Spanish As A Second Language

On the blog, eddsaid-come to cuenca!, Edd told a story of trying to speak Spanish to a couple - and it wound up like he was propositioning his wife.  It got me to thinking about my experiences at the beginning of learning Spanish.

Many years ago I was tasked with learning Spanish.  So I went to classes, learned the grammar and studied vocabulary until my head hurt.  During that time I was sent to Panamá for three month periods of time to improve my Spanish.  Also during that time I made friends with Spanish speaking folks in the States.  I visited them and conversed in Spanish - an experience for them that was akin to rolling naked in glass.  On one trip to Panamá I learned the word "chicha."  Which in Panama means a fruit drink.  (Chicha fuerte means a drink of fermented corn - a whole other type of drink!) 

So I come back to the States, visit a couple and begin to talk.  The wife asked me if I wanted a refresco (something to drink).  I thought I would use the word "chicha" which I learned in Panamá.  Alas, in their country of origin it had a very different meaning.  Instead of amazing them with a new vocabulary word, I stated that I would like to engage in sexual congress, but a lot more vulgar.  My, that was awkward.  

The husband burst into laughter and the wife turned red.  Here I was in someone's home.  The husband is on the floor laughing.  The wife is shocked.  And I was very confused.  I had no idea what had happened.  I just said yes to a drink.  The husband finally showed me, via sign language, what I said.  (Mental note:  always find out how a slang expression is used in a particular country before using it.)  We stayed friends, but I used "refresco" after that.

Another time I met with a district representative.  He explained to me all of his plans for roads in the district.  Sounded good to me.  Now my trusty dictionary said that ¡Ojala! meant "I hope so".  Not quite.  In Panamá it really meant "Bullshit".  Not a word that is favored by politicians anywhere when applied to them.  Never did repair that particular relationship.

For a good while the hardest things for me was understanding lyrics to songs on the radio and telephone conversations.  While neither offered verbal clues, at least the radio didn't demand a response on my part.   Telephones were a whole different ballgame.  I had no idea what they were asking but they wanted a response.  I had an immediate answer for whatever question they had:  he is not here.  I could say that in Spanish.  And then hung up.  These people needed to talk to somebody competent in the language.  That obviously wasn't me.  It is a testimony to the goodness of  Latinos that they did not rise up and eat my heart.  Actually, I have found most Latinos very willing to help me with my language and really try hard to understand me.

As time went on I got better, learned from my mistakes and became fluent. So, if you are already here or thinking about coming, learn Spanish.  It opens up a whole new world and allows us to appreciate a culture where we are guests.

Next time:  my wife and daughter's road to speak English.

Back From The States

Summer is not my favorite time in the United States, at least in Georgia and Virginia.  So only one thing could make us go there: family obligations.  A nephew was getting married in St Petersburg, FL.  The groom is the son of my sister Agnes who died of breast cancer in 2005.  So there was no question but to go.  The wedding was beautiful.  The couple included family members in the Nuptial Mass.  The reception was great and thankfully only a few blocks from the hotel.  Few of those present had any business behind the wheel of a car...

We went to Atlanta to see our daughter, Richmond to visit with my sister and our son.  We also went to Norfolk to see my brother.  (Both cities in Virginia.)  The ride back brought us from Richmond, VA to Dallas, TX to Miami, Fl to Quito.  A ride from hell that had us up at 0400 hrs and not getting to bed till after midnight.  But for reasons best known to the airlines, the cheapest flight available.

What struck me as we talked to friends and family was the tension and stress that is almost palpable about jobs and the cost of living.  This experience made my wife and I talk about our decision to stay in Ecuador and live in Cuenca.  While I don't think that economics should be the only factor, it is a factor when quality of life is considered.  Ecuador has a family oriented culture.  Intergenerational parties are the norm not the exception.  In the States, it seems to me, as we get older we are more and more sidelined to mix with other "old folks."  Ecuador also is more willing to accept volunteers who have honed skills over a lifetime.  And Ecuadorians are a lot more accepting of us in their country than we are of them in my country..

Maybe I'm wrong in this.  Maybe I'm just trying to convince myself.  But it's not my first rodeo.  Let's see what I think a year from now.

Where to Retire

Haven't been keeping this blog up to date, but  outside of work it really hasn't been a lot going on.  Johnie and I have really talked a lot about where would be a good place to retire.  The US was first on my list, but the cost of living would leave us strapped financially.  And finances are a real consideration.  Language is not an issue, and this left a continent open to us.  We both liked Argentina, but they offer very little incentive for retirees.  While I was not able to get a definitive answer, it seemed that the Argentinian govt charged taxes on income brought in.  And they tax your furniture etc and you can't bring in some things like tvs.  And since Uncle will also tax my retirement, Argentina had a definite drawback. Long and the short, Argentina was dropped from the list.

So we went looking for other places that had things to do and an agreeable climate.  That pretty much took Panama, my wife's country, out of the running.  The climate is hot and humid.  Volcan has a nice climate, but not much to do.  Boquete is too much like living in the US.  We have decided on Ecuador. Actually, an easy choice as we have lived here (in Quito) since August 2006.

A couple of weeks ago we went to Cuenca to make a last visit before we decided.  We had the opportunity to meet some of the expats there.  Gerard, Larry and Leslie were very helpful.  Had the opportunity to look at a lot of neighborhoods and a couple of houses. Cuenca seems to fit the bill.  And so, Cuenca it is.

In October my wife will go to Cuenca to look for a residence for us and rent it.  We are looking for a house as we are bring our "commadre" and "hijado" with us. 

We will use November to do any painting etc that has to be done and in the beginning of December we will have our pack out.  Some of our stuff will go to the kids and the rest will come with us.

Next, hopes and dreams for retirement.

Health Insurance Increase.

One of the benefits of working for the US Government is that we can carry our healthcare insurance into retirement.  There are a few caveats.  The amount is deducted from the pension in post tax dollars after retirement.  Pre-retirement the cost is deducted pretax.  And it is for the monthly amount. This has made us think long and hard about how to budget for the month.  

As part of the retirement the agency I work for gave me a rough estimate of  my pension and the deductions.  Yesterday they wrote to inform me that there was a change in my health insurance costs.  It went up from $276 to $396.  This is no gold plan, just a standard option for family. 

Of course, what this means is $120 less each month for other expenses.  I want to thank all those representatives and senators who think that my freedom to chose a plan is more important than my ability to pay for the plan.  As we get older our health care needs will increase.  But if the costs keep going up, I won't be able to afford the plan.  Hey, maybe that is the plan...

Moving to Retirement

In August 2006 my wife and I moved from the Atlanta, GA area to Quito. We had lived in the Atlanta area for 10 years. Previous to Atlanta we have lived (and worked) in Guatemala, Virginia and Panamá.

When we moved here we never thought much of retirement. Kinda work till I die mentality. But time and age brings all of us to a point where the work is a chore and other things call to me. So we have begun the process of getting ready for retirement.

First step: Boss, that whole thing about re-upping for two more years...not going to happen. Advertise the job as I am out of here in December 2010. DONE! (Uncle allows his workers the freedom to do that. Not sure about the private sector)

Second Step: Where to retire that will allow us to not be greeters at WALMART and live on dry cat food. At this point not real sure. We have narrowed the field to Cuenca, Mendoza, AR and Chile. Leaning toward Cuenca - but that will be another blog entry.

Third Step: What to do with free time. In the blog, Our Ecuador, Bill and Loretta write about this subject. Hope they keep addressing that question. Others share their lives and tell us how they handle retirement.

Comments are always welcome.

Mike and Johnie