In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked our Spanish language instructors to share something special about their background.
MIRIAM’S FAVORTE PERUVIAN LEGEND
Miriam is a native of Peru. She teaches students of all levels for CRLC, including a program with Price Chopper Supermarkets-Market 32, where she taught warehouse managers basic Spanish to better communicate with their teams.
Here, she shares a beloved Andean legend, a romantic and tragic tale of Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu, three volcanoes which stand as guardians over Arequipa, the second-largest city in Peru.
“Pichu Pichu was a young and passionate warrior, who fell deeply in love with the beautiful and majestic Chachani. But the gods forbade their union. Distressed and saddened, the two lovers were suddenly separated by the powerful deities.
“To ensure the lovers could never be together, the gods erected a barrier between them: the tall, impenetrable Misti volcano. This solitary soldier stood guard, permanently blocking Pichu Pichu’s view of his beloved Chachani.”
“This myth exemplifies the cultural and historical relevance of these landmasses. Their constant looming presence in the skyline of Peru defining territories and inspiring stories passed down for generations.”
LALI’S RECIPE FOR TORTILLA DE PATATAS
Lali was born in Barcelona, Spain, and is fluent in both Catalan and Spanish. To celebrate her Hispanic roots, Lali shares a recipe for one of her favorite Spanish dishes: tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelet).
STEP ONE: Thinly slice the potatoes and onions (optional), then slowly cook them in a generous amount of olive oil at medium to low heat until they are tender and creamy
STEP TWO: Remove the excess oil from the vegetables and mix them with beaten eggs and salt.
STEP THREE: Pour the mixture into a hot, oiled pan and cook until set, flipping it to cook both sides evenly. Lali describes the many possible variants of the dish: adding peppers, onions, chickpeas, or chorizo, but adds that she likes to keep it simple.
“Food can be a powerful way of connecting to identity: a recipe passed down from generation to generation, gathering around the table with your loved ones to eat. Hispanic Heritage Month allows us to highlight the beauty and depth of Hispanic customs, whether through the sharing of family recipes and legends, or reflecting on the ties between identity and heritage.”
Read About Lali’s Summer Road Trip Through France & Italy
GLORIA’S REFLECTIONS ON HER HISPANIC HERITAGE
Señora Gloria, who is of Puerto Rican and Spanish heritage, shared what this celebration means to her:
“Being Hispanic is a deep and powerful part of who I am. It’s the soul of my existence,” she says. “Hispanic Heritage means I honor my ancestors in passing along our familial traditions and continuously educate others on our rich culture and customs.
“It means I remember the sacrifices of those who came before me, of those who paved the way to a greater, brighter future for me, one full of rich cultural Hispanic experiences, diversity and much pride as a Puerto Rican and Spanish woman.”
As an educator, Señora Gloria has the privilege of shining the spotlight on famous Hispanic figures and celebrating their contributions to our nation. “My Hispanic Heritage means living, having the opportunity and great privilege of sharing my deep roots as a native Hispanic,” she explains. “It means sharing my cultural upbringing, sharing the feelings of the warmth of my close-knit family and community that always shows up for one another.”
For Señora Gloria, her heritage is a part of every aspect of life. “My Hispanic Heritage is an ongoing celebration, representing my culture, my history, my cuisine, family recipes, art, music, values and diversity.”
Above all, she honors the strong women who came before her. “Hispanic Heritage to me means honoring my Abuelitas, my Mamá, my Madrinas, who worked hard, sacrificed so much, and held tightly to their culture even when it wasn’t easy.”
Read how Gloria prepares students for Día de los Muertos
“My Hispanic Heritage reminds me where I come from, guides where I’m going, and leads me to continue educating others on the beauty of my ethnicity. My Hispanic Heritage is who I am. It means I respect, honor and represent it with great and tremendous pride.”
