Smiling in Spanish

By Mary Ellen D'Agostino

In August of 2012 two adventurous ladies decided to become more fl uent in
Spanish by immersing themselves in four weeks of language study in Antigua,
Guatemala. Fueling their desire was their work with Spanish-speaking
immigrants in Richmond, Virginia. These letters refl ect their challenges and
joys as they embraced a very different culture. Ultimately, they found the
rewards of being far from home are many, including rediscovering their own
capacity for fearlessly facing new challenges, and fi nding beautiful people
tucked away in many corners of the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483698779

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Mary Ellen D'Agostino.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 09/17/2013

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CONTENTS

Author’s Introduction

Acknowledgments

About The Author

This book is dedicated to my loving husband, Joe,

whose partnering in life enables me to

smile and laugh often

and

to my children,

Larry & Joy Marie,

my daughter-in-law, Tiffani,

and my special grandchildren,

Joey

Alex

Grace

Sam

who make me smile every time I think of them.

In August of 2012 two adventurous ladies decided to become more fluent in Spanish by immersing themselves in four weeks of language study in Antigua, Guatemala. Fueling their desire was their work with Spanish-speaking immigrants in Richmond, Virginia. These letters reflect their challenges and joys as they embraced a very different culture. Ultimately, they found the rewards of being far from home are many, including rediscovering their own capacity for fearlessly facing new challenges, and finding beautiful people tucked away in many corners of the world.

Caron Martinez, Editor

AUTHOR’S INTRODUCTION

Mi Familia y Mis Amigos,

Perhaps for some readers this short story of a journey to Latin America may be able to answer the question, Is there life after 65? In this writer’s opinion the answer echoes, Yes.

My husband and I moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 2008 in order to be near our daughter and her family. We then researched volunteer opportunities in the area. A nearby Jesuit church and Center seemed a perfect fit for us. My husband’s Ph.D. offered educational and fundraising experience, and my Masters degree in education was a match for the teaching of English as a Second Language (ESL). The Church used their formerly closed school building to open a Center for Latin Americans in the area.

My former education had provided me with courses in several languages, but none in Spanish. I soon learned that in the teaching of English, I met the most wonderful students with a myriad of needs outside of the classroom. Thus the impetus to learn Spanish began. At 74 years of age, I found that the local weekly classes were somewhat helpful, but not sufficient to learn to speak the language.

A surprising income tax return allowed me to gingerly introduce into our family conversations the idea of going to Guatemala for Spanish immersion classes. My husband’s normal reservations were allayed by the fact that one of his former students had just returned from there and assured him that it would be a safe and rewarding experience. So, now, this city girl from Flushing, New York, proceeded to get ready for a unique experience in Antigua, Guatemala. An amendment to the agreement promised that Joe would be able to join for a week of vacation afterwards.

A wonderful surprise ensued when a great friend, Marie Giblin, decided to join me. We agreed to live with separate host families to enhance the learning experience and insure that we did not cheat and speak English. Her decision made the trip a great deal better since we could enjoy each other’s company as we toured the city. We found that two heads were definitely better than one in overcoming obstacles along the way. Marie brought her wonderful intellect and map reading skills and agreed to plan our walking and walking and walking tours. I followed her blue jacket the entire month through thick and thin, meeting friendly people and those who won’t be on our thank-you note lists, changing dollars to math defying amounts of quetzales, bargaining with street vendors, and just laughing at ourselves and with our many new friends.

For you, the reader, I am only able to offer a small glimpse into the lives of a remarkable people. They are true survivors, poor in most material ways, but rich in the true values of life.

Please begin with this journal to vicariously live alongside, laugh with, and love them along with me. If these words bring a smile to your face, know that this is surely God’s gift to both of us.

Mary Ellen D’Agostino

email: [e-mail]

A joyful heart is good medicine—Proverbs 17:22

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Hi Larry, Tiffani & Joy . . . and all,

Bringing you all up-to-date on Mom’s travels. Yesterday was hectic with all the running around for Mom in order to prepare for the flights to Guatemala this morning. The Dausman’s came down and took us out to lunch, and that was fun. Michelle even brought me a CARE package of 6 cinnamon rolls to help me get over my loneliness.

About 4:30 PM, we drove to pick up Marie Giblin, Mom’s travel companion . . . and her luggage. Marie was staying