"Una coca por favor"

It was a big step to have Jake request a Coca-Cola from a restaurant. All it took was three little words. Amazing how hard it can actually be. It is one thing to speak Spanish at home with your Spanish curriculum. Once you have to interact with real Spanish speaking people that is another. They have a very distinct accents and can roll their R's amazingly. Also, the speed by which they can speak will cause your head to spin. This is way harder than I could have ever anticipated. I say words over and over again but just can't say them like they can. Like I told Ross W. on an email, it feels as if you are swimming in an ocean of words.

This is the advantage of learning Spanish through immersion. We get to hear it over and over again, correctly. Our family is learning text-book Spanish, but real-life Spanish. Fernando often corrects us with our examples we pull from our books. He says, no no, that is way to formal. Say it like this! He adds his cool-attitude with it. Fernando has been very patient with us, repeating over and over, explaining culture and customs. He comes to see us regularly, each time with great enthusiasm. Each time we get to see him, I am greatly encouraged.

We have all experienced the shyness that goes with trying to speak someone else's language right in front of them. There is always the risk it will come out wrong and you will get laughed at. I had to tell the water truck that I didn't need any more water delivered until Tuesday. I shouted, "Martes" which means Tuesday in Spanish, and both men in the truck started cracking up at me. I have now learned just to laugh at myself as well.

Jake soon conjured up the courage to approach the lady at the counter to ask for his soda. It took guts on his part, but he got the words out and received his prize. (The kids would have you know that all the soda here is much better tasting than in America.)