United By Different Languages

By Jamie Zwijack, An Augustinian Volunteer in Chulucanas, Peru There have been so many interesting, fun, frustrating, funny, heartwarming, weird, blessed, and beautiful things that have happened since we've arrived in Chulucanas, Peru.  One of the most amusing things that has been happening to me lately is the way that people try to make me feel welcome by trying to speak English to me.  They try really hard but I don't think it always comes out quite like they'd like it to.  There is one man who I've seen a handful of times now and every time I see him he yells the same thing at me: "Hello women!!"  He always uses the plural and I am always by myself when I see him.  A few days ago I was standing outside the Augustinian parish where I work and a man rode up on his bike and yelled (every attempt at English comes out at top volume), "It is morning!!" I really like having these types of interactions with people.  I am so used to always hearing Spanish any time I'm not with my community or the 3 or 4 other people in the city that speak English.  So I am always surprised when I hear English come from a stranger.  English education is very limited here so the things that people say to me are always really funny.  It's also nice that people make the attempt to interact with me; they are interested in me being here and are willing to make the effort to share what they know of my language and culture just as I am doing with them.  Although there are definitely frustrating and difficult things about being her, Chulucanas is a wonderful place filled with wonderful people and I am happy that this is my home for the rest of this year.