A Spanish Speaking Friend

By Kent Truckor - Guest Blogger studying in Valencia, Spain

In the third week of school I have found that persistence pays off in regards to learning a language. I have fallen on my face a few times now in regards to speaking the language and speaking with native individuals. However, it is true what they say that the majority of the people are patient with someone who is learning the language and work to help you. I have gotten a better chance of practicing the language through intercambio with Silvia as well as speaking with my Spanish mother and her son in the house. What I have found to be the most difficult is listening to native speakers, deciphering what they have said and then responding in a manner that makes you sound coherent. I figure this gets better with time and practice.

Yesterday I met Arturo who is new to the city as well and was lost. He is a student at the Polytechnic University of Valencia and is 23 like me. It turns out the street he lives on is directly behind my apartment building so I walked with him to show him where the street was. The streets in Valencia are marked well, however much like any decent size city one can get lost due to the slanted and diagonal roads that exist. Either way, I think I have found a new friend in Valencia who likes to fish as much as I do. The next goal is to find a proper place to fish. It is pretty remarkable that after two weeks of Spanish I can communicate with Arturo decently. I wouldn't say great because there are times when I don't understand what he is saying - however he studied in London for a month a few years back and has retained some English abilities.

If one is interested in learning a language, I would heed the advice of many who have come before me, and that is to meet people to speak it with. Yes it can be painful at a first but the more one tries the better they get.

Last night we went on this charter bus from one of the language schools in town to this big new fancy bar like 30 minutes outside of Valencia. Very interesting because I originally though it was in the city center. Either way, the bar was something that would have fit perfectly into something out of the OC, or Beverly Hills. The whole thing was outside and it had a bunch of lit pools, white vinyl sofas and like 5 bars that lit up translucent and were covered with these giant sails that lit up white. I have never been to such a place in my life – Joe's in Metamora and this place could not be from the same planet. However, I would never go back again - the only people who should be there are executives and attorneys - people who can afford a beer and a coke for $7.50 a bottle! Well, it was 5 Euros, but that is roughly $7.50 American. I wish I have my camera, but I left it at home. We couldn't leave until 3:30 because that is when the bus came back. It was definitely a pretty place, but I can have more fun and spend much less money other places, i.e. Ponds for fishing :)

There are many things to do around Valencia that don't require much money including some of the parks and museums, I look to head in this direction next and at some point escape the city to explore the rural regions of Spain. All for now - take care.