I have had the privilege of being part of a Spanish speaking church the last two and a half years. They have welcomed me as family and have been very gracious with my re-learning the language and all my blunders.
The only time I was really fluent in Spanish was when I was about 6 years old - and then my vocabulary was limited to mostly child's play. We had Spanish lessons in the school where I grew up, and we lived where I could practice and use it, but sadly I didn't pursue it like I could have.
Growing up in Mexico as an MK (missionary kid) had its benefits and drawbacks. It's hard to explain, unless you have been one - you know what I mean, if you are one. Because you always are an MK. Always. I find that Military kids that grew up in other countries feel the same way.
Growing up with a second language all around you gives the advantage of absorbing the sounds and nuances of the language. You learn to roll the tongue, put the accent in the proper place, get the right tone lift in a word, learn the slang words, and the common gestures used while speaking certain words. Words meaning "over there" or "here" or in agreement with the other speaker.
The Latin American culture is very expressive with hands, faces, and heads. They can almost carry on a conversation across the room with their hands (and I'm not talking about bad signs - only the use of the hands for emphasis), nods of the head and facial expressions. A quick tip of the head up can mean several different things, but you just know, when you've been around it. (Anywhere from a greeting to a thank you.)
I remember warm, fresh tortillas, hot pan dulce (sweat bread) and bolillos that would melt in your mouth. Those are the scents and tastes that "send" you home.
So what makes a place "home"? What makes another country become your home? Perhaps you were born there, like I was, and you just feel a connection to the land and to the people.
To find myself back in the culture has been a bit of a going "home" for me. Hard to explain.
Every culture has its distinct sounds of the language. I can tell you if I hear Spanish in a store, merely by the "sing-song" of the tones, way before I can even hear the actual words. And I still have a ways to go in my learning of the language, I will admit that. But I still know - the sounds of "home".
In some ways our cultures are very different. Some ways are very much the same. We all love our food! The wonderful aroma of driving by a home with a bakery and outdoor brick oven is AMAZING!!! Can't lie about that one! Eating the fresh "pan dulce" (Spanish sweet bread) or fresh bolillos were always a treat. Fresh out of the oven and still warm is to die for!
There are the sounds of your home land. For me it was 6-10 person bands playing forlorn music in the street as they walk with a casket to the graveyard. Or two loud "bombas" (fire crackers) in rapid succession were the announcement of a wedding with music playing into the night.
There is the whistle that the young man would make that announced he was selling balloons on the town square. Some things just stick with you, you know? The sights and sounds of growing up that you took for granted - become sights and sounds that send you on a quick trip back if something triggers them.
Flash-backs, I think they call them. Those sights and sounds that hit you out of no-where and transport you to another place in your mind. Hopefully they are good sounds and smells that you re-visit!
The purpose of me telling you about some of my sights and sounds and flavors of my growing up is why I have the Spanish designs available in my store. I'm caught in both cultures. Some things are best expressed in one language in one way, and differently in another. That's why there aren't always corresponding shirts with the same design.
These are my roots. My people are on both sides of the border. My heart is expanded - not torn. And the language extends to many other countries! And so does my heart. Where does your heart get called back to?
It's Fiesta time which means joy and lots of food, pan dulce (Spanish bread), music, piñatas , laughter, and games! (And Rocio - you are the definition of "Fiesta!" Thank you, you have taught me so much.) : )
These are some of my Spanish designs on my website.