Manners the Universal Language
Quote:
Originally Posted by alberta_steve
Hi i am new here. I am planing a trip to Ecuador Peru and possibly Colombia. I want to buy or rent a bike there. I would prefer to buy because from what i read you can't cross borders with a rental. My question is how much Spanish should I know before i go? Duolingo tells me i am almost 50% fluent but I really don't think i could carry on much of a conversation or even ask directions at this point. I would be traveling solo. I am also looking in to doing some language classes once i am there. Any advice?
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I am Spanish and have been a professor of Spanish Literature in Spain, the United States, Chile and Costa Rica and I have lived in South America more than ten years.
It is my opinion that the fact that you have asked the question you have asked indicated to me you will do fine in Ecuador with whatever Spanish you have available. Ecuador is fast becoming the go to community for ex pats from the EEUU.
Ed, formerly xfiltrate on the HUBB, and a former Peace Corps volunteer.... and I spent weeks in a former Peace Corps hotel in Ecuador and found the the people of Ecuador really like North Americans. Of course that includes Canadians... Most locals had forgotten the role the CIA might have played in the death of their 33rd President, Jaime Roldós Aguilera. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_Roldós_Aguilera
I believe the key is to speak English with those who approach you and want to practice their English. Too many North Americans/euro asians etc refuse to speak English with the locals that that offends them greatly - if they have approached you in their albeit broken English.
By trying to help an Ecuadorian learn English, you will make a friend and have someone who will help you with your Spanish.
Enough said, those who post here might not understand that the language school of the street is a two way street.
rosa del desierto
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