Bingo

I continue to realize that not being able to speak a language fluently is hard--especially when meeting new people! Whenever my host parents introduce me to someone, we exchange nice-to-meet-you's and then they turn back to my host parents and ask, "Does she speak Spanish?" However graciously they answer, my blank stare and tentative ‘que?’ (what?) suffice as an answer.

In these times I remember how patient my host family is. They speak slowly and simply and listen intently as I scramble for phrases. Conversations probable take twice as long as they normally would, but my family never makes me feel inferior. I am constantly thankful for their grace with me.

However when I’m in a room of Spanish-speaking people I don’t know, I quickly feel discouraged. Two weekends ago we went to one of my Dad’s brother’s houses to play bingo with his family and the other five siblings and their families. Lots of new people! Playing bingo was great—I've got my numbers down—but conversation was a little more difficult. Entering a new social situation is hard enough for me when I can speak the language—much more when I have the language ability of a 6 year old! I kept going back and forth, at one moment thinking “If only someone would give me a chance…” and at the next “I hope no one talks to me.” I felt frustrated at not being given the opportunity to communicate and afraid at the same time, knowing that given the opportunity, I would surely misunderstand or make a mistake.

I wonder if people who have disabilities that hamper language experience something similar. I wonder if they, too, feel isolated outside the small network of people who are patient enough to listen until they understand. I wonder if they wish people would give them a chance, but fear failure. And I wonder if they appreciate any attempts to communicate as much as I have.

On the bingo night, one of the cousins and my sister were throwing maíz (our bingo markers) at each other. Soon I caught the cousin grinning at me, and looked down to see my carefully placed bingo markers scattered by a well-aimed corn kernel. I smiled because I knew I was included.

I hope I will return from this semester with greater knowledge of Spanish and Costa Rican culture, but I think I’ll return with many more lessons like this one. And following, to make this more interesting, are some 'daily life' pictures! 

The view from in front of my house. The mountains are behind the clouds...as usual!

Some delicious sopa (soup)...one of the many yummy meals I've had here!