Cultural Notes
San Blas – short version
San Blas
- Remember, expect this to be challenging.
- First, read the English version.
- Next, read the Spanish version.
- Click the control to hear the audio.
- Listen several times, following along on the transcript.
- Finally, listen without looking at the transcript.
- See how many words and phrases you can pick out.
- Then try the long version.
Short Version
San Blas
Welcome to San Blas. We hope you enjoy your stay here. We like tourists. In fact, our beaches are very popular with the people of Tepic and Guadalajara, only a few hours drive away. A few gringos have even discovered the pleasures of San Blas. Our little town of 15,000 was once an important port, but when Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821 we became an isolated backwater for many years. We have fought hard to preserve our natural assets, and in recent years our many species of birds, our fascinating mangrove swamps, and our unspoiled beaches have become a destination for eco-tourists. We experienced a devastating hurricane in 2002, but we rebuilt and all is well again.
San Blas
Bienvenido a San Blas. Esperamos que disfrutes de tu visita. Nos gustan los turistas. De hecho, nuestras playas son muy populares entre la gente de Tepic y Guadalajara, a sólo unas horas en auto. Unos pocos gringos han descubierto los placeres de San Blas. Nuestro pequeño pueblo de 15,000 habitantes fue una vez un puerto importante, pero después que México se independizó de España en 1821, quedamos aislados durante muchos años. Hemos luchado por preservar nuestros recursos naturales y, en años recientes, nuestras muchas especies de aves, nuestros fascinantes pantanos de mangle y nuestras playas impolutas se han convertido en destino del ecoturismo. Sufrimos un huracán devastador en el año 2002, pero hemos reconstruido y todo está bien otra vez.
