At the beginning of the run I knew very minimal Spanish. Hola, adios and gracias were about it. And even with that I would never use those words around anyone of Spanish origin for fear that they would chastise me or something. Unfounded fear, I know, but that's how my mind works sometimes. So with this show I made a concerted effort to learn Spanish. I attempted to take a class last year at PCC which proved that I can't learn the traditional way so this was the next best alternative....ask my cast consistently, "How do you say_________?"
Within a day I was giving my calls in Spanish. "Cinco minutos para sus puestos." Along with this came the fact that my absolute favorite coffee shop in all of Los Angeles is Sabor y Cultura, I usually stop by there on my way to the theatre and after my 9-6 workday. Are you starting to see a connection here? I always get the same coffee drink so naturally I asked how to order it. "Lo mismo de siempre por favor." After a few weeks of stagnation and not learning any new words and/or phrases I went in this week and had a lovely conversation about cumpleanos, among other things. The entire staff at Sabor y Cultura is fabuloso, including the owner Ramon. If you ever get a chance it's a great place to get a cup of java.
With this newfound comfort of my attempted bilingual-ness I have begun to use Spanish more in everyday life whenever I get the chance - and you know what I've noticed?? No one makes fun of me - they smile!!! I don't know if I'll ever make through an official class so for the time being I will continue to drink coffee and learn Spanish.
Soy impresada! Buena suerte con tu conversaciones en espanol. Debemos practicar juntos. Necessito saber espanol mas mejor para mi occupacion y pienso que es divertido tambien. Te echo de menos mi amiga! Quiero visitarte pronto! Y si quisieras, vamos a Sabor y Cultura para bebidas :) besitos, L
Posted by: Lisa | January 31, 2006 at 11:47 PM