Yes, I Speak Spanish (I Think)

For weeks I, as well as my peers, busied ourselves studying for midterms and making plans for spring break. But I don’t think it really sunk in that I would be going to Barcelona, Spain until I had finally boarded the plane. Barcelona is a beautiful and incredibly colorful city; it is quite unlike any place I have ever visited. Every barrio in Barcelona has its own vibrant culture that just sweeps you right in and makes you want to stay there forever! And the food, oh my goodness! As much as I love Italian cuisine, it was quite thrilling to taste the somewhat familiar flavors of Spanish food. While in Barcelona I stayed near the beach and had the chance to visit Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, las Ramblas, and the Picasso Museum. And on my last night in Barcelona, my friend and I went to see a flamenco dancing show.

There are so many stories that I could share with you about this trip, but I am going to limit myself to just one. Part of why I had been so excited to go to Spain was because I missed speaking and hearing Spanish since it is the primary language I speak at home. On the first day we arrived in Spain, I went to a grocery store to pick up a few miscellaneous items. As I was paying, the employee at the cash register asked me something in Spanish and I proceeded to answer him back in Italian. He asked me if I spoke Spanish and I thought to myself: “Yes, I just answered you in Spanish (I think).” So I answered him again, but this time I made sure to speak to him in Spanish. Needless to say, it took my brain a day or two to get out of Italy. I laughed at myself every time I started speaking Italian instead of Spanish because when I’m in Italy I do the exact opposite. I guess my mind is still sorting out all these different languages!