I just had an interesting experience regarding learning Spanish. I went for a pedicure today, and the technician, Jezmine, and I started talking about music. She asked me who my favorite latin singer was. I thought for a few seconds and remembered, of course, Alenjandro Sanz. I fell in love with his voice while I was living with Fredy, Ana, Patricio and Maria Del Mar in Madrid for a month in 2000. I remember Maria Del Mar playing a particular song of his over and over again, and I loved it. I bought the CD to take home at the time. But I couldn’t remember the title. I probably never really paid attention at the time because I couldn’t understand anything. I had only been studying for a year. I told Jezmine I would find out and text her later. When I got home, I texted Maria Del Mar and asked her if she remembered the title. She texted me a YouTube recording. When I started listening to it, I was so shocked that I could understand some of it. So, I couldn’t focus on the melody, just the words. Very strange. It sounded so different. In the past his voice was just another instrument. Now my ears were focusing on the words.
So, now I’m listening to his music as an audio practice. He has such a beautiful, passionate voice. I think this is the song I remember hearing, but stayed tuned; it might change. Dang! Can’t embed it. It’s Quisiera Ser – In case I forget again.
This experience reminds me of Brenda Romaniello, the teacher of Hola Spanish. She said that the process of learning of a foreign language is similar to the growth of bamboo. It starts out very, very slowly and then suddenly shoots up rapidly. I felt that surge during the festivities for Arianna’s wedding and being with all of the Spanish-speaking guests. I will always remember Amanda saying to me that my Spanish was very good, that I didn’t even have an accent. Love that little girl.
And this is Jezmine.
I have to send her a text about the song. Jezmine is from Nicaragua. She went to school there and then moved here with some of her family to escape the political oppression in Nicaragua. She did a very nice job. I always love my ritual of getting a pedicure when I arrive. I’ve been here for a while, but it’s been too wet. Now we’re ready.
And one of my very favorite parts of coming to Boquete…Barbara! We shared a kombucha and a nice long chat.
We have started making plans to go to the beach when Samantha comes at the end of March. I can’t remember how much of this I have written already, but I met Samantha on El Camino Portugués in May. She is delightful. I’m looking forward to her visit. We will spend our last days at the beach and then fly home together on April 1.
This photo made me laugh (well, not out loud). It’s in the bathroom at the BCP where we play Trivia on Tuesday nights. Just in case you’re lost…
Trivia was fun. Always one of my favorite nights out. I joined Sara Crockett’s team. I had already met Gerry, and new people included Lana, Lucas, Phil and Kathy. I should have taken a photo. Next time. I earned my seat at the table when I knew the answer to a question that no one else knew: Twelve pices of what food is swallowed in Spain on New Year’s Eve for good luck? Green Grapes. Yay! I learned that on New Year’s Eve in Chile with Ana.
I am so happy that I am only 1.5 miles from town. I even walked home after Trivia. I was only a little apprehensive because of the darkness and traffic, but then I realized that there is a sidewalk the whole way. And there are lots of lighted restaurants and music playing, families still hanging out, chatting on the streets. I love it here.
Holly left yesterday to visit her son in the States for the holidays. She left me this gift. I texted her later and told her that I was only slightly disappointed because I thought they were cookies, but they are beautiful and smell divine.
Holly and Kathy came on Wednesday to learn how to do Zentangle. We had a nice time. Holly was so pleased that she is now an artist.
It is a sad story in the neighborhood that this tree needs to be cut down.
I don’t know what species tree it is, but Barbara said that the epiphyte is vanilla. I remembered that Madagascar is the chief producer of the vanilla orchid because it was a question at Trivia one night. I found this on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla. I found it interesting that its production spread when a 12-year-slave, Edmond Albius, learned that it could be hand pollinated.
And this is my hanging spot. Not ideal, but better than nothing. I’m happy I brought my leather gloves, so I can handle the square rail instead of a round one. Also, all I have to do is bend at the knee and hang. I don’t have to worry about falling too far.
An acquantance here rigged up a pole across a doorway, fell and is now paralyzed. It must have been just a spring-loaded pole that is used for showers. I can’t imagine why she would think that was a good idea. I may be wrong. In any event, I heard that she is now trying to ambulate in an exoskeleton. Wow! That would be a huge challenge. Don’t even like to think about it.
Tomorrow is, ho-hum, another party day. The Gang is getting together at Gloria’s (where I rented a couple of years ago) to celebrate her and Betty’s birthdays. I hope Beth comes. I stood her up on Monday for her lunch birthday. I had it on my calendar for Wednesday. AND I stood up Cathy Schulte. I was supposed to meet her at the Christmas tree in the park on Tuesday at 10:30; I had it on my calendar for Thursday. I’m blaming Google Calendar. Actually, I am going to try another system. I’m going to add “Calendar” to my Coffee/Meditation/Heather slot first thing in the morning. I also need to go back and check the original communication where I set it up in the first place.
Okay, time to prepare for a Zoom with Dan, Denise and Randy.