wow....what fun!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2005
wow....what fun!
4
Sun, 01-09-2005 - 1:03am

I just had such a wonderful time.

I got up my courage to go to the choir practice at the iglesia (hispanic church) tonight. I've wanted to several times but just couldn't get myself to do it. Anyway, they were having a fellowship tonight instead of choir practice and it was so much FUN! There were 9 people there.

We sang (which I could do if I had a wordsheet, but not on the ones I didn't) and talked and had empaN(tilda)adas. There was talk about the bible and customs and mexico and politics and people and dialects. And I understood the gist, the main idea, of every conversation!

At one point the group told the pastor that they would like to know my name. I guess they hadn't caught it in conversation. I told them and I asked if there was anything else they wanted to ask me, since I was the new person. I said to the pastor "after all, I'M the different one here"...LOL..he said "NO, no one is different here, if you're here you're one of us"...

Anyway, there was a question from Israel (who is SO cute) and it was "are you married or single?" ROTFLMAO! I said I was single and then asked the pastor "why is that always the first question?" and they told him "because that always comes before the NEXT question"...

And evidently Jorge didn't want me to know he has a son. I asked pastor why that mattered and he said "in our culture, when a man is trying to win a woman's heart he doesn't want her to know if he has been with someone previously, because it makes him less attractive."...LOL...And evidently some of the others have children as well. So I'll have to have a chat with Pastor to see what's what. But it was hilarious that there was discussion about whether I am available or not. Latin men, gotta love 'em.

It was a very warm, close group. The women were great and spoke their minds. And since it was church, no drinking or carousing...just fun. They're excited about my teaching english and say they'll ALL be my spanish teachers. Woo hoo!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2004
Sun, 01-09-2005 - 8:50am

It sounds like you had a wonderful evening and felt very appreciated.

The latin culture is so intriguing and the people are brilliant - I had the opportunity to befriend a lot of Mexican people when I lived in Arizona and now I am surrounded with latin friends from El Salvidor, Columbia, Argentina, Cuba and Brazil. They have taught me so much about how to dress, how to date, traditional gender roles, food, culture, traditions, child rearing, family and more.

Latin men do tend to have a lot of pride - they call it machissimo.

I am curious to see what you find and to hear more of your stories.

Avatar for comountainsprite
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 01-09-2005 - 4:48pm
Sounds like you had a great time; good for you to get up the pluck to go. And about those Latin men . . . hmmm, can be cute but dangerous ;) Seriously it really is awfully cute that they wanted to know your availability. I do have to echo the machismo statement though. Not that I'm judging, just be aware that male pride is big and fragile. Personally I also think it's something in the blood LOL (My dh is Italian emphatically even though he grew up with his mom and stepdad who was not Italian.) Anyway, keep us posted. I'm assuming you'll go back soon for the next practice. What a great way to meet a new, interesting people.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2005
Sun, 01-09-2005 - 10:03pm

I went back to church tonight (my third time at their church service) and Tuesday I start with the english class. If you ever want to feel REALLY good, volunteer to help people who are disadvantaged in some way. Man...they love you for it, and you're giving back some of the blessings you've received.

One of the guys who is making eyes at me is not a macho guy. He is usually sitting with a couple of the women and there's a certain look behind his eyes. From students I've known in the past I think it's a little extra IQ hiding in there. Which I'm sure would make it VERY frustrating to have people treat you like you're stupid (which many do if you don't know english).

Of the two ladies, one is a STITCH! Funny and assertive. The other is very sweet and her english is better than she lets on.

Most of the guys are very friendly but it takes awhile for some of them to open up. One fellow I finally saw smile tonight, very cool.

It's fun to get to know them individually.

One of the younger guys was stealing looks at my dd, 13. hmmm, gotta watch that one. Nah, my daughter will stop him cold if he isnt' respectful. She can handle it fine.

Avatar for cl_beckty
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 11:27am
This sounds so great Candi!!! You've come a long way woman. ;)
Becky

Becky