My Spanish is Much Bettering Since Have I Been Here 2 Months

Ok.  So it has been a while since I blogged, but in reality life is pretty quiet here in Madrid.  It’s not like I’ve been to an island off the coast of Africa where I got to see whales and dolphins, go sea kayaking, and nearly climb to the top of a volcano.  Oh wait, I did.  Cool.  Oh well, that’s all boring compared to what I am here to tell you about…

As I discovered this summer during my trip to South America, my Spanish, along with my ability to fit in, is not nearly as good as I sometimes think it is.  As far as language goes, I often find myself shaking my head yes and saying ok, even though I have no clue what is being said to me.  I swear to God, one of these days I am going to agree to sell my body to the Gypsies and live in a cage.  It is very possible that people are saying “you are a practicing satanist who eats babies, nod your head if you agree”, and there I sit, grinning and nodding like I understand every single word.

Yesterday was a good example of the language and cultural  barrier that still exists.  Due to construction in my apartment building, all of the water was shut off.  Because my life and entertainment are completely run by the ability to turn the water off an on I decided to get out of the house when that ability was taken away.  I threw on my under armour, strapped on my nikes, and pranced out the door to go for a jog.  

Jogging is very fashionable here.  All the young, rich, and hip 20-somethings do it.  Great for me right?!?!  Unfortunately, I still don’t fit in.  The first reason is obvious; around here people my size (the freak size) are usually confined to 24/7 medical experiments and therefore don’t get out for a run very often.  I especially notice this because when I run towards someone, instead of just stepping to the side, they drop to the fetal position and pray to God that the Jolly Green Giant isn’t coming to crush their bones and eat them.  But, even if I was the correct size (pocket size) I would still fail at fitting in because of my attire.  There are 2 different running outfits people wear here.  Full-body spandex, which I am seriously debating buying, and the “preppie” style.  Yes, if people are not running in their wrestling singlets with matching hats, socks and shoes, bearing all to the world, they are wearing polo shorts and khaki shorts.  Just a little bit odd.  I never would’ve thought that what I consider church clothes could be used to soak up someone’s sweat.  People are just strange…

So as I return from my socially awkward workout, I come upon my next social barrier.  The doorman of my building is really cool.  He’s old, but kind of hip.  He always jokes around and smiles when I come through the door.  However, my communication with him has always been small talk (i.e. how are you? how is your day going? good morning, etc.).  Well this night all hopes of appearing like I was a Spaniard to this guy were crushed.  

I finished off my run with a nice sprint, which left me short on breath, slightly lightheaded, and definitely not in the right state to be speaking in some kind of foreign language.  So, to my demise, there he was mopping up one of the elevators.  I quickly grabbed the other, hoping that I would be able to skirt by without him noticing.  Not a good idea.  As I tip toed by, he grabbed me and mumbled something in Spanish.  I of course took this as a common greeting (although I had no clue what he said) and responded with a “good, how are you?” in Spanish.  He looked at me a little funny and repeated himself.  This time, what I heard was “now you can’t take the elevator because I just mopped” or something to that extent.  So, I laughed awkwardly closed the doors, and stood there- which only made the situation more awkward.  Now he definitely knew something was up.  He repeated himself a third time.  Having no clue what he said, I smirked and said “ok”.  At this point, he gave up.  He opened the elevator that I had just closed and said “sube” which means “go on up”.  I jumped into the elevator and only after I had ridden up 3 floors did I realize that the whole time he had been saying “you can’t take a shower because the water is still off”.  Great timing… now I have to walk by him everyday with my head hung in shame hoping that he doesn’t see me because I have this strange feeling that he is going to point and laugh at me.  Maybe nodding your head ok isn’t always the best solution.

After this experience I got to thinking.  If I have that much difficulty understanding Spanish, what the hell do I sound like when I speak it?  Nothing can sum it up better than this clip from Family Guy.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/18335/family-guy-the-magic-is-happening

In conclusion:  I have very much increased the quantity speaking ability of my skills language of Spanish.  I good enjoy speaking the language of Spanish and wish to come to be a speaker fluent.  To make communicating is very entertain and I much pass time funly doing it.  I am to fit on well of this culture Spanish.  

 

 

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