una tertulia, feminine noun = a social gathering, a tea party, a salon. As in "Una tertulia inesperada", the first chapter of El hobbit. That would probably make the first chapter of El señor de los anillos "Una tertulia muy esperada". I think maybe "Tertulia" is an interesting translation of one of the Web sites I’m most addicted to: Salon. Someone who knows better correct me if I’m wrong about the usage of this word! At any rate, I like the way it rolls off my tongue. Ideally I’d have the discipline and stamina to find a Spanish word a day to study in depth this way. Too ambitious a plan destined to disappoint!
Alas, this is my first aquaintance with the word, but considering the drink of choice of my Spanish speaking friends was cerveza, is it any wonder?