As promised, I will tell the end of the joke I was told that I mentioned in my last post ("Casey in Copey"). So, ¿qué hace un pez cuando se aburrió? ¡Nada! Hahaha!
Don't get it? Don't understand? That's okay. That basically sums up my first day in Copey. There was a lot of stuff I didn't quite understand when hearing it for the first time. Or the second. Or the third. Or the fourth. Going from being able to understand every part of a conversation to only being able to make out one word, and then learning later that the one word you thought you knew to mean "goodbye" is actually a form of saying "hello" in this area...yea, that can be really frustrating at times (Tico tip: In Copey--and maybe in other parts of Costa Rica, I
Don't get it? Don't understand? That's okay. That basically sums up my first day in Copey. There was a lot of stuff I didn't quite understand when hearing it for the first time. Or the second. Or the third. Or the fourth. Going from being able to understand every part of a conversation to only being able to make out one word, and then learning later that the one word you thought you knew to mean "goodbye" is actually a form of saying "hello" in this area...yea, that can be really frustrating at times (Tico tip: In Copey--and maybe in other parts of Costa Rica, I
don't know for sure--people say "adios" as a greeting in passing, like on the street, walking in separate directions or something. If you say "hola," they may think you are wanting to have a longer conversation.). It's hard not being able to be in complete conversation with people, especially when you are used to speaking up in every conversation. It is even harder to imagine not being able to talk as I normally would with my host family, since I rely heavily on conversation as a way to build a relationship with people.
My first night in Copey, and even a little bit yesterday, I did not think building friendships and connections with the people of Copey who do not speak English was going to be possible because of the language barrier. However, after today, I know it will be possible, and even a little easy. All I have to do is listen.
I know, that sounds super cliche. Most people reading this are probably thinking, "Well, duh, Casey. What'd you think people do in conversations?" and I get that. Heck, if I were reading someone's reflectionary blog thing, that's what I'd be thinking, followed by an involuntary lesson on good communication skills that I've had given to me a hundred plus times; however, this is the first time I've ever really understood the value in listening to the words people say and in figuring out what the person is actually saying. For one thing, it's good for knowing what the person you are talking to is saying to you, rather than just giving you some background noise as you try to think of what to say next, while another is how much of a language you barely speak you can pick up by just sitting and listening to other people talk in person and on the news or the tv. I can almost have a full, active conversation (so far, only about certain subjects) in Spanish because of listening to my host family talk and picking apart what they say--that's huge for me! Also, because I try to speak with my host family in their native language, I am already starting to build that connection I thought, only yesterday, I was going to have a hard time doing. I feel more confident in myself than I ever have before, and I've only been here a couple of days.
And for that, I say "gracias" to the "amable" people of Copey. I cannot wait to officially be your friend.
My first night in Copey, and even a little bit yesterday, I did not think building friendships and connections with the people of Copey who do not speak English was going to be possible because of the language barrier. However, after today, I know it will be possible, and even a little easy. All I have to do is listen.
I know, that sounds super cliche. Most people reading this are probably thinking, "Well, duh, Casey. What'd you think people do in conversations?" and I get that. Heck, if I were reading someone's reflectionary blog thing, that's what I'd be thinking, followed by an involuntary lesson on good communication skills that I've had given to me a hundred plus times; however, this is the first time I've ever really understood the value in listening to the words people say and in figuring out what the person is actually saying. For one thing, it's good for knowing what the person you are talking to is saying to you, rather than just giving you some background noise as you try to think of what to say next, while another is how much of a language you barely speak you can pick up by just sitting and listening to other people talk in person and on the news or the tv. I can almost have a full, active conversation (so far, only about certain subjects) in Spanish because of listening to my host family talk and picking apart what they say--that's huge for me! Also, because I try to speak with my host family in their native language, I am already starting to build that connection I thought, only yesterday, I was going to have a hard time doing. I feel more confident in myself than I ever have before, and I've only been here a couple of days.
And for that, I say "gracias" to the "amable" people of Copey. I cannot wait to officially be your friend.