Whenever I’m out & about, I try to greet people I meet/pass…Often, it’s just a cheerful “mornin” as I bike by or. “What an awesome day!!! Enjoy!!!
My elderly neighbor downstairs is from Mexico & doesn’t speak English so I’m trying to enhance my Spanish. I had some Spanish in high school & college; however, not enough to be fluent. Thus, I’m trying to do a lesson a day on the internet with Butterfly Spanish. There are days when I wonder if it’s a good investment of my time. In February, I’m planning to go on a cruise around Cape Horn with a friend who needed a roommate so I’m focusing on practical daily communications along with greetings for my neighbor.
Yesterday, my desire to enhance my Spanish was reinforced . At the post office, a young Latino couple came in with their infant. As they came towards me I asked, “How old is he? (I got caught assuming as the baby was dressed in blue). The mother didn’t seem to understand so I proceeded to ask,”cuanto anos,” She told me, “diez meses.” After I retrieved my mail , they were still standing there trying to figure out what to do/where to go so when we made eye contact she asked me if I spoke Spanish & I encouraged her with “un poco”. Turns out, hey needed to be steered in the direction of the Passport office; however, no one was there so after I confirmed that they had an appointment, I let the people at the customer service desk know that they had arrived As I turned to leave, I was rewarded by their grateful smiles.
Like the song, “Reach out …make this world a better place when/where you can…”
This scenario reminded me of all the times in my travels when people have gone out of their way to assist this wayward American- the picture is from when I had a flat tire in Italy. In turn I hope this experience inspires you to share your knowledge/resources with those in need wherever you are…