Monday, January 20th 2003

11 years ago today, I began my 5th consecutive week of Spanish Language School in Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica. That Monday morning, after two hours of speaking Spanish in a small group of a couple students and one teacher, it was time for our break. I was exhausted. I went out to the little cafe area to get some fruit and there was a tall, blond (guy) new student standing there. Not to mention, tall blond AND cute. But I wasn’t interested because I had been hanging out with a local Costa Rican (Tico) for the past few weeks. But el Gringo (white guy) started talking to me (in Spanish).

“Hola, como se llama?”

“Emily”

“Y de donde es?”

California

“Y porque esta aqui estudiando espanol…..BLAH BLAH BLAH”….

Well, at least that’s what it sounded like in my head!

“Um, can we just talk in English, please? And what is your name by the way?”

“Spencer. And, sure. I’ll let you get your fruit now.”

And then if I remember correctly, he walked away and went over to talk to someone more interested in the reason why everyone was there- to learn the language and actually practice.

That’s how it all began……