The other day I was walking home after class, enjoying a pleasant Toledo afternoon with the beautiful weather, when suddenly I heard English. Laugh if you want. But my ears always perk up when I hear people chattering in a language in which I do not have to think twice to understand. Sure enough a family of Americans emerged from around the corner, the father holding the conspicuous red rimmed Toledo map typical of any outsider. They encountered two Spanish teenage guys eating ice cream and just as I passed all of them, the mother said in the most obnoxious Yankee accent, "EXCUSE ME. WHERE DID YOU GET THAT CONE?" but slowly, as if the speed at which she spoke might affect his ability to understand. The kid gave her a blank stare and shrugged. "THE ICE CREAM, WHERE?" The two Spanish boys just walked on. I stared blankly in amazement and embarrassment and quickly hustled by before the woman realized I was American. With instances like this, I can understand why Europeans get so fed up with us. We expect everyone to speak English. To adapt to our ways and accomodate our interests. Next time I get frustrated with Spanish people and their (somtimes) intolerance for foreigners, I will just remember scenes like this one.
It is absolutely crazy to think that in one week from today exactly, I will be on that big Iberia plane on my way to America. The plane will have just taken off. I will just be getting comfortable and preparing for a long nap, maybe putting on earphones to listen to whatever movie the crew has selected. It actually did hit me today, as I was at the Tuesday Market doing some souvenir shopping. I stood there at the bottom of the hill looking up at the city and the Puerta de Bisagra, and I realized I will be actually leaving this city of Toledo, this place I have called home for the past eight months. When will I come back? No idea. Which is another thing that scares me a little bit. Do not get me wrong, I am ready to go. I just think that maybe this transition might be a little more shocking and emotional than I had originally thought.
We decided to stay here in Toledo this weekend instead of travel to Alicante, which is on the east coast but is calling for rain. Toledo is supposed to be in the 80s and sunny. I do have lots to do, including bid my farewell to both host families, so being here one last weekend will be nice.
1 comment:
Holler to the Yankee obnoxiously yelling about the Ice Cream cone. Similar to the 2 guidos that are in my Holocaust class who play with their Blackberry's while we learn about the most devestating, evil time period in all of history. Yay America!
Post a Comment