Exchange

Language exchanges are extremely popular here, especially since there are relatively few Americans and many, many young Spaniards want to improve their English, but don't have the resources to do so (English classes can be expensive, happen during work, etc.).

So, my friend from here who lives in Chicago now set me up with two of her friends for a language exchange.  I met the guy today, who used to live in Chicago, about two blocks from our condo - I've now met three Basques who lived in Chicago.  All in Lakeview.  We met and walked to a little cafe where we had coffee.  We talked for forty-five minutes in English and then a panic inducing 45 minutes in Spanish.  It was the scariest 45 minutes I've had in a while, but I survived.  It was probably the longest conversation I've had only in Spanish without English interludes outside of a classroom.  I understood around 90% of what he was saying, and was able to express about 40% of what I wanted to, which is way better than I thought I would.  I had to talk around words or ideas a lot.  I made tons of grammar mistakes.  I misused words.  But I survived and the world didn't explode.  I get to try out my Real Spanish tomorrow at the cell phone shop again, and then Friday morning at the bank.  I hope that weekly meetings with my language exchange partner will help boost my Spanish more quickly!