“z”, it became a tad complicated to talk to the natives of this language.
Once I entered High School, the amount of Spanish speakers I met increased, and each person’s family originated from all over Central and South America. I learned that Spanish speakers also have the habit of becoming self-conscious when not around those in their family, or around other Spanish speakers who speak it better and felt conscious about how they each spoke. Many natives of the Spanish languages also become self-conscious for not knowing how to read or write the language well. With realizing that we all have the same feelings, a sense of unity began to form. Realizing that we can all help each other learn the massive amount of vocabulary and verb conjugations, some more strenuous than others, caused people open up more and accept those around them, as well as becoming more helpful. People uncomfortable with speaking their native tongue and people learning to speak it as well, all slowly began to converse in Spanish and did so confidently.
With having the practice at school and at home also, the act of communicating with persons who speak Spanish gradually became easier. Whilst practicing with actual people, I also began listening to a large amount of Spanish music and watching Spanish television. With doing this, I created an atmosphere in which I can relate to Spanish speaking natives and be able to relate to them on a deeper level than what I had the ability to do previously.
Fast forwarding to this past summer, stepping out of the plane I took a breath of fresh air.
This place unfamiliar to me, the difference within the air, the thickness, the different scent, almost smelled fresher than what I had become accustomed too. We continued walking through the airport, going pass large windows that showcased the other large planes getting ready for takeoff, looking at the large open spaces throughout the halls, and the many other faces that were ready to begin their vacations. We walked into this large room, hundreds of people stand along with their luggage, waiting for the line to creep up closer and closer to the persons checking the
passports.
The humidity from outside had already begun to sink in through the walls from outside, the heat not unbearable, just slightly uncomfortable. Little children became restless as the line continues to creep towards the front of the room. I look at all the people surrounding me and realize not everyone has just landed in this land foreign to me. Tanned skin, sunburnt colors of red and pink spread across the face and shoulders of some men and women, the smell of chlorine floating through the air. I sit there wondering about this country and the way things work around here.
My eyes continue to wander around the scenery, taking in every piece of artwork placed on specific areas on the walls. We inch closer towards the passport checking area where this one line splits into three. “So close to seeing the beautiful outside!” I think to myself.
We reach the lady checking the passports, and she says each of our names: “Selinda, Xaviér, Santana, Durmount, Tehya, and KeeShawn”.
We get through, and finally make our way to the outside. The bright sun, the sticky air, the feel of a slight breeze as it rattles through the leaves of the tropical trees. Lots of chatting feel the air as we scan for the correct group to take us to our location. “Hola” and “Como estás” sounded constantly as we walked through the crowded area. We finally make it to our group and make our way through the city to get to the location in which we have the privilege of staying at.
“ǃBienvenidos a México!”
I walk in and take a look at the beautiful scene. Iguanas and birds flock around and seem comfortable in their habitat. I hear conversations in Spanish, and although I do not understand every single word being said, I understood enough to get the gist of the conversation. After more than eight years of learning this foreign language, even though I have not mastered it completely I have come very far. I have the ability to communicate and hold an immensely strong conversation with persons who at some point in my life I could not relate to in anyway. To this day, I continue practicing and learning new vocabulary as well as listening to music from many different areas to learn more about their culture and how they live and thrive as a community. I chose to continue with learning Spanish and the cultures within it as I grew, and that makes me extremely ecstatic.