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Blogging A-Z 2018: Q

What a difficult letter Q is to find interesting words for. Unless that is you are in  Spain with someone who speaks Spanish.

Q is for Querer (To love in Spanish)

I am no linguist, but luckily he is. Listening to Master converse with the locals or the taxi driver as he did when we arrived on Monday is a sound to behold.  I have learned that during those first few hours and days of speaking a language again after a break he covers up by gesticulating and laughing. People are happy to help him refine the words he is struggling with, because he tries so hard and so few people try to speak the language. I love that he is able to do so and know he enjoys that he makes himself understood. I love also that speaking a language rekindles his love for the literature and culture of that country.

Master has brought me to this part of Spain 3 times now and I love the sunny days, the relaxed way of life, the friendly people. I also love that you can start the day late, but because they eat lunch and then dinner later than we do at home, you can easily catch up. The culture of the area is amazing, testimony to the history, often troubled that brought the people to this place in time.

We enjoy travelling to new places and always he tries to speak the language. I have to be satisfied with simple words. Such as please, thank you, the bill or glass of wine or beer. However I am trying to broaden my horizons and know more words. This is easier for me in France as I do have a reasonable knowledge of the vocabulary. Spanish though is something different, I didn’t learn it at school, unlike French. It is also easy to just let him lead.

But he is also happy to try Italian and German. He is also able to speak Dutch from having lived in Amsterdam a few years back. It would be lovely if I could speak more foreign languages myself. But since I can’t I am lucky that he loves language and loves Spain. And I love him.

 

 

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Blogging A-Z 2018: P

P is for Poise

As I mentioned yesterday, we are currently on holiday in Seville, Spain. During the afternoon we walked down to the fairground area where the Feria is being held. Our host told us walking was the best option, and to just follow the people. As we left the restaurant where we had enjoyed lunch we followed a young couple. She dressed in her flamenco dress, he in a light coloured suit. Within 5 or 10 minutes we were following a dozen couples, or women walking together. Then as we approached the gateway to the fair, a mass of people surrounded us. Some, like us weren’t dressed up but most were.

We stopped to cross the road to enter the Feria and had to wait as numerous horse drawn carriages passed. Each taking groups of friends or families to the fair. Accompanying them were men and women on horses. The women riders caught my attention as they were riding side saddle. This is something I have only seen on tv – our royal family and period dramas.

I was struck by the poise and the elegance of these women. Sitting straight backed, and looking cool and collected despite the heat of the Spanish sun. I was in awe of this sight, even more than the beauty of those dressed in their frilly gowns.