So I've been here for 10 days and I have to say that every part of the trip has exceeded the expectations I had when I got on the plane. I would definitely consider my Spanish to be classifiable as Conversational. Without fear of the inevitable errors and sufficient vocabulary to speak with 90 percent of the people here I recognize that the next part of total immersion demands a lot more active learning.(new words, fine-tuning grammar). This next part will be the most difficult I think because it's easy to fall into a pattern of using limited words and phrases if those words and phrases are allowing for conversations with most people. Buying a thesaurus now seems like a great idea and the dictionary isn't as useful because learning a new language, especially with years of classroom prep, allows for a smooth transition to this point but to get to the next level, at which I can truly say I am communicating as I want, will take a lot more studying, practicing and cultural learning. I guess those chapters in our Spanish texts actually were prepared well :)
Today was the real first strong moment homesickness, but it isnt a coincidence that the two people that dropped me off at the airport were the same two that made me feel much better today. I can only hope that other people have that kind of support in their life. I'm very grateful.
It was a beautiful day in Mexico city and the scale said I weigh 84 kilos. (it's so much more exciting using a measurement system in which you are unsure of the conversions)
Best wishes to all and thanks for your love and support today, Dad and Alicia.
Hasta la proxima...
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