Spanish Phrases If you just want to try your hand at Spanish, here are some helpful hints. Letters in Spanish are always pronounced in the same way as shown below: a is pronounced as is all e is pronounced as is bed i is pronounced as is machine o is pronounced as is orange u is pronounced as is rule ei & ey are pronounced as is vein oi & oy are pronounced as is toy ai & ay are pronounced like y in by au is pronounced like ou in mouse Here are some standard expressions: Good morning · Buenos dias Beer · Una cerveza Good afternoon/evening · Buenas tardes Coca-Cola · Una Coca Good night · Buenas noches Bread · Pan Hello · Hola Chips and salsa · Tostadas y salsa How are you? · Cómo está usted? Eggs · Huevos Pleased to meet you · Mucho gusto Meat · Carne Good-bye · Adios Fish · Pescado Yes · Sí Waiter · Mesero No · No The check, please · La cuenta, por favor Please · Por favor Pharmacy · La farmacia Thank you · Gracias Bakery · La panadería I don't speak Spanish · No hablo español Inexpensive · Barato Do you speak English · Habla usted inglés? Expensive · Caro I don't understand · No comprendo Where is ... · Dondé está ... Water · Agua Parking · Estacionamiento Table · Una mesa Stop · Alto Milk · Leche Bathroom · Baño Black coffee · Un café negro Men's Room · Caballeros Coffee with milk · Café con leche Ladies' Room · Señoras/Damas Mineral water · Agua mineral Ladies' Room · Señoras/Damas Margarita · Margarita!   Origin of Paella Paella, comes from the Latin “Patella” which means pan. Paella is currently an internationally-known rice dish from Spain. It originated in the fields of a region called Valencia in Eastern Spain. Today, paella is made in every region of Spain, using just about any kind of ingredient that goes well with rice. There are many versions of paella as there are cooks. It may contain chicken, shellfish, fish, eel, squid, beans, peas, artichokes or peppers. Saffron, the spice that also turns the rice a wonderful golden color is an essential part of the dish. Origin of Tapas Tapas are a Mediterranean tradition that began with Spanish barman. At the turn of the centrury wine was served with a piece of Bread covering or topping the lid of the glass, in order to prevent flies from getting in. A few hungry patron’s began eating the bread and a Tapas tradition was created. Tapas can be simple or elaborate. Eaten with your fingers or a fork. Sherry, Wine or Sangria are the typical drinks to serve with Tapas. Some Taverns serve as many as 40 to 50 different kinds. In Madrid, competition for who serves the best Tapas is fierce! A pub crawl custom has emerged called Chateo. Patrons go from Tavern to Tavern in search for the most delicious tapas.