We have now been in Cuenca slightly more than a month. We are settling into our new apartment, city, country and life. Our Spanish improves daily and the Cuencans are very understanding and helpful in our ongoing struggle to communicate. I had an interesting conversation with our building administrator on Friday. Her English is possibly worse than my Espaniol. So we actually communicated with maximum mutual effort and patience, and resolved the issue at hand to both our satisfaction. In parting, she was attempting to impart one final point. Her statement hinged on the word 'lunes.' I knew that this was a word that I had studied and encountered prior. As I wracked my brain to affix a translation to the word, she patiently rephrased her statement and continued to surround 'lunes' with other Spanish that meant nothing to me. Finally I said 'lunes' and stood to leave, at which point a large smile swept over her face (oh boy this dope finally go it) and she also stands, repeating 'lunes' as I leave her office. I rush back to our apartment and look up 'lunes' to find the translation 'Monday.' Duh, I knew that....no I didn't.....I knew it once.
One of the interesting challenges of trying to assimilate into a new culture. Makes life interesting and keeps me on my ballerina toes.
We are increasingly more comfortable traveling about the city as we learn more and more landmarks. The streets in Cuenca largely follow the flow of the rivers, so they are anything but straight, sqare and gridlike in their organization(?). The streets are also named for historical figures and events (Tres Novembres, Presidente Manuel Cordova )which further heightens gringo confusion. Keeps it interesting.
Don't try ex-patting if you are developing dementia.