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warch · 01-02-2002, 04:53 PM

Immersion. Travel is Good. I went to Guatemala in celebration of my 30th year, studying Mayan textiles and taking Spanish classes. I was matched with a woman my same age who spoke no English. We really became good friends over 4 weeks, dumping the textbook and just trying to share each others' stories. And my story was nothing compared to her life. Quite an eye opener. (this was in 1993, still very volatile) She was married with 6 daughters, her spouse was an amazing woodcarver. Her father and brother disappeared, her dad was a teacher and radio newsbroadcaster. Something amazingly poignant about her lowering her head, looking from side to side and whispering in Spanish what had happened. The best lesson.

You have to be committed to using it, wanting to communicate enough that you will risk sounding dumb.I havent had many moments, my skills are sketchy, but the coolest thing is when you start to *think* in that new language. Hey maybe I'll keep trying! thanks for the motivation. Maybe I'll catch Eric Estrada on Univision! Adios.

01-02-2002, 04:53 PM	#20
warch lurkin old school Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,796	Immersion. Travel is Good. I went to Guatemala in celebration of my 30th year, studying Mayan textiles and taking Spanish classes. I was matched with a woman my same age who spoke no English. We really became good friends over 4 weeks, dumping the textbook and just trying to share each others' stories. And my story was nothing compared to her life. Quite an eye opener. (this was in 1993, still very volatile) She was married with 6 daughters, her spouse was an amazing woodcarver. Her father and brother disappeared, her dad was a teacher and radio newsbroadcaster. Something amazingly poignant about her lowering her head, looking from side to side and whispering in Spanish what had happened. The best lesson. You have to be committed to using it, wanting to communicate enough that you will risk sounding dumb.I havent had many moments, my skills are sketchy, but the coolest thing is when you start to think in that new language. Hey maybe I'll keep trying! thanks for the motivation. Maybe I'll catch Eric Estrada on Univision! Adios.