit deep blue glass which gives the garden a relaxing and unique ambiance. From a corner the soft sound of a beautifully played saxophone can be heard. The waiters, the mettre, and the sommelier move through the courtyard with a friendly and professional touch.

The price quality ratio and the service are very good.

The garden is the perfect environment for an intimate dinner, with family or with dear friends.

It takes me back to the ambience of Marbella in the old days, which has been lost recently.

The passport and the visa 10/10/2010

Who asked the Romans, the British, the Arabs or even the Spaniards for their passport or visa? Why do we have to put up with narrow-minded nationalism and incompetent leaders that far from offering solutions, they indulge in creating them?

Although it’s the age of globalization both physical and intellectual barriers still exist. They ought to be brought down just like the Berlin Wall, and make way for free movement of both people and intellectuality regardless of their nationality.

NO MORE tragedies of illegal immigrants trying to enter Spanish territory on flimsy rowing boats. NO MORE desperate Mexicans who risk their lives to set foot on the Land of Opportunity. NO MORE deportation of illegal immigrants and NO MORE restriction to physical and intellectual freedom.

The reality of immigration has always been around. It is on a constant move around the globe, following the path of economical and social prosperity.

We need to have the same open-minded and universal mentality as those during the Renaissance era.

Is it illegal to find a way out of the dark tunnel of poverty and misery and seek a path to survival?

Let’s keep our boundaries open, and allow ideas to flow, and let’s respect one another. We have to share this world and improve our understanding. NO MORE wars and NO MORE empty-headed leaders.

We need to invest in uniting the world, not dividing it. Education is paramount. The use of weapons is a clear step backward in our evolution as human beings. Very little is achieved with the use of arms.  We MUST do away with them. The message conveyed by words is much stronger than that produced by any weapon.

We need to become more generous and supportive to one another and try to be more understanding. And if we adopt a more open-minded approach in our daily lives, sooner than later, we will all be following the same path of friendship and human fraternity.

INSTITUTO INTERNACIONAL DE IDIOMAS PARTICIPATION AT THE ICEF FAIR BERLIN

10/11/2010

ICEF Berlin is the most significant event of its kind in the world, and it’s an occasion when agents, educational professionals and specialized companies in teaching come together under one roof.

This event is attended by 1000 companies in search of new associates and alliances, or consolidating existing professional connections.

Workshops and meetings are held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Berlin, a perfect venue for its capacity, location and facilities.

I would like to highlight the great effort put into organizing such an outstanding event. In my view, it is the best organized hotel I have ever attended.

The noise of congregated professional hard at work, the come and go of agents, the informal meetings during lunch and coffee breaks, all contribute to creating a colourful and festive atmosphere to the whole event. It is not only about doing business, but it’s catching up with colleagues on the latest.

After signing in, every participant is given the corresponding credentials colour-coded according to organization or country of origin and of course a name. So, during the informal meetings in the hallways, cafeteria or restaurant, the agents and the educational professionals are easily distinguished and thus easy to spot who you really want to contact.

Regarding the results obtained, I have to say that it is my first participation at the ICEF, and my main aim is to represent the school and provide information on our services, and to become familiar to both agents and colleagues.  In this line of business, getting to know people and keeping a long-term relationship is fundamental in obtaining positive commercial results.

I really hope that after two years of intensive commercial encounters and contacts, our school and the services that it provides have managed to arouse the interest of some agents. The hard work really starts now. To keep a follow-up on all the contacts made so far, and keep them fully informed during the short 20-minute meetings, practically at a frenetic pace. During this short time you have to get an exact picture of the agent’s profile, and optimize your presentation to the maximum so as to provide the exact information about your firm and its services and create the right impression.

Undoubtedly, it’s a real sight to see the whole place in full swing with agents and educational professional talking away to one another. The whole scene reflects the potential importance of language learning tourism with the growing participation of emerging economies like India, China, Nigeria to name a few.