I speak Spanish worse than Arnold Schwartzenegger speaks English! Actually, a lot worse. But hey, I am not running for governor of Chiapas so this of course does not deter me at all. I have habled espanol through much of Mexico, Central America and most of South America. I do this because Latin American’s appreciate people who speak their language, no matter how badly, and because they are nicer to you when you put forth the effort to speak their language, no matter how badly. Often they go on rolls where they think my understanding is better than it is. They will be rattling on and I will be catching about every third word, but somehow we make do.
It is odd. Ask Jim. Wherever we travel people come up to me and ask me directions or questions in their native language, as if I should know the answer. Probably because I look like a nice old lady, not an axe killer. I always try to muddle through an answer, but recently in Spain, I was distracted, when someone asked me a question in English and I responded, “No hablo Ingles.” ( I don’t speak English.)
I have no idea why I said this. It just came out.
Jim says to me, “Why did you say that?”
And I responded, “No se.” (I don’t know.)
I think it was because I get into immersing myself in Spanish and didn’t like switching back to English.
Jim always complains that I speak Spanish to Italians, but they do tend to understand Spanish and I understand a tad of Italian so we get by, except for the one time in Florence when the Academia or some such tony museum was doing an exhibit on historically important erotic art. I went to the front desk to buy two tickets and schedule an in room massage. The desk clerk looked at me strangely. My Spanish was not obviously not super well understood, because about an hour later, a lady of the evening showed up at our hotel room door! (This was the time of Berlesconi after all.)
Jim still uses this as an example of why I shouldn’t speak Spanish in Italy.
Picky, picky. We did at least get the museum tickets. The lady got a huge tip and I got a great story, but drats, no massage.
I also love to hablo espanol because Jim doesn’t and I get to translate for him, which gives me a distinct advantage. This isn’t the United Nations after all so I can get creative. For example:
I suggest we go shopping. Jim is massively opposed to anything that involves this word. I wait until we are in the taxi, and ask the driver what we should not miss in their city and add a question about the best shopping. They invariably give me a bunch of good ideas, like, “You must visit the cathedral (they always say this in Latin America and we always do) and you should go to the zocalo (park) and the museo. For shopping go to La Boqueria.”
I translate back to Jim, “He says we should definitely not miss the Boqueria. It is the country’s best shopping area with really great values (read cheap) and we shouldn’t miss the cathedral, museum and park.”
Off we head for some really fun shopping! ( Followed of course by the museo, cathedral & zocalo.)
I love going to Spanish-speaking countries!
So if all goes according to plan, or as they say in Latin America (Si Dios Quiere, if God wishes) I will be in Buenos Aires when I next post and then on to Patagonia. I hope to be posting photos for you as I go, as this is so much fun to do. I won’t however, be able to follow your blogs while I am gone, and I wanted you to know the reason. I will catch up when I return though! And please do not worry, relatives who are staying at The Holler while we are gone will be caring for the doggies and stocking the bird feeders, so our four-footed and feathered friends will not be neglected.
I wanted, at this juncture, to take a few moments to acknowledge some of my blogging friends who have blessed this blog with more awards. Thank all of you though, who read this blog, comment on it and/or follow. You are so appreciated by me and I think of you as my blogging family.
I was just awarded my 16th & 17th Blog of the Year Stars and I wanted to give a thank you shout out to:
Virginia at:
http://ourgrowingpaynes.wordpress.com
Virginia and her husband are originally from the UK, but reside in the states. Virginia blogs about cooking mostly, fabulous recipes & tutorials; and about crafting, gardening and growing your own produce and herbs. I have been following her blog for quite some time now. Pop by, visit, and you will too! Thank you Virginia for this very kind nomination.
Jennifer at:
Jennifer publishes genre e-books such as novels, short-stories, anthologies and non-fiction. She provides a venue where talented writers and reviewers can be published. Her blog is interesting, serves a most important function and is quite approachable. Check it out and thank you Jennifer for this recognition.
Sheri at:
Sheri has nominated me for The Shine on Award. Sheri has lived on three continents and is living a fascinating life. She has faced many challenges, even ugly challenges in life, including a near death experience, but prefers to focus, “On The Other Side of Ugly,” which is the name of her blog. I find her blog, perspective, and experience, of great interest and you will too. Thank you Sheri for your continuing kindness.
Chris at:
http://grndmachris.wordpress.com
Chris has nominated me for The Reality Award. Chris is a wife, stepmom, grandmother, & friend, and she happens to be hilarious to boot. She needs to be to juggle all these roles so successfully! Her kindness and sense of humor shines through her blog and I am a devoted follower. Check out her blog and you will be too & thank you Chris for this kind acknowledgement.
Buenos tardes a totos y hablo con ustedes cuando soy en Buenos Aires! (Talk to you soon from Buenos Aires!)
Cheers!
