Sheeps and Arkichoves
Trip Start
Oct 27, 2008
1
2
17
Trip End
Jan 22, 2009
Hernani,
Basque,
Spain
Sunday, November 2, 2008
there that plan on visiting Spain this is a message: Pay attention in your
Spanish language class!! I wish I had reviewed a bit more before coming here. I
can get by fairly well, but at times I feel like I am missing some vital
information. This is where it helps to be a good guesser and have at least some
sense of direction. And as I like to say, "Fake it until you make it!" which
means I try not to look lost or real touristy. But sometimes the backpack,
maps, and Spanish-English phrasebook give it away. Confidence is key though and
mine is getting better. I'm good with small talk but when the conversation is
too fast or beyond my vocabulary I just smile and say one of my well rehearsed
lines: Lo siento, no hablo mucho espanoll (I'm sorry, I don't speak much
Spanish). This makes them slow down and use sign language until the
'deer-in-the-headlight' look is gone from my face. Sometimes it takes a while...
I am living with a great couple in their
apartment just outside of Donasti (San Sebastian) in a town called Hernani.
Everyday I count my blessing and couldn't have found two better people to lend
me a room. We have been having language discussions and are learning from each
other. Nere speaks very good English, Basque, Spanish, and Italian. Her
boyfriend, Alberto speaks mostly Italian, good Spanish, pretty good Basque, and
a little English. And then there's me: English, poor Spanish, and a few phrases
in Basque. We eat dinner together every night and it is a great time to learn
food names. A couple nights ago they explained that we were having
"arkichoves." I thought for a moment before it clicked, "Oh, you mean
artichokes?" It was probably much funnier if you would have been there but we
all got a kick out of it. Later on that night I couldn't help but correct them
about referring to more than one sheep as "sheeps." This after they corrected
me for using a spanish cuss word in reference to the wooly creatures. Thanks
Dad! It is hard to explain the family ranch when the real Spanish-speakers are
laughing at you.
One of my new favorite activities is to
sit at a bar/restaurant with a café con leche and pretend to read the
newspaper. I can actually make out the main points of the Spanish papers. But
when it is all Basque I focus on the numbers, names, and pictures. That is a
whole different language! I can only say simple greetings and count but by
January I might be able to hold a small conversation.
I have noticed on the radio stations
there are a lot of American songs. It is strange to click on the tv and see
someone on the Spanish version of "Idol" singing Mombo #5 in english. Last night I was at
a basketball game in Hondarribia and felt a bit of familiarity, not just around
basketball, but when the english songs would play on the loud speakers.
Barcelona was the visiting team and one of their players was from the US.
Apparently it was her birthday because after the game a group of Barcelona fans
sang "Happy Birthday" with very thick Spanish accents. It was hard to
understand at parts and although it wasn't my birthday, it brought a smile to
my face. A new language can be hard to learn, but it is always good to have variety in your life. Adios (Spanish), Agur (Basque), Addio (Italian), Goodbye
