Que Sabrosa, Gracias!

#59:  Eat at a Spanish restaurant and speak no English while there. 


When I'm speaking Spanish at work, native speakers sometimes will compliment me.  "Oh, your Spanish is really good, Virginia!" I know that I understand better than I speak, and sometimes I lack the confidence.  Often I make a joke that I'm really good at "housing Spanish", if it has to do with leases and rent, I'll totally rock it.  But put me in a restaurant and I'd be lost.

Well, I can't make that joke anymore.  Yesterday was a late lunch day, with a to-do list as long as my arm. Finally at almost 2pm I was so hungry I might eat anything. So I grabbed my keys and said to Jose, my maintenance man, "I'm going to Maria's Kitchen for some lunch."  I knew what I wanted to do, but Jose insisted on walking down there with me.  Since work isn't in the greatest of neighborhoods, I acquiesced.  But once we got to the restaurant, as we crossed the threshold I entered a different world.  One that I speak no English.  Before Jose could even order for me, I went to the counter and the lady behind it said hello, what can I get you?  And without much thought, I said "Good afternoon.  Do you have any pernil today?"  "She said that she did, and I said "I'd like that please."  She asked if it was for here.  Now, here's where I ran into my first roadblock, I had no idea how to say "to go"  or "takeaway."    Well, if I was in Spain or Mexico, I'd have to make myself understood, right?  Figure it out, or go hungry.  So I did.  It wasn't perfect:   "I take to the office."  She understood, and I got my to-go box.  She asked if I wanted rice, and I said "Of course, and some beans too."  (Good Lord, how I love rice and beans!!!)  I grabbed a Pepsi from the cooler, and Jose was picking out some ribs.  I told the woman that I'd be picking up whatever he was picking out as well.  She rang up my order, bagged it up and then took my money, and I said "this is for you" and handed her a tip.  Off we go, mission accomplished!

Only when I got outside did Jose tell me....."she asked you if you wanted yellow or white rice, and you just said "yes."  So she took a guess, hope you like white."  Oops.  I didn't hear her say that, it was pretty loud in there.  But look!  I procured food using the Spanish language!

Important lesson:  the language doesn't need to be perfect.  I trip over that a lot.  She got the jist of what I was saying, and I got the food.  With time and practice, it'll get easier.

Next time, I'll get a different food.  Pernil is my favorite and they make a mean one, but I already know how to say it.