I told my son (for whom I was translating French in Paris) that the first requirement of learning to speak the local language is not to be afraid of making a fool of oneself
. I have found, as you have, that if I make the effort, the locals will meet me more than halfway and are very gracious about my numerous mistakes.
Sometimes that takes waiting until you get old enough that you don’t care anymore about embarrassing yourself, which must mean I am REALLY old!
Hasta luego, muchacha. Disfrute de su viaje!
Pablo
Domo aeregato….dang I’m mixing up languages AGAIN!
おやすみなさい (Say goodnight, Cindy)
Okay you are a genius.
I am your lesser talented cousin.There are some pretty smart Bartons out there. Who were they I wonder.
You’re such a sweetie, you should be very proud of all of your awards. I’m glad we’ve met and look forward to more stories and photos to share
Some goes to you my friend!
Que tengas un buen viaje, y que Dios te bendiga.
Esto es tan amable! Gracias!
So funny Cindy. I grew up with my mom’s side of the family from Naples, Italy. Italian was spoken fluently. Especially when they didn’t want others to know what they were saying. After awhile you pick up on it and know exactly what they are saying!! Enjoy your vacation and I cannot wait to see your pictures and your new languages. Congratulations on your awards; well deserved
Yes! I used to speak Spanish with my ex so the children wouldn’t understand. They over took me pretty quickly though and grew up speaking a mixture of English & Spanish. Andrea, my daughter is now a recently minted spanish speaking therapist working with non- English speaking clients in the Bay area. Matt is conversant in Japanese and uses it when he is frustrated with me. I DO NOT wish a translation!! Cheers & mil grazi to you my friend. Hope you got my note about making your cupcakes for my daughter’s bridal shower in late Feb!
Yes, I thought I replied back. You are so wonderful Cindy! Enjoy your vacation too
This was so funny, Cindy! I thought you were going to Buenos Aires in April. Enjoy my part too. We are leaving for Caribbean tomorrow and will be back on the 27th. I will check out your photos. Viaje Seguro
))) Fae.
Wonderful Fae! A comment from you is always a gift. Traveling again so soon? Why my dear, you must have the travel bug? GOOD for you! Let the Caribbean melt away your cares. It will.
Viaje seguro mi amiga inteligente
Happy Travelling and happy multilingual adventures. Looking forward to your next posts.
Having trouble uploading photos to the laptop, so it may be rather primitive, but post I shall!
Happy holidays Cindy I’m looking forward to your photos and descriptions of these fascinating places I have never been to
More than happy to oblige as long as my laptop cooperates!
Just seen a Richard Attenborough doco on mountains and it showed Patagonia, just stunning
Yes, we should be there, in four more nights, I’m pretty excited. We are traveling alone and that makes it even better. Please excuse the post quality though, it will be increasingly problematic with my laptop. But who cares, any photos I can get through will be a victory. Cheers & best to you!
Did you know that, contrary to the widespread assumption that it is the capital of Germany, Berlin (Berlino) is actually a Spanish-Italian-speaking country? You should stop by, Cindy, it’s worth a visit. I wish you and Jim an unforgettable trip through Argentina!
I had NO idea and neither did Jim. We will be there in early May!!! Thanks you for the visits!
Are you serious? If the two of you are really coming to Berlin in May, let me know. We could go for a drink together!
Quite serious….can’t remember if we are staying 5 or 6 nights. It will be my first visit to Berlin and I am quite excited. Jim & I would love to meet you for drinks! Let’s plan it when I return from South America!
Love the story in Florence and have fun during your holiday… looking forward to your blogs and pics…..
For some reason Jim finds the Florence story embarrassing!!!!! Go figure……..
As always, your pictures are stunning! Your grasp of Spanish is actually admirable, even if you think it needs a lot of work. Living in Texas I really thought it would be a good idea to learn Spanish, but I’ve had a Spanish course on eight discs for several years that I have yet to crack it out of the wrapper, lol! You’re continuing to make the effort will pay off, for sure!
Thank you my dear, much appreciated and cheers to you!
Hi! Very funny your post, and so realistic! It’s true that spanish people in other countries still asking in Spanish, as anyone would know their language too!!! I studied foreigner languages at Univerisity, so I’m italian and I speak a good spanish and a not so good english. Now I’m trying to study Germany by myself but it’s very difficult! I love speaking foreigner languages, it’s so lovely communicate with other cultures! I think your blog is so pretty and interesting that I decided to follow you…from the other part of the Earth! Enjoy your trip, and sorry for mistakes in english…
Thank you for your interesting comment and for following my blog. I admire you for teaching yourself German & look forward to following your blog when I return home. Cheers to you!
Congratulations on your awards Cindy! Well deserved. So funny that you said you didn’t speak English!
Speak it very badly though…….:)
Hello Julia,
I have nominated you for some awards, please check http://meirozavian.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/awards/
Congratulations and have a wonderful day!
Warm regards,
mei
Congratulations on your very well deserved award! Thank you so much for nominating my blog. Your appreciation means a great deal to me. Thank you again & cheers to you!