Mexico was great as usual.  One of my favorite pastimes is reading the signs in Spanish and translating.  For example, on the highway from the airport, there are these signs that say “No deje piedras sobre el pavimento.”  Literally translated: “Don’t leave rocks on the pavement.”

Which makes you wonder, is this a big problem in Mexico?  Are people driving around Mario-Kart-style, leaving turtle shells, banana peels, and rocks for the cars behind them?  Thankfully, the signs must be working, as we encountered no sizable rocks on the highway.

Another fave was at the ski areas in Chile: “respete la fila,” meaning “respect the (lift) line” and don’t cut.  Didn’t notice line-cutting to be a big problem but definitely not a sign you see up at Tahoe.

But I found my new favorite Spanish word on the side of a car dealership: Seminuevos.

It took a second, but I realized that was their Used Car Department.  Only they’re not “used cars.”  They’re “semi-new” cars.  Not quite completely new, but almost new, semi-new.  It’s all about the marketing, and it’s brilliant.  Which would you rather drive?  A used, or even “pre-owned” car, or one that’s semi-new?  Love it.

-Nick

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Here’s the latest trailer for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, which comes out in July.  Wasn’t it supposed to come out last November?

To get in the spirit of the upcoming movie, and in honor of next month’s Mexico trip, I’ve got Harry Potter y el Misterio del Principe on hold from the library.  I think reading children’s books in Spanish is a great way to improve your language skills.  And it helps when it’s a book you’ve already read in English, too.

-Nick

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