Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Funny Spanish Classes


We just finished another Spanish Class. It is always a lot of fun ... and always different. We had a lot of laughter in the class - well, what better way to learn?

One student came to me after day 2 and said "I like to be funny and say funny things and I could never see myself (even after 3 years in Mexico) as being able to do that in Spanish ... and now I do." Yea! Personally I think we had more than one comedian in the room. One fellow would pick a word he liked in the 4005 words we already know section and try to make a sentence around that word ... so he ended up taking milk to the beach in his sentence. In another he was in a parade to the milk factory. The sentences started to play off other funny sentences made.

For me, one of the greatest joys in my own Spanish language confidence is being able to show my personality in my Spanish sentences. I think this class definitely got that! Our Spanish pronunciation coach, Memo, said he really enjoyed himself and we kept him on his toes.

No one said we had to be conventional!
The morning of day 3 ... one student said he was actually able to have a conversation and understand a taxi driver....another said he went with friends to a restaurant where none of the staff spoke English and he started by telling them he was learning Spanish and he used some of the polite phrases/ words he had learned in class and he felt they treated him like a best friend and introduced him to the family and the cook! Another received a call from the Mexican phone company and for the first time ever was able to understand what they said and communicate with them.

I feel wonderful empowering people in my adopted country of Mexico! Estoy Feliz!

Enjoy the Adventure!
Make it an Outstanding Day! Suzanne

Suzanne Marie Bandick
http://spanish.onlyinmexicoyousay.com
www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com

Monday, May 7, 2012

Mexico – Visiting? Moving? Tips.



Are you planning to visit or move to Mexico? The following are my handy dandy quickie tips for newbies in Mexico.

-Don’t bother asking why! Trying to understand many of the things here will only drive you slowly nuts. Just accept that people think and do things differently here and that is what makes it such a special place.

-It is still not recommended to flush toilet paper in many places in Mexico as the plumbing system cannot handle it. In modern buildings you usually don't need to worry about this.

- All produce should be washed in a disinfecting solution and tap water. The disinfecting solution is readily available anywhere. Frankly no matter where you live I would recommend this. Just wash all your produce when you bring it home and you never have to think of it again. Yes, restaurants follow this procedure too.

- There is a class system in place in Mexico. This does not mean you have to be rude or impolite to anyone but it does mean if you are paying to have something done you better act like the boss or your worker can lose respect for you. I am firm and decisive to get the job done and always polite and this seems to be a good combo.

- Yes we use bottled water in Mexico for drinking and most cooking related activities. Restaurants use it too.

- It gets hot in Mexico in the summer. Drink lots of water ... and no, margaritas and beer do not count. However, they also should be enjoyed ... just don't forget the water.

- Expect things to happen more slowly in Mexico. Expect everything to happen much more slowly! That is what we love about it because we can move more slowly too.

- Expect people to be friendly and helpful and they will be. Especially if that is what you have shown them.

- Expect things to be different and remember the first point – don’t ask why.

You can post some more for us too!


Enjoy the Adventure! Suzanne
Suzanne Marie Bandick

P.S. My book: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico is available on my site http://www.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Learn Spanish in 3 days in a fun and easy way with frequency modulation rapid learning techniques. http://spanish.onlyinmexicoyousay.com/

Would you like help to visit or live in Mexico? Visit http://www.liveyourdreamscoaching.com/