La gringa

I have a funny little story to share with you.  I had to stop at Walgreens this past week during my prep period so I was trying to rush a little.  I overheard a couple speaking in Spanish and I continued on with what I was doing. No big deal, I will just keep on shopping and eavesdrop on their conversation. I'm not trying to be rude, just practice my comprehension and listening in Spanish. (Yes, I know this is a bad habit.)

The Spanish speaking couple went up to a clerk at Walgreens that appeared to be Hispanic.  They asked if this person spoke Spanish. Unfortunately, this employee didn't speak Spanish.  Another employee that appeared to be Hispanic walked by and asked they other employee why they weren't helping the couple. The first employee explained the language barrier. So the 2nd employee then started to guess what the Spanish speaking couple wanted or needed.  This was hilarious and I enjoyed listening to this greatly!

I starting thinking to myself maybe I should go help them because even though I do not appear to be Hispanic, because I'm not, I do speak Spanish.  I had to think about this for a second since I had to hurry to get back to work.  Then finally I realized I should be helpful.

I went up to the couple and told them I spoke Spanish.  The women's first reaction was to laugh.  She laughed pretty hard. I pretty sure she wasn't laughing at my Spanish. So I said "Sí la gringa* habla español/ Yes the white girl speaks Spanish." She laughed even harder and I had to join her. I explained to both employees what they needed and headed on my way.

New Mexico can really make me laugh sometimes. Everyone here thinks it is so bizarre for a white girl from the Midwest to speak Spanish. They are usually shocked or in disbelief. I don't think it is that surprising. I know lots of white people from the Midwest that speak Spanish. (see photos below - All WI or MN natives that speak Spanish.)  I even know a great number of nonhispanic kids that are learning to read and write first in Spanish in MN.  This just makes me smile and laugh a little.

Juernes (Jueves + Viernes - Thursday + Friday) @ the Reindeer Run

Juernes running Irish for a Day 5k

After an amazing game of Mexican Dominos - a Juernes must!

Juernes ladies celebrating dos bebes!

Now I am familiar with their reaction and can understand it a little more.  Most of the Spanish/Mexican/Latinos of New Mexico have been in the USA longer than my family.  Yes they have darker skin and a Hispanic last name, but many (not all) were taught long ago to assimilate to the majority culture so many don't speak Spanish. Just like the Sladky family stopped speaking Czech to blend in more.  The families that immigrated more recently speak Spanish still.

There are certain areas in ABQ where you will hear more Spanish than English.  I have visited some of those places, and they make me feel like I am in Mexico.  I love listening to La Kalle the Spanish radio station.  Something about listening to Daddy Yankee "Rompe," any Reggaeton, Sharika/JLo in Spanish, or Juanes before school wakes me up and gets me ready to teach! :) (Seriously... this music especially helps me prepare for conferences)

Where I grew up there were a ton of Polish and Irish surnames. Sladky wasn't that crazy of a last name. Here of course my names were a struggle for everyone at first, which they have all mastered now. People grow up here with a plethora of Spanish last names and can pronounce all of them perfectly, but when it comes time to say Bosque they say Basque. It hurts my ears a little, but I just have to smile.  When Chris said Basque, I correctly him as fast as I could.

I have to admit I really enjoy living in a place where there is a lot more diversity throughout the whole state not just in certain neighborhoods in the big city.

*Some people feel that gringa can have a negative or derogatory meaning. I don't feel that way. To me it means a English speaker that speaks Spanish.*