She said that she always gets nervous when she doesn't know the language.
I guess I've been pretty lucky for the most part... Either they speak English as a second language or I have a friend with me that speaks the language or a guide that speaks it.
I told her the only time I really noticed it was my time in Guatemala.
After our volcano hike tour they dropped us off at a spa. My friend went to her massage and I was to do a water circuit .
That day wasn't too busy except for a group of about 10 Guatemalan men. (Men at a spa, ha I know what you are thinking).
I was trying to tell the lady at the towel counter to change the time of my circuit because I didn't feel comfortable with the group.
When she stared at me with a blank look on her face was the only time the language barrier on my trips hit me.
It really forced me to find the words (my Spanish book was in the locker).
Mucho hombres
....Is all I remember saying, then shaking my head and pointing to the top of my wrist (I take it to be the universal sign for Time -apparently she didn't wear a wrist watch, another blank look (kids these days) so I pointed to the clock on the wall)
I got through it and the lady and I had a mutual understanding laugh.
You would think, in other circumstances, mucho hombres would be quite welcome!
Apparently I chatted it up with a cute one who spoke perfect English (he went to school in the states), they were a bunch of teachers enjoying their day off.
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