“A different language is a different vision of life.”
-Federico Fellini
“Hola, ¿este autobús va a Santa Mónica?”
I was caught off guard when a friendly lady asked me this question while I was traveling solo in Los Angeles last year. I hesitated, trying to decipher her words, feeling a twinge of embarrassment for not understanding. There I was, a traveler in a vibrant city, yet suddenly feeling isolated by the barrier of language. I did pick up “Santa Monica” from her question and was able to nod, telling her that the bus we were on is going to Santa Monica. It was in that moment I realized the incredible power of language. Learning a new language doesn’t just open doors; it unlocks an entire world of possibilities, especially in travel.
As we step into 2024, I’m embracing a new adventure with boundless enthusiasm. My journey begins with a resolution to learn Spanish, not just as a means of communication, but as a gateway to deeper connections and richer experiences in my travels. In the book of Habits, January will be dedicated to learning the basics of Spanish to see how well i progress.
How do I plan on learning? Duolingo – I’ve had it for a while and it makes learning quite easy. Just need to be consistent and need to keep making notes of what im learning to track my progress. I also stumbled across Destinos – a spanish telenovela which has 52 episodes and is made for helping people get started with learning Spanish. Sounds pretty fun.
Will I be able to speak or understand Spanish my the end of January? Honestly, I have no idea. But I think it is going to be a fun journey. 10 mins a day for learning a language – really excited to see how it goes!
Here’s to a wonderful year filled with language and personal growth! Off we start!
Leave a Reply