ricitosdeplata
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 09/2015: Via de la Plata
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It was no problem visiting with the gentleman; we were all going in the same direction. My companion and I had walked what seemed like an eternity getting into Burgos and when we asked this gentleman how much further to the cathedral we were aghast at his response. "Dos horas." And he was right!!!Sounds like Spaniards can be pretty friendly. And you were patient spending time listening to the gentleman even though you didn't understand all of what he said
I do but I don't get much chance to use it so my pronunciation is rusty. Have been trying to sing while driving. Understand at least 95% of "Velvet," a currently very popular series on Spanish television.
It was an old post that I just happened upon. Here's the link if that is what you wanted. I'm glad the subject has come up, as I had planned to revive this link anyway. Thanks @falcon269. http://www.learner.org/series/destinos/watch/ep1/Oh, btw, I couldn't find fslcon269's post.
We talked to more locals than we did peregrinos, but that was partially becaues we were carrying a 13 month old and the Spanish are OBSESSED with babies (more than any other nation we've ever been in). It was an instant conversation starter, even when we didn't want a conversation. My wife being fluent in Spanish and French (and speaking some Basque) didn't help either, because they could all ask the zillion questions they wanted to ask. But it was nice, however, to really connect with the locals in a way that I think is difficult for a lot of pilgrims. And we got a lot of free stuff. Our son was given (and this is an incomplete list) 1) At least 20 chupa chups (Spanish suckers). We think more. 2) 3 different times he was given an entire bag manzinetas (a name we invented), kind of like a baby puff 3) A walking cane in O'Cereibro 4) A Scallop shell from Finessstarre 5) A pilgrim's cross necklace that was found on the ground by another peregrino (he felt it was divine intervention) 6) A stuffed dog which we named Estella (after the city) 7) A stuffed polar bear that played Christmas music 8) A fancy white-chocolate sucker 9) twice he was given free bowls of ice cream 10) On one occasion he was greeted by the cafe owner with two beers (we assume they were for us?)11) Milk for his bottle (whenever we tried to buy some from a bar, they always insisted we take it for free).12) A miniature lobster pot with lid (to quote the shop owner in broken English, "babies like to go bang bang")Apart from interacting with the locals we trade with, are there other ways you veteran pilgrims have found to talk with Spaniards along the camino? I imagine pilgrims are tired after a long day, but have you found opportunities after bathing and doing your wash to speak to the locals? Any pointers would be appreciated.
Pronunciation is a funny thing, and it varies even by region in Spain....and no one is more obsessed with it than the Spaniards, sometimes it is funny and endearing, other times it borders on racist. But I do have to say that I find humor in the fact that my 3 year old son, who has so much trouble with pronouncing things in English that he is in speech therapy (his vocab is ahead of his age, but no one can understand him).........speaks with a perfect Castillian "th" when he speaks Spanish.Our Spanish is decent, but since we learned it in California from Mexicans, we have some different words and different pronunciations than in Spain. I try to use the Spanish words for things - aseos, zumo, etc. - but sometimes forget. And of course pronunciation gives me away. On the flip side though, when I come back from Spain (I travel there occasionally for work also), my abuelita immediately knows where I have been because she says I talk like a SpaniardI guess some of the pronunciation rubs off.
I'll sit where people are congregating like a park or outdoor restaurant.
As far as accents go, I'm wondering if my accent will be acceptable
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