I had mentioned previously that there are some ads in Belgium that have definitely caught my attention, because they are real examples of their humorous way of showing you the unexpected and make you laugh about it. I guess a good example is this one of Brussels Airlines.
Free Hugs Mexico City, Helsinki & Brussels
You may have heard about the Free Hugs campaign (or even read about it in your local newspaper).
I’m glad to inform that there has been already some activity in the three cities where I’ve lived: México, D.F., Helsinki and Brussels.
Because sometimes, you just need a hug.
CONCACAF Champions Cup Final: Chivas 2-2 Pachuca
In an excellent game, where both teams really played at a tempo and standard befitting a Confederation final, Chivas and Pachuca tied at Jalisco Stadium. Given the result, both teams still have chances to go through to Japan when the second leg is played on the 25th.
Omar Bravo scored a brace, but couldn’t stop Chivas from tying a game in which they started off strongly.
Good food, good parks, good beer
Belgians definitely know how to relax and enjoy life. Belgian food is like French food, but with bigger portions and with less snobbiness to it. Brussels is one of the greenest European capitals, with some of the largest amounts of green spaces per capita, which is great when it's sunny as has been lately. Besides, as regular readers of this blog will know, there is very good beer to be had here.
Funnily enough, the place doesn't have the reputation it deserves.
Mole internacional
Tip para mexicanos expatriados:
El mole como platillo de introducción a la comida típica mexicana funciona a las mil maravillas en Finlandia pero no muy bien en Bélgica (al menos con los belgas). Eso es simplemente porque para ellos el sabor del chocolate y el picante tienen muy poco que ver, mientras que para los finlandeses, mientras el mole no esté muy picoso, puede llegar a ser en un principio interesante y después delicioso.
Díganmelo a mí, que he hecho mole en la capital de Europa y en el círculo polar, jajajaja.
Language sound inventories
You may have heard before that for people of Asian origin it is very difficult to pronounce the letter "r", as they don't have that sound in their languages. This is not only an issue with Asian languages, as any student of French, Spanish or English will tell you, with the problems with nasal vowels, rolled r's or long o's.
One of the funniest examples I have found is with that beloved language of mine: Finnish. Letters such as c, d, b, f, g or z cause problems to Finnish speakers, as they don't come naturally in their language (which uses the stronger sounds of k,t, p, v, k, or s instead), even though they have other frontal vowel sounds written with the letters ä, ö, y and å that might easily perplex foreign students.
This is shown when a Finn is learning Spanish, for example. Even though the pronunciation of both languages in general is very similar, a Finn might end up singing "Pésame mucho" instead of "Bésame mucho" (roughly translated to "it weighs a lot" or "I'm so, so sorry" instead of "kiss me repeatedly"). Hilarity might ensue.
A 50 años de la muerte de Pedro Infante
Normalmente no me importaría demasiado, pero dado que ya tiene tiempo que pasó a mejor vida, sirvan estas líneas para recordar a uno de los personajes más entrañables del cine mexicano de los 40s y 50s, Pedro Infante (videos), quien junto a Jorge Negrete (videos), francamente mi preferido, extendieron el gusto por el cine y la música mexicana por el mundo hispanoparlante de aquella época.
Para recordarlos, uno de mis dúos favoritos en Dos Tipos de Cuidado.
Masters of Precolumbian art
If you’re in Brussels between now and 29.4.2007, you should really check out this exhibition at the Royal Museums of Art and History.
The Jansen collection has objects from all over the Americas, from Alaska to Patagonia, under the same roof. It is amazing to see the similarities and differences between these cultures. I had only been exposed to Mesoamerican art before, and the introduction of Central and South American objects from before the arrival of the Spaniards was quite a threat.
A very funny moment was when I noticed that an Aztec stone eagle on show looks just like the “Made in Mexico” logo. Of course it should.
Go, go, go! You won’t regret it.
15th Matchday: Atlas 0-2 Chivas
With very few games to go before the playoffs (yes, the Mexican league, besides having two championships per year, also has playoffs) Chivas continued in good form, beating Atlas at Jalisco Stadium (the home they both share) in the Guadalajara derby. Chivas is now second in the general standings and has a place guaranteed in the deciding stages of the season.
The first goal by Alberto Venado Medina is a beauty.
Music and Lyrics
I am not a big fan of romantic comedies, but I actually enjoyed this movie. The script is original, as it takes a different look at the music industry and pop from two different decades (a musical genre I generally don't care much for), and it has a sort of witty, one-liner-based sarcarm I enjoy.
If you want to spend some time during the weekend and have nothing better to do, I'd recommend it. A "chick-flick" that will also make men laugh. If you were a teenager or still remember the 80's, you will definitely enjoy it.