Epilogue: Español IV

So this blog is clearly over. I am home, and life in Oakland isn't nearly exciting enough to warrent internet publishing. Plus, as much as I am glad I have this record of my time abroad and I know it has entertained at least a few of you over the past 9 months, it's a bit stressful to "remember" to write about my thoughts and then compose them in a blog-appropriate manner. I'm definitely not cut out to be a blogger.

But, I figured I should write some final words about my experience with Spanish, since that was one of my major themes early on and I didn't write much about it at the end. So, I begrudgingly admit that I learned a lot while I was there, I speak a lot better than I did when I arrived, and I can function pretty well living in a Spanish-speaking country. Especially traveling, when you realize that most travelers speak little if at all, and chit-chatting with random strangers (taxi drivers, tour guides, other people you meet en route) about random stuff. This was most clear to me when I was solo for a week in Cusco, which turned out really well. I'm still strangely competitive though--I got little highs from chatting with our Inca Trail guides in Spanish when my companions couldn't, but then I feel bad about myself when I meet people who speak much better than me. And of course, then there's the office and group social environment, which is totally different. I think my the end I caught maybe 50% of the office banter, which was an improvement over my original 25% but still... and public speaking, no way. I had told myself I was going to give my discurso de despedida (goodbye speech) at my office happy hour in Spanish, but I chickened out. My excuse was that I was working up until the very end and thus didn't have time to prepare, but really...I was glad not to. Speaking in front of a group of bilingual people is a whole 'nother level.

I'll never be the one who says yes! I'm fluent in Spanish, and my favorite response to "How's your Spanish?" will probably always be "mas o menos", but I know enough to be happy with my accomplishments. Still, I'm also happy to be settling back into the world where I can comfortably make a hotel reservation over the phone and I enjoy being asked for directions on the street. But I do need to find some Spanish-speaking opportunities around here soon...