Spanish Classes at SJA

Katharine, a fluent speaker of many languages, has traveled extensively and lived in Peru. She made the class fun, as well as educational. The first part of each session was learning words, verbs, pronouns, etc. The second part we had a practice session “speaking” what we had learned to each other. Handouts and ideas for useful learning at home were included and we always ended the class with Spanish music. The music usually contained parts of the Spanish Mass, as the delegation will be attending Mass while in Guatemala.

Initially we first learned about meeting new people, “Mi nombre es Nancy” “? Como se llama usted?” (My name is Nancy. What is your name?) Our first week’s homework was to go somewhere and hear Spanish being spoken. I chose a trip to the Mercado Centre on Bloomington and Lake. The Adoption Ministry family picnic was approaching, so I decided to use what little Spanish I know to grocery shop for a few articles for a dish I was planning to make to represent Mexico. I got the needed items, but had to ask for one I could not find. I haltingly asked in my poor Spanish. The clerk giggled, and responded to my question. I was unable to understand her, and knew I was in trouble. I said, “Perdón”. She laughed aloud and stated, “That was English I was speaking”. We both laughed as she led me to the cheese I was seeking.

The next week we learned our positions in the family and our professions. I especially liked the sounds of mine “jubilada enfermera, retired nurse. The following week we had to bring a photo of our family, so that we could converse with a partner about who was in the family and what they did for a living. Loud chuckles resounded from the Daisy Room.

The Landmark Theater in Edina featured “Valentine”, an Argentinean movie we were encouraged to go and watch. Thankfully, it had sub titles.

As the weeks progressed, we learned to dialog very simply, very, very simply. In addition, we were learning to hear the language and be able to pick out the words we have learned.

We learned a lot about the Mass the delegates would be attending in Guatemala at 6:30 AM. The priest says Mass at many churches on a Sunday. For me it brought back memories of trips to Mexico and the Masses I had attended while there. One Sunday we attended Mass at Santo Rosario in South Minneapolis. You may remember it as Holy Rosary. Of course, we picked the hottest day to attend, and sweated through out the service. Arriving, we found bulletins in both English and Spanish. The Mass was beautiful and formal as the Mass you remember from years ago. Thankfully, the bulletin discussed the homily theme. I was able to follow most of the Mass thanks to the combination of the English bulletin and the fact the priest was very expressive and used a lot of body language.

Leaving the church, at the bottom of the stairs, we discovered tables had been set up for the purpose of selling food. There was my *elote de mayonesa corn on a stick that I had made for the Adoption Ministry family picnic. In addition, they had papaya on a stick. In Maui, we eat papaya when it is so ripe that it runs down your arm. Other cultures, I know, eat them when they are not Maui ripe or ripe at all. These were on the green side and served with hot sauce! Proceeding to the parking lot, we heard the squeals of children’s laughter and saw them circling an ice cream truck, actually an old, old, brown rusty van covered with hundreds of stickers with no theme in mind. Hanging out the window selling Popsicles and ice cream bars was a delightfully jovial young African American man. The whole atmosphere reminded one of vendors selling their wares on the streets of Mexico.

Our final exam was to go to a truly authentic restaurant, having only Spanish speaking waiters and order our meal. Recommended was El Rey De Oro, on Nicollet and Thirty-Fifth Street. It had excellent food, huge portions, and a very extensive menu. Deciding I wanted a good meal, and not caring if I flunked the Spanish exam, I brought my Mexican-American granddaughter along to help me with the menu. (Cheating was allowed!!)

All in the beginners’ class had a fantastic time, with many laughs, learning about the Spanish cultures, Spanish Mass, and even speaking Spanish. We hope to meet with a follow up class in the fall. In the meantime, we are to practice our limited Spanish.

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Nancy Lynch says, "Joy is being a wife, Mom of fourteen, eight with varying disabilities and living at home, Grandma of thirteen, and Great Grandma of three. Serenity is listening and watching the ocean, alone, at our home on Maui. Passion is friends, photography, reading, swimming and children." Nancy can be reached at nalynch@aol.com.

*Elote de mayonesa is corn on the cob, usually on a stick, with a mixture of mayonnaise and a Mexican white cheese spread entirely over it. You then eat it with or without hot sauce.

Parishioners sign greetings for the delegates to take to our Sister Parish in Tierra Nueva Dos, Guatemala. Some in English, some in Spanish. Read email and see photos from the delegation at the delegation site.