Wednesday, February 01, 2012
(pardon the back-posting)
I was really frustrated today when I tried
to return to the residencia after
lunch. The outside door to the building
was locked; it never has been before.
The guard from the hospital had to let me in, but the hospital staff
couldn’t find him and then he didn’t understand why I wanted to be let into my
apartment, then he couldn’t find his keys, then the keys he found didn’t
work. I was frustrated because the door
had never been locked before and each room within the building has a lock on
the door, so there is no security threat.
I didn’t have a key for the outside door, so I could not get into my
room when I would like to. I just don’t
understand the reasoning behind all of it, because I don’t fully understand
what people are saying all the time. So
I was frustrated…because I want to understand everything people are saying, but
if they don’t speak clear enough or loud enough I don’t understand well. I don’t mean to blame them for not speaking
to me slow enough…the only thing to blame is my lack of patience. I’ve only been here two weeks, this
speaking-like-a-native will take time.
Next time I get frustrated like this, I’m
going to remind myself of the few times Spanish-speakers have told me that my
Spanish is good…and that the American doctor who lived here for 15 years told
me he still messes up sometimes. I
highly doubt that, but I appreciate his compassion and sympathy for my
frustration. His advice: be relentless,
ask questions when you don’t understand.
Ok. *deep breath* Tomorrow’s a new day…
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