Admiring the views of Horseshoe Bend in Page (United States)
We suggest you travel 59,092 kilometers with the book English on the go! . Since San Diego until Anchorage in Alaska, Albert Alonso explore thirty Anglo-Saxon cities between curious expressions, fun facts and explanatory audios. Pages capable of putting the most expert traveler to the test.
Warning: after reading it (and listening to it) you will look for any excuse to **jump into speaking English (without worrying about your accent or lack of vocabulary)**. “Fear and shame are of no use to us. You have to be open, talk, ask questions . On trips we learn new things unintentionally. I believe that It's one of the things that makes traveling so rewarding. ”, explains the presenter and scriptwriter to Traveler.es.
As a good bilingual (Alberto Alonso was born in New Jersey but spent his summers in Spain), he does not understand the language apart from the culture of origin, and what better time to improve your English than traveling? “ Arouse that curiosity and ask, you will even make new friends . Everyone likes to show visitors how cool their city is, language, food, local drinks…”.
**** English on the go! includes t** remakes chapters** in which you will find music and movie trivia, historical data, curiosities about local accents... Did you know that the little town that was named Yerba Buena in 1776 was renamed San Francisco in 1846? Or that the Chicago River is the only river in the world that flows backwards? And, of course, audios in QR codes: "it is essential to listen and repeat what we hear when learning languages," says Alonso (who also shares many of his classes on YouTube).
We are looking for your trio of traveling aces to enter the Anglo-Saxon universe, first stop New Orleans in Louisiana. “It is a unique city, impossible to categorize it, it has everything and it is everything. His motto 'Let the good times roll' ( keep up the good vibes ) defines how joyful this place and its people are,” he recalls.
Strolling through New Orleans is entering a gastro-musical universe, an explosion for the senses. His first advice is get away from classic Bourbon Street , the preferred option for young people and tourists. “ Frenchmen Street is less crowded, quieter and has live music all over the street . It is the perfect place to see a jazz show, since this type of music was born in this city”.
At lunchtime he invites us to taste the oysters in Luke _(333 St Charles Ave) , "_an elegant place where the happy hour is a bargain and the oysters are to die for!" If we are looking for a stop for gourmands, its winning option is far from the spotlight. "Must try the famous beignets (fried dough with powdered sugar) although you don't have to go to the most famous place: Cafe DuMonde (it is more touristy and busy) . If you go to Beignet Coffee _(334 Royal St Ste B) _ are always made on the spot.”
Spotted Cat Music Club on Frenchmen Street
As a music fan, the city where rock and roll was born could not be missing from the route: Memphis, Tennessee . “It is mandatory to walk through the legendary Beale Street and let the music take you and attract you from the different places. The most musical street I've ever known . It's not a surprise when you think that B.B. King, Elvis or Jerry Lee Lewis They had their beginnings there. It's pure musical magic!” he recalls.
Dropping into a hotel lobby mid-morning is always a good idea, but at the famous Peabody Hotel they have a very particular custom. “At 11 in the morning the Peabody Ducks (ducks) come down from the roof in an elevator and parade down a red carpet where they end up bathing in the fountain: it is a tradition in this hotel full of stories. Advice: Arrive before 11 to get a seat with a view because it fills up.
And it is that there are classics that not because they are popular detract from a visit. “Don't miss the ribs at Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous _(52 S 2nd St, Memphis) _ but be warned, it's no secret, all of Memphis knows they eat there. BBQ of the good that's why there's a queue. Be an early bird, arrive before lunch/dinner time and get ready to lick your fingers”.
Beale Street
His last recommendation takes us to a historic city that cannot be understood without its passion for art and architecture: Chicago . The first target? Stroll through the neighborhood where Frank Lloyd Wright He left the first traces of him, from the house of his studio to his first commissions. “You have to do the studio tour and walk around the streets of the Oak Park neighborhood with the audiology And when you're done, just around the corner is the house where he was born Hemingway , you must see it too!”
To understand the essence of the third largest city in North America, get on a boat and enjoy a tour in which retired architects will explain the evolution of the city (it's worth every dollar it costs). “One of the best ways to see Chicago is from Lake Michigan or its river, it gives you another perspective of this city of impressive skyscrapers. **My wife and I took the tour called the Architecture River Tour**”, she recalls.
And since we are talking about learning languages, the gastronomic vocabulary cannot be left out. “ 6teen It is a restaurant with a lot of charm and incredible views of Chicago. The Cook, Chef Lenses It has a Michelin star and the food is spectacular. They will serve you like nowhere else. It's worth eating there. It is located on the 16th floor (Sixteen) of the Trump building,” she recommends.
Are you one of those who are better at practicing English in the bars of bars? No problem: Billy Goat Tavern it's your place. “A dive bar that was featured in a Saturday Night Live skit with Bill Murray. It is run by the same family The Siannis They were very nice and told us many stories. Be supposed to Billy Sianis (the founder) put a curse on the baseball team (the Chicago Cubs) when they kicked him and his goat out of the ballpark. If you haven't been to the Billy Goat Tavern, you haven't been to Chicago. ”.
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Sixteen one of the essential stops if you go to Chicago