What language barrier?

As most of you know, we came to Columbia knowing no Spanish. Nikkie has some advantage with the 2 years of French she took in High School, but still...And Chris? Ugh!

We have enjoyed the laughter and blank stares as we try to communicate in the mall and grocery store. We think that the employees count the hours 'til our return so they can be amused yet again :).

Here at El Refugio, the maids are doing a great job of helping us communicate --well, forcing us to speak Spanish. Their greatest pleasure is teasing Chris. They get such a kick out of his "trying" to speak/understand Spanish.

Story #1
Our first full day here in Colombia (after picking up Nicholas), we decided to go to the grocery store. First mistake? Telling the maids...

One of the maids decided to take advantage of our trip to the store. She gave us a credit card and said "puntas". We, of course, had no idea what they were, but being friendly Americans said we would get them. Spanish-speaking friends, are you laughing yet? No Barbara, we didn't have the yellow book in hand. Anyway, thinking "puntas" are native fruit, pasta, bean or something in a can, Chris began asking the best he could with gestures (picture her face those of you who know what “puntas” are) is it large, small, heavy or light? Finally, we gave up and simply said that we would try to get "puntas" for her. The three of us went cheerfully off to the store to buy "putas" for the maid, hoping we had enough room in the stroller to bring it home.

Scene II --The grocery store where we hand our piece of paper on which "puntas" is written to several very nice employees who direct us to person after person. After about 10 minutes, a customer whose child speaks English comes to our rescue. We're standing in front of new towels and have been told (we think) that we don't have enough to buy them. So off we go back to the residence to tell the maid we couldn't get the towels because there wasn't enough credit available.

When we got back, the maid rolled her eyes as we tried to explain the problem. Suddenly, as we reached our room, it dawned on us. "Puntas" are not towels, they are points and what the maid wanted us to do is use her card so she could get the points off what we purchased. UGH!!!

Story #2
Soup is serve with every lunch. Apparently, Thursday at lunch Chris made face as his soup was served. The maids have not let him forget it, each day making some comment about "sopa". Today they laughingly asked if he wanted "dos sopa". Chris adamantly replied "No mas. Uno Sopa!" to their amusement and fits of laughter in the kitchen. Tonight they threatened to bring "GRANDE sopa" to him. Of course, that joke was capped off by our trying to ask if there was popcorn in the kitchen. At one point the maid even brought out toilet paper!!!! And our french-speaking house mates, much to our dismay, are no help. This time we brought out the yellow book and the case was solved. Phew!

Anyway, we are so glad they enjoy us. It makes our stay here so much fun. And we hope you have enjoyed our stories as much as we continue to do. Ahhh! Laughter is good :)

And, Nicholas is sleeping!!!! SHHHHH!

Have a great night!