¿Como?

Language is Culture: No Language - No Culture 

In my third week of learning Spanish I still haven´t figured when to say for example "Buen Provecho". Before, during or after the meal? I also still have major issues to understand people which I am not used to listen to or get the numbers people talking about. Why is it soo difficult to understand the numbers: prices, times etc? And the absolutely worst thing is that I still haven´t figured how to curse in Spanish. Except "Pu.."- which is not that exotic...

However, I have made some progress: I can introduce myself properly (mostly), can politely ask for things or order in a restaurant (again- mostly). Understand sometimes what my host mom tries to tell me and I am barely able to hit on someone. -Most of the times I just smile and according to the voice someone has I will either way smile even more and say "¡Si!" or look sadly and say something like "¡Oh- triste!"...

...Sometimes, I think, I am guessing wrongly- which is usually followed by a brief moment of silence from the counterpart of the conversation and this awkward feeling on my side...

It is definitely an interesting experience and everyday I am curious to explore how much culture is based on language and how much an understanding of the language determines your access to culture. -That sounds in the first moment kind of naive since it appeals to be obvious, but it is a crucial connection.  In the first few days I felt like in a bubble: seeing my environment, hearing and smelling it. But not being capable of interact with it. That is an intense feeling: being inside and at the same time outside. In particular the first few days I was scared and embarrassed and every tiny verbal interaction caused stress and an uncomfortable feeling. Until today situations occur which are weird.

For example when I am sitting for lunch with my host family and friends of the family are coming over. They know that I don´t understand what they are saying- and are uncertain themselves if it is OK to talk in the way they are used to or if they should switch into that kind of infantile language I at least sometimes understand.
Or there are people talking about a topic I want to contribute to: sometimes I do not think about my reduced capacities and start to tell a story. Mostly, during the first few words I realize that I just won´t be able to finish even the first sentence.

Those experiences leave most of the time a feeling of insecurity, and sometimes even of being stupid. I know I am not but other students experiencing the same. If you can´t access your environment you question yourself and worse- ask yourself what others think about you.

Anyways- there are things you do not need to talk to but still understand what it is about... -NOOOO! Not what you think: I am talking about SALSA!

I went last night for the very first time in my life for a Salsa class into a club. Some friends of mine here made some jokes since Germans do not necessarily have the reputation of being good in motions and in particular not in dancing. But- the music, the moves, the sexual energy and the beauty of Salsa are just highly addictive. It is definitely a good way to debrief...