Recommended places in my town (Jerez)

I would like to recommend a few places in Jerez where you can enjoy sampling (or tasting) all types of sherry wines as well as becoming acquainted with the rich Andalusian gastronomy. Today I want to start with one of the oldest "Tabancos", which are typical bars in Jerez similar to a small wine cellar, where people have been coming to enjoy wine for more than 70 years.  
The wine is served directly from an oak barrel, and you can choose between three types of Sherry, Fino (Pale and dry), Amontillado (old, dry and superb wine), Oloroso (as its name implies, very aromatic, deep and round). You can order a dry, medium or sweet Oloroso.  Other varieties such as Palo cortado, Pedro Ximénez among others are less well known.   Every day , but particularly at the weekend, the cellar is packed with young people, and often you can hear the sound of Flamenco music drifting through the air.
During the Christmas season it is very typical in Jerez for people to sing "villancicos" (Christmas carols) in the streets and to light bonfires on the squares and dance around the fire.
In this "Tabanco" you can't have a complete meal, but you can eat a few small dishes (tapas) and then go to another bar and try out their specialities. That's a special way to have a meal in Spain and especially in Andalusía. The prices are reasonable, and you split the bill with your friends. We say that you pay for the company and not only for what you have eaten. 

I like Amontillado.  Thanks for talking about Andalusian food and wine culture! Love it!

Pyramid Schemes and Scammers

Last week, a friend of mine called me to "introduce" a business idea to me. I thought she was going to start up a company, so I accepted to meet up with her. When I arrived at the address she told me to go to,I found the office of a company named "NuSkin". I found my friend and she asked me to attend a conference in that office. The conference was hosted by a 20 year old guy who claimed to have made a lot of money by joining this company. All you need to do to join this company is to buy either some weight-loss products or some anti-wrinkle creams that cost about 1500 USD. After buying these products and officially "joining" the company, you will start receiving roughly 250 USD for each person you convice to join the company, and the bright side,according to them,is that you don't even need to sell products as you have to do with other companies such as Amway and Herbalife.

Other people at the conference provided testimonials of their experiences working for this company, and all of them claimed to have made a lot of money over the past two years. I have always been very sceptical about these kinds of businesses. However, my friend who I have always considered a very serious person, insisted that I join this company. She is even planning on quitting her job because she is bored at her company and she always tells me about people she knows that have quit their jobs and now earn more money than when they had stable jobs. I said to her that I do not intend to buy any products for losing weight right now because I don't need to lose weight and I don't have any wrinkles yet either, but she seems to be very conviced about this business which makes me think if indeed it's so profitable. Maybe I am very wary of new ideas.  Who knows?

A Brief Introduction From A Nerd About Himself

Male, single, fit, somewhat weird.That' me.An ordinary somebody in an ocean of human beings living in an ordinary city and doing some ordinary things every day.My life is somewhat boring,and only few things can set me on fire. English is one of them.I love speaking English, but I'm afraid to communicate with English-native people;I love making new friends,but I'm afraid to take a first move;I love dancing, but I'm afraid to dance in front of people. See,I'm a typical paradox.That why I think my life is somewhat dull.Meanwhile,I major in petroleum engineering,or reservoir simulation and well test analysis.Honestly,scientific research is another thing that can set a weirdo on fire. I love what it feels like when I'm buried in my projects. That's like a little bird just free from his cage trying every effort to beat his wings,tired, hard but happy.Tragically,I feel a little bit cut off from the outer world, but I'm trying to walk out of my own inner narrow dark house.Maybe, a dark horse of Katy Perry will help me out. I'll ride a dark horse walking out my dark house. This scene is so cool.And a final point to add is that I'm not an idoit, but at least I'm a nerd.Nice to meet ya,guys!If you are too, just message me and I'll be right here.

Dear Dingo,

I'm sure you haven't written this waiting for advice from the Italki community, but number 1, you write English very well.  I really can hardly find any mistakes, except you go a bit off the deep end when talking about Katy Perry.  I don't know how she'll help you out, but if you like that image, then suit yourself.  Dingo, lots of people are nerds, especially scientists, but you are by no means ordinary.  The fact that you have so many things, including English, which set you on fire, as you say, shows that you are just waiting to burst out of yourself.  It takes some people a little bit longer than others, so don't be so hard on yourself.  Perhaps take everything in little steps.  Try to speak English to some English speakers, perhaps on this Italki forum.  I think everyone here is in the same boat, so it's not too intimidating.  Just try one small thing everyday that takes you out of your comfort zone!  I'm sure you'll really grow.  Good luck to you Dingo!!

i dont know how can i improve my English

Hi everyone. My name is amir and this is the first notebook entry,
I don't know what can I say in this web site but its better to ask you some questions.
main question is I know how can I improve my English like movie without subtitle or English music.but after 2 or 5 minutes after play movie or music i feel tired. I don't know why. I like to talk English , what i must do?

I don't know how I can improve my English?

Hi everyone.  My name is Amir, and this is my first notebook entry.  I don't know what I can say on this website, but perhaps the best is to ask you some questions.  My main question is, how can I improve my English?  I try to watch English movies without subtitles and listen to English music, but after a few minutes of watching or listening, I feel tired.  I don't know why.  I like to speak English.  What should I do??

Dear Amir,

I think everyone experiences the feeling of fatigue when trying to learn a new language.  Watching a movie without subtitles can be exhausting, and I think it's best to watch with the subtitles, as this can help bridge the gap in your understanding.  Try to do various activities to learn the language, some listening, some learning from a book, reading easy articles that interest you and of course talking to English speaking people! 

Good luck!

Some words about my studying experience

when I was in the last year of my high school I was a commounist. I didn't know very much about communism. But as lots of people I was believing in proletarian revolution. I was also in to military and I had been decided to go to military college after high school. And because there was not mark limits in military college so I didn't pay more attention to studying. I graduated of high school with the degree of 69% wich was not a high degree. And I applied to military college after that. But I resigned in college only after on month, for family and some friends disagreement and because I found it very hard. Not for physical training but for I hate obey orders and there was lots of oreders wich I had to obey. Anyway I went to university just after I came out of military college and studied Persian language for four years. Right now I'm very happy about resigning of military college. When I imagine myself in uniform I think it's something really unbearable. And I have to thank my family and friends for that. I learned a good Persian at university and I can speak fluently. After graduation I really interested in english language, but I think it's harder than Persian. After almost 2 years of learning English I think I haven't made a good progress yet. I hope I can speak English as good as I can speak Persian one day.

The corrections which the other person made were good, however I would make 2 others.  Instead of saying 'resign' from mitlitary college, you should say 'quit'.  The word resign usually refers to a job.  Also, at the end of your piece you should write 'One day I hope I will be able to speak English as WELL as I speak Persion.'  Keep up the good work!

first time

this is the first time I've written something like this.   I don't know if it makes any sense.. 

today I made a deal with the devil
he promised me power and happiness
a contract of three pages was signed
no coming back now,
no heaven,
only forgiveness can I seek

the first page has my name on it,
second page,
sharp edges, purple lines
no time to read,
third page, final page
empty as the space
he said to me with a smile on his face
this is what you really get
fill it in now with all your regret

How think in english?

Hello!
My names is Giovanni, and i'm an italian student of the university of Bologna. In this period, i'm learning the english language because it's very important for my work, studies, and becase i'm interested a transfer in an other country. My problem in the study english language is who i think in italian language. Which one is the best approach for study english language?

My english grammar isn't perfect, :-) and my level englis is very low. Can you help me?

Tank you,

Bye Bye

What do you think of my English?

Hello!

My name is Giovanni, and I'm an Italian student at the University of Bologna.  Currently, I'm learning English, because it is very important for my work, my studies and because I am interested in relocating to another country.  My biggest problem in studying English is that I think in Italian.   What do you think is the best approach to learn English?  My English grammar isn't perfect, and my level is quite low.  Can you help me? 

Thank you,

Bye Bye