Intercambio on Sabado (Language Exchange in Saturday)

I went to the Oaxaca Lending Library this morning because I was there last Saturday when they were having intercambios from 10-noon. I noticed that the people seemed thoroughly engaged in the conversations they were having. Four people to a table, at least five tables, a lot of talking was happening. To prepare, I asked yesterday, as I was returning books, how it all works. The woman explained that the first hour is in English, and the second is in Spanish. The part of me that was a bit tired from more than 20 hours of formal Spanish instruction already this week dreaded the second hour, but the helpful part of me appeared ready to meet strangers.

At first it was a young man named Juan Carlos and me. Juan Carlos reminds me of someone I know in California. He is a student and has received scholarships to learn English. He even did an exchange with someone in Wyoming. He is interested in French and Mandarin in addition to English. He is even observant of the multitudes of ways of speaking English: the differences between the different regions of the US, the differences between the US and England or Wales, etc. The next person to arrive was Ruperto. Even more confident and competent with speaking English Ruperto read to us from a Mexico City newspaper that is produced in English. Not only does he have excellent command of the sounds of English, but he could, for example, explain what a verdict is, etc. The only word that tripped him up a little was the word “crafty.” After hearing both of them speak English, I began to get a bit nervous anticipating my turn in Spanish.

We had already covered all of the subjects I have words for. What would we talk about?

A man named Pablo joined us. Recently retired and a world traveler from the US, he landed in Oaxaca in August and intends to stay.

Each of the four of us took turns interviewing the other, earnestly gathering information while voraciously gobbling up new vocabulary.

When the two hours ended, I could hardly believe time was up. As we all promised to meet again next Saturday, I was already hungry for more.