Iliamna1 wrote:
Leo y Amo toda que dices! Siempre dices la verdad. And it ain't in tongues, either. How many languages do you speak? I had to learn Spanish when I was working as a registered nurse in San Antonio, Texas.
Muchas gracias. Speak some Spanish, had a Mexican girl friend when I was in the navy. Not a US citizen either, she lived in Baja. Taught me some Spanish among other things.
Minored in French during my college days. Near the end of our studies in French, we were offered an opportunity to take a field trip to France. When the professor asked for a show of hands, maybe half the class said they'd go. As the time for a solid commitment approached, I was the only one left who would commit.
Prof told me I shouldn't go over there without a fluent speaker in company. I asked, "Why not? What better way to find out if I learned anything than to go
tout seul? Dive into it head first, see if I can cut the mustard." Prof was impressed, she asked me to submit a lesson plan, like what would be my focus, where I would go, what I would do. Had to keep a journal written in French. Prof made the arrangements, got me the funds, I obtained my Passport, exchanged my dollars for Francs, booked my flight, packed my bags, and off I went. Bon voyage and all that.
Though sometimes a quite challenging experience, I had a fabulous time. Once I got out of Paris and hit the road in northern France, I met some really cool French folks. My 4 day stay at Ch**eau Thierry is unforgettable.
The French are really big on their language, they do appreciate a ferner who at least attempts to speak their native tongue. One day, at a Paris Metro ticket office, I was queued up behind a couple of Australian teenage girls who apparently didn't know the difference between "Oui" and "We" and they were getting angry cuz the agent wouldn't speak English, or maybe didn't understand the down under accent. One of the girls turned to me, asked if I spoke French. "Oui, mademoiselle, I do", I said. She asked if I could help them get their tickets. I did and everybody was happy. Even the ticket agent was pleased.
Couldn't pay me to go over there now.