Sola

Learning a new card game

Nory and Katty playing "volley" with Nico running interference

Nico meets the monkey

My Spanish must be improving. Yesterday, my sister was out running around with her boss all day and I was at the casa with Blanca and the other residents, none of whom speak English. It actually went fine. I would even go as far as to say it was fun! We sat around and talked, no, communicated. They seem to enjoy teaching me, and I definitely enjoy learning.

How do you know when you are truly acquiring language? How about when you can tell and American joke in Spanish, and get a laugh? How about when four very patient native Spanish speakers teach you not one, but two card games? True, I have not mastered the finer points of the second game, but I held my own pretty well. Although I missed my sister, I felt very at ease with the other occupants of the house.

The kids here know how to milk fun out of nearly any situation. There is no volley ball net, but they play “volley” at every opportunity. The monkey is a new source of entertainment. Nico is currently the youngest member of this house hold. The picture above is his first meeting with the monkey. He was fascinated.

Hopefully the monkey will be acquiring a new, larger home today. My research yesterday leads me to believe she (the monkey) is a squirrel monkey. She sure is cute, but I do feel sad for her. She needs more interaction. This is why a pet as a gift is not always a great idea. My sister did not have any of the needed supplies for a monkey. Hopefully we can get that under control today. I don’t think I will ever have a monkey. It is too sad to see the poor critter moping all day in a tiny cage. Heather intends to get it some tiny diapers and a leash so she can take it with her, but even still, a monkey belongs in the jungle…