3 New Things I Learned about Spanish...

Hola! This past Saturday, Dr. Sarah Harmon, PhD (my friend and former Spanish professor) led a Spanish Workshop for our group. The entire group was not able to attend, but those that were there, Sue, Anne, Katerina, Lauren, Vivian, and later Chris and Victorina learned a lot about the Spanish language and Ecuadorian culture.

First, we began with the alphabet and practiced how to pronounce the Spanish sounds and learned that there are 29 letters in their alphabet (vs. our 26). Spanish words are pronounced exactly as they look - no dropped consonants or tricky vowel sounds.

Second, we also learned that A LOT of English words are almost the same as their Spanish equivalents (these are called "cognates" or "cognatos"). For instance: El hotel, el restaurante, la bicicleta, el museo, el oceano, etc. There are also many words that we already know simply because we live in this part of California which is blessed by its rich immigrant communities and so many of our place names derive from Spanish. With what we learned, we practiced some conversation in the group - basic questions and responses so that we can try to converse with the people we are going to meet.

And third, we learned that we should never begin a Spanish conversation with "I'm sorry" or an excuse of any type about how we don't know the language well. As soon as we open our mouths and begin in Spanish it will become apparent immediately to our listeners that we are not Spanish speakers and they will have mercy on us and probably even try to help us out! Phrases such as "como se dice _____ fill in the English word here?" (How do you say _____?) and "Que es esto?" (What is that?) will become our stock phrases in a pinch! Other phrases that will be our friends include: "mas despacio, por favor" and "repeta, por favor" (speak slower, please) and (repeat, please).

We also learned that there are certain foods that only men should order in a restaurant - can you guess which ones?

After the workshop, we were joined by parishioners, Mildred, Adeyma and Carmen for lunch and conversation. For the next hour, we enjoyed the delicious dishes prepared by these wonderful ladies and we all tried to keep our conversation in Spanish. We talked about our summer plans, movies, La Copa Mundial (World Cup), restaurants, and places in the world we have lived or worked. We was a lot of fun!

After that, we followed up with paperwork, all the forms that we need to sign for the chaperones, behavior contracts, medical forms, etc. We talked about what to pack and how we would get to the airport the day we leave. Our next meeting will be June 20th after the 10:30 am Mass.

35 days to go

Next steps for the trip:
Saturday, May 22nd - the group is meeting for our Spanish Workshop/Conversation Lunch. My friend and Spanish Prof. Sarah Harmon is meeting with our group to help us learn some basic phrases and cultural things that we need to be aware of. This will be from 9-12 am. (I am making breakfast ensaimadas for the group - they are small Spanish sweet rolls, like these, covered with powdered sugar). Then from 12-1pm, a few parishioners, who are native Spanish speakers are coming to eat lunch with us (they are bringing their "native dish") to share while we converse and practice what we have just learned. After that, down to business - I have a bunch of forms (all that legal stuff) for the individuals in the group to sign.

Tuesday, May 25th - put up poster with our bios, from interviews conducted by parishioner Jacqueline Carter-Walker, our photos and logo for the trip designed by Mary Smith! A huge thanks to both of them for helping me with this project!

June 19/20th - Blessing/Commissioning for the trip, final meeting, viewing of photos from 2005 trip and packing up all the soccer uniforms that were donated by very generous parishioners!

Just found out that our visit to the school, Yachay Wasi is confirmed. So that is the other place in Quito (or near Quito)that we will be visiting, more about that later...I am trying to find out more information about it, like a website, etc.

Still more to come later...

Less than 2 months away

There are 51 days left until we leave for Ecuador. And many things to do before the trip...

May 22nd is our Spanish Workshop - my friend and former Spanish Professor extraordinaire, Sarah - hey Sarah! - will be teaching the group phrases, questions - basic Spanish so that we can all at least try to speak Spanish while we are there. Several native Spanish speakers from the parish will join us at noon for lunch time conversation so that we can practice what we've learned. Also that day, I will ask everyone to sign all those release forms - you know that ones I'm talking about - emergency forms, conduct forms, etc.

The next week, I will be posting our photos and bios in Church for the parish to see.

During the Masses on the weekend of June 18/19 we will be commissioned and blessed for our pilgrimage. Also that weekend, we will gather one final time before the flights for last minute questions, and to pack up all the soccer uniforms so graciously donated by the parish community. These will be delivered to the Working Boys Center for the children.

June 24th we leave. More soon